FEATURE
AUTOMECHANIKA OPEN FOR BUSINESS
Growth indicators in the automotive industry will drive opportunities in aftermarket sales
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n light of the evolving COVID-19 outbreak, UFI (The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry) and SISO (Society of Independent Show Organizers) have launched an industry-wide campaign to show where events are ongoing – and Automechanika Dubai remains one of them. The organiser Messe Frankfurt is therefore (as of the beginning of April) proudly displaying its badge, alongside other events and exhibitions, to state that is going ahead as per schedule, while “continuing to monitor the situation”. The automotive aftermarket’s business prospects have been underlined by a valuation forecast of US$18.5 billion by 2023, and suppliers and manufacturers are now looking to Automechanika Dubai, the largest international trade show for the automotive aftermarket 34 APRIL 2020
and service industry in the MEA region, to predict the areas for industry growth. The three-day trade event hosted over 30,000 visitors and 1,900 exhibitors in 2019, and has established itself as an international meeting point for global and regional players in the automotive industry. The 18th edition of the show will run from 7-9 June at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). The growth was highlighted by global research and analytics firm Aranca – the show’s knowledge partner, which also forecast that aftermarket sales will be supported by an increase in passenger and commercial vehicles in operation, a number set to reach 27 million by 2023. Kamran Siddiqui, a spokesperson for GP Global MAG – a Jebel Ali-based manufacturer of lubricants, fluids and coolants, believes
Increasing need for car ownership across the emerging economies is one of the factors driving demand”
infrastructure development in emerging markets will be a major contributing factor for the increase of vehicles. “Increasing need for car ownership across the population of emerging economies is one of the factors anticipated to drive demand for the automotive aftermarket,” said Siddiqui. “Consumers in developed and developing regions have different mobility needs and continued urbanisation is likely to lead them toward car ownership.” Aranca also identified factors such as an increased use of technology, the rise in popularity of ride hailing apps and a growing regional consumer base as key factors for aftermarket sales in the region. “What is becoming clear is while certain products and services in the aftermarket are being shaken up by innovations within the meconstructionnews.com
