The second edition of Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City will open its doors from April 25-27, 2018, with an even more ambitious show planned following a successful first year, according to the organizers. The three-day fair has now become one of Vietnam’s leading regional trade fairs for the automotive service industry, which complements the country’s position as a frontier for growth within the sector. Organized by Messe Frankfurt, Chan Chao International Co. Ltd. and Yorkers Exhibition Service Vietnam, Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City 2018 is expected to house 360 exhibitors and welcome 8,500 visitors at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Vietnam has experienced a noteworthy boost in economic development in recent years, mostly thanks to a growing population, increased personal income and a stronger demand for more advanced technologies. This boost also has worked its way into the region’s auto industry, with more people now looking for higher-quality living standards and having more disposable income compared to previous years.

Recent figures suggest that the country’s auto sales surpassed 300,000 for the first time last year, resulting in an impressive 24 percent year-on-year increase, according to the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers’ Association. Forecasts expect this figure to grow further in 2017 and beyond, highlighting the sheer boom for the industry in the region.

With a promising potential future, Vietnam has become a new home for the Automechanika brand, and after an encouraging response from visitors and exhibitors at its 2017 debut, it’s become clear that there is a huge amount of potential for the fair’s future success within the ASEAN region and beyond.

More comprehensive show structure compliments flourishing Vietnamese market, with dedicated Motorcycle and Tire Competence

To help build on last year’s positivity and to help match the Vietnamese market trends, the 2018 edition of the show features a brand new Tire Competence area, which labels exhibiting companies from the tire sector accordingly. This allows fairgoers to quickly identify these exhibitors for improved sourcing efficiency.

Vietnam is one of the highest-ranked natural rubber manufacturing nations in the world. Along with the constant rise in motor use, the country’s tire sector also is a key focus for its automotive industry, with research suggesting that the tire business in Vietnam will reach $2.7 billion USD by 2020, according to a study done by TechSci Research. Such figures speak volumes for the growing demands on tires and related products in the coming years. As such, the Tire Competence features a comprehensive range of exhibitors, ranging from wheels and rims, tire repair, used tires, tire management and systems, to sales equipment and tire storage solutions.

Meanwhile, Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City’s Motorcycle Competence area returns once again after its introduction at last year’s debut. As one of the most popular aspects of the show, and with motorcycles being by far the most popular means of transportation in the country, Motorcycle Competence aims to suit the unique needs of the local industry, while serving the global auto sector at the same time. According to the Ministry of Transport of Vietnam, more than 45 million motorbikes are currently registered across the country, and this number is still on a rise. The Vietnam Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (VAMM) also claims that 3.12 million units of motorcycles were sold in  2016 – a 9.5 percent increase on the previous year.

Also during the course of the show, each of the comprehensive exhibiting categories have been tailored to suit every corner of the auto industry:

• Parts and components
• Electronics and systems
• Accessories and customizing
• Repair and maintenance
• Dealer and workshop management
• Car wash, care and reconditioning
• Alternative drive systems and digital solutions

Fiona Chiew, deputy general manager of Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co., explained how an expanded exhibit portfolio will benefit the fair, “The exciting aspect of Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City is that it’s combining global market trends with the local Vietnamese auto sector. For instance, the Motorcycle and Tire Competence are set to be a huge hit for the fair, purely because Vietnam has a strong foothold in these areas.”

Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City is one of 17 Automechanika fairs held in Africa, Asia, Europe and North, Central and South America. For further information about the show, visit automechanika-hcmc.com.