Aftermarket Archives - BodyShop News

CAPA Reaffirms Its Ongoing Commitment To The Collision Repair Industry

In response to NSF International’s withdrawal from certification in the collision repair industry, the Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) is reassuring the industry it will continue its mission to ensure that high-quality, certified aftermarket parts remain an option for insurers, repairers, and consumers.

“CAPA’s commitment to the aftermarket industry spans more than 30 years,” said Clark Plucinski, Chairman, CAPA Board of Directors. “We understand that the recent developments in the aftermarket parts certification industry have caused concern amongst stakeholders, but CAPA is fully committed to servicing the industry with the same diligence and passion we have since our founding.

“Over the past several years CAPA has maintained double digit growth year over year, in certified part applications available to the industry. CAPA intends to accelerate this trend over the coming years through the development of additional standards across a wider variety of replacement parts.”

To date, CAPA has certified over 105 million parts.

“CAPA will work individually with various stakeholders to minimise the impact of recent changes in the automotive parts certification business,” said Plucinski. “We will reach out to determine areas CAPA can develop solutions or programmes to support the industry, and we look forward to industry feedback.”

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Trade Shows, Trade Shows, Trade Shows

Automechanika Shanghai 2019 Embraces The Evolving Automotive Ecosystem

The upcoming 15th edition of Automechanika Shanghai is set to take place at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC) on 3 to 6 December 2019 (Tuesday to Friday). The show expects to host over 6,270 exhibitors across the impressive 350,000 sqm of exhibition space, which will occupy the venue’s current exhibition area. A growing number of special sectors, zones and fringe programme events will amplify many of the latest advancements and rising trends throughout numerous areas of the industry.

Fiona Chiew, Deputy General Manager, Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, said: “Over the past 14 editions, Automechanika Shanghai has continued to thrive alongside Asia’s automotive industry; China has now become the world’s largest auto market. When the show first opened its doors back in 2004, it hosted just 235 exhibitors and 9,000 visitors. In 2018, a staggering 150,568 visitors filtered through every corner of the NECC. It has continued to embrace change and nurtured development by way of new themes and elements. Looking to the future, we plan to collaborate further with research institutes, universities, industry organisations, finance and insurance firms, and the wider automotive community, so that we can work together and advance the fair’s automotive ecosystem.”

Developing an automotive ecosystem

Automechanika Shanghai will echo the progressing concept of the automotive ecosystem. The developing term comes as a result of rapid advancements in the industry that are currently remapping the automotive value chain. It zooms in on the concept of connectivity; not just through emerging technology, but also the notion of networks and knowledge sharing. As a result, Automechanika Shanghai will place more focus on digitalisation, future technologies and services, as well as shaping more opportunities in the fringe programme, to work closer with research institutes and the wider auto community.

Digital trends spark new opportunities

The Tomorrow’s Service & Mobility sector will, once again, become a central area of the fair to demonstrate the show’s strengthened ability for emphasising digital trends and connectivity. As such, the sector shines a light on communication between the vehicle, infrastructure, pedestrians and networks. With this in mind, exhibitors will cover the latest innovations for electromobility, intelligent vehicle technology, car connectivity, mobility services, as well as lightweight materials and more.

The evolving supply chain and aftermarket

The automotive service sector continues to be one of the most important aspects of the fair, as many maturing automotive markets, like China, are becoming more established. The rise of China’s automotive aftermarket will bring forward new business opportunities to its underlying sectors and will rely on the continuous smart transformation of the supply chain. On account of this, the Supply Chain and Chain Store zone returns to address many of the changing needs in the transforming local auto market.

Customisation continues to soar

Customisation is another area that is seeing a steady progression. Sitting side-by-side, Customising will span across Hall 6.2 and 7.2, to cover an expansive total of 44,000 sqm of space. The sector is set to include the latest trends for exterior, interior and high-performance customisation. It will feature sport exhaust systems, sport air filters, and sport chassis, as well as engine tuning, audio modification, seats, recreational vehicles (RV) and off-road vehicle modification. Personalisation will also be a key element in the sector with interior design, body work elements, car wrapping, spray painting, and airbrush systems on display.

Additionally, the automotive lighting industry has undergone a new wave of transformation. Organic light-emitting diode (OLED), laser and intelligent lights have led to more creative and technological innovation throughout the sector.

