The fair is organized by Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co Ltd and the China National Automotive Industry International Corporation (CNAICO). Confirmed exhibitors come from 30 countries and regions, including first time exhibitors from Czech Republic and Tunisia, will display their products in 160,000 sqm exhibition space covering 13 established halls plus various temporary halls. Whereas last time, exhibitors from 27 countries and regions were housed in 138,000 sqm exhibition space. The show’s three main product groups are parts and components, repair and maintenance, as well as accessories and tuning sectors.
In the first half of 2011, the trading of Chinese vehicles parts and components increased sharply. In this period, the exports of engines and components reached $2,302 million, which increased 38.45 percent compared with the same period of last year. While the imports increased by 28.49 percent to $2,223 million. Although the overall automotive industry has slowed down in the first half of this year, the demand of parts and components, as well as aftersales market, are still strong. Both Chinese and international exhibitors are optimistic about the market. This year, Automechanika Shanghai is going to house 11 overseas pavilions, including first time pavilions from India and Japan.
Takaharu Nagaoka, project leader (Overseas Trade Fair Division) of Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), organizer of the Japanese pavilion, said the pavilion will promote cutting edge Japanese auto parts to the Chinese market. He says, “The Japanese companies traditionally form business tie mostly with Japanese companies. However, in order to remain competitive, the companies are trying to tap out to the international business market, especially small and medium size companies.” Nagaoka continued, “China is one of their target markets, and Automechanika Shanghai is the place to meet enormous potential customers as it attracts more than 50,000 professional buyers from around the globe.” The exhibitor recruitment is overwhelmed by the Japanese companies, and the exhibiting area of the Japanese pavilion reached 270 sqm, despite the fact that this is their first appearance in Automechanika Shanghai.
The Indian pavilion is supported by Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). ACMA represents more than 600 Indian manufacturers. Anand Kumar Nair, ACMA’s assistant director, remarked that the Chinese market is strong and barely affected by the global economic downturn. “I believe the show can help Indian exhibitors to meet and interact with representatives from the industry’s leading worldwide companies, and can showcase their strength and capabilities to buyers. In addition, the show provides suppliers from India and China with an information exchange platform,” he says.
Debut remanufacturing pavilion and new energy zone reflect new industry trends
Under the recent five-year plan announced by the Chinese government, sustainable development in the automotive industry has been highlighted. To reflect current trends, this year’s Automechanika Shanghai will have a first time Remanufacturing Pavilion and a new Energy Zone, focusing on the two areas that have significant roles in environmental protection as well as energy saving.
The Remanufacturing Pavilion is fully supported by the Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA). William C. Gager, president of APRA commented, “The worldwide remanufacturing industry is growing rapidly. We welcome all remanufacturers to join the Remanufacturing Pavilion so that we can all begin to network with each other to improve worldwide remanufacturing.”
Fernand Weiland, vice chaiman of APRA Europe, added that Europe is remanufacturing more than 20 million components each year, helping the environment as well as consumers to reduce repair bills by half. “Remanufacturing is the most efficient and effective way to save resources, both material and energy,” Weiland says. “European automotive component manufacturers are now heavily promoting remanufacturing parts because they wish to make a contribution to a better environment.”
The China Resource Recycle Association Remanufacture Committee (CRRARC) also supports the debut of the Remanufacturing Pavilion. Jianfu Luo, director of China National Resources Recycling Association, hopes that the pavilion will become an annual show highlight, promoting remanufacturing to Chinese automotive suppliers and consumers. “Remanufacturing has developed very well in the US and Europe,” he says. “At Automechanika Shanghai, we plan to display remanufacturing and new products together, allowing visitors to experience the same quality performance.”
As well as remanufacturing, new energy vehicles will also be a future focus. According to IDTechEx’s research, electric vehicle numbers will continue to grow strongly in the next decade, as larger and more expensive vehicles such as military vehicles and buses are adopting this new technology. Currently, more than 90 percent of the world’s electric vehicles are made in, as well as used in China. In addition, the 10-year plan for the new energy vehicle states that the industry has determined to develop the new energy vehicle manufacturing.
Co-organized with Shanghai Tongdu Management Consulting, forums on new energy will be arranged during Automechanika Shanghai. Commenting on the New Energy Zone, Zhiming Huang, general manager of company, says: “Currently, China is lacking a professional platform where we can showcase parts and components, accessories and related services for the new energy vehicles, the show is at the ideal position to fill the gap. I hope that Automechanika Shanghai will be developed as the most influential information exchange and trading platform for new energy, an emerging trend in the automotive industry.”
Automechanika Shanghai is one of 12 Automechanika fairs held in Asia, Europe, North America, South America and Africa. For further information about Automechanika Shanghai, please visit / www.automechanika.com.
