Automechanika Shanghai sets new record for exhibitor and visitor figures as well as exhibition space

Positive response from exhibitors and visitors

The record number of exhibitors included first time appearances by leading brand names from the parts and components industry such as Affinia, ArvinMeritor, Changan Automobile, Brembo, Continental, Cummins, Dayco, Delphi, Dow Corning, Federal-Mogul, Honeywell, Iveco Engine, Lingyun, Mobis, Raybestos and Yuchai Machinery. Well-known companies from repair and maintenance equipment sectors included Apollo Spray, Asiawash, Bosch, Corghi, Giuliano, ITW, Karcher, Launch, MAHA, PIUSI, Rotary, SPX, Stanley and Zonda.

First time USA exhibitor was ArvinMeritor which delivers solutions for commercial and industrial vehicles. "China has 85 million vehicles and it's a huge opportunity for aftermarket suppliers," commented Mr Ricky Wang, Director of Aftermarket, China. "We heard a lot of good things about the show from our suppliers and customers and it's a good platform for us to launch our new brands into a growing market."

Also making their show debut was Affina Group, an auto parts manufacturer. Ms Daisy Xu, Marketing Executive, Business Development, said everyone knows that Automechanika Shanghai is the industry's premier show. "This is why we decided to exhibit for the first time because it is a good platform for us to show and enhance our brand image," she explained. "In 2011 we plan to start our business in China, bringing in our brands from America, so we are looking for dealers and distributors."

Mr Wang Caishan, Sales Manager for Add Industry (Zhejiang) Co Ltd, specialising in vibration dampers has exhibited at Automechanika Shanghai since 2006 and has increased its booth size every year. "The show is becoming more important to global buyers and most of our big clients visit this show. Exhibitor and visitor quality are good and they are able to find their business partners here. The industry highly recognises Automechanika Shanghai and so many companies exhibit every year."

Shanghai Balance Automotive Equipment Co Ltd, a leading Chinese manufacturing specialist in R&D and automotive service equipment, has exhibited every year at Automechanika Shanghai because of the show's influence. Mr Tong Yang, Sales Manager commented: "The show attracts the right visitors and that's why I like it very much. I've met buyers from the UK, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Sweden, USA and they are all very professional. We have also met a lot of industry friends and it's good for promoting our company and products."

Dah Kee Co Ltd, a Taiwanese manufacturer for automotive alternators, starters, ignition distributor and electronic parts is another exhibitor attracted by the show's reputation. Ms Shirley Lu, Sales Representative said: "Automechanika Shanghai is definitely a professional trade fair for the automotive parts industry. The show is international and I've found many new products. It is an excellent trading platform to meet new buyers and learn new things."

Giuliano Automotive Equipment (Suzhou) Co Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary company of Giulianono SPA from Italy is specialised in tyre changers for cars and trucks, pneumatic platforms and electro-hydraulic lifts, wheel-balancers and bodyshop testing equipment choose Automechanika Shanghai to introduce their new Crossage product which is an automatic tilt-back touchless tyre changer. "We got a great deal of feedback from professional visitors and this can help us to improve our products," said Ms Alice Yang, the company's Vice General Manager. "For 10 years we have imported our equipment to meet the high demand of Chinese customers. However, as the local market is growing, we have established our own manufacturing plant here in China so that we can provide a better service to our domestic clients."

Automechanika Shanghai also included nine overseas pavilions from France, Germany, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand and the USA. In addition, more than 10 international visitor groups from America, Asia, Australia and the Middle East as well as more than 30 Chinese regional visitor groups attended the show. This year, the show attracted more visitors from the aftermarket sector from key model vehicle manufacturers as well as transportation departments from different regions and provinces in China.

Exhibiting at the Thai Pavilion was Fortune Parts Industry Public Company Limited, specialising replacement parts. Mr Lam Kian Wey, Export Sales Executive said: "We think the show is a good opportunity to learn more about our competitors and the market. As one of the exhibitors at the Thai pavilion, it is also convenient for buyers to find us."

Visitors to this year's show were impressed by the size and scale of the exhibition. A VIP buyer, Mr Daniel Loh from Malaysian Top- Diversified Sdn Bhd, an authorised service dealer of Proton, the largest automotive brand in Southeast Asia, commented: "I've met two suppliers so far and their company scale is big and product quality is good. I have decided to purchase products from them. This year the show is larger and more international and helps me bring new ideas to Malaysia."

American visitor Mr Charles W. Greening Jr, President of Greening, a chassis component company came to the show to visit his customers. "I have met about 100 direct contacts," he said. "It's also very convenient to see what the industry is doing and a good way to learn."

Domestic visitor, Mr Zhang Yun, General Manager of Ningbo Lingfa Import & Export Corporation said: "This is one of industry's biggest shows and I am happy to find many Chinese and foreign companies exhibiting. The show offers a wide range of products and services and we are able to find what we need. It is worthwhile visiting the show." Mr Yang Fugui, an automotive designer for Xibeihu Special Vehicle Co Ltd also attended the show to keep updated with market trends. "I am happy to see many big and international auto parts leaders exhibiting at the show," he remarked. "I think Automechanika Shanghai definitely helps upgrade the quality of the whole automotive industry."

New business opportunities created at Automechanika Matchmaking Forum

Nine companies took part in this year's Automechanika Matchmaking Forum and met one-on-one with suppliers from China, Hong Kong, India, Korea, Taiwan and Thailand. More than 90 percent of the suppliers were satisfied with the results. Supplier Mr Liu Xinyu, General Manager for Beijing Tianyu Motor Necessity Co Ltd commented: "The Matchmaking Forum is an excellent opportunity to meet with potential buyers and make valuable business contacts. After the show, we've made contact with them. I will definitely participate at the forum again."

Mr Bai Xiangyu, Purchasing and Logistics Manager for the Hand-in- hand Chain owned by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Automobile Sales Co Ltd, China added: "I've seen a lot of suppliers and the match- making programme is very effective. The quality of local suppliers and their products has increased and I've met three high potential suppliers."

South African participant Mr Andy du Plessis, Production Manager, Midas Group Pty Ltd, said his company has 469 franchise shops in South Africa and in 2009 purchased USD20 million worth of Chinese products. "This year I am looking for new mechanical and auto parts, chemicals, car care and engine cleaners," he explained. "I met six suppliers at the forum and all are serious about doing business. I will return to the show next year and bring more buyers to source from the fair."

Record breaking 15 fringe programmes explored diverse range of industry topics

This year Automechanika Shanghai offered an expanded fringe programme to enhance the show experience. These included established popular events as well as new conferences and seminars which offered business opportunities and the latest market and technology information relating to automotive parts and component, repair and maintenance, aftermarket, OEM, supply chain, services, new energy vehicle and remanufacturing.

The popular Automechanika Academy event attracted capacity audiences with a range of topics from government policies, market status and operations in China to international topics such as brand protection, green technology and remanufacturing.

One of the speakers at the event was Dr Ing Carsten Bücker, Owner and Managing Director of Germany company Buecket & Essing and he spoke on the topic of "The significance of 'remanufacturing' for Chinese companies". "Remanufacturing is important to China because it helps to meet the needs of a fast growing market," he explained. "China needs lots of steel, energy, water and other materials and remanufacturing helps the whole economy to save a lot of these resources."