Automechanika Shanghai, held from December 3 to 6 this year, ended on a high note with more industry participation from a wider range of players.
This year marked the 15th edition of the show. Automechanika Shanghai’s unique concept of the automotive ecosystem was one of the most popular concepts of the show. To address the constant advancements that are influencing the automotive value chain today, the term ‘automotive ecosystem’ was coined. Organizers put together an inclusive show, roping in not just the manufacturers, distributors, retailers and service providers but even the research institutes, education and training institutes, auto finance firms, start-ups and related organizations. This allowed Automechanika Shanghai to achieve record-breaking results across various segments of the show. The following numbers reflect the success of the show:
- 6,590 exhibitors from 46 countries and regions (+5%)
- 360,000 sq m across 14 halls (+3%)
- 159,728 visitors (+6%) from 149 countries and regions
- 165 buyer groups from 24 countries and regions
- 19 country and region pavilions
- 65 concurrent fringe programme events
Commenting on the event, Fiona Chiew, Deputy General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, said, “The 15th edition of the show exceeded our expectations in every capacity. It achieved a strong increment in both exhibitor and visitor numbers, thanks to the show’s broader coverage with the wider community and its key development areas in the market. Exhibitors in every sector provided a holistic insight into the industry’s future direction, which we are constantly incorporating into the show. Not to mention, the scope of participating bodies continues to indicate Automechanika Shanghai’s influence and leading position in the automotive industry.”
The companies Continental Automotive, ContiTech, CRRC, Delphi, DENSO, Michelin Lifestyle and SATA were amongst the many returning exhibitors. There were several new exhibitors who joined this year, such as DOUBLE COIN, FAW-Volkswagen, Hitachi Chemical, Huasheng, Knorr-Bremse and Sinopec Lubricant, among others.
Body and Paint category
Newly included in the Automechanika events is the Body & Paint as an independent product category. In September 2020, Automechanika Frankfurt, to be held from 8th to 12th, will be launching the international Automechanika Body & Paint World Championships. Events in this category are to take place in six countries in total. The event series has already been concluded in the Automechanika fairs held in Birmingham (4. – 6. June), Johannesburg (18-21 September) and Shanghai (3 to 6 December) in 2019. The Dubai (7-9 June) and Mexico City (22-24 July) editions of the show will feature the Body & Paint competitions in the summer of 2020 before the grand finale in Frankfurt.
The winners from the completed events are:
- Automechanika Birmingham: Anthony Fryett, Autostyl
- Automechanika Johannesburg: Etienne Dutoit, Plascon
- Automechanika Shanghai: Sun Xiao Shuai, Shanghai Zhongguo Baohong Automobile Sales & Service
Speaking about the decision to launch this segment, Michael Johannes, Vice President Mobility & Logistics at Messe Frankfurt, said, “By launching the ‘Body & Paint World Championships’, we have created an interactive event with great appeal that represents an investment in the field of body and paintwork. The industry has long had its own home in Frankfurt in Hall 11, but 2020 marks the first time that it will be an independent product group.”
He further added, “With the new ‘Body & Paint’ branding, we have created a new platform for all offerings in the field of body and paintwork. And along with everything on offer at the exhibition itself, that is a great deal: this includes ‘Collision talk’, an event that has been a great success here since its introduction at the 2014 event, and our range of training and professional development opportunities for automotive professionals covering the full scope of accident repairs—from the initial damage report through to the finish.”
Automechanika has received support from several industry players in the body and paint segment, such as Carbon, Glasurit, SATA, Sehon, Wieländer+Schill, ZDK, ZKF and TAK, to name a few.
Participating in the competitions
According to Johannes, workshops can enter in the Automechanika event of their choice. For the competition, contestants have to design the hood of a car. Sponsors like DeBeer Refinish, Octoral and SATA will offer the required support for this task. The participants will be drawing inspirations for their hood designs from the country hosting the particular Automechanika event. For example, it could be a Union Jack in England or an opulent gold design in Dubai.
“The hood creations will be exhibited in a special showcase at the event, and a panel of experts will be charged with selecting a national winner at each show. The six national winners will then compete in a grand finale at Automechanika Frankfurt,” explains Johannes.
To participate in the Automechanika event in their country, workshops can complete an online application at automechanika.com/wettbewerb. Besides the sponsors’ choices, the show’s visitors will also get to vote for their favourites at the event and online until 14 days after the show. The People’s Choice Award will be presented to the hood design that gets the most number of votes. SATA will be presenting them with a surprise package.
At Automechanika Shanghai, Ian Lai won the People’s Choice Award for his work of art “Quintessence of Chinese culture”. Around 700 trade show visitors voted of which Lai bagged 218 votes.
The hood designs will be judged on the basis of uniqueness of design; a link between the design and the country in which the Automechanika event is taking place; the use of various techniques (effects, matt/glossy finish); a harmonious colour palette; the type of spray guns used; workshop safety considerations and the use of environmentally friendly products.
