2018 edition attracts 1,812 exhibitors from 61 countries
Automechanika Dubai 2018, held from May 1 to 3 at the Dubai International Exhibition and Exhibition Centre, once again proved to be the Middle East’s leading international exhibition for the auto service industry and aftermarket, featuring 1,812 exhibitors from 61 countries in its 16th edition.
Plenty of new technologies were on show at the three-day event, which spanned the entire spectrum of the automotive aftermarket, covering the key six product groups of Parts & Components; Electronics & Systems; Accessories & Customizing; Repair & Maintenance; Car Wash, Care & Reconditioning; and Tyres & Batteries.
Automechanika Dubai’s global influence was highlighted by the presence of 23 country pavilions and 36 international trade associations, while 90 per cent of exhibitors and 52 per cent of the 30,000-plus visitors came from outside of the UAE.
The annual showpiece event also had its popular Truck Competence initiative, where more than 1,500 exhibitors showcased their products dedicated to the entire value chain in the truck sector, from truck parts and accessories to workshop equipment, body repairs and care.
Huge growth potential
During the event, an 18-page TechSci Research knowledge report was published, according to which the Middle East and African auto aftermarket, valued at $22 billion in 2017, is projected to grow annually by 7% over the next five years, with sales of auto parts and accessories across the region estimated to reach $31 billion by 2022.
According to a 2018 whitepaper by TechSci Research, a slackening of regional vehicle sales hasn’t ebbed the flow of demand for automotive service industry and aftermarket products, with growth largely fuelled by demand from the existing vehicle parc and the expected improvement of car sales moving forward.
The report stated that in the Middle East sales of tyres, oils, lubricants, coolants, filters, batteries, brakes, electrical parts, lights, and other accessories and car components was worth $12 billion in 2017, with this set to increase to $16 billion by 2022. In Africa, the auto aftermarket was worth $10 billion last year, with demand for parts and accessories tipped to reach $15 billion by 2022.
Tyres accounted for the lion’s share of sales in both regions according to TechSci, comprising 22 per cent ($2.6 billion) of the aftermarket in the Middle East in 2017, and 23 per cent ($2.3 billion) in Africa.
This was followed by engine oils, lubricants, and coolants, which comprised a seven per cent share of sales last year in the Middle East ($840 million), and six per cent in Africa ($600 million).
It was further revealed in the report that the total vehicle fleet size across the Middle East and African region was 92 million in 2017, while three million new cars were estimated to be sold in the Middle East last year and a further 1.3 million in Africa.
Mr. Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Automechanika Dubai’s organiser, Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “The automotive aftermarket is directly associated with vehicle parc, and car owners appear to be focusing on maintaining their vehicles for longer periods, thereby boosting the auto aftermarket in the long run. Commercial fleet owners are also interested in maintaining their existing vehicles for longer periods, leading to a boost in the requirements for aftermarket components and services.”
Mr. Pauwels added: “We envisage that vehicle sales will continue to improve across the region in the coming years, while Saudi’s new decree to allow women to drive from 2018, and growing demand for more innovative new technologies will also add to enhanced growth prospects for the automotive aftermarket in the future.”