Automechanika Istanbul, the third biggest trade fair for the automotive industry, was held from April 7-10 at the TÜYAP Exhibition Center in Istanbul. For four days, the leaders of the industry came together under one roof for mutual benefit and growth, organized by Messe Frankfurt Istanbul and Hannover Fairs Turkey Fuarcılık.
More than 1,200 exhibitors showcased their innovations related to parts and components, electronic systems, accessories and tuning, repair and maintenance, information technologies and management and service stations and car wash, lubricants, tire, batteries and truck competence in 14 halls. The number of official country pavilions taking part this year totaled at 17, including Germany, the U.S., China, India, Hong Kong, Iran, Spain, Italy, Morocco, France, South Korea, Pakistan, Romania, Singapore, Taiwan, Tunisia and, for the first time, Indonesia. The fair served as an important international gathering for new import and export opportunities as well as for business expansions.
“With a high-export figure, which exceeded $20 billion USD in 2015, the automotive industry is one of the most important industries for Turkey, and Automechanika Istanbul gives the opportunity to the companies that would like to expand into new markets. Automechanika Istanbul once more showed that the right projects have always had the power to get people together. Under the Automechanika Istanbul brand, exhibitors from 34 countries came together and the leading international position of the event in the automotive industry was proved,” said Alexander Kühnel, general manager of Hannover Fairs Turkey.
The event attracted considerable attention of visitors especially from Europe, Middle East, North Africa and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries. During the four days 42,781 visitors were hosted. Moreover, with the support of Ministry of Economy and Automotive Exporters Union, buyer delegations from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Moldova, Serbia, Spain, Tunisia came to the fair and developed new business relations. In addition, 75 delegations were hosted through an Anatolian Programme.
“Once again Automechanika Istanbul proved to be the meeting point of the region for national and international professionals of the sector, hosting visitors from more than 100 countries. Turkey is the right region to sell and to buy,” said Tayfun Yardım, managing director of Messe Frankfurt Istanbul. “Istanbul has a history of more than 8,000 years of trade. With this cultural and historical background, Automechanika serves as a platform of new import and export opportunities as well as for business growth. We are aware of our responsibility for the development of Automechanika Istanbul and the quality of services that we supply to our exhibitors and visitors as well. Now our only target is to improve the services which are already at a high level. We are proud to organize such a professional and international fair, and the high satisfaction of participants proves that the investments made in the concept and promotion of the fair were the right ones.”
Automechanika Istanbul also focused on the future of the industry with Automechanika Academy, one of the most important conferences in the automotive industry. With the support of OYPG, seminars were organized with the themes of the automotive aftermarket from the perspective of the fleet leasing industry and an European view on Turkish aftermarket. In addition, TAISAD organized the Equivalent Spare Part Certification Seminar. The exhibition also offered various presentations, workshops and special displays organized by associations and universities.
Masters of different arts, such as illustration, graffiti and model-making, exhibited their skills for the visitors at Automechanika Istanbul as well. Painting and illustration artist Osman Arık showed his works at Hall 10. Also, during his four-day live performance, he portrayed an exhibited car on his canvas.
With the brand-new products and activities, the event organizers of the 10th edition of Automechanika Istanbul say it closed its doors with a great success. The next edition of Automechanika Istanbul will take place from April 6-9, 2017.