In addition to the Tomorrow’s Service & Mobility and Customising sectors, the exhibition will host thousands of other exhibitors across five other product categories. Parts & Components, Electronics & Systems, Accessories, Repair & Maintenance and REIFEN (Tyres & Wheels) will offer comprehensive coverage of the entire supply chain.

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Trade Shows, Trade Shows, Trade Shows

Autopromotec Connects Aftermarket With Motorsport

Autopromotec says it will offer an “interesting” new development celebrating the connection between the aftermarket sector and motor racing. For the 2019 show to be held in Bologna from 22 to 26 May, Autopromotec will inaugurate “Autopromotec Motorsport”, an initiative sponsored by ACI Sport and the Motorsport section of ANFIA (National Association of the Automotive Industry Supply Chain).

At Autopromotec 2019, the Autopromotec Motorsport initiative will create a dedicated pathway through the trade show’s pavilions where it will be possible to see and touch products that contain the same technology used in racing vehicles.

All exhibitors with a direct link to the racing world will be identifiable by a special symbol – a chequered flag with the Autopromotec Motorsport logo in the centre. The visit is also supported by a guide made available to visitors during the days of the trade show, listing all the companies in the sector participating at the fair.

To spotlight the companies involved in the initiative, Autopromotec Motorsport will also have its own booth dedicated entirely to racing in Hall 31 Bis, near the “Quadriportico” of the exhibition centre. Organisers says it will be possible to experience the ‘aura’ of competitions, walking through pit lanes set up to recreate the paddocks of motor racing and learning about the services offered by the main trade associations as well as schools, universities and other educational institutions.

As part of AutopromotecEDU, organisers say the Autopromotec Motorsport initiative will also present a series of specific conferences on the topics that motor racing has in common with aftersales, such as the pursuit of safety, reliability and performance. These conferences are:

Motorsport as a research opportunity for product innovation – 22 May, Link Room, 2:30 – 4:30 pm
Those who compete in the world of motorsport win with highly qualified and specialised human resources – 24 May, Link Room, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

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Trade Shows

Meguiar’s MotorEx Looking Forward To Big Event

Meguiar’s MotorEx, to be held at the Melbourne Showgrounds on 11-12 May, says it will showcase the best the automotive aftermarket industry has to offer, along with some of the country’s “finest” show cars and performance machinery.

The event is also expected to feature drifting demonstrations, dyno sessions, automotive celebrities, gourmet food vendors and live music, as well as a new initiative, the VCM MotorEx Seminar Series, where a group of industry experts will present a variety of topics in 12 sessions.

In addition, Flying Spanners – an initiative of Summernats/MotorEx – will pit teams of apprentice mechanics from TAFE and other training providers against each other and the clock as they strip and rebuild an engine.

“The skill and passion of automotive technicians and the aftermarket industry underpins events like MotorEx and Summernats. Our events are unique platforms to contribute to foster the future of the industry,” said Andy Lopez, MotorEx and Summernats co-owner.

To further attract and inspire the next generation of automotive technicians, MotorEx says it will offer automotive trade apprentices half price entry to the event using the promotional code ‘APPRENTICE’.

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Trade Shows, Trade Shows, Trade Shows

Automechanika Frankfurt Broadens Its Scope

The leading international trade fair for the automotive aftermarket is creating new structures for the 2020 event, both thematically and physically, on the exhibition site. Organisers say the portfolio will now be more clearly organised, particularly in the fields of workshop equipment and future mobility.

Automechanika Frankfurt will feature a strongly differentiated portfolio when it takes place from 8 to 12 September 2020. The event is taking advantage of the reconstruction of Hall 5 to “create important synergies” on the exhibition grounds and bring related themes together in the same locations. In future, products and solutions in the ‘Accessories & Customizing’ area will be grouped together in Hall 12, ensuring that this theme can be found in the direct vicinity of the workshop exhibition in Halls 8 and 9, which will now be called ‘Diagnostics & Repair’.

For the first time, the product groups based in Hall 11 will receive their own designation from the next Automechanika – ‘Body & Paint’. They will be supplemented by a comprehensive supporting programme in the adjacent Portalhaus.

