Automechanika 2012 closed its doors after setting a new record of 4,593 exhibitors from 74 countries and around 148,000 visitors from all over the world (174 countries).
“The aftermarket is booming and, despite the current economic disruptions, Automechanika has once again proved to be a reliable constant,” said Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt. “With an increase in the number of visitors from East Europe and Russia coupled with a decline in numbers from South Europe, Automechanika reflects the current situation in the world economy.”
This observation was underscored by Klaus Burger, President of the Federal Association of Manufacturers and Importers of Automobile Service Equipment, who said, “Although visitors from South Europe had scarcity value, there was a very large number from Germany, the Benelux countries and East Europe.”
German exhibitors and visitors see the current economic climate in a more positive light than their colleagues from other nations.
The results of the exhibitor poll indicate that the quality of visitors to the fair has risen further in comparison to Automechanika 2010. 70 per cent of all exhibitors were satisfied to extremely satisfied with the quality of visitors to the fair compared to 64 percent at the last Automechanika. In particular, German exhibitors reported being able to make more new contacts than in 2010 (from 62 to 67 per cent).
This year’s Automechanika complementary programme was bigger than ever before. In addition to established items, such as the Automechanika Innovation Award, the Green Directory and the Automechanika Rally, which attracted over 100 automobile enthusiasts with veteran, classic and tuned cars to the Festhalle on the weekend, there were also several impressive new special shows, e.g., rally, racing and trial trucks on the outdoor area between Halls 9 and 11, training events in metalworking and body painting in the Galleria, special exhibitions and test courses with e-mobiles on the Agora and in and in front of Hall 10.
The e-mobile events were organised by members of the German E-Mobility Association and companies such as Linde Material Handling GmbH.
The programme was accompanied by impressive presentations both in the exhibition halls and on the outdoor areas. “Fairs change and visitors expect a relevant blend of information, events and professional instruction. In times of rapid technological progress in the automobile sector, it is increasingly important to be able to see and test product applications at the fair”, said Braun.
Automechanika continues to be the meeting place for representatives of industry, the workshop business and the trade. Wolfgang Maier, Sales Manager, SATA GmbH & Co. KG, encountered a broad spectrum of target groups at Automechanika: “We were pleasantly surprised by the echo, especially the echo from international visitors. However, the German retail trade was also in evidence, as were users. And, for the latter, it is important to have a good concept for the exhibition stand – a concept that combines an event character with the provision of information.”
The next Automechanika Frankfurt will be held from 16 to 20 September 2014.