SAUDI ARABIA CONTINUES TO BE KEY FOCUS AREA FOR AUTOMECHANIKA MIDDLE EAST EXHIBITORS

At US$215 mn worth, Kingdom features prominently in Dubai’s export and re-export market increasing interest in Dubai transhipment hub leads to surge in Saudi trade buyers to exhibition

The Saudi Arabian automotive aftermarket continues to be a key focus area for the industry, as it is remains one of the major re-export destinations serviced by the UAE’s transhipment hub of Dubai.

Leading international manufacturers and suppliers of automotive aftermarket equipment will pay close attention to the changing trends and needs of the Kingdom’s buyers, as they come together at the upcoming Automechanika Middle East 2012 in Dubai.

Saudi Arabia, along with Iran and Iraq are the main destination countries for exports and re-exports of automotive equipment and spare parts out of Dubai. According to statistics released by Dubai Customs, the Saudi Arabian export and re-export market was worth US$215 mn in 2010. The complete figures for 2011 will be revealed next week during the trade exhibition.

“As trade between the two largest economies of the Arabian Peninsula continues to flourish, due to forward-looking policy decisions taken by the two governments, the Saudi market for automotive equipment and spare parts will continue to gain in importance,” said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Epoc Messe Frankfurt, organiser of Automechanika Middle East. “This increase in interest among manufacturers and suppliers has also resulted in growing awareness among Saudi Arabian buyers of the advantages of sourcing products from Dubai,” Pauwels added.

This is reflected in the continuing increase in the numbers of Saudi Arabian trade visitors to Automechanika Middle East, which grew 21% between 2009 and 2010 and enjoyed a further 28 per cent rise in 2011. The organiser expects a further increase for the upcoming edition taking place at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 22nd to 24th.

Another key factor facilitating ongoing growth in the Saudi auto aftermarket is the fact that as of 2011, an estimated 70% of the passenger cars, totalling 1,946,038, in the Kingdom were three years or older. In addition, nearly 62% of the trucks and buses in Saudi Arabia, or 1,200,105, were similarly three years of older.* These numbers indicate the demand for spare parts and equipment in order to maintain these vehicles.

Among the key exhibitors at Automechanika Middle East 2012 with a keen eye on the prospects of the Saudi market is ENOC (Emirates National Oil Company), whose recent joint venture has seen Autopro expand operations across the Kingdom, while also lining up future presence across the GCC and the MENA region. Sales and Marketing Manager of Autopro, Mr. Tariq Al Rasheed, said: “ENOC Retail has been driving the future of expansion from local to regional. Autopro - the youngest member of the retail chain - is reaping the opportunities of the recent joint venture with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which will see operations beyond UAE and into the GCC and the wider MENA region.”

Leading supplier of spare parts and equipments across Saudi Arabia, Awadh Banaeem & Sons, will also make their presence felt at Automechanika Middle East. “We are a distributor of American vehicle spare parts for brands like General Motors, Ford and Dodge. The annual trade show in Dubai, Automechanika Middle East becomes our threshold to business opportunities and expansion to the countries from the wider Middle East and North Africa regions,” said Emam Sayed Emam, Purchase Supervisor, Awadh M. Banaeem & Sons.

Celebrating ten years in operation as the premier trade fair in its field, Automechanika Middle East 2012 will bring world leading manufacturers, suppliers and service providers in touch with one of the world’s most important markets for the automotive aftermarket and associated industries. This year’s edition is expected to attract even greater attention during its May 22nd to 24th run at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre with over 1,300 exhibitors from 55+ countries spread across 9 halls.

Today, Automechanika Middle East is the leading trade exhibition for parts, equipments and services for cars, trucks and buses. It allows seamless access to all Middle Eastern markets through the business and trade hub of Dubai and draws in important buyers from markets which are traditionally more difficult to reach in the region.

The show is divided into 5 product sections for the benefit of exhibitors and trade visitors, namely: Parts & Systems, Repair & Maintenance, Tyres & Batteries, Service Station & Car Wash and Accessories & Tuning.

* Auto Strategies International – Motor Vehicle Census Analysis

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This release was published on openPR.