- Visitor and exhibitor numbers show very healthy growth at the fifth Automechanika China, with 10% and 62% increases respectively

- The dynamic Chinese market and its potential for future sales clearly the biggest draw for foreign exhibitors

- Chinese exhibitors: Automechanika China continues to give good exposure to both local and international buyers

Automechanika China enjoyed its biggest and most successful run in Beijing in November 2005, closing with over 17,000 trade visitors and almost 600 exhibitors. The fair, which has become one of the leading international event for automotive parts, equipment and services in China, took place on 25,000sqm at the China International Exhibition Centre (CIEC), and was accompanied by a comprehensive programme of seminars and special events.

Showing very healthy growth from the last fair in 2003, Automechanika China 2005 registered a 10% increase in the number of visitors (17,390 total) and an impressive 62% increase in the number of exhibitors (586 total). Buyers included organised delegations from Austria, Japan, Korea, Morocco, Poland, Russia and the UAE. These positive figures reflect the increasing interest of foreign companies in the Chinese market, and the continuing importance of professional trade fairs as business and networking platforms.

The dynamic Chinese market and its potential for future sales was clearly the biggest draw for foreign exhibitors, and many came to meet agents and dealers in China and Asia, to make direct sales, and to create awareness for their company and their brand.

"The future of this world is in China. You have to set the process in motion now, so when the money starts rolling in you are part of it!" said Mr. Klaus Spengler of Pingo, Germany, a manufacturer of chemical cleaning & maintenance products for car care. "We are just getting our feet wet at the moment, and this is our first excursion to China. Pingo is looking for a partner in China, one who has chemical knowledge, plus management and production know-how and resources. We have made several very promising contacts at this fair who meet our criteria, and I am positive about the partnership prospects."

Many of the foreign companies exhibiting for the first time expressed their delight at the professionalism and technical knowledge of the visitors.

Mr. Peter Allen of UK-based Exol Lubricants, a manufacturer of automotive lubricating oils, noted the quality of the visitors at the show. "This is our first time in China, and our first attempt at business here. We are looking for agents & distributors, and have made a number of good contacts here at the show. The people who are visiting our booth are well qualified and professional, there are relatively few 'time wasters'; so overall it's been a good experience. There is great potential in the China market for UK-produced automotive lubricating oils, the British-made stamp is one of quality, which is a strong marketing tool for us. My feeling of Beijing is that it is very prosperous. There is a tangible energy, lots of modern cars on the streets. I see great potential here."

Repair shop professionals, auto maintenance service suppliers, garage equipment and tool specialists in China are becoming increasingly proficient in their trade, and aware of the upgrades necessary to their equipment in order to offer a first-class service - especially in light of the growing number of modern and luxury cars on Beijing's streets.

"In Asia, especially China, there is a growing demand for high quality tools, which is why we joined Automechanika China for the first time this year," said Mr. Michel Moulin of SK Hand Tool Corporation, USA. "The first time at any fair is always a 'discovery mission' to test the market, and we have been pleasantly surprised at this show. We've met a number of potential customers; both distributors and end-users. I would say 70% of the visitors are local, but we've also met people from Europe and South America here. We have realised that we need a much bigger booth, and to bring a more complete range of products to exhibit. Overall it's been a very worthwhile experience."

The Korean Auto Industries Cooperative Association (KAICA) organised a pavilion of 17 companies for the first time at Automechanika China 2005. Mr. San Kim, General Manager of KAICA noted the growing interest of Korean industry in the mainland China auto market.

"Hyundai set up their production plant in Beijing in 2000, and since then Korean auto parts companies have opened manufacturing facilities in Qingdao, Changchun, Shanghai, Guangzhou and other parts of China. The auto products made in China are not just for supply to Hyundai and Korean car makers, but are intended for international auto manufacturers in China such as GM, Volvo, and Toyota. We need an effective way to market Korean products to the auto-parts industry here, and we are doing that through Automechanika China. The Korean companies have certainly drawn great attention during the fair. Some of our exhibitors have met with visitors from Audi of Germany and PSA of France. We hope through our marketing efforts here we can contribute to the development of China's automotive industry and share the benefits of co-operation."

In addition to the newcomers, there were a number of long-standing exhibitors who said that Automechanika China continued to give them the exposure they needed to both local and international buyers.

"We've been exhibiting at Automechanika China since its debut in 1997," said Mr. Tong Xiao-Yong of Zhongda Industrial Group, a Chinese manufacturer of spray booths, car lifts, car frame machines, auto car washing equipment, tyre changers and testing equipment for clients including Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and GM. "We need a professional, high quality and influential platform to promote our corporate image to local as well as overseas customers. Through this fair, we're also able to see the latest industry trends and learn from other exhibitors. It's also a good venue for us to meet with existing and potential clients."

The Fringe Programme at the show, which included seminars at the Automechanika Academy and the Business Match-Making Forum attracted a number of interested parties and generated very positive results for the participants. An audience of around 95 auto industry professionals attended the Automechanika Academy, while the Match-Making Forum paired 17 exhibitors with over 90 Chinese companies, laying the groundwork for many successful future partnerships.

"All in all we are very happy with the results of the 2005 fair," commented Mr. Jason Cao, Deputy General Manager for Messe Frankfurt in China. "Vehicle production and sales in China is still growing monthly, and the figures are impressive. It is no wonder then that the industry needs a trade facilitator; a venue where business can be done, but also where technical information and industry developments can be exchanged and discussed. We are proud of the service Automechanika continues to provide in China."

Fair statistics
Total no. of exhibitors: 586 (up 62% from 2003)
No. of overseas exhibitors: 108
No. of Chinese exhibitors: 478
Total no. of visitors: 17,390 (up10% from 2003)
Gross square metres: 25,230

Automechanika China is organised by Messe Frankfurt and CIEC Exhibition Co., and sponsored by the China Auto Maintenance Equipment Industry Association (CAMETA) and the China Automotive Maintenance and Repair Trade Association (CAMRA).

The next Automechanika event in China is Automechanika Shanghai, scheduled for 30 November - 2 December 2006 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. For more information, please visit www.automechanika.messefrankfurt.com or email auto@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com.