After closing its doors on the 13th edition, Automechanika Shanghai has recorded its most successful year in its history. The show organizers say that the 2017 show, which took place from Nov. 29 to Dec. 2, has received a strong positive response from all corners of the automotive industry. The event represents the entire supply chain for business exchange, marketing, networking and education on a global scale, and is Asia’s largest trade fair for the automotive parts, accessories and service industries. With encouraging final figures and participant feedback, the show continues on its upward trajectory in terms of scale and overall offerings, according to the event organizers.

Key figures for Automechanika Shanghai 2017 include:

• 6,051 exhibitors from 40 countries and regions (up 5 percent)
• 340,000 sqm across 15 halls (up 9 percent)
• 130,928 visitors from 142 countries and regions (up 9 percent)
• 149 buyer delegate groups from 20 countries and regions (up 15 percent)
• 19 international pavilions
• 57 concurrent fringe programme events

The success and growth of the fair are easy to see on the show floor, particularly through a number of new and enhanced areas on display. For example, there was a stronger emphasis on electronics at the show, with an increased display of new energy vehicles, electric car developments and autonomous driving innovations. Participants noted how this reflected the overall direction in which the entire automotive industry is moving in, and many praised the show’s ability to run in tandem with the evolving trends of automotive industry.

On top of this, with the addition of the brand new REIFEN Zone for tires, wheels and rims, the industry’s entire product supply chain is now covered at Automechanika Shanghai. The organizers said that exhibitors appreciated how this addition helps generate more opportunities for cross-sector collaboration with leading players for parts, components, repair, maintenance, accessories, customising, electronics, systems and tires.

The same can be said for the increased internationalism of the fair, with 19 individual country and region pavilions participating from France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the U.K., the U.S. and the UAE. There also has been a 14 percent increase in overseas exhibitors compared to last year. These boosts have led to what has become Automechanika Shanghai’s largest ever globally represented show, transforming the fair into an international hub by drawing in high-level participants from multiple sectors, say the organizers.

These participants include a number of new players this year, such as ADAYO, AUTOYONG, Carzone, ENEOS, Fangxing Tyre, Fleetguard, FUCHS, Gazele 3, Henkel, Isuzu, Linglong, MTA and Tyreplus, as well as many returning brands exhibiting at the show once again, including ACDelco, BILSTEIN, Bosch, Brembo, Continental Automotive, Dana, Delphi, DENSO, Dongfeng, FAWER, Hitachi, Interstate Batteries, LIQUI MOLY, Magneti Marelli, Mobiletron, Motul, NTN-SNR, RAV, Rotary, SATA, Schaeffler, Snap-on, SONAX, Valvoline, ZF and more.

The show’s exhibitors crossed paths with a record number of 130,928 visitors from 142 countries and regions this year, 26 percent of which came from overseas. The top 10 visiting countries for the 2017 edition included Taiwan, Korea, Russia, Malaysia, Iran, India, Thailand, Japan, Turkey and Australia.

Even more positive feedback came from Automechanika Shanghai’s range of concurrent fringe events. Among these were the highly anticipated Connected Mobility Conference, as well as the AIAG Auto Parts Purchasing Leadership and Suppliers Summit, and the 3rd Summit for Merger and Acquisition Strategies for Chinese Automotive Corporations in the Overseas Markets. Many of the fringe programme’s attendees expressed how each of the events served as a vital source to learn, interact and to expand their businesses across Asia’s entire automotive industry, and also praised the expanded topic coverage.

Fiona Chiew, deputy general manager of Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., said, “Over the years, the consistent increase in quality and exhibitor participation has accounted for the ultimate success of Automechanika Shanghai. Moving forward, we will further enhance the representation of each sector according to the market’s demands, and achieve an even more balanced product representation. I’m certain the show will continue to play a major role in bringing various sectors together, and will grow alongside Asia’s evolving automotive industry.”

“Thanks to our partnership with Messe Frankfurt, we have been able to witness the impressive growth path of Automechanika Shanghai,” said Cheng Yongshun, vice president of China National Machinery Industry International. “It’s great to see more leading international players looking to penetrate the Chinese market, because the industry here is evolving at a rapid pace. The region’s technological advancements and improving products are once again well represented at the show, and we expect this to continue in future editions.”

The next edition of Automechanika Shanghai will take place from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1. For more information about the show, contact Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd at 852-2802-7728 or [email protected].