The 2024 Auto Maintenance and Repair Expo (AMR) has been deemed a success after attracting increased participation compared to the 2023 event. A total of 1,061 exhibitors from 10 countries and regions attended – a 61 per cent increase – as well as 45,616 visitors – an 18 per cent increase.
Staged over a larger exhibition space measuring 100,000 square metres, the event explored industry innovation, green development, new energy vehicles, connectivity, and talent nurturing. AMR 2024 said it also received acclaim for its wide range of fringe programmes, in addition to product and technology showcases relating to repair and maintenance, diagnostics, parts and components, and coatings.
The ‘Repair and Maintenance’ and ‘Parts and Components’ areas were expanded to accommodate an increase in exhibitors, while the comprehensive range of zones emphasised several global industry trends and national guidelines. For example, the Industry and Education Integration zone supported cooperation between vocational institutions and business, in addition to hosting several conferences.
“[AMR] provided a stage for some 20 vocational institutions to exhibit,” said Zhiqing Miao, Director of the Integration of Industry and Education at the China Automotive Maintenance Equipment Industry Association (CAMEIA), and a speaker at the event. “The combination of showcases and forums helped to address the demand for talent within the industry and to advance the transportation sector in China.”
Spotlighting some of the biggest global trends, the Green Repair & New Energy zone presented the National Vocational Skills Competition initiated by CAMEIA and 11 municipal industry associations. Emphasising safety, green protection, energy-saving and efficiency, the event featured the New Energy Vehicle Repairer and Vehicle Paint Finishing contests, attracting 80 participants from across China.
Additionally, the zone showcased spray booths, spray guns, paint robots, green repair technologies and equipment, new energy vehicle maintenance products and diagnostic tool kits, as well as battery technology.
AMR also hosted 33 fringe events, including the sixth International Automotive Aftermarket Conference that brought together industry experts, scholars, top executives of leading companies, and industry associations to discuss transformations in the aftermarket and a variety of trends across China and overseas. Speakers also debated the development of new energy and independent after-sales services.
AMR said exhibitors and visitors praised the show’s efforts to establish an efficient trade platform for the sector. “As a leading event in the automotive aftermarket, AMR endeavours to make strong contributions to the industry’s quality upgrade by promoting electrification, digitalisation, and green development,” said Yanhua Zhang, President of the China Automotive Maintenance and Repair Association, another AMR organiser.
Shuiping Wang, President at the CAMEIA, said the event looks forward to exhibiting more innovative achievements in 2025, adding that the automotive aftermarket “will need to continue strengthening technological innovation by embracing sustainable smart manufacturing and the rise of emerging companies.”