India’s leading aftermarket exhibition, ACMA Automechanika New Delhi, successfully reinforced its position as a reliable sourcing and networking platform for Indian auto component makers and the aftermarket, according to the event organizers. The exhibition, which closed its doors in March, hosted 552 exhibiting companies from 17 countries, showcasing the latest trends in the aftermarket and facilitated business discussions over a four-day span.
This biennial event, apart from being a showcase of innovations, offered an effective trade platform to wholesalers, distributors, traders and component manufacturers for future synergies and partnerships. On display were the latest advancements and solutions in the fields of parts, systems, tuning, workshop equipment, bodywork and paintwork, car wash, IT and management and automobile services. New product launches and innovative solutions by exhibiting brands may soon make their way to the Indian aftermarket as many exhibitors reported to have gained successful leads and dealer networks on the show floor.
Exhibitors shared that they were positive about the interactions and expecting strong business in the coming months through the high turnout of business visitors at their booths. International participation for this year’s edition had increased by 40 percent in comparison to last edition of ACMA Automechanika New Delhi in 2015. There were six dedicated international pavilions from China, Germany, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and the United Kingdom, in addition to individual exhibitors from Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Poland, Russia, Thailand, UAE and the U.S.
As a showcase of India’s component industry, ACMA Automechanika New Delhi allowed international players to source the best of Indian aftermarket products and technologies as well as creating opportunities for business alliances. Since its debut in 2013, ACMA Automechanika New Delhi has grown in both quantity and quality, according to Automechanika. This year, the fair has marked a 28 percent increase in exhibitors and 25 percent rise in exhibition space since 2015. Moreover, the exhibition provided visitors an ideal meeting ground with aftermarket players to learn about the opportunities and procure genuine auto parts, core component technologies and high-performance aftermarket products from world-leading manufacturers and suppliers.
A total of 15,150 business visitors from India and abroad visited the show, setting a new benchmark with a 17 percent increase in the number of visitors this year. International presence among the visitors also was high and many of them expressed interest in closing deals with the exhibiting companies at the fair.
In order to understand the growing impact of urbanization, changing customer preferences and choice of vehicle ownerships, ACMA shared a comprehensive study on the “Indian Automotive Aftermarket: The Road Ahead” during the exhibition. According to the findings of the study the Indian automotive aftermarket, which stood at INR. 56,098 Crore (approximately $8.4 billion USD) in 2016-’17, is expected to reach INR. 75,705 Crore (approximately $13 billion USD) by 2019-’20, growing at a CAGR of 10.5 percent. This comprehensive study shed some light on vehicle parc analysis, the used car market, the taxi market, trends and the size of the aftermarket, e-tailing and regulations. The Indian automotive component sector is today a $39 billion USD industry, contributing around 4 percent to India’s GDP.
With an aim to address the rising concerns on counterfeit products sold in the replacement market and spread awareness about road safety, ACMA for the first time also set up an unique safety pavilion titled “ACMA Safer Drives.” This initiative on road safety and use of genuine components allowed exhibitors and visitors to evaluate parts and components and to make well-informed procurement decisions. The opportunity also was utilized for sensitising the visitors toward abiding by road safety rules and usage of genuine auto parts.
A two-day conference on “Preparing Aftermarket for Digital Economy & Road Ahead” also was organized concurrent to the fair. The conference popularized the concept of e-commerce and m-wallets and exposed the exhibiting companies, visiting distributors and retailers to new ways of expanding business and transactions. The second day seminar highlighted key trends that stressed upon the future of the aftermarket and covered areas such as vehicle telematics, alternate fuels, vehicle servicing, e-retailing and GST and their expected impact on distribution channels.
The next edition of ACMA Automechanika, focusing purely on the needs of the growing Indian aftermarket, will be scheduled in February 2019 and will continue to present opportunities in the aftermarket, as well as address industry concerns on counterfeit products sold in the replacement market.
