Record number of exhibitors and visitors demonstrate confidence in Automechanika Shanghai, Asia’s largest trade fair for the automotive parts, components and aftermarket industry held last December.
According to organisers exhibitor numbers increased by nearly 22 per cent to 2414 from 24 countries and regions, compared with the 2008 event. Showing an even larger increase were the visitor numbers with 38,551 visitors from 132 countries and regions attending the show. This is an increase of nearly 25 percent compared to the previous show.
Automechanika Shanghai has further confirmed its position as an international show with 29 per cent of the visitors coming from overseas, compared with 16 per cent in 2008. The top 10 visitor countries and regions outside China were (greatest first) Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, Iran, Japan, Russia, Turkey, India, the United States and Hong Kong.
Jason Cao, general manager, Messe Frankfurt Shanghai , organisers of the event said: “We are very happy with this remarkable result. Despite the global economic slowdown, the show continues to gain momentum and we have set new records for exhibitor and visitor numbers.
“In addition, the show is establishing itself as both a major domestic and international event. This can be seen from our diverse range of visitor countries. As well as visitors from the traditional continents of Europe, Asia and North America, we have seen visitors from 35 new countries.
“These include nine new African countries as well as Madagascar and Reunion, two islands off the African coast, and also the Maldives. From the South American continent and the Caribbean region our first time visitors came from Cuba, the Bahamas, Dominica, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Uruguay, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad and Tobago. We also saw first time visitors from Fiji, and New Caledonia.”
Automechanika Shanghai 2009 attracted a number of world’s leading companies to showcase their latest products and services.
Italian company Corghi, a global auto equipment manufacturer and soon to open a production plant in China, was confident about the benefits of Automechanika Shanghai. Mr Claudio Spiritelli, Sales and Marketing Director comments: “The show offers an important platform for us to strengthen and improve our relationship with different companies. We always give priority to participate in this show.”
Hyundai Enercell, the official automotive battery supplier to Hyundai and Kia motor vehicles was also enthusiastic about the show and the auto market. “The last two shows brought us a lot of business,” company representative Jack Park said.
“This year we’ve also made a lot of good business contacts with buyers from Asia, Europe and Middle East. There are always ups and downs in the economic cycle, so we should be well-prepared for the recovery by exhibiting at good trade fairs.”
Sharing a similar view was Maxim Wang, vice president for Launch Tech, incorporated in China and listed in Hong Kong and providing a full range of equipment and service solutions for workshops.
“I am happy to see buyers at the show having a genuine purchase intention. The domestic automotive market has not been affected by the global economic situation. Instead, it is growing rapidly and we can feel this at the show,” he said
First time Taiwanese exhibitor was Unipoint Electric Manufacturing, a leading supplier of wiper blades and rotating electrical parts. The company supplies products to world-famous vehicle manufacturers such as Continental, Ford, GM, Peugeot and Toyota. Yen Chun Chuang, the company’s marketing specialist said she met buyers from Africa, Europe, Middle East and South America.
“The show provides a good opportunity for us to gain brand recognition and to stand out from other companies especially under the current economic climate,” she said.
Sharon Ye, business manager for Zhejiang Luoshi Vibration Control was very impressed with the quantity and quality of visitors. “The buyers we’ve met are purchasing department decision makers and management,” she said.
Aftermarket Manager for French company Hutchinson, Marc Ripotot also praises the quality of the buyers. “We had quite nice distributors visiting our booth and I was surprised by the level of professionalism and by the volume they are representing,” he says.
Feng Wutang, general manager of Chery Engine Company from China remarks that the show included a comprehensive range of automotive parts, components, repair and maintenance products.
“It is an efficient platform for industry players to promote themselves to customers,” he said. “The show has further increased our brand exposure in the market”
Third time USA exhibitor Snap-on was attending its third Shanghai show and according to equipment manager, OEM and training, Nicky Marr, the show was a good platform for equipment manufacturers to showcase their products and advantages.
“Automechanika Shanghai is not only for overseas customers. Many domestic equipment resellers come here to find new products and business opportunities. In the last two days, there have been some potential Chinese resellers discussing opportunities to be our resellers,” Marr said.
Many international buyers came to Automechanika Shanghai to source from Asia’s largest platform for automotive parts, equipment and services and they were satisfied with the quality of exhibitors.
United Arab Emirates visitor, Ali R Ehtiyatkar from Eurocraft Auto Spare Parts comes to Automechanika Shanghai every year.
“Five years ago it was difficult to find quality products because everyone wanted to sell at cheap prices,” he said. “But now many manufacturers come with good quality products and new technology.”
First time visitor Johan de Groot, managing director for the Netherlands company Vocor International BV said: “We found new products which are interesting for us. We are very impressed with what we have seen so far and I think it is worthwhile to come to the show.”
Mr, Product manager for Shanghai CPM Trading Elory Wu, spent three days at the show. “Besides meeting with our existing suppliers, I’ve made several new contacts,” Wu said.
“The show has covered all product groups in the industry and it’s like a one-stop station to learn all the China and global market developments and trends.”
Automechanika Shanghai is organised by Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co Ltd and the China National Automotive Industry International Corporation (CNAICO). It is one of 13 global Automechanika fairs held in Asia, Europe, North America, South America and Africa. For further information, visit www.automechanika.com or email auto@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com
ABOVE: CHINA STAND
BELOW: KOREA STAND
BELOW: US STAND
