Chinese firms rev up at Frankfurt auto event

The number of Chinese enterprises participating in Automechanika Frankfurt, the world's leading fair for the automotive after market held from Sept 13 to 17, has been increasing over the last few years.

In 2012, 560 Chinese auto firms attended the event; in 2014, 730 did; and this year, about 900. Their exhibit area, too, grew over the years. Last month, Chinese auto products on display took up over 12,000 square meters.

A record 4,820 exhibitors from 76 countries, and 136,000 visitors from 170 countries, took part in the event, including leading players from the auto industry, the vehicle workshop sector and the retail segment.

The event was thus a platform for Chinese automakers to showcase and promote their products at a global level and build their brand equity. Visitors were captivated by the products of Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers and intelligent driving system developers.

The fair's central theme was "Tomorrow's Service & Mobility". The exhibitors offered an impressive demonstration of the ways in which the industry is changing as connected cars come to the fore.

Detlef Braun, member of the executive board of Messe Frankfurt GmbH, the event's organizer said "Automechanika is continuing to build on its position as the world's leading platform for the automotive aftermarket. In addition to countless impressive smart vehicles that are already connected, the struggle for data was one of the hottest topics of discussion at the trade fair."

Key sections of the exhibition included repair and maintenance, management and digital solutions, car wash, care and reconditioning, parts and components, electronics and systems as well as accessories and customizing.

Messe Frankfurt also organizes leading international fairs for consumer goods, textile, technology, leisure and entertainment industries. It is publicly owned, with the City of Frankfurt holding 60 percent and the state of Hesse 40 percent.

Its events take place at 50 locations around the globe. In 2015, Messe Frankfurt organized 133 trade fairs. More than half of them took place outside Germany.