Organized by Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co Ltd and China National Automotive Industry International Corporation (CNAICO), Automechanika Shanghai 2011 covered an exhibition area of 160,000 sqm, including 13 halls and six temporary halls, as well as an outdoor exhibiting area. The show attracted 3,619 exhibitors from 36 countries and regions, and 61,178 visitors from 131 countries. And the top ten visiting countries and regions (excluding China) were Taiwan, Russia, Turkey, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, US, India, Iran and Australia.
Commenting on the new show record, Jason Cao, general manager, Messe Frankfurt Shanghai Co Ltd says. “Automechanika Shanghai has grown rapidly in just seven years and I’m glad to see that the show is becoming more developed and diversified to meet the demand of the industry. This year, we have set up specific areas for remanufacturing and new energy. In addition, even stronger support from international associations and organisations, like Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA) and Institut für Kraftfahrwesen Aachen University (ika), to the show and high standard of fringe programme also reinforces the status of Automechanika Shanghai in the industry.”
Exhibitors, visitors satisfied with the show
Exhibitors displayed a wide range of products from parts and components to repair and maintenance. In addition, to cater for the growing interest in certain industry areas, Automechanika Shanghai 2011 introduced an Accessories Hall, a Remanufacturing Pavilion as well as a New Energy Zone. Many renowned industry players exhibited at the show and first time participants included Biaobang, BorgWarner, EGR, Graco, Mann-Hummel, NTN- SNR, Panasonic, Philips, Sansui, Tech, Tongrun and UCI/FRAM.
Exhibitors agreed that Automechanika Shanghai is a professional show where business opportunities can be explored. The local leading OE manufacturers for engine include Yuchai, Great Wall and OED displayed their latest products including the first diesel engine and AT powertrain in China. Liu Qi Wei, manager, Great Wall Motor Company Limited, with energy saving branded products remarks, “Among all the shows we attend in China, Automechanika Shanghai has the biggest number of professional visitors and that is the great opportunity for a brand like us to enhance worldwide brand awareness and definitely a good platform to boost our international sales.”
K. Felix Koo, automotive aftermarket director for Schaeffler Trading (Shanghai) Co Ltd thought Automechanika Shanghai is an influential and international show. The German brand made good use of this show as an one-stop platform to introduce new products to customers from other parts of China and the Asia Pacific region. Another exhibitor shared the same thought was ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids, which provides maintenance services and had a booth three times larger than last year. Tohru Hattori, AAM-Asia business manager, Asia for the company says, “We are surprised by the high number of quality visitors at the show.”
Accessories supplier, Guangdong LFF Security Equipment Co Ltd focuses on the domestic market. “Automechanika Shanghai attracts a lot of good quality domestic distributors, representatives from 4S shops and car repair workshops. It is an exceptional platform for us to build up our image and make new contacts,” says Daisy Niu, sales manager for the Chinese company. Meguiar’s, the US brand of car care products also found heaps of business opportunities here. “The show provides an unique international platform for brands to expand in the Chinese market,” says Anthony Lan, China region general manager for the company.
To meet the growth of remanufacturing business, MCI Cores was one of the exhibitors at the new Remanufacturing Pavilion. Ronald Carr, vice president for the US company comments: “Remanufacturing automotive industry is going to be a big market in China. We are glad to have a good response from target customers in the first-time remanufacturing pavilion of the show.”
Another new section, the New Energy Zone was also a highlight of the show. The zone was supported by fringe programme organized by various international associations. Exhibitors such as Changan, Chery, FOTAN, MIDAS and Zonda participated to display their latest new energy products. Michael Turnbull, division marketing manager, Technica for MIDAS Group (Pty) Ltd from South Africa said the international visitors were high quality. “By launching new products at the show, we had aroused attentions from global buyers and seek for potential Chinese distributors effectively.” he explains.
Automechanika Shanghai attracted 12 overseas pavilions this year, compared to nine in 2010. Making a first-time appearance at the show were pavilions from India and Japan, and their exhibitors were happy with the results they achieved from the show.
Leading 19 companies from across the manufacturing chain, Anil Kumar Unni, director & regional secretary, Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (Southern Region) says: “Our exhibitors are all satisfied and for the first time we have been able to showcase our engineering strengths. The show has been very successful as we have been trying to understand the market and the visitors.”
The Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) arranged for 20 companies to exhibit at the show. Yugo Yoshida, director for JETRO Shanghai comments, “We met many high quality buyers who are all professional and serious. On average, each company met 15 potential customers each day.”
For visitors, Automechanika Shanghai is an important annual event. Reijo Kinnari, representing RK Cooling Systems of Denmark says, “I like this show. It is the best in China. It’s very well organised and this is most important for me.” Another visitor, Andy Zhou, commodity manager for Federal-Mogul (China) Co Ltd met many qualified suppliers at the show. “Automechanika Shanghai is an ideal platform for us to meet and source from domestic suppliers,” he says.
The show attracted many buyer delegations including one from Hunan, China. Li Guo Ping, deputy chairman for Hunan Auto Repair and Inspection Association, organized a buyer delegation with more than 20 representatives from maintenance and repair companies. Li says his delegation was excited to see and establish business contacts with so many international brands at Automechanika Shanghai. “They are happy to see the new products and technologies here. And, the group plans to extend the visiting time at the show next year to obtain more business opportunities from such a big sourcing platform,” says Li.
27 fringe sessions offer new insights Automechanika Shanghai 2011 also set a new record for fringe programme sessions by offering 27 events, compared to 15 in 2010. These included seminars, conferences, matchmaking events and buyer presentations, covering the whole industry spectrum including parts, repair, accessories, new energy, and remanufacturing. The diversity of the fringe programme attracted a large number of industry players.
Doris Holler-Bruckner, president for Austrian Sustainable Mobility, spoke on the topic of Experience Sharing on Application of New Energy Vehicle – Greencycle Living in Austria. “This seminar generated good influence because people can see how the future will be without fossil fuel,” she explains.
Her speech inspired audience member Wei Zhao, general sales manager China for KS Glietlager GmbH. “I am very interested in this subject as it is essential for the development of auto engines,” he remarks. “With more information we can get expertise. I think electric vehicles have a bright future in the long run because of environmental issues.”
The Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA) organised the APRA International Forum in Shanghai and Auto Parts Remanufacturing Industry Seminar. The president of the US-based association, William C. Gager found that the fringe programme received very positive responses that attracted a large number of audiences. As the Chinese government is supporting the remanufacturing business, industry people urge to know more and the show provides a right channel. “Remanufacturing is a new concept for the Chinese automotive industry and I hope to help local industry people understand it more,” Gager says.
The Matchmaking Forum arranged meetings between suppliers and VIP buyers. UAE buyer, V. Nantha Kumar, assistant general manager (Parts) for Dynatrade L.L.C., who was also a speaker at the Buyer Presentations, fulfilled the aim of visiting the show. He met with various suppliers during the show. “We source accessories and parts from Chinese suppliers,” he explains. “Automechanika Shanghai is the best place to meet them, instead of going to different areas of the city.”
The International Automotive Congress and Automotive Aftermarket Summit also received positive feedback, reflecting that industry people are optimistic about the future of the global automotive industry.
The next edition of Automechanika Shanghai 2012 will take place from 11 – 14 December 2012.
Automechanika Shanghai is one of 11 Automechanika fairs held in Asia, Europe, North America, South America and Africa.
For further information about Automechanika Shanghai, please visit www.automechanika- shanghai.com or www.automechanika.com.
