Make / Model Search
News - General News - Events - Australian Auto Aftermarket ExpoAAAE: 4WD innovation shines in Melbourne4WD Innovation Zone showcases Aussie off-road knowhow to Aftermarket Expo attendees15 Apr 2024 By MATT BROGAN THE Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo (AAAE) reprised and expanded upon the 4WD Innovation Zone that debuted at the 2022 event as a dedicated area where business-to-business (B2B) suppliers can introduce their products and technologies to others from within the sector.
With more than 2100 businesses in the four-wheel-drive sector nationally, the AAAE’s 4WD Innovation Zone marked an important part of the Australian automotive aftermarket landscape that continues to grow with new suppliers and accessories emerging on an almost daily basis.
“There are more than 5.5 million 4WDs on the roads in Australia, presenting fantastic opportunities for our country’s more than 2100 businesses servicing the 4WD aftermarket to expand their ranges, improve the quality of their parts and accessories, and invest heavily in everything from production to promotion,” said AAAA 4WD Industry Council Chair Emma Laukens.
“At the 4WD Innovation Zone, show attendees were able to see new products first, with many leading companies using the Expo to launch or provide sneak peeks of their latest offerings.
“With the 4WD industry continuing to see strong growth and representing a large part of Australia’s automotive manufacturing and ingenuity, the opportunities in this space for members of the aftermarket is huge.”
Speaking to GoAuto at the Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo, Australian Auto Aftermarket Association chief executive officer Stuart Charity said the importance of four-wheel drive aftermarket suppliers cannot be understated.
“Four-wheel-drive SUVs and light commercials make up a considerable portion of the Australian car parc and there are many owners who wish to modify their vehicles to suit their specific needs,” he said.
“Over the past 10 or so years we have also seen a huge increase in the number of fleets adapting vehicles for their requirements, which has all resulted in the scale of the four-wheel drive accessory market going through the roof.
“We see a lot of those fleet managers coming into the Expo, giving those (exhibitors) here an excellent opportunity to highlight the incredible strengths of the homegrown four-wheel-drive industry that we have in this country.”
As the Australian four-wheel-drive accessories market continues to broaden and diversify, there is concern from some in the industry that the installation of key accessories offshore (at or near the place of manufacture) is potentially ruinous to established accessory brands.
However, Mr Charity said continued advancements and changing tastes will see the appetite for locally developed products continue to go from strength to strength.
“While that is obviously something that is happening, the strength of relationships, such as those we’ve seen with ARB and Ford, for example, and the continued success of Australian brands in overseas markets shows we’re extremely good at what we do,” he continued.
“I think the (four-wheel drive) accessories market is big – and growing. We have got international markets that we’re now tapping into, and what I would say is that we’re not worried about accessories fitted at the time of purchase. We’ve never been worried about competition.
“The Australian four-wheel drive automotive aftermarket punches well above its weight, and our producers and suppliers are more than able to hold their own both here, and on the world stage.”  Read more5th of March 2024  AAAE: 4WD after-marketers to feature heavilyAustralian Auto Aftermarket Expo to showcase latest in burgeoning 4WD accessory sector31st of January 2024  AAAE: ADAS calibration in the spotlightAustralian Auto Aftermarket Expo and Collision Expo to showcase ADAS calibration skills12th of April 2022  Automotive Aftermarket Expo a resounding successThe AAAE has returned to Melbourne; awards recognise the industry’s finest |
Click to shareGeneral News articlesResearch General News Motor industry news GoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events. |
Connect with us
Facebook Twitter Instagram