There was a great deal of interest by international exhibitors in the Automechanika South Africa promotional booth at the recent Automechanika Middle East automotive aftermarket trade fair in Dubai.

Philip Otto, director of the South African event – who manned the display in the Middle East – says he had strong interest in the local event from countries and companies that participated last year in the inaugural Automechanika SA, as well as from those which were not represented.

“The feedback from those who exhibited in Johannesburg was very positive and it was great that a major automotive country such as France, which did not take part last year, will have a national pavilion in 2011.

“Similarly, Malaysia – which had only two companies represented in 2009 – will have a national pavilion next year,” Otto said.