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Messe Frankfurt Reports Record Growth

Trade show organiser Messe Frankfurt announced that its sales grew seven per cent in 2018, achieving record levels. Messe Frankfurt is the organiser of the Automechanika brand of fairs worldwide.

Wolfgang Marzin, President and CEO of Messe Frankfurt, announced at a press conference that the group succeeded in setting a new record of around €718 million in sales.

Officials noted that Messe Frankfurt is retaining its third-place position in a challenging and international competitive environment, as well as being well ahead of all German competitors and all worldwide trade fair companies with its own exhibition infrastructure.

According to the annual financial statements for financial year 2018, Messe Frankfurt’s consolidated annual net income for 2018 was more than €50 million, around 25 per cent up on 2017.

With a total of 507 events worldwide in financial year 2018, more events were held under the Messe Frankfurt umbrella than ever before, drawing almost five million people.

“The very high levels of customer satisfaction throughout our various industry sectors are central to the success of our events worldwide,” Marzin said.

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Trade Shows

Automechanika Jeddah 2019 Announces Extended Hours And New Venue

The countdown to Automechanika Jeddah 2019 has begun, with more than 80 exhibitors from 15 countries making their final preparations ahead of Saudi’s dedicated trade fair for the automotive aftermarket next week in Jeddah.

Taking place at a new venue – from 26-27 February 2019 at the Jeddah Hilton Hotel – Automechanika Jeddah is set to present the latest trends and innovations from some of the biggest names in the global automotive aftermarket and services industry.

The Automechanika brand’s Sub-Licensor Messe Frankfurt Middle East and Saudi-based organiser ACE Group also announced extended timings for the biennial event, with thousands of expected Saudi trade buyers and auto professionals granted free entry from 10am – 9pm on both days.

“The extended timings will ensure visitors can maximise the time to meet more exhibitors over these two days,” said Nathan Lloyd, Chief Operating Officer of Messe Frankfurt Middle East. “There is plenty to look forward to, including innovative product launches, industry workshops, seminars, and of course valuable business networking.”

Automechanika Jeddah returns with its Truck Competence initiative for products dedicated to the entire value chain in the truck sector, while the global presence is underlined by five country pavilions from Turkey, Korea, China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Also returning is Automechanika Academy in partnership with Autolink and Institute of the Motor Industry, where C-Level recruitment in the automotive industry and developments in electric and hybrid vehicles are among the key topics discussed by industry experts.

More information is available at www.automechanikajeddah.com.

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Trade Shows

Saudi Arabia’s Automotive Sector Set For Rapid Transformation

Saudi Arabia’s automotive ecosystem is set for a rapid transformation in the coming years, with 20 per cent of the female population, or three million drivers, expected to be added to the Kingdom’s roads by 2020, according to a recent whitepaper.

An October 2018 report said the June 2018 lifting of the ban on women driving in Saudi Arabia, along with recovering oil prices and economic policies aimed at boosting consumer spending, will result in an eight per cent per year increase of passenger vehicles sales until 2022.

The whitepaper, published by global research company Aranca, added that in addition to new car sales, the positive impact of a new customer segment over the next one to three years will be felt in the Kingdom’s automotive aftermarket, which was valued at US$7.4 billion in 2017.

According to Aranca, the Saudi Arabian car parc stood at 7.3 million in 2017, with 438,000 new passenger cars and 110,000 new commercial vehicles sold for the year. Tyres accounted for the greatest slice of revenue in the Saudi spare parts market, with a 30 per cent share in 2017 (US$2.2 billion), followed by lubricants (US$1.4 billion), batteries (US$400 million), and other components (US$3.4 billion).

Aranca’s whitepaper was published ahead of Automechanika Jeddah 2019, the only dedicated trade show for the automotive aftermarket and service industry in the Kingdom’s western region. The third edition of the three-day event will take place from 26-28 February 2019 at the Jeddah Centre for Forums and Events, with more than 150 exhibitors from 20 countries locked in for the show, awaiting fresh opportunities. Many of these opportunities will likely arise in Saudi’s western regions of Madinah and Makkah, where more than one million women are expected to get behind the wheel by 2020.

The whitepaper further said that key industry players are already taking initiatives to capitalise on opportunities created by women being allowed to drive, including the creation of women-only car showrooms, automotive insurance claims centres and driving schools dedicated to women.

Meanwhile, the rising car parc is setting the stage for solid growth in the Kingdom’s aftermarket. Aranca said 10 million vehicles will ply Saudi roads by 2022, including 6.5 million passenger vehicles and 3.5 million commercial vehicles. As a result, demand for spare parts and related automotive services will grow six per cent annually, reaching a value of US$9.8 billion in 2022.

