Reputation as Asia’s premier automotive industry fair grows with upward climb of Automechanika Shanghai’s sweeping participation.
Automechanika Shanghai continues to shatter records and 2016s’ show was a resounding success. It proceeds to enjoy year-on-year growth with a 10 per cent increase in visitors and a 7 per cent increase in exhibitors as the world’s second largest Automechanika brand show. Exhibitors, visitors and fringe programme events participants continue to come out in full force for the annual exhibition. Held from 30 November – 3 December 2016 at the National Exhibition & Convention Center (Shanghai), China, this year’s show continues the upward climb.
Overall 5,756 exhibitors from 42 countries and regions attended representing a 7 per cent increase in the number of exhibitors on 2015.
312,000 sq m of exhibition space was necessary this year to accommodate the expansion to 13 halls, representing a 12 per cent increase on 2015.
120,671 visitors from 140 countries and regions attended. The top 10 overseas visiting countries and regions were, in order of highest attendance first: Taiwan, Korea, Russia, Malaysia, the US, Iran, Japan, Thailand, Turkey and India.
56 fringe programme events, the largest programme to date with a 6 per cent increase, included the Connected Mobility Roadshow Shanghai.
Jason Cao, Chairman of Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Ltd was very pleased with the outcome of Automechanika Shanghai 2016. He said, “The results of this year are tremendous, it is not only a testament to the development of the robust automotive industry in Asia and the rest of the world, but highlights the show as a global hub in the automotive industry which draws high-level participants from across sectors and the world. The show is also sensitive to the market needs and keeps evolving by introducing new elements and new topics to the show. This year, we have organised specialised zones for e-mobility and infrastructure, connectivity and performance vehicles to keep the participants abreast of the market trends. The development of the show is well-matched with the specific needs of the downstream customers.”
Han Xiaojun, General Manager of China National Automotive Industry International Corporation (CNAICO) conveyed his considerable satisfaction with the results of the show. He said, “We are happy to see that the partnership between Messe Frankfurt and CNAICO and our efforts have paid off. More and more top local and international brands are invited to the show. We have also seen many products that were newly launched in Asia and China here, which further affirms Automechanika Shanghai’s prime position as a one-stop industry platform offering opportunities for information exchange, marketing, trading and education in the automotive world.”
Several new zones were added to the fair this year, including e-mobility and infrastructure, connectivity and motorsport and high performance / wheels and rims. In addition to the new zones, the show provided comprehensive coverage of the entire industry chain of OE and aftermarket for the parts and components, repair and maintenance, accessories and customising, and electronics and systems sectors.
Following the latest trends within the automotive industry, the new zones were added to fulfil the needs of a growing consumer base seeking smart technology, new energy solutions and high performance. Connectivity Zone organiser Dr Lawrence Poon of the Hong Kong Productivity Council decided to invite their members to join this new zone following the successful experiences he has had at previous Automechanika Shanghai shows. Dr Poon said, “We were impressed by the scale of the show and found its content was rich and truly reflected the Chinese automotive industry. There are certainly good business potentials for electric and 5G vehicles in China, which provides good business opportunities.”
Keeping abreast of the latest technology is of the utmost importance to many of the visitors who make the annual trip to the show and it is the goal of the organisers to offer the new wave in automotive innovation. Lin Xingxin, Executive Vice President and Secretary General of the Changzhou Automobile Industry Association is pleased with the opening of new zones at the show. He said, “The connectivity zone and e-mobility and infrastructure zone are the areas of cutting-edge technology and education, which allows professionals to see how the actual products are derived from the theories they have learnt.
Exhibitors views
This year there was 8 per cent increase in exhibiting countries and regions. The 42 countries and regions included: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the UK, the US and Vietnam.
Marking the 12th edition of Automechanika Shanghai, several new industry players were welcomed to the show this year, including ACDelco, AMSOIL, Baturu, Huf, Interstate Batteries, KYB, Mercedes-Benz, Olympus, Potevio and STP. A new exhibitor from the US in Electronics & Systems, Interstate Batteries had a successful introduction to Automechanika Shanghai and the Asian automotive aftermarket, according to Kevin Ni, WD Operations & Development Manager – China. He said, “Interstate has been looking for a platform with broad coverage to promote our brands and uncover high-potential dealers to further our penetration into the market. We found Automechanika Shanghai is our best choice, it is the most professional and sizable automotive fair in the region, with strong influential power. It far exceeded our expectations in terms of amount and quality of visitors. We met so many high-quality dealers at the fair.”
Several industry players launched new products at Automechanika Shanghai this year, including AMSOIL, Continental Automotive, Hella, Interstate Batteries, Liqui Moly, Mercedes-Benz, Musicson, NGK, OSRAM, Olympus, Tech International, VIE and ZF, realising the show’s potential of meeting a vast array of influential and high-calibre buyers and connecting with industry organisations. German brand Hella Trading (Shanghai) Co, Ltd showed high activity with a new product introduction for car maintenance and lighting solutions, as well as presented a “Hella” workshop in their booth at Automechanika Shanghai this year. The company has a strong commitment to supporting workshops in China as solution providers. They launched new brake parts with partner TMD, engine oil, ATF oil and new Thermal applications with some of the products specifically catering to the Chinese market.
Visitors praise show
Many high-calibre buyers with high-purchasing power attended the show through the Premium Buyers Club. Pawel Jachacy, Vice Commercial Director of InterCars in Poland, one of the top auto parts distributors in Europe, who was invited by the Premium Buyers Club, thinks Automechanika Shanghai is an invaluable opportunity. He said, “Every single day we’ve been fully packed with meetings with suppliers. This trade fair is a great opportunity to meet new suppliers and to talk face-to-face with our current suppliers. This is the most comprehensive fair in Asia and is the place where everyone comes to distribute to big and small companies.”
Full spectrum highlighted
There were 56 unique events during this year’s fringe programme for Automechanika Shanghai. Through these events, the trade fair platform is extended and all services are enhanced. The theme of this year’s Automechanika Shanghai was connectivity and there were several events on the subject, namely the Connected Mobility Roadshow Shanghai, a unique event that is part of the Connected Mobility Roadshow three-city tour, which started at Automechanika Frankfurt in Germany in September and continues to the US in 2017.
Following the key trend of the automotive industry future, the Connected Mobility Roadshow highlighted three main themes: Connected Cars, Connected Data and Connected Customers.
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