Potential for auto aftermarket with 4 million cars in GCC

The GCC countries boast of one of the highest per capita incomes in the world. The stable economy, a high population growth rate, and the lack of local automobile production, are the key factors behind the significant development of the automotive sector.

The diversified automotive industry in the GCC and UAE is highly dependent on imports from Europe, America, Japan, and other Asian countries.

“The large presence of automobiles in the region creates significant demand for the aftermarket industry and augurs well for Automechanika Middle East, the leading international trade fair for the automotive industry in the wider Middle East,” said Elisabeth Brehl, Managing Director of Epoc Messe Frankfurt, organizers of the trade fair.

Research stated by Auto Strategies International, show that 66% of the total number of passenger cars in UAE are from Japan, while the European, Korean and American car brands stand at 14.71%, 7.55% and 3.63% respectively.

Automechanika Middle East will be held from 31st May to 2nd June, 2009, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

“Reported research show that the Japanese automobiles dominate the GCC auto market with 60.98%, while the rest of the pie was shared by Korean brands at 13.78%, American brands at 10.15%, and European brands at 8.20%,” said Michael Dehn, Senior Show Manager of the Automechanika Middle East.

With almost four million passenger cars in the GCC, out of which 1,287,442 are in UAE; this region offers car parts and accessories distributors, retailers and the aftermarket industry, in general, a huge opportunity to enter a market least affected by the current credit crunch.

Automechanika Middle East is the largest auto aftermarket exhibition in the Middle East, and the only exhibition incorporating the four major segments i.e., Parts and Systems, Accessories and Tuning, Repair and Maintenance, and IT and Management. The exhibition will also feature a new sector for tyres and batteries in 2009.

In 2008, Automechanika Middle East featured over 950 exhibitors from 44 countries to a visitor attendance of more than 17,500 from 127 countries. The trade fair covers full range of parts for motor vehicles, as well as components for the drive, chassis, body, electrics and electronic groups, equipment for vehicle service and repair, bodywork repair and painting, tyres, batteries, and performance systems.

Automechanika Middle East is a good platform to meet new contacts, discuss new trends and technological developments, keep up to date with industry knowledge, and source new products and solutions from world over.