The world is experiencing unparalleled growth in motor vehicle use – the largest increase in history. This includes both vehicles in operation and new vehicle production.
The Middle Eastern and North African regions are among the growing global areas– and members of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) and the Overseas Automotive Council (OAC) had the opportunity to experience this region’s vibrancy first hand during the recent AASA/OAC international trade mission and regional export orientation in Dubai, held in conjunction with Automechanika Dubai.
Dubai is a trade access point into the regions’ large and growing auto market, which has 16 million vehicles generating more than $7 billion in annual auto component sales. The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia comprise 83 percent of the market, which has a strong and growing economy.
As part of the AASA/OAC event, participants met with senior officials of Dubai’s JAFZA Free Trade Zone – perhaps the fastest growing Free Trade Zone in the world. JAFZA consists of 7,300 companies with 135,000 employees. It tallies $16.5 billion in annual trade and 120 of the Fortune 500 companies have a presence in JAFZA. It offers viable options as a distribution point for the entire surrounding region – including the Middle East, India and Northern Africa.
Attendees also participated in discussions with leadership from the U.S. Commerce Department. In-country representatives shared market overviews on Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and The United Arab Emirates.
In addition to meeting with these regional leaders and experts, AASA/OAC members participated in Automechanika Dubai, the largest international trade show in the Middle East. The 2014 event drew 1,695 exhibitors from 59 countries – a 19 percent increase from 2013 event. OAC members gained access to distributors, agents, regional business information and global networking at the event’s exhibitors’ reception.
For more information about the OAC and its global outreach services, visit www.oac-intl.org or contact [email protected].
Editor’s note: Curtis Draper is the vice president of industry analysis, programs and member services at the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) and executive director of AASA’s international aftermarket councils: the China Aftermarket Forum (CAF) and the Overseas Automotive Council (OAC).
The AASA China Aftermarket Forum (CAF) is a consortium of full-service suppliers that meet on a quarterly basis to discuss opportunities within the Chinese aftermarket and to identify ways to address challenges in the growing segment.
The OAC promotes the sale in foreign markets of automotive and heavy-duty products manufactured in North America. Those products include components, accessories, chemicals, hand and power tools, service maintenance and repair equipment, and paint and body supplies for cars and trucks. OAC has more than 350 members in more than 40 countries. More information is available through its Web site, www.oac-intl.org.
AASA exclusively serves manufacturers of aftermarket components, tools and equipment, and related products, which support 710,000 employees in the United States. AASA is the light vehicle aftermarket division of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA).
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