Kingdom’s leading automotive aftermarket trade fair to return for 3^rd edition next year following positive industry response in 2020

Riyadh, KSA: The 3^rd edition of Automechanika Riyadh, Saudi’s leading trade fair for the automotive aftermarket will return to the Kingdom’s Capital in the fourth quarter of 2021, the show’s organisers announced.

Automechanika Riyadh most recently took place in February 2020 at Al Faisaliah Hotel, attracting close to 3,000 traders, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, workshop or garage owners, and service providers. 

The next edition will run from 11–13 October 2021 at the Riyadh International Conference and Exhibition Centre, showcasing thousands of products across six aftermarket groups of Parts & Components, Electronics & Systems, Accessories & Customizing, Repair & Maintenance, Tyres & Batteries, and Car Wash, Care & Reconditioning.

The three-day event, organised by Saudi-based ACE Group under license by Dubai’s Messe Frankfurt Middle East, usually runs biennially, alternating between its Saudi counterpart Automechanika Jeddah, which would normally take place in 2021.

However, the positive industry response to the show earlier this year, from both exhibitors and trade visitors alike, coupled with Riyadh’s status as the hub of commercial and industrial activity, meant running the show in Riyadh again in 2021 was the preferred option. 

“This is underlined by Government activity in Riyadh, and in a post-pandemic world, large Government projects will emanate from the Kingdom’s central regions and branch outwards,” commented Mahmut Gazi Bilikozen, Automechanika Riyadh’s Show Director. 

“Saudi has announced a US$30 billion stimulus package to mitigate the economic impact of covid-19, and automotive industry and services sector will ramp up activity quickly to win back lost market share.

“We’re looking forward to returning again to Riyadh toward the end of next year, which in many ways will be a symbol of a market recovery for 2021 and beyond,” added Mr. Bilikozen.

“Automechanika, being organised since 2016 in Saudi Arabia, is the only event focussing on the Kingdom’s aftermarket carving a niche in the automotive sector where industry stakeholders are keen to be part of this specialised exhibition.” stated Zahoor Siddique, Vice President, ACE Group the organizer of the show.

“Additionally, Saudi Arabia through its Vision 2030 has taken notable measures to diversify its public sector- dominated economy into a private-sector- driven system, which is hoped to give a fillip to this industry.  The automotive market is also part of industrial cluster – a major initiative supported by various government agencies” continued Siddique.

As with all sectors, Saudi’s auto industry and aftermarket has felt the brunt of the economic fallout in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic.  According to Aranca, a global advisory firm, Saudi’s spare parts and auto services market (passenger and commercial vehicles) is expected to contract 15 percent year-on-year in 2020, valuing US$6.8 billion, compared to US$8 billion in 2019.

Longer term prospects look better though for the Gulf region’s largest auto market. Glasgow Consulting Group, a market intelligence firm, predicts Saudi’s passenger vehicle components market to bounce back as soon as 2021, valuing US$4.5 billion, compared to an estimated US$3.7 billion this year. 

And according to Vishal Sanghavi, Head of Automotive Practice at Aranca, the aftermarket has proven to be more robust in times of crisis. “The aftermarket has typically been the most resilient part of the automotive industry, given its size and the fact that growth primarily depends on vehicle parc, rather than new vehicle sales,” he said, adding that price-conscious consumers will purchase second hand cars that require regular maintenance from independent aftermarket players. 

“The shift from new cars to used cars will drive the need for higher spend on repair and maintenance,” he added.  “Changing consumer behaviour will open new avenues for growth for the aftermarket. 

“Maintenance and repair service providers can offer servicing at home, vehicle pick-up and delivery for maintenance, or complete vehicle disinfection.   Aftermarket service providers must adapt and tap the new revenue streams to offset the losses sustained due to Covid-19.”

Automechanika Riyadh has been dubbed as ‘the ultimate destination to meet global manufacturers and suppliers, explore key trends across the industry and source the latest solutions to meet the evolving needs of the Middle East’s largest market.’

The dedicated trade fair is one of 16 instalments of Automechanika – the most successful and largest automotive aftermarket trade fair brand in the world. The next regional event will be Automechanika Dubai, held from 7-9 June 2021 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

More information is available at: www.amriyadh.com

Background information on Messe Frankfurt

Messe Frankfurt is the world’s largest trade fair, congress and event organiser with its own exhibition grounds. With more than 2,600* employees at 30 locations, the company generates annual sales of some €733* million. We have close ties with our industry sectors and serve our customers’ business interests efficiently within the framework of our Fairs & Events, Locations and Services business fields. One of the Group’s key USPs is its closely knit global sales network, which extends throughout the world. Our comprehensive range of services – both onsite and online – ensures that customers worldwide enjoy consistently high quality and flexibility when planning, organising and running their events. The wide range of services includes renting exhibition grounds, trade fair construction and marketing, personnel and food services. Headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, the company is owned by the City of Frankfurt (60 percent) and the State of Hesse (40 percent).

For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com

* Preliminary figures for 2019

About Messe Frankfurt Middle East

Messe Frankfurt Middle East’s portfolio of 16 exhibitions includes Automechanika Dubai, Automechanika Jeddah, Automechanika Riyadh, Beautyworld Middle East, Beautyworld Saudi Arabia, Hardware + Tools Middle East, Intersec, Intersec Saudi Arabia, Gifts & Lifestyle Middle East, Light Middle East, Materials Handling Middle East, Materials Handling Saudi Arabia, Middle East Cleaning Technology Week, Paperworld Middle East, Prolight + Sound Middle East, and SPS Automation Middle East.  The subsidiary also organises a series of conferences and seminars including Digital Next, Think Light, and the International Conference on Future Mobility.  In 2019, Messe Frankfurt Middle East exhibitions combined featured 6,282 exhibitors from 68 countries, and attracted 150,545 visitors from 156 countries. For more information, please visit our website at www.messefrankfurtme.com