With record-breaking figures Automechanika Shanghai celebrates more than just its 15th edition milestone 17.12.2019: Automechanika Shanghai 2019 ended its 15th edition on a high note by experiencing even more industry participation, with a wider scope of players, than ever before.

Automechanika Shanghai 2019 ended its 15th edition on a high note by experiencing even more industry participation, with a wider scope of players, than ever before.



The record-breaking show leveraged its own unique concept of an automotive ecosystem. It captured the latest automotive advancements, expanded its range of fringe programme events and integrated more vertical and horizontal areas of the industry. Key participants shared their feedback about the developments of the show.
 


Key figures:
 


•    6,590 exhibitors from 46 countries and regions (+5%)

•    360,000 sqm across 14 halls (+3%)

•    159,728 visitors (+6%) from 149 countries and regions

•    165 buyer groups from 24 countries and regions

•    19 country and region pavilions

•    65 concurrent fringe programme events
 


Ms Fiona Chiew, Deputy General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, said: “The 15th edition of the show exceeded our expectations in every capacity. It achieved a strong increment in both exhibitor and visitor numbers, thanks to the show’s broader coverage with the wider community and its key development areas in the market. Exhibitors in every sector provided a holistic insight into the industry’s future direction, which we are constantly incorporating into the show. Not to mention, the scope of participating bodies continues to indicate Automechanika Shanghai’s influence and leading position in the automotive industry.”
 


In fact, Automechanika Shanghai’s development of the automotive ecosystem proved to be immensely popular. The term was coined in response to the rapid advancements currently remapping the automotive value chain. Attendees complimented the organisers' initiative to produce an even more inclusive fair, with not only manufacturers, distributors, retailers and service providers but research institutes, education and training institutes, auto finance firms, startups and related organisations. By consequence, the exhibition achieved record-breaking results across various areas of the fair.
 


A number of key returning exhibitors included the likes of Aisin, Blue-Point, Bosch, BPI, Brembo, Carzone, CassTime, China Changan, Continental Automotive, ContiTech, CRRC, Delphi, DENSO, EURO REPAR, FAWER, Jauto, Launch, Magneti Marelli, Michelin Lifestyle, MOTUL, SAIC MOTOR, SATA, Valeo, Wanan and ZF. The show also played host to a multitude of new exhibitors such as Bangbang, CATARC, DOUBLE COIN, FAW-Volkswagen, Hitachi Chemical, Huasheng, Knorr-Bremse, Sinopec Lubricant, SMVIC, SUNFULL and TRIANGLE and more.
 


The show’s performance and growth were evident through the expansion of many sectors and new areas. For example, Tomorrow’s Service & Mobility showcased emerging technology, as well as embodied the idea of networks and knowledge sharing. Such areas that epitomised this evolving concept were the Tomorrow’s Service & Mobility – ICVIC zone and the Korean Plug-in zone.



Both were designed to facilitate greater industry-academia-research cooperation by encouraging more meaningful discussions and opportunities for collaboration, in addition to showcasing some of the latest digital innovations amongst startups and emerging companies. What’s more, the future smart bus stop and electric energy bus became a focal point, demonstrating the latest data management and connectivity solutions for attendees by integrating real-time information.
 


Elsewhere, the show addressed many of the transformations currently prevailing in the aftermarket. To illustrate, changing consumer behaviour has led to more emphasis on personalisation and automotive leisure experiences, which are redefining the automotive lifestyle in China.




As a result, visitors enjoyed the extended product range in the newly established Customising sector, as displays responded to rising market demand. Interior, exterior, high performance customisation and vehicle lighting were amongst the advancing products available. Once again, the associated Motorsport & High Performance zone was a crowd favourite and amplified international racing competitions, modified parts and high performance vehicles.
 


On top of this, Repair & Maintenance magnified further areas of the rising sector including workshop and diagnostics equipment, tools, body and paint, and car washing to answer the needs of a maturing automotive industry. A collection of highly influential players like Baozhongbao, BETAG, CELETTE, Doocar, GYS, MAXIMA, Stronger, YATU and YOKISTAR, to name a few, took centre stage.
 


The sector provided comprehensive product coverage, even welcoming categories like Body & Paint to highlight collision repair, eco-friendly sprays, anti-corrosion protection and advance spraying systems and equipment. Workshop professionals noted this accented the growing need for quality services from collision repair specialists.
 


Attendees praised the organisers' efforts to forge new relationships, ringing in a new era of collaboration for the automotive industry. Fringe events also welcomed a wider scope of participants from finance and insurance, as their supporting role in new projects across the automotive supply chain becomes ever more pertinent. 
 


The 2019 edition’s future-focused fringe programme received high acclaim from both speakers and attendees. Each reflected on the show’s adept ability to elaborate on the trends to visitors, as well as the notable impact they have on shaping the industry’s future. Amongst the 65 concurrent events was the Tomorrow’s Service & Mobility Summit, Automotive Aftermarket Summit, China Auto Dealer Supply Chain and Financial Innovation Summit, China International Tyre Industry Conference, AIAG Auto Parts Purchasing Leadership and Suppliers Summit 2019 and the International Bodyshop Industry Symposium (IBIS) China 2019.
 


The Body & Paint World Championships saw Mr Sun Xiao Shuai, Shanghai Zhingguo Baohong Automobile Sales & Services Co Ltd win top prize and a ticket to the grand finale in Automechanika Frankfurt 2020 with his piece “The 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China”.
 


Mr Cheng Yongshun, Vice President of China National Machinery Industry International, also noted: “This year, Automechanika Shanghai was able to successfully drive its automotive ecosystem concept and deliver it to all participants effectively. There was a big emphasis on networks and industry connectivity. Going forward, our show aims to grow its influence throughout the year, pursuing more opportunities for partnership and cooperation, not just in China but overseas too, thus expanding its ecosystem beyond the show itself.”



 
A snapshot at Automechanika Shanghai’s international scope


For another year running, Automechanika Shanghai also saw an increase in overseas participation throughout the four-day show. The doors opened to 159,728 visitors, of which 25 percent came from 149 countries and regions around the world. The top 10 visiting countries and regions included Taiwan, Korea, Russia, Malaysia, Iran, Thailand, India, Japan, Turkey and the US.
Positive figures followed with 46 exhibiting countries and regions.



New countries including Kazakhstan and Macau, along with the return of Belarus, Lithuania and Saudi Arabia, resulted in an increase in internationalism across the board. Visitors were also able to connect with even more exhibitors in the 19 country and region pavilions including France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Middle East, Pakistan, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the UK and the US.



The next edition of Automechanika Shanghai will take place from 2 – 5 December 2020. F



* preliminary figures 2019


Suzy Heston, Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd