Automechanika Dubai reports “tyres and batteries” on a roll at 2016 show

A total of 220 global manufacturers showcased their tyre and battery-related products and services at Automechanika Dubai 2016, taking up 7,300 square metres of exhibition space during event which was help between 8 and 10 May at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Messe Frankfurt Middle East reported that this represents a 15 per cent year-on-year  growth in exhibitor numbers over 2015, and a 19 per cent year-on-year increase in exhibition space.

According to Dubai Customs, the Emirate imported, exported, and re-exported US$2.76 billion worth of batteries, commercial and passenger vehicle tyres in 2014, comprising 22 per cent of Dubai’s US$12 billion total auto parts trade value for the year.

“Tyres and Batteries has proven to be one of the remarkable success stories at Automechanika Dubai, and has grown significantly over the last few years in particular,” said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East.

“Demand will continue to pick up pace in the regional automotive aftermarket and the good news is, we have some of the biggest international brands showcasing their latest tyre and battery-related wares at Automechanika Dubai 2016.”

The impressive growth of Tyres and Batteries section also comes as the global Automechanika brand recently signed a partnership with Reifen in Germany – the world’s number one tyre trade show.

The agreement will see Reifen being co-located with Automechanika Frankfurt for the first time in September 2018, before extending the partnership to Automechanika’s entire network of 15 trade fairs in 14 countries worldwide.

Meanwhile, Automechanika Dubai 2016 will feature a large number of leading international aftermarket brands looking to further establish themselves as premier players in the tyres and batteries section.

Diamond Sponsor and Official Tyre Partner BKT from India, is launched its latest series of tyres in the All Steel OTR (off-the-road) segment, specifically targeted toward port, construction, earthmoving, and materials handling applications.

Rajiv Poddar, Joint managing director at BKT, said: “BKT operates in the ‘Off Highway’ segment where there is an on-going requirement of new sizes and patterns for various applications. Due to this, product development is at the forefront in BKT and Automechanika Dubai provides an excellent platform to showcase our new range being developed specifically for Middle East market.”

Elsewhere, US-headquartered Johnson Controls Power Solutions, the world’s largest automotive battery manufacturer, introduced new technology in its popular Varta battery portfolio that’s designed to excel in hot and dusty Middle East conditions.

“These high-quality batteries for passenger cars, commercial vehicles and busses are available for delivery to dealers starting immediately”, said Ruben Fernandez, general manager for the Middle East and Africa at Johnson Controls Power Solutions, which supplies 146 million batteries every year to automakers and aftermarket retailers.

Martins Industries from Canada will also be out in force at Automechanika Dubai 2016, returning to the annual showcase as one of the world’s only tire equipment and racking manufacturers that sells directly to the end user.

“Automechanika Dubai has brought us over the last few years some large tyre racking projects with customers in several Middle East countries,” said Martin Depelteau, vice president of sales and development at Martins Industries.

Other well-known names at Automechanika Dubai 2016’s Tyre and Battery section include UAE-based Al Dobowi, Apollo, Abdul Zahir Bashir Automotive Trading and Sun Global; Inter Sprint Banden from Holland; Grandstone from China; Atlas Battery and Rastgar from Pakistan; and Turkish battery manufacturer Yiğit Akü.