SEMA News—August 2013
The United Arab Emirates and the Middle East Region
41 SEMA-Member Companies Explore the Opportunities and Challenges of Selling Into This Car-Lover’s Paradise
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The U.S. Department of Commerce partnered with SEMA and the U.S. embassies in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Jordan to lead delegations of buyers to the 2013 SEMA event. U.S. Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Michael Corbin visited the SEMA Hall at the Middle East Motor Tuning Show (MEMTS). In addition, Liz Couch from the International Trade Administration’s auto team at the U.S. Department of Commerce headquarters and representatives from the U.S. Consulate in Dubai participated in this year’s event, which featured more than 80 executives from the 41 SEMA companies.
SEMA delegation members had the opportunity to exhibit at MEMTS, a trade and consumer show at the Sharjah Expo Centre. The delegation also visited leading retailers and installers in Dubai and the neighboring emirate of Sharjah as well as spending an evening networking with buyers at Rabbiah Farm, which is owned by Sheikh Khalid Abdul Aziz Al Qasimi, the chairman of the Liberty Group, one of the largest GM dealers in the world.
The SEMA companies that attended were among a growing number of members that are actively pursuing overseas customers. This often-overlooked strategy to growing a firm’s bottom line can be a very smart move, as 95% of the world’s customers are located beyond U.S. borders. By diversifying, SEMA members can better position themselves for future U.S. economic downturns.
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In addition to identifying and prioritizing overseas markets in which to organize business-development programs, SEMA relies on a few other measures. First is the level of passion for vehicles and customizing. For example, do motorists have a culture (or is one ripe for developing) for personalizing and improving the look and/or performance of their vehicles? Second, are there sufficient numbers of consumers in the market who have the funds to customize their vehicles? And third, is there a receptive and forward-thinking government looking to develop the automotive specialty-equipment industry and gain the benefits from this potentially powerful economic engine that generates needed jobs and tax income?
The UAE has grown within less than half a century to become a modern multi-cultural cosmopolitan center. It’s one of the world’s fastest-growing automotive markets coupled with open borders and an open economy, high per-capita income, a passion for vehicle customization, a desire for U.S. products and a love for light trucks. Below are some of the unique features of the market.
High Degree of Customization
“Automotive styling in the Middle East is a confluence of influences from around the globe,” said David Borla, sales and marketing manager for Borla Performance. “Whether it’s musclecars, high-end exotics, Jeeps, pickups, SUVs, luxury sedans or sport compacts, you will find a cross section of the world’s finest automotive offerings. But it doesn’t stop there. Personalization is just as important as the platforms themselves, and there is a pervasive culture of tailoring vehicles to meet individual specifications, needs or preferences.
“The conditions in the Middle East have created a ‘perfect storm’ that promotes the growth and prosperity of the automotive aftermarket. Beyond the affluence and brand consciousness you see on the surface, there is a growing infrastructure of distribution and service that makes it easy for enthusiasts to buy, install and maintain aftermarket parts. Combine that with great roads and what seems like infinite sand dunes, and you have a giant playground for people who love to play with cars.”
In a recent blog, Audi Middle East Managing Director Trevor Hill said that nearly 50% of the cars sold in the region exhibit some form of individualization, and the Liberty Group, which owns Liberty Motor Sports (LMS), engages in new-car upgrades, motorsports vehicle preparation and classic-car restoration. LMS said that, from its experience, 25% of new-car buyers opted for some form of customization.
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| Max Stutz (left), sales representative for Ohio-based Avery Dennison, shakes hands with Sheikh Salem Bin Abdulrahman Al Qassimi (right), director of the Office of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah. Also pictured is Philip Novac (center), Avery Dennison’s director of marketing and business development. | Illinois-based HP Tuners was a first-time participant in a SEMA trip abroad. The HP Tuner staff—Jay Parson (second right), sales and marketing representative, and Nhut Tong (far right), an engineer from HP Tuners—met with local buyers. | Representatives of first-time exhibitor Itek Products talked to buyers from Saudi Arabia. Facing the camera is the firm’s CEO, Tony Suarez. |
High Income
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“We certainly see potential for our products in this market,” said trip participant Eric Blackburn. “We specialize in Jeep and FJ Cruiser accessories, and both vehicles are gaining popularity in the region. Most customers have a relatively large disposable income, and the upper-middle class to upper class are extremely wealthy and able to purchase the best money can buy.”
Kevin Floody of K&N agreed, noting that many car owners are obviously very willing to spend money on vehicle modifications and that there is a demand for quality aftermarket automotive products.
Quickly Growing Economy and Quickly Growing Vehicle Market
The UAE’s economic growth is back on track after the global economic slowdown of 2009 and 2010. Last month, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority revealed that, with the high ratio of cars per household, 1.13 million vehicles were registered in the emirate by the end of 2012—a figure that is up by more than 106,000 vehicles since 2010.
The automotive specialty-equipment market also enjoyed similar growth. The wholesalers and retailers that the SEMA group met were quite optimistic about the growth of the market over the next three to five years.
“We are glad to say the market is growing,” said MEMTS organizer Roman Gavrilin. “More new companies have opened their doors across the country, and many new manufacturers from abroad came to the UAE after seeing tremendous perspectives for expanding. The demand for car modification in the country is fueled in part by the country’s high economic growth. The demand for performance tuning and sport vehicles is steady, with good forecasts for the future.”
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Positive Perception of U.S. Products
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U.S. products are well-received in the UAE. Given the region’s open economy, not only are U.S.-branded vehicles making their way to the country and region, but it is also an important hub for vehicles built to U.S. specs. According to the American Policy Council—a U.S.-based policy organization for Ford, Chrysler and GM—the GCC region is one of the most important export destinations for U.S.-built and certified motor vehicles. The GCC is the second-largest U.S. passenger vehicle export market.
Brand awareness for U.S. products is also strong. Coverking CEO Steve Gupta, who was participating in his first trip to the Middle East with SEMA, said that the market is full of automotive enthusiasts, and the buyers met by the SEMA group seemed to know most U.S. brands.
Said SCT’s Trudo: “With American brands being so big in the region and the passionate interest that has been shown, we have seen a huge growth from tuners to dynos sold in the region. The UAE loves American brands and is passionate in displaying ‘Made in America.’ It sells in the UAE and throughout the
Middle East.”
In fact, research shows that the UAE is a hub for all things American. In a March 2013 report, the U.S. Congressional Research Service, the official research arm of the U.S. Congress, said that U.S. trade with the UAE is a significant issue because the UAE is the largest market for U.S. exports to the Middle East. In 2012, the report said, U.S. firms exported nearly $22 billion worth of goods to the UAE. More than 1,000 U.S. companies have offices there, and there are 60,000 Americans working in the UAE.
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| Forty-one SEMA members exhibited in the SEMA Hall at the 2013 SEMA Middle East event, including Weld Racing and Livernois Motorsports. | David Borla (far left), sales and marketing manager for Borla Performance, provided details on his company’s products to U.S. Ambassador Michael Corbin (dark suit) and Sheikh Salem Bin Abdulrahman Al Qassimi (front, center), director of the Office of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah. | Representatives of first-time exhibitor Itek Products talked to buyers from Saudi Arabia. Facing the camera is the firm’s CEO, Tony Suarez. |
Market for Old Cars
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The market for classic cars is very strong. Numerous well-attended classic-car shows highlight just a fraction of the amazing U.S. musclecars and hot rods in local private collections.
Read the complete story, "The United Arab Emirates and the Middle East Region," in the August 2013 issue of SEMA News.