The Festhalle will continue to serve as the stage for “tomorrow’s mobility” and will now focus in particular on ‘Mobility as a Service & Autonomous Driving’ and ‘Alternative Drive Systems & Fuels’. Organisers say the classic cars business was extremely popular at Automechanika 2018 and will be expanded further. Synergies were also achieved for workshop and tyre retailers at the last event, so Automechanika 2020 will be expanding to include the new ‘Tires & Wheels’ product group. This theme will remain in Hall 12, where it will be found alongside ‘Car Wash & Care’.

New brand presentation

Every two years Automechanika revamps its brand presentation, which features on the cover of the current trade fair catalogue, as well as in the event’s advertisements, posters and websites.

“‘Excellence in every detail’ – our kick-off campaign offers our customers a clear brand promise,” said Olaf Musshoff, Director of Automechanika Frankfurt. “We want our presentation to showcase the wide variety of products at the trade fair, an array that has long since moved past cars.”

The new theme now features three types of vehicles for the first time: cars, trucks and motorcycles. The vehicles have been composed from car parts and accessories that were made available for photographs by Automechanika exhibitors. The theme comprises hundreds of car parts that have been photographed and combined digitally.

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Trade Shows, Trade Shows, Trade Shows

Automechanika Shanghai Highlights Events Programme Of Upcoming 2018 Show

While more than 140,000 automotive buyers are preparing to descend upon the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC) in a few weeks for Automechanika Shanghai, organisers say they are working behind the scenes to ensure the high expectations of the show’s fringe programme are met. This year’s show will see some 50 fringe events take place, covering a strong collection of topics and pressing issues related to the entire automotive world.

Altogether, over 250 senior level representatives are taking part as speakers in this year’s fringe programme at Automechanika Shanghai, held from 28 November to 1 December 2018. The events are expected to inspire participants with new ideas, provide the latest industry trends, expand their business networks and shed light on the industry’s future developments.

The aftermarket in China continues to grow at a rapid rate, and the sector is the country’s biggest market for automotive developments. This continued growth has been met with a number of new opportunities and challenges, so organisers say the show will shine a spotlight on this topic through the Automotive Aftermarket Summit 2018 on 29 November. The event will gather leading companies from the automotive aftermarket sector, including the China Automobile Dealers Association, Fix Auto China and Carzone amongst many others.

The summit will explore growth hotspots and potential across both domestic and international markets, whilst also forecasting future developments and collaboration opportunities for the sector. The summit will also cover the differences and impacts of e-commerce between the US and Chinese multinational automotive parts manufacturers in the aftermarket industry, the development of service chain stores, the outlook of independent workshops, financing, insurance and more.

Meanwhile, the AIAG Auto Parts Purchasing Leadership and Suppliers Summit on 28 November, organised by the Automotive Industry Action Group, has invited purchasing executives from GM, Ford, Fiat-Chrysler, PACCAR, Volvo, Geely, NIO, Bosch, BorgWarner, Cummins, Valeo and other OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers to share their sourcing strategies and requirements, as well as their quality management systems in Asia and China. The platform will serve as an opportunity to learn and exchange thoughts on sourcing and quality with hundreds of purchasing leaders across the supply chain.

Meanwhile, the global automotive industry is undergoing an unprecedented transformation at all fronts, from autonomous driving and digital disruptions, to the rise of sharing economy and social trends. To address this, organisers say several related conferences will shed light on the future of service and mobility, including the Tomorrow’s Service & Mobility Summit 2018 on 28 November.

The summit will invite renowned domestic experts and scholars to discuss current and future developments in the areas of car connectivity, new energy vehicles and autonomous driving. Specific reference will be given to the differences between China and Germany in terms of safety standards and the implementation challenges of autonomous driving, as well as blueprint sharing for the future of service and mobility.

Elsewhere, the advancement of automotive materials has been playing an increasingly important role in the automotive manufacturing and design process, and particularly for automotive light-weighting. Held on 28 November, the Application of Advanced Composite Materials in New Energy Vehicles Summit 2018 will talk the audience through the application of advanced composite materials across the entire production cycle of new energy vehicles, from design, product development and manufacturing, to moulding and cost efficiency. This will provide solutions for many of the difficult problems the industry faces. In addition, a dedicated display zone, titled ‘Advanced Composite Materials & Automotive Lightweight Innovation Application’, will showcase the contribution of advanced composite materials at the fair.

