Industry focuses on Jeddah

Saudi Arabia’s aftermarket trade, valued at nearly US$2.6 billion in 2015, has attracted the attention of global manufacturers, as they plan to grow their business interests at the Kingdom’s dedicated aftermarket industry trade show.

Figures released by Saudi’s General Authority for Statistics show that in 2015, Saudi imported US$2.53 billion worth of auto parts and accessories, passenger and commercial vehicle tyres, and batteries, while re-exports in the same year were worth US$51 million.

Parts and accessories was the largest import product group, valued at US$996.5 million, followed by passenger car tyres (US$715.5 million), tyres for trucks and lorries (US$615.3 million), and automotive batteries (US$209.7 million).

Asian producers Japan and South Korea featured predominantly as major source countries, with 64% of batteries coming from South Korea. Japan was the largest source country for passenger tyres (30% of imports) while it also led the way in parts and accessories (24% of imports), followed by South Korea (15%) the USA (15%), Germany (10%), and France (seven per cent).

Saudi Arabia’s position has ensured that Automechanika Jeddah 2017, which runs from 31 January – 2 February 2017 at the Jeddah Centre for Forums and Events, is set to be a success.

The second edition of the annual three-day event, jointly organised by Messe Frankfurt Middle East and Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions (ACE), is the only dedicated trade fair that targets the entirety of the enormous Saudi aftermarket.

The inaugural edition in January 2016 included more than 5,000 trade visitors with 184 exhibitors from 25 countries.

Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said, ‘The figures of the Kingdom’s auto aftermarket trade in 2015 underscores the opportunities, and with Automechanika Jeddah.’

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