Industry players look to magnify environmental awareness
Asia’s automotive industry is undergoing rapid technological changes, thanks to the world’s ever-growing consumer demand for new energy vehicles, faster workshop speeds, increased customization options and improved in-car technologies. Many of the region’s aftermarket enterprises are subsequently looking for a more technological edge, more environmentally friendly products and processes, and superior repair and management standards.
This opportunity is being brought to life at Automechanika Shanghai, Asia’s largest trade fair dedicated to the global automotive service industry. This year, the fair will welcome around 6,000 exhibitors and 130,000 visitors, and also is expected to house some of the latest advancements from both the global and domestic automotive industries.
An example is Astrace, a Chinese glass window film and paint developer that has various brands within the aftermarket sector. The company is exhibiting for the first time at Automechanika Shanghai 2017, with the goal of expanding into some of Asia’s most promising regions.
Kris Yang, manager of international business at Astrace, explains how Asia has a huge role to play in the sector’s future growth: “Our operations are already very well-established in China, and like many other players in the aftermarket sector, we’re looking to broaden our horizons to the likes of Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. These regions are all experiencing a growing presence in the sector, and with the help of Automechanika Shanghai we’re hoping to capitalize on this growth.”
“Asia’s aftermarket industry, and its film sector in particular, is experiencing more and more developments in the likes of heat blocking, UV protection, reflectivity and safety. What’s more, the industry is looking to take these innovations a step further by adding even more value for consumers. This includes the likes of films which can harvest energy to power cars, and intelligent glass displays which can display information to passengers, for instance,” said Yang.
Similarly, fellow exhibitor KYB, a shock absorber manufacturer, says that the Asian market, and China in particular, is constantly demanding a higher level of technical products and expertise. “Thanks to the growing consumer need for smarter vehicles and electric cars, China is looking to continually grow in terms of design, research, development and component manufacturing,” said Lijun Fu, deputy general manager of marketing at KYB Trading (Shanghai).
“For us players in the aftermarket sector, this is good news because it boosts and diversifies the demand for parts, components, repair and maintenance. Thanks to this demand, we’re exploring more advanced technologies. Our electronic automobile suspension system, for example, can lower a car’s body when it stops, and lift it up again when the engine starts. It can also adjust the suspension system based on road conditions – which can even be done through in-car control and mobile apps,” said Fu.
Another company looking to take advantage of this trend is adhesives business Henkel, which says that Asia’s growing numbers in terms of car sales and ownership also is an attractive prospect for the sector. “Compared to the overseas market, the growth momentum in the Asian auto industry appears to be more obvious, with car ownership in China alone surpassing 200 million in March 2017,” said Shaohua Fang, APAC vehicle repair and maintenance business director for Henkel.
“Thanks to this, as well as the growing expectation for higher quality and improved service, the aftermarket sector in the region expects a 30 percent year-on-year growth in the coming years, becoming a trillion dollar industry by end of 2018,” said Fang.
Fang also expressed how Automechanika Shanghai is an “ideal platform” for businesses to keep abreast of these trends and to gain stronger positions in the region.
Industry players look to magnify environmental awareness
The shift towards new energy and improved service in Asia’s auto industry also is part of a bigger market trend in environmental awareness. With new energy vehicles in China expected to represent at least one-fifth of car sales by 2025, a growing number of industry sectors are looking to improve their carbon footprint – including many key players in the aftermarket business.
Eneos, a Japanese oil and lubricant manufacturer, says Asia’s role in providing a more sustainable industry is immeasurable. “In terms of automotive lubricants, things like pollution control and low carbon emissions are some of the key development trends in what is such a prosperous region,” said Yukiyoshi Takahashi, director and president at the JX Nippon Oil & Energy brand by Eneos.
The company says that consequently, regulations on exhaust emissions are expected to become even stricter in the region, along with increased requirements on environmental protection. Many exhibitors at the fair are already adapting to this shift in focus for the industry.
“ENEOS has been committed to introducing an environmentally friendly and low viscosity ‘0W-20’ motor oil, which can increase performance by 2 to 3 percent. For a car driving 50,000 km per year, this can save around RMB 1,000 (approximately $150 dollars USD) in fuel costs,” said Takahashi. “It also greatly reduces engine friction, so that the engine can maintain a stable and efficient movement. This helps reduce the risk of engine failure and prolong the repair period. We firmly believe that these types of products, which offer both high quality and fuel efficiency, will draw more and more attention to environmental awareness at Automechanika Shanghai this year.”
Keeping in line with exhibitors looking to showcase their sustainability credentials is coating supplier Oerlikon Balzers. The company says its coating technologies on display during the course of Automechanika Shanghai can help improve energy consumption levels and the overall performance of vehicles, as well as reduce wear and friction for parts. Visitors to the fair can witness a range of Oerlikon’s new coating solutions for ABS and ESP systems, which assist in reducing environmental impact.
Fiona Chiew, deputy general manager of Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co., says this aspect of the automotive sector has become one of the most important parts of the fair in recent years. “It’s exciting to see so many of our exhibitors looking to promote their work in creating a greener industry, particularly considering the growing environmental concerns in Asia. When these businesses are developing more and more technological advancements for the automotive sector, it’s important that they’re doing it in a responsible way.”
Automechanika Shanghai will take place from Nov. 29 to Dec. 2 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai. With more than 130,000 visitors and 6,000 exhibitors, this year will see the fair expanded to 330,000 square meters (about 3,552,000 square feet). A new REIFEN zone will showcase the very latest tire, wheel and rim products, while upgrades to the E-mobility & Infrastructure zone will see an even stronger focus on electronics, systems and future solutions.
A number of key industry players, including Autoyong, ADAYO, Astrace, CARZONE, Eneos, Fangxing Rubber, Fleetguard, Fuchs, Henkel, Huitian, Isuzu, Linglong, NEXTEV, SINOTRUK, TEN-D Energies and Zhengao Auto will participate at the fair for the first time. Meanwhile, exhibitors returning to the show include ACDelco, Asia-Pacific Electrical, BAIC, BASF, Bullsone, China Changan, Continental Automotive, ContiTech, CRRC, Cummins, Dayco, DENSO, Interstate Batteries, Launch, MA-FRA, MAHLE, MANN+HUMMEL, Mobiletron, MOTUL, SATA, Schaeffler, SINOTRUK, SK, Snap-on, SONAX, Valeo, Valvoline, VIE and ZF.
For more information about the show, visit automechanika-shanghai.com.
