Automechanika Frankfurt sets new exhibitor record and 140,000 visitors

The 23^rd Automechanika, held from September 16-20) was once again an outstanding showcase for innovations from the international aftermarket.

This year, around 140,000 trade visitors from 173 countries, one in four of them from the workshop sector, took advantage of this opportunity to find out about the latest automotive products and technologies during the five-day fair.

On the exhibitor side, the fair set a new record with 4,631 companies from 71 countries, including 170 from India. Detlef Braun, Member of the Board of Management of Messe Frankfurt: “The ratings given by exhibitors have been outstanding with a significant impetus coming from outside Germany. However, German companies also see the current economic situation in a more positive light than in 2012.”

The number of international visitors rose by five percentage points to 60 percent. Particular interest was shown by visitors in subjects such as alternative powertrains, fully automatic digital reception processes, energy efficiency, lightweight construction solutions with previously impossible loading capacities, accessories, customizing, car media and 3D printing. Detlef Braun: “More than ever before, Automechanika in Frankfurt has shown itself to be a platform for the presentation of important, future-oriented technologies as the key to tomorrow’s developments throughout the entire automotive aftermarket.”

The fair also presented the latest products and developments from the world market in the commercial-vehicle field. In this connection, Detlef Braun says, “Sustainability and environmental compatibility also play an extremely important role in the commercial-vehicle segment. For example, vans with previously unheard of loading capacities and weight-optimised electric refrigerated vehicles were to be seen here for the first time.” Visitors were delighted by the great potential of exhibitors in the commercial-vehicle sector, which was to be seen under the ‘Truck Competence’ label on over 1,000 exhibition stands, and by the associated special shows revolving around ‘Truck Competence’. About this, Alexandra Sommer, Specialist Aftermarket Marketing, Knorr-Bremse Systeme für Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH, said, “Our concept for the fair was given a very warm reception and resulted in a significant increase in the number of visitors to our stand compared to the previous fair. Our simulator fits perfectly in the ‘Truck Competence’ segment at Automechanika Frankfurt. We are already looking forward to the next edition of the fair in 2016.”

Particularly popular was the ‘Collision Damage Talk’, the best attended event in the Automechanika Academy programme with 600 participants. Key players from the insurance business, including HUK Coburg and the newly founded German Partner Workshop Association (Bundesverband der Partnerwerkstätten – BVdP) and Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH (DAT) also made presentations. The event was sponsored by paint manufacturers who returned to Automechanika after an absence of 12 years. “We have regained our confidence in fairs as a marketing tool and meet the world in Frankfurt am Main”, said Cromax Sales Manager Frank Forst.

More than 50 alternative-drive-chain pioneers from 12 countries presented their mobility concepts in Hall 10. Together with Prins Autogassystemen and Neste Oil, the German Liquid Gas Association (Deutscher Verband Flüssiggas e. V.) presented a bio version of LPG in a press conference on 16 September. Thus, ‘biopropane’ – LPG made of biomass feedstock – will be available from 2016 and help further reduce CO₂ emissions.

Another magnet for visitors was the Galleria with a wide-ranging choice of basic and advanced training choices. For example, over 650 trade visitors from 36 countries attended the practice-oriented workshops on collision-damage management. As a participant reported, “The workshops exceeded my expectations. Messe Frankfurt has created a platform that not only provides specific information on topical issue but also enables visitors interested in these subjects to familiarise themselves with practical aspects of new technologies in a very short time.”