In recent years, the buzz around environmental protection has swept across the automotive aftermarket in China, and traditional service sectors are now facing an increasing amount of pressure to cope with higher environmental requirements. The Green Automotive Painting Summit 2018 on 29 November will discuss current industry developments in terms of environmental protection policies, environmental products and solutions to upgrading business in terms of materials, painting technologies and operations. Representatives from leading companies in this field, such as Festool, Fix Auto, Jingzhongjing, MAXLINK and Yatu Advanced Materials will take part in the event.

Aside from the above fringe events taking place during Automechanika Shanghai this year, a number of other seminars, conferences and summits have been arranged for participants to explore. Additional events will include the likes of:

Autohaus China 10th Shanghai International Dealer Summit
Automotive Parts Industry Development Summit
Collision Industry Summit
Intelligent Technology of Public Transportation Seminar
Key Automotive Electronics Technologies Forum
Service Chain Stores Forum
Supply Chain Innovation of Automotive Aftermarket Parts Forum
The 4th Summit: Merger and Acquisition Strategies for Chinese Automotive Corporations in the Overseas Markets

For further information about Automechanika Shanghai 2018 and the show’s concurrent fringe programme, visit www.automechanika-shanghai.com.

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Trade Shows, Trade Shows

Automechanika Dubai – 1-3 May 2018

The upcoming Dubai Expo 2020 has sparked fresh optimism in the UAE automotive aftermarket, with international manufacturers gearing up for new business opportunities as final preparations fall in place ahead of the global mega event.

The Middle East’s first ever World Expo is expected to attract more than 25 million people from across the globe, while a price tag of at least US$9 billion suggests the host Emirate is pulling out all the stops to create state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure.

With US$3 billion worth of venue-related construction contracts awarded in 2017 alone, the increase of commercial and heavy-duty vehicles along with cars is expected to effect a corresponding rise in demand for spare parts and accessories, tyres and batteries as well as a host of maintenance and upkeep-related infrastructure and services.

The business potential has injected new impetus for international players in the automotive services industry, with more than 1,900 from 57 countries preparing to showcase their latest products and services at the 16th edition of Automechanika Dubai in 2018.

Companies exhibiting at the three-day event, which takes place at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, are targeting large-scale business growth up to, and beyond the six-month global showcase.

Organised by Messe Frankfurt Middle East, Automechanika Dubai is the Middle East and Africa’s largest exhibition for the automotive aftermarket and services industry.

Automechanika Dubai 2018 spreads over six product sections of Parts & Components; Electronics & Systems; Accessories & Customising; Repair & Maintenance; Car Wash, Care & Reconditioning; and Tyres & Batteries.

Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “Mega events such as the Dubai Expo 2020 do have a multi-sectoral impact on the region with the increase in expenditure for new infrastructure, support systems, logistics and commercial facilities.

“The impact is reflected among exhibitors at Automechanika Dubai 2018, many of whom are anticipating an injection of aftermarket products and services demand, with the expected rise of vehicle parc. It may also favourably impact Dubai’s total auto parts trade in the coming years, which in 2016, was worth US$10.6 billion,” Pauwels added.

Automechanika Dubai’s global influence is highlighted by the presence of 25 country pavilions and 36 international trade associations, while 90 per cent of exhibitors, and 52 per cent of the 30,000-plus visitors are expected to come from outside of the UAE.

The annual showpiece will return with its popular Truck Competence initiative, where more than 1,500 exhibitors will showcase their products dedicated to the entire value chain in the truck sector, from truck parts and accessories, to workshop equipment, body repairs and care.

It will also feature the popular Automechanika Academy – a series of seminars, presentations, and workshops about key issues and regulations that affect the automotive aftermarket, and the African Buyer-Seller Meet, connecting suppliers with buyers from the world’s second largest continent.

More information about is available at: www.automechanikadubai.com.

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Trade Shows, Trade Shows, Trade Shows

AMR 2018 Opens In Beijing, China

The newly formed joint venture company Messe Frankfurt Traders-Link (Beijing) Co Ltd is set to present the revamped Automotive Maintenance and Repair Expo (AMR) with an improved product range to better serve China’s dynamic automotive aftermarket. As one of Asia’s largest repair and maintenance industry events, AMR 2018 will attract 1200 exhibitors and approximately 60,000 trade visits are expected to explore the unwavering business opportunities and developments in 110,000 sqm of trade space. The show is co-organised by the China Automotive Maintenance Equipment Industry Association (CAMEIA) and the China Automotive Maintenance and Repair Association (CAMRA) and will be held from 1 – 4 April 2018 at the New China International Exhibition Centre (NCIEC) in Beijing.

