Good Showing from International Companies at Autopromotec 2009

With a record 1,443 exhibiting companies from 47 countries and 150,000 square metres of exhibition space, Autopromotec is recognised as a leading international trade exhibition for specialised automotive products and services. This biennial event was held at the Bologna Exhibition Centre in late May. The increasing number of exhibiting companies from outside the host nation was particularly apparent this year, with a total of 468 foreign businesses from 46 countries presenting their products.

Also, despite the current global economic downturn, the continually evolving international influence of the event is manifest in the number of foreign visitors present. During the five days of Autopromotec there were a total of 101,620 visitors, 16,689 of whom were from overseas. As part of a joint agreement sealed betweenthe Italian Institute for Foreign Trade, the Italian Ministry for Economic Development and the Italian Automotive Service Equipment Manufacturers Association, the show hosted 90 trade delegations from 16 countries including: Argentina, Brazil, China, Greece, India, Iran, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Turkey, USA and Vietnam.

Autopromotec endeavours to fulfil its role by providing a first class international platform for companies to showcase the latest specialised technologically advanced product innovations. The exhibition includes auto repair equipment for garages, fast-fit outlets and body shops, new and retreaded tyres, wheels, rims, car service products, replacement parts and components for vehicles, vehicle washes, tools and accessories, engine reconditioning and new forms of motorization.

The show’s ability to anticipate technical advancement within the automotive aftermarket segment was ably demonstrated by ‘Futurmotive’. Designed to emphasise the importance of future sustainable mobility, this distinctive and well received part of Autopromotec gave visitors the opportunity to gain information from University professors and skilled tutors, on alternative fuels, hybrid technologies, electric vehicles, amalgam tyres and other environmental friendly products.

In conversation with the CEO of Promotec, the organising company for Autopromotec, Mr Renzo Servadei told T&A, “Autopromotec, with 45 years of history, combines a long tradition of technological spirit and passion for motor sports, thanks mainly to its long-term location in Bologna and Emilia-Romagna, known the world over as ‘Motor Valley’. This region of Italy is home to automotive manufacturers such as Ferrari, Lamborghni, Ducati and numerous others that have shaped the history of two and four wheel vehicles. The area is also the location for the highest concentration of producers of auto service equipment in the world.

“This year’s show has been particularly gratifying, taking into account that in 2007, when the previous Autopromotec took place, the international economic and financial situation was far more stable than it is at present. It is therefore very pleasing and perhaps somewhat remarkable to be able to report that exhibitor numbers have actually increased by 39 and visitor attendance was up by 2.4 per cent on the 2007 show. A total of 13 exhibitor and institutional presentations took place and there were 23 conferences many, like the Automotive Aftermarket Symposium, had full international interest,” continued Renzo Servadei.

“I am confident that the increasing global awareness and the future success of Autopromotec will be elevated through the unstinting efforts of our Association partners and the effectiveness of our expansive marketing and development programme.”