More than 150 exhibitors from 20 countries have already signed up to showcase products and services at the upcoming Automechanika Riyadh, a premier international trade and networking event, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The inaugural edition of the event takes place from February 5 to 7, 2018 at Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center.

“The Riyadh edition of Automechanika, will be held every alternate year, interspersed with the Jeddah edition, will give us a wider reach across the Kingdom›s vast aftermarket, especially in the central and eastern regions of the Kingdom,” said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, who are organising the event in collaboration with Saudi partners, Al-Harithy Company of Exhibitions (ACE).

“It will also enable international automotive aftermarket brands to gain better access to some of the most important markets and buyers in the country.”

Zahoor Siddique, vice president of Ace Group, said: “ACE is pleased to expand its footprint in Riyadh with the launch of Automechanika Riyadh, importantly because Riyadh has the largest number of aftermarket companies in the Kingdom. Also this show will cater to the neighbouring Eastern Province due to its close proximity.”

Worldwide interest in the Saudi Arabian automotive sector has surged, given that it is expected to sustain an impressive growth of 5.1 per cent CAGR till 2021, when it is estimated to be worth SR33.6 billion ($9 billion) in revenues. The total number of vehicles in operation in the Kingdom too, is expected to reach 10.3 million by 2021 from the 2015 level of 7.7 million, incrementally increasing the potential aftermarket.

Another factor that has tremendously excited key stakeholders in the automotive and aftermarket sectors has been the recent Saudi Arabian government decision to allow women to take to the wheel in the Kingdom. This is expected to drive up cars sales in the Kingdom quite considerably.

Currently, women form about 45 per cent of the total Saudi population and about 10 million of them are between the ages of 15 and 64. Additionally, around 65 per cent of the women in the Kingdom, plan to apply for a driving license as soon as the law allows it. Most significantly, around 85 per cent of the women set to take the wheel, are planning to buy cars as soon as they hit the roads.