JEDDAH: Most of overseas auto parts and transport manufacturers said they were in the process of clinching deals with local dealers through their participation at the inaugural Autocare and Transport Arabia exhibition (ATA’09), which ended at the Jeddah Center for Forums & Events on Thursday night after a four-day run. China, which was the largest participant with dozens of exhibitors, virtually stole the show with local dealers evincing keen interest in its products and even deals.
“We have shortlisted some of the local dealers for our automobile engineering mechanical filters,” Fan Zahongxue, president of Huaiyuan Industrial Park, Bengbu, Anhui, China, said. Antony Bai, managing director of Besta Auto Parts Co. Ltd., another Chinese manufacturer, said he was finalizing deals for some of the items including transmission and engine oil coolers, idler pulley for engine, automatic belt tensioners for both cars and heavy-duty trucks.
Changzhou Haituo Auto Parts Co. Ltd. of Changzhou city in China said it had been specializing in manufacturing car body parts, as well as those for suspension, steering, and cooling and braking systems. “We are finalizing agreements with local importers,” a company executive said.
Zhongtong Bus Holding Co. Ltd of the Chinese city of Liaocheng, said the city, travel and luxury buses that it specializes in, received a great many inquiries. “It seems there is an insatiable demand for buses here, especially for Umrah and Haj seasons, so we are hopeful of doing good business,” Yan Jinling, its Middle East marketing director, said. Yuyao Yeko Economic & Trade Co. of Zhejiang Province, China, claimed a good response for its car accessories, especially those for heavy-duty air compressors. “We received tremendous inquiries for our Ashok Leyland buses and are very much hopeful of striking deals from local dealers,” a spokesman for the India-based manufacturer of buses and trucks said.
The first-time event, held with the support of the Ministry of Transport and sponsored by Zahid Tractor and organized by Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions Ltd. (ACE), had the participation of other countries including Germany, the UK, Taiwan, Thailand and Iran who displayed their latest spare parts, accessories and garage equipment, transport infrastructure and commercial vehicles.