On the road: Automechanika Frankfurt 46 www.aftermarketonline.net OCTOBER 2024 100-plus auto firms join the international drive for aftermarket business at the biennial exhibition in Germany More than 100 UK automotive firms headed to Frankfurt for one of the world’s largest aftermarket trade shows — and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said 19 of them secured a place at the trade body’s sold-out UK Pavilion. SMMT told Aftermarket magazine the UK’s £56.5 billion aftermarket sector is a major economic contributor, with some 56,500 businesses supporting more than 330,000 jobs in all regions of the country. Together, those businesses deliver an annual £16.1bn in gross value add (GVA). The sector’s value is now ahead of prepandemic levels and, with car ownership now at a record 35.7 million, domestic opportunities for growth are clear. International markets offer even greater potential for growth and the Frankfurt event provides a major platform for Britain’s aftermarket sector to seek new opportunities from markets across Europe and beyond, SMMT said. UK exhibitors presented everything from innovative brake systems to world-leading EV solutions and bestin-class remanufacturing. SMMT said the UK Pavilion reflected the unrivalled quality and diversity of British aftermarket products and services. Of particular interest is the growth in demand for demand for parts and components for increasingly electrified vehicles. With manufacturers pouring billions of pounds into developing new zero emission and automated technologies, the volume of these models that need servicing continues to surge, according to the SMMT. UK revs up for expo trade drive
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