Automechanika Shanghai adds new wheel rim/tyre sector space in West hall

‘Sweeping growth’ reported ahead of 2016 show

Automechanika Shanghai is said to be experiencing “sweeping growth” ahead of the 2016 show, which will be held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center, Puxi, Shanghai from 30 November – 3 December. The organisers are highlighting the show’s Connectivity and Electronics & Systems zones. However, in addition to the gains seen by the Electronics & Systems sector, for the first time the show’s West Hall will be housing the Wheel Rim/Tyre sectors.

Organisers are forecasting that exhibitors will increase to 5,700, a 6 per cent rise compared with last year. And visitors are expected to increase to 120,000, which is a jump of nearly 10 per cent over last year’s numbers.

Last year was the first at the new venue and Automechanika Shanghai 2016 will be returning to this enlarged venue to accommodate the continuously growing popularity of the show. The 312,000 square metre exhibition space has also expanded from the space utilised last year by nearly 12 per cent. There will be 13 halls. The expanded space includes OE and aftermarkets of the entire industry chain.

Connectivity and Electronics & Systems zones highlighted

The continued success and expansion of Automechanika Shanghai has opened new options for special zones. Due to growing market trends and demands, the Electronics & