Automechanika Dubai to open in December 2021 with host of new, returning features

Automechanika Dubai, the Middle East and Africa’s largest automotive service industry trade fair, will run in December 2021, with a host of new and returning features designed to keep thousands of professionals up-to-date on the latest market trends.

The 18^th edition of the three-day event will take place from 14-16 December 2021 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser Messe Frankfurt Middle East announced today (28 January 2021).

Automechanika Dubai 2021 was originally scheduled to run in June, however the December dates allow more time for the UAE’s rigorous covid-19 vaccination programme to take effect, leading to a safer in-person event environment and significantly higher physical participation.

The UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention said 27 percent of the country’s population of 9.8 million has so far received a vaccine in what is one of the world’s fastest vaccination programs per capita.

The new winter dates also mean Automechanika Dubai 2021 will take place during the Expo 2020 Dubai, a global mega-event that is expected to attract more than 25 million visitors, with the vast majority coming from outside of the UAE.

Mahmut Gazi Bilikozen, Automechanika Dubai’s Show Director, said: “We’ve always stayed in regular contact with all our stakeholders as the global automotive aftermarket community continues to navigate this unchartered territory.

“From the feedback we’ve received, Automechanika Dubai’s move to December 2021 is welcomed by our customers, partners, and trade associations, and allows industry professionals time to recharge their business plans for 2022.

“The team is planning a number of new exciting show features for later in the year, while all our other popular highlights will return, in addition to an exhibition floor with the biggest names in the auto aftermarket.”

Held under the theme Connecting Minds, Creating the Future, Expo 2020 Dubai will be a celebration of forging global partnerships.  Added Mr. Bilikozen:  “At the conclusion of Automechanika Dubai, what better way for international exhibitors and visitors to spend their time than to take a few days to explore the myriad country pavilions and unique features of this six-month-long mega event?.

“It will be a long time between innings since the last time we hosted Automechanika Dubai, and we’re tremendously excited to bring the industry together again in a safe environment for three days under one roof at the Dubai World Trade Centre in December 2021.”

A host of value-added events

Automechanika Dubai covers the six major product sections of Parts & Components and Electronics & Systems; Accessories & Customizing; Tyres & Batteries; Repair & Maintenance; and Car Wash, Care & Reconditioning.

The previous edition in 2019 featured 1,880 exhibitors from 63 countries while drawing in 32,750 trade visitors from 146 countries, underlining its international scope; more than 90 percent of exhibitors and 50 percent of visitors come from outside of the UAE.

This year’s event will showcase a number of exciting elements such as the Automechanika Academy, the Modern Workshop, and the Innovation Zone, which will keep the many thousands of trade buyers and industry professionals in tune with new market developments.

The Innovation Zone is a dedicated area at the center of the show floor featuring presentations and product showcases from exhibitors that are steering the course for the regional and global automotive aftermarket.

Other features include the Truck, Agriculture, and Motorcycle Competence initiatives, dedicated to the entire value chain in the truck, motorbike, and agriculture sectors, from parts and accessories to workshop equipment, body repair, and care.

The Automechanika Academy meanwhile will feature key presentations such as Dubai’s auto parts and accessories trade in 2020 by the Dubai Customs, as well as AfriConnections, which explores rising opportunities in the African aftermarket.

Automechanika Dubai will meanwhile continue to host its popular free-to-attend webinar series, of which there’ve been 12 so far in the last seven months, with more than 4,000 attendees logging on to keep abreast of the latest auto aftermarket trends and opportunities.