The 15th edition of Automechanika Shanghai, which took place from 3 to 6 December 2019, has recorded even more industry participation than ever before. 159,728 visitors connected with 6590 exhibitors across the show floor (2018: 150,568 visitors, 6,269 exhibitors). During the four-day show, the automotive ecosystem through more vertical and horizontal integration in the entire value chain was illustrated, while activities around the fairground brought exhibition themes, emerging products, services and technology, and rising trends to life.
Celebrations of the show’s 15th edition milestone were felt all around the fairground and participants were particularly keen to express the fair’s quick growth and influence, not just in the domestic market, but the international industry too. Its automotive ecosystem was channelled through the fairground’s new zones and fringe programme events in efforts to connect a wider automotive community. As a result, more finance firms, insurance companies, research institutes, talent management experts, start-ups, as well as players across the entire supply chain made their way to the show.
The news comes after the fair expanded many of its themed zones and areas. For example, the enhanced Tomorrow’s Service & Mobility sector shed light on the latest innovations for electromobility, intelligent vehicle technology, car connectivity, mobility services, smart road systems and lightweight materials.
Other areas that proved immensely popular among participants were the improved Customising sector featuring interior, exterior and high-performance customisation, as well as the Motorsports & High Performance zone and the Supply Chain & Chain Store zone. Here, attendees explored the latest aftermarket trends and delved into new business models for the proliferating service and chain store segment. Other sectors included Parts & Components, Electronics & Systems, Accessories, Repair & Maintenance and REFIEN (Tyres & Wheels).
Automechanika Shanghai 2019 also marked an increase in international participation across the board. To illustrate, overseas exhibitor participation rose by four per cent with representation from a total of 46 countries and regions. Exhibitors from Belarus, Lithuania and Saudi Arabia returned to the fair as Kazakhstan and Macau made their show debut.
There was an upward surge of visitor participation by six per cent, reaching an impressive total of 159,728 delegates, while overseas attendance was also felt in force throughout the exhibition.
This year, a total of 65 fringe programme events ran concurrently with the main show. Throughout the fairground, each event received high praise from industry experts who took part and presented the latest global updates and local developments in the entire automotive supply chain. Many new fringe events, reflecting key fair trends, were also welcomed for the first time this year, such as the debuting Body & Paint World Championships, Tomorrow’s Service & Mobility Innovation Technology Conference, China Auto Dealer Supply Chain and Financial Innovation Summit 2019 and International Bodyshop Industry Symposium (IBIS) China 2019.