While the evolving aftermarket sector has experienced surging demand for diversified and innovative products, the production, distribution, end-use and service sectors in the auto supply chain have also been transforming to adapt to these changes. Tapping into this challenging business has become a clear objective for more than a thousand of AMR’s participating repair and maintenance equipment, tools and consumable suppliers. This influential industry platform has attracted key international and domestic companies, including Axalta, Beissbarth, Bright, Car-O-Liner, Celette, Corghi, Festool, Fly-Eagle, Hunter, Kapci, Launch, Maha, Mirka, Panda, Piusi, Rav, Rupes, SATA and Snap-on, each looking to maintain a competitive edge in the dynamic market.

Extensive supply chain coverage in product zones

This year’s AMR has added a brand-new Car Care and Spare Parts Hall, to better serve distributors and the end-users such as workshops, 4S shops, trading companies, chain stores, car care shops, tyre shops and car washes. The specialised hall can help participating suppliers of repair equipment and tools, car care and spare parts such as APG, Biaobang, BPI, Juxuan, Leoch, Luoshi, Sensen, Sontian, Sorl and Wepp to build up their brands and create stronger connections with end-users.

The hall will join the show’s existing areas dedicated to Tools & Tyre equipment and consumables, Cleaning, Car Care, Refinishing, Collision Repair, Garage, Chain Store, Testing & Diagnostics, brand equipment and an international zone. The expanded offerings at the show will better reflect the most current industry trends and address multiple sourcing needs of all sorts of buyers.

In addition, the show’s organisers have also put more efforts in visitor recruitment, allowing exhibitors to link up with a wider range of buyers. So far, more than a thousand overseas visitors have registered for the show, with over half of them being new attendees. Meanwhile in China, the organisers have worked closely with key trade associations in Beijing, Hebei, Henan, Hunan, Tianjin and Guangdong Province to organise key buyer delegation visits at the show.

Automotive Maintenance & Repair Expo 2018 (AMR 2018) will be held from 1 – 4 April at the New China International Exhibition Centre (NCIEC).

For more information, please visit www.amr-china.cn or e-mail [email protected]

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Business

Thatcham Research Passes Parts Certification To TUV Rheinland AG

Following an in-depth review and assessment of the certification of after-market car parts, and consultation with its Insurance Members, Thatcham Research has decided to hand over all after-market parts certification activities to its current partner TÜV Rheinland AG.

The Thatcham Research/TÜV Rheinland partnership will officially end on 31st March 2018, with Thatcham Research not providing any new after-market parts certification services as of 1 January 2018.

The move allows Thatcham Research to invest more resources into the priority areas of active safety systems and vehicle structures/materials, that are increasingly contributing to repair costs. In parallel, the company is also gearing-up its investment in countering the growing risk of cyber theft of vehicles.

Peter Shaw, chief executive of Thatcham Research comments: “A healthy after-market parts supply is vitally important for the UK repair industry. However, we need to make key strategic decisions to ensure that we are addressing current and evolving challenges for the repair and insurance industries. This move will allow us to achieve this, while at the same time handing over the certification of aftermarket parts to a trusted and qualified partner to ensure consistency now and in the future.”

Massimo Bianchi, Business Stream Manager Mobility TÜV Rheinland Italy, comments: “We believe that certification of equivalent parts is very important to answer the need of the market of high quality spare replacement parts. Voluntary independent certification of products is one of TÜV Rheinland’s core businesses and increases the trust in customers.”

The transition steps will be:

TÜV Rheinland will take over all new parts certification operations from 1st January 2018.
There will be a gradual removal of the Thatcham Research brand from certified parts.
Newly certified parts will carry the sole TÜV Rheinland brand from 1st April 2018.
As parts certification remain valid for two years, joint Thatcham Research / TÜV Rheinland branding will remain on certificates issued or renewed before 1 April 2018, until the date they expire

Together Thatcham Research and TÜV Rheinland have provided aftermarket certification services for the past nine years, and there are more than 1800 parts certified under the scheme.

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