A market ripe with opportunity will be underlined by the 3rd edition of Automechanika Jeddah, which is co-organised by Dubai-based Messe Frankfurt Middle East and Saudi-headquartered ACE Exhibitions.

“Consumption of auto spare parts and services in Saudi Arabia will grow at a healthy rate in the coming years, aided by the addition of a whole new segment of the population that is now allowed to drive,” said Mahmut Gazi Bilikozen, Automechanika Jeddah’s Show Director.

“Longer warranty periods, growing vehicle parc, and environmental factors that lead to high wear and tear on car parts also provide added impetus in the auto aftermarket, with Automechanika Jeddah 2019 presenting an unrivalled platform for global suppliers to tap into emerging opportunities.”

The international presence at Automechanika Jeddah 2019 will be underlined by five country pavilions from Germany, the USA, Turkey, Korea and China. The trade show is expected to attract more than 4000 Saudi trade visitors, as they seek solutions across seven product groups: Parts & Components, Electronics & Systems, Accessories & Customizing, Repair & Maintenance, Dealer & Workshop Management, Car Wash, Care & Reconditioning, and Tyres & Batteries.

The show will also feature the Truck Competence initiative, where more than half of the exhibitors will showcase their products dedicated to the entire value chain in the truck sector, from truck parts and accessories, to workshop equipment, body repair and care.

Aranca’s Saudi automotive aftermarket whitepaper is available to download on the Automechanika Jeddah’s website at www.automechanikajeddah.com.

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Trade Shows

Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City 2019 Confirmed With Industry Support From Near And Far

Automechanika is one of the world’s most prestigious trade fair brands for the automotive service industry, and next spring will see the show return once again to the heart of Vietnam. With extended participation from international and local industry parties, the 2019 edition of Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City is set to be held from 28 February – 2 March at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC).

Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City is a regional trade fair for the automotive service industry in Vietnam. Since the debut show in 2017, the show has quickly become a leading event for Vietnam by bridging local industry with international peers for business connection, information exchange and educational opportunities.

Stepping into its third year in Vietnam, organisers say the 2019 show has even bigger plans to respond to the market’s enthusiasm, both domestically and abroad. The exhibition floor will be expanded to 10,200 square metres, allowing 380 local and international exhibitors to meet with an expected 8600 trade visitors during the three-day event.

Vietnam is developing as the next automotive assembly hub in Asia. The industry is expecting a higher volume of automotive parts to be imported into Vietnam as a result of a significant tax cut on imported parts and components, and recent reports suggest that the country is shrinking tariffs of imported car components from 2018 onwards. The move gives the rising automotive market even greater support as it encourages investment into the country’s ever-growing car manufacturing industry.

Today, organisers say many foreign players are eyeing the country as their next sweet spot for business growth, while local companies are also looking to grasp new opportunities as a result of these promising developments.

Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City received recognition from both the foreign and local markets, with many industry players agreeing that it is an effective platform to expand their business in the growing Vietnam automotive market. As such, organisers say more representing industry associations are pledging their support for Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City. For instance, the Rubber Plastic Manufacturers Association (RUPA), the Vietnam Association for Supporting Industries (VASI) and the Vietnam Automobile Transportation Association (VATA) will all join another 11 existing international and local organisations to become the show’s official supporters in 2019. Having the endorsements from these additional local associations also means the show now has broader coverage across Vietnam, which allows organisers to promote the event to even more domestic visitors.

New supporter VATA has over 1500 members, including engineers, entrepreneurs and company leaders, and 50 sub-organisations across the nation. Its chairperson, Nguyen Van Thanh, said: “We heard a lot of positive feedback about Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City and have seen its significant development from the previous editions. In terms of its quality and professionalism, we are glad to become an official supporter for the show. We will introduce the show to our members through various channels, including website, e-newsletters and our official publication Vietnam Automobile Transportation Magazine. Participating in the fair will definitely allow them to expand business networks and enhance their technical skills by joining the show’s concurrent events, such as fleet management conference and training.”

The 2019 show is expected to house nine overseas pavilions. A new pavilion from Hong Kong is anticipated to join other international pavilions from China, Germany, Korea, Malaysia, the Middle East, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand on the show floor.

“Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City is no doubt a regional trade fair with a high level of global presence at the same time,” said Fiona Chiew, Deputy General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co Ltd.

“The 2019 show will welcome exhibitors from more than 17 countries and regions, to meet trade visitors from over 44 countries and regions.”

“Likewise, over 40 per cent of trade visitors at the last edition expressed strong interest in the commercial vehicle sector. As such, the next show will continue to see numerous renowned global players such as LIQUI MOLY, a lubricant specialist, to bring a diverse range of products for passenger and commercial vehicles. This means fairgoers will be able to see the leading technologies and latest industrial solutions in one spot,” she added.

Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City is co-organised by Messe Frankfurt New Era Business Media Ltd, Chan Chao International Co Ltd and Yorkers Exhibition Service Vietnam. It is one of 17 Automechanika fairs held in Africa, Asia, Europe and North, Central and South America. For more information about the show or to download press materials, visit www.automechanika-hcmc.com. Alternatively, contact Messe Frankfurt New Era Business Media Ltd on +852 2802 7728, or email [email protected]

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Trade Shows, Trade Shows, Trade Shows

25th Automechanika Frankfurt Closes, Records Visitor Increase

Automechanika Frankfurt has concluded, following five trade fair days with a record number of exhibitors, more visitors than the 2016 show and a new record for exhibition space.

 The event drew 136,000 trade visitors from 181 countries, and of these, more than 10,000 were at the event for the first time. More than 80 per cent of exhibitors said they had achieved their goals for the event.

“The 25th Automechanika Frankfurt was the biggest and most international event in its history,” said Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt.

“From 11 to 15 September 2018, more than 5000 companies presented their new products and solutions in an area of around 315,000 square metres. The feedback from our customers has been unmistakable. Never before has the Automechanika Frankfurt fair been so focused on the future. All areas of the automotive aftermarket – industry, retail and workshops – have responded to megatrends that include connected cars, networked workshops and clean vehicles, offering an amazing range of innovations for the international group of professionals in attendance these past few days.

“In all 23 exhibition hall levels and in the outdoor exhibition area, things were really humming.”

US paint manufacturer Sherwin-Williams, which was making its first-ever appearance at an Automechanika trade fair worldwide, used virtual reality to present new products and a new training app.

As a counterpoint to the emphasis on the digital world, the new Classic Cars exhibition area enjoyed an impressive debut at the trade fair. 75 per cent of exhibitors in this new area were very satisfied, including parts manufacturers, paint suppliers, start-ups and associations.

The next Automechanika Frankfurt is scheduled to take place from 8-12 September 2020.

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Trade Shows, Trade Shows, Trade Shows

NACE Automechanika Atlanta 2018 Opens Its Doors

NACE Automechanika has now opened for business at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The opening day included several mechanical, collision and management classes, along with many hands-on demonstrations, presentations and innovative product displays from exhibitors including Gtechniq North America, Pro Spot International and The Matrix Wand.

One of the sessions was presented by David Luehr, the founder of Elite Body Shop Solutions. He was in high spirits as he presented his session, The Winning Mindset of America’s Greatest Body Shops, in the morning on the first day of the show.

“Right now is the best time to be in the collision repair industry,” said Luehr. “Perfecting all of the technical aspects of the business is only a part of the body shop success equation. The right winning mindset can overcome more challenges and take you, your business, and your team further, into limitless potential.”

General Motors’ Customer Care and Aftersales division announced the launch of the GM Collision Repair Network at the show. The company also used a morning presentation to speak with repairers about joining techniques GM utilises as a result of ‘light-weighting’ efforts.

“Today’s light-weighting of structures drives new engineering designs as well as new material usage,” said Joe Villanueva with GM Service Engineering, during his presentation. As an example, he spoke about the 2019 LD Chevrolet Silverado, soon hitting dealerships. The vehicle’s weight has been reduced by more than 200kg through the use of aluminium parts such as bolt-on cowls, tailgates, doors and bonnets. Aluminium doors are now full replacement only, with no door skins available, said Villanueva.

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Trade Shows, Trade Shows, Trade Shows

Automechanika Shanghai 2018 Returns With Digital Trends And New Zones

Expectations for this year’s edition of Automechanika Shanghai are high following last year’s record breaking show, hailed as the most successful in its history. The show is scheduled to take place from 28 November to 1 December at the NECC in Shanghai, and the entire automotive world is preparing for one of the most important dates on the industry’s calendar.

This year, exhibition space is estimated to reach 350,000 sqm. Within the show’s halls, an expected 6250 exhibitors will cross paths with over 140,000 trade visitors. A growing number of participants in 2018 will represent the show’s stronger spotlight on various trends and advancements which are now becoming abundant across the industry, namely within the sphere of digital automotive innovations.

Tomorrow’s Service & Mobility – New for 2018

As one of the hottest topics for players across multiple industry sectors, show organisers said advancements in digitalisation are coming thick and fast. The likes of autonomous driving, car connectivity, electromobility and advanced systems all play a crucial role in moulding the future of the industry, and organisers said Automechanika Shanghai echoes this evolution in terms of visitors’ sourcing needs, exhibitors’ product developments and even with the show’s collection of fringe events.

Demonstrating the show’s strengthened emphasis on digital trends is the new area for ‘Tomorrow’s Service & Mobility’, which has been established in collaboration with the China Electronics Chamber of Commerce.

The area will feature the five most essential elements of car connectivity through exhibits, forums and interactive activities for private and public transportation. These are:

  • People: This area will focus specifically on in-car well-being, including the latest interior electronics for improved safety, personal entertainment and driver comfort
  • Vehicle: Visitors can explore several on-site car demonstrations, with a host of electric vehicles on display to bring the show’s connectivity concepts to life
  • Road: The area will also promote infrastructure of connected roads for autonomous driving, and will also look at the standards and regulations of more developed countries
  • Network: A number of leading international network and IT providers will gather in this area, demonstrating how connectivity continues to bridge the automotive sector with the online world
  • Cloud: Data management will be a key aspect here, allowing visitors to explore the ways in which car connectivity data can enhance fleet management, car sharing, and smart cities

Tomorrow’s Service & Mobility also covers several aspects of new energy vehicle innovations, such as electric controls, charging infrastructure, battery technology, vehicle components and testing equipment. At the same time, various other industry sectors will demonstrate how these digital trends are filtering into many automotive markets. This includes the Parts & Components and Accessories & Customising sectors, as well as the Repair & Maintenance and Electronics & Systems sectors.

Fiona Chiew, Deputy General Manager of show organiser Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co Ltd, emphasised how Automechanika Shanghai continues to walk alongside the industry’s ever-changing trends.

“We have been lucky enough to witness a shift in attitude for automotive manufacturing in recent years. The industry’s ‘blue sky’ concepts are now a thing of the past, with the vast majority of innovations in digitalisation and connectivity coming to fruition across multiple sectors.

“The show’s representation of the entire supply chain, on top of its ability to attract the biggest names from around the world, allows us to represent this evolution in the most effective way possible,” she added.

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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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Main News

Messe Frankfurt Acquires Automotive Maintenance & Repair Expo (AMR)

Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd has acquired a major proportion of Beijing Traders-Link Plus International Exhibition Co Ltd, organiser of the Automotive Maintenance & Repair Expo (AMR) in Beijing.

The agreement of the acquisition was signed in Shanghai on 10 November 2017 between Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd and Beijing Traders-Link Plus International Exhibition Co Ltd. In the agreement, both parties accorded to form a new joint venture company named Messe Frankfurt Traders-Link (Beijing) Co Ltd, in which Messe Frankfurt will hold the majority interest. This acquisition is also strongly supported by industry associations: The China Automotive Maintenance Equipment Industry Association (CAMEIA) and the China Automotive Maintenance and Repair Association (CAMRA), who are also the co-organisers Automotive Maintenance & Repair Expo (AMR).

Stephan Buurma, Member of the Board of Management of Messe Frankfurt Group, shared his view: “The Automechanika brand shows in Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City and New Delhi, as well as the CAPAS show in Chengdu, together cover all areas of the value chain to serve the flourishing aftermarket sector in Asia and in China in particular. The next step is to strengthen our presence in each of the industry’s sectors.”

“Being the biggest automobile market in the world, China’s repair and maintenance market is growing eminently. This new acquisition provides fast access for our key customers in the automotive field to penetrate this booming market,” Buurma added.

Steven Wang, General Manager of Beijing Traders-Link Plus International Exhibition Co Ltd, believes the agreement comes at a good time for international key players to tap into the evolving repair and maintenance sector. He said: “With the recently passed Administrative Measures for Automobile Sales policy and the increase in out of warranty vehicles, the sector’s structure is expected to evolve from the domination of 4S, to multiple forms such as independent workshops and online platforms. Despite the aftermarket being more competitive than ever, it unlocks unprecedented opportunities for distributors, end-users and stakeholders from the global repair and maintenance suppliers. I am certain that the move is mutually beneficial to both local and international industry counterparts.” Wang also said that with the new acquisition, the organiser is projecting an increase in the 2018 show’s scale to 1,200 exhibitors and 60,000 visits.

AMR has successfully grown into Asia’s biggest and one of the world’s top three trade fairs. In its latest edition in 2017, the show’s scale expanded to 110,000 sqm of exhibition space and attracted 1,139 exhibitors and 58,212 visits.

The show covers every aspect of the auto maintenance and repair sector including garage equipment, testing & diagnostic equipment and tools, coating, collision repair, car care and car wash, chain stores, training and software. The broad product spectrum attracts trade visitors such as 4S shops, car care shops, car manufacturers, chain stores, distributors and wholesalers, test stations, transportation companies, tyre shops and workshops to source and look for business opportunities every year.

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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