The 20th anniversary of Automechanika Shanghai closes with record-breaking exhibitor and visitor participation
12 Dec 2024
Automechanika Shanghai concludes its 20th anniversary with a successful and celebratory show, marked by impressive new records from both exhibitors and visitors. As always, the fair served as a hub for buyers and suppliers to learn, network and showcase the innovations that are shaping the future automotive industry. Attendees, including exhibitors, visitors, speakers, media, as well as other participants, praised the show’s ability to promote collaboration, bring trends to light, and facilitate training and education. The fair took place from 2 to 5 December at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai).
Record breaking visitor numbers at the 20th anniversary event
Automechanika Shanghai offered a gateway into the global automotive industry, with the scale of the show as an indicator of the market’s size and advancement. As such, participation soared this year to make up the largest edition yet.
The show saw 222,341 visitors from 181 countries and regions arrive through its doors. It represents a 20 percent increase compared to the previous year. The top ten overseas sources included Malaysia, India, South Korea, Türkiye, Egypt, Thailand, Indonesia, Brazil, Kazakhstan and the UAE (in descending order).
At the same time, an impressive 6,763 companies, hailing from 40 countries and regions, brought the latest upgrades and innovations. It covered 17 pavilions from Australia, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Poland, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Türkiye, the UAE, the UK, and the US.
Key overseas exhibitors included BASF, Borgwarner, Bosch, Brembo, Continental, Dana, Forvia Hella, Goodyear, Hitachi Astemo, Niterra, SDS, Sensata, Total Energies, TUNAP, YAKIMA, and ZF.
In addition, Autel, Black Sesame, BOP, Bright, CALB, EAE, FAWAY, FAWER, HASCO POWERTRAIN COMPONENTS, HESAI, Horizon Robotics, Launch, New SORL, Qisheng Powertrain, Sanhua Automotive, Shedrive, Tuopu, and ZC Rubber Group were amongst the leading domestic exhibitors.
As such, the internationality of exhibiting companies illustrated Automechanika Shanghai’s platform, allowing both domestic and international companies to establish deeper connections with potential and existing partners.
Upgraded sectors generate positive reactions
In response to significant changes in the automotive industry, the fair enhanced and expanded its major product sectors and specialised zones, creating new opportunities for innovation and collaboration.
For example, Parts & Components encompassed six halls of the fairground, with a total of 3,540 exhibitors. Product displays and presentations from a number of the world’s top 100 companies in parts and components were crowd favourites.
Other top 100 companies included BASF, Forvia Hella, Sanhua Automotive and Tuopu. Furthermore, ARN, Feilong, Henglong Group, Qisheng Powertrain and Qingling Motors participated at the show for the first time.
Elsewhere, the New Energy & Connectivity sector in Hall 5.1 debuted to a strong reception with 477 exhibitors housed across 26,000 sqm of space. Participants acknowledged the need to include this new categorisation given the increase of related products on the market. The area featured products, technologies and solutions such as core electric components and sensors, hydrogen energy and fuel cell, battery charging and swapping, connectivity, intelligent driving and chassis, and thermal management for new energy.
In addition, CALB, Star Charge, and JMCG also debuted in this new product sector.
Accessories and Customising sectors in Halls 1.2, 2.2 and 8.2 also proved immensely popular with a collection of domestic and overseas companies featuring interior, exterior and high-performance modifications. For example, BOP displayed a dual-core energy-gathering solar film. Japanese brand Idemitsu introduced a comprehensive car care solution for electric vehicles, which was well-received by visitors.
The Diagnostics & Repair / Body & Paint sector in Halls 5.2 and 6.2 showcased solutions for automotive aftermarket services. Here, Launch exhibited the first domestic X-431 PAD artificial intelligent equipment for the diagnostic and maintenance of new energy vehicles. BESITA also introduced an industry first intelligent chassis testing equipment, which can be operated through WeChat.
Elsewhere, the Innovation4Mobility Showcase Areas became productive meeting points for industry players to learn, discuss, and demonstrate advancements across the supply chain through the Mainstage, Green Repair Area, and Customising x Tech Area. Speakers in focus included the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), Frost & Sullivan and Shanghai Motor Vehicle Inspection Center (SMVIC). Participants shared enthusiastic feedback as the combination of forums, training areas, and presentations allowed exhibitors and visitors to share ideas, grow their brand, and network with potential partners.
Fringe events eye up future automotive industry, with highlights from 20th anniversary celebrations
Across the four-day show, a number of special events defined a significant milestone in the show’s history. Amongst them, Walk for Nature encouraged participants to explore the 14 halls of the exhibition, tracking a total of 100 million steps over the four days. With this, the organisers will donate over RMB 100,000 to tree planting in the community. There was a clear sense of friendly rivalry over at the Customising x Tech Area in Hall 8.2 with simulated car contest, Quest for a Racing Master, adding a touch of fun to the festivities. Professionals from the Shanghai Volkswagen 333 Racing Team, PEGASUS Racing Team, and HIPOSR Racing Team, as well as nearly 260 contestants and 33 teams joined the competition to showcase their skills and celebrate motorsports culture.
Furthermore, the show featured its most comprehensive fringe programme to date with over 400 speakers across a total of 81 events that took place concurrently with the main show. Across the fairground, every event received enthusiastic feedback from attendees and industry experts alike. Key discussions focused on internationalisation, digitalisation, talent development, and sustainability in the automotive sector, addressing industry trends, challenges, and opportunities to help businesses strengthen global strategies, as well as promote innovation and sustainable growth. For example, automakers like Geely, SAIC MOTOR and Xiaopeng Automotive shared their latest technologies and training know-how, while research institutions such as Tongji University and the Strategic Research, China Intelligence and Connected Vehicles (Beijing) Research Institute, and Intelligent Connected Vehicle Research Department, Center for Automotive Strategy and Policy Research presented insights around future mobility.
It offered opportunities to learn about market trends ahead of the rest of the world. While topics primarily focused on understanding the Chinese market, presentations also examined wider information in global operating environments, helping audiences to self-reflect on current and future company strategies.
Media coverage from home and abroad
Automechanika Shanghai attracted significant attention from both global and domestic media, welcoming overseas representatives from 14 countries and regions, including Australia, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, South Korea, Thailand, Türkiye, the UAE, the US, and Vietnam.
The show also joined forces with several domestic industry and mass media, including Xinhua News Agency, Shanghai Traffic Radio, Chongqing Broadcasting Group, Jilin Television, and Zhejiang Media Group, to present highlights and trends of the exhibition through expert interviews and interactive booth visits. The livestream accumulated nearly 300 million views through AMS Live and partnered platforms.
Post time:Sep-25-2020
