Exhibition space at capacity
Popularity of fringe programme continues among exhibitors and visitors
Automechanika Shanghai 2014, Asia’s largest trade show for automotive parts, accessories, equipment and services, will open on 9 December at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, with record exhibitor numbers.
The total number of exhibitors stands at 4,906, a six percent increase on last year’s show, with 39 countries and regions represented. This includes five new countries – Belarus, Jordan, Peru, Portugal and Switzerland – and 34 returning countries and regions – Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, the Netherlands, Turkey, the UAE, the UK, the USA and Vietnam.
A breakdown of the figures shows an 11 percent increase in international exhibitors to 581, and a five percent increase of Chinese exhibitors to 4,325.
Of the 39 countries and regions being represented at the show, 17 will have overseas pavilions with brand new ones from Argentina and Pakistan this year. The returning pavilions are from France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the UK and the USA.
Exhibition space at capacity
Alongside exhibitor numbers, exhibition space has also increased this year to 220,000 sqm – a five percent uplift – reaching the capacity of the fairground. This consists of the 17 established halls as well as ten temporary halls.
A further breakdown of exhibitor figures by square metres reveals that the three main industry sectors covering the whole industry chain have increased for the 2014 show, compared to last year.
Accessories & Tuning has had the biggest uplift (10.4 percent) following the focus to recruit more key brands to occupy the new Accessories & Tuning Key Brand Hall. Repair & Maintenance has had the next largest increase (7.3 percent) which is partly attributed to a high level of returning exhibitors following a successful show in 2013. The Parts & Components has had stable growth for the 2014 show due to the increased effort in setting up sub-zones for brands, products and services, as well as more detailed categorisation of products and service developments in the sector.
Commenting on the record number of exhibitors and increased exhibition space, Jason Cao, Senior General Manager, Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd said: “It is a pleasure to see Automechanika Shanghai go from strength to strength every year. This year not only have we achieved our highest ever number of exhibitors, exhibition space has also increased to a record level. Seeing this encouraging result of Automechanika Shanghai is an excellent indication of its growing importance throughout China and across the globe as being an one-stop platform for the automotive sector.”
The expected number of local and international visitors eclipses last year’s figure with more than 86,000 expected. Boosting the number are visitor groups from all over the world including two new groups from Nepal and Vietnam as well as returning ones from Australia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Poland, and Turkey. From China, domestic visitor groups have increased to almost 50 from across the North, West, middle and South of the country, with particularly strong representation from Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Sichuan, Tianjin and Guangdong.
Furthermore, the show is supported by a list of 42 supporters, including seven new ones for this year:
- China Aluminum Wheel Quality Association
- China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Wenzhou City Committee
- China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Ruian Sub-Council
- Hebei Auto Maintenance Equipment Industry Association
- Hebei Auto Parts Industry Association
- OIB – Uludag Automotive Industry Exporters Union (Turkey)
- Ruian Automobile & Motorcycle Parts Industry Association
Cao continued: “The increased level of support for Automechanika Shanghai demonstrates the broad and deep influence the show has within the industry. Our strong efforts in promoting the show in emerging markets and extending our product line depth have been rewarded with gaining supporters from Hebei and Jiangsu in China as well as internationally in Turkey, which will have a positive impact on both exhibitors and visitors this year.”
Alongside the supporters, the show will be joined by a number of new brands. From Parts & Components examples include AE, CSR, Exedy, Liuzhou Wuling, Motor Service, Qingte Group and Tenneco. From Repair & Maintenance examples include Haitian and JTC. From Accessories & Tuning examples include BMC, GRANITIZE, Huadian Powerful and Rowe.
There are also some key returning brands. From Parts & Components these include APSIS, BAIC, BorgWarner, Bosch, BPI, Brembo, Chery, China Changan, Continental Automotive, CNIGC, ContiTech, Dayco, FAW, Febi, Federal Mogul, Gates Unitta, Gold Phoenix, GSP, Hella, Hitachi, Mahle, MANN+HUMMEL, NTN-SNR, Schaeffler, TRW, Unipoint, Valeo, WANXIANG , Xingyi and ZF.
From Repair & Maintenance these include Bantam, Beissbarth, Berton, Bosch, Jonnesway, Launch, MAHA, OTC, R&H, Ravaglioli, Robinair, Stanley, TechnoVector, and Zonyi.
From Accessories & Tuning these include BASF, Botny, BULLSONE, Candid, Carlas , CARORI, cnlight, Donghao, Junda, Liqui Moly, Sonax, STARWORKS, STRONA, WD-40, YAKIMA and Yunhan.
Commenting on the support seen for the show, Mr Ji Xuecheng, General Manager of China National Automotive Industry International Corporation said: “We are delighted with how this year’s show has come together, and that it is on track to be bigger and better than last year’s. Part of that is attributed to the wonderful support we have received from new and existing organisations. The flourishing market in China makes it an exciting time for both Chinese and international companies, and I am confident all exhibitors and visitors will have a prosperous show this year.”
Popularity of fringe programme continues among exhibitors and visitors
The show’s popular fringe programme returns this year with 38 exclusive events for visitors and exhibitors to attend. The programme is diverse, catering to all industry sectors, and a number of sessions are already nearing capacity in terms of audience sign ups. This year’s highlights include:
- AIAG Auto Parts Purchasing High-leadership and Suppliers Forum 2014
- Auto Insurance & Aftermarket Strategic Cooperation Seminar
- AUTOHAUS CHINA International Dealer Summit 2014
- Automotive Aftermarket Summit 2014
- Global Auto Care Summit 2014
- NextGen Auto International Summit China
- Prospects of Automotive Aftermarket E-commerce and Internet Service Providers
Automechanika Shanghai is organised by Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co Ltd and the China National Automotive Industry International Corporation (CNAICO). It is one of 14 Automechanika fairs held in Africa, Asia, Europe and Central and South America.
Discussing the show’s future development, Ji Xuecheng also announced that due to the continued growth of the show, next year’s Automechanika Shanghai will take place at the larger venue of National Exhibition and Convention Center in Hongqiao, Puxi to provide the extra space needed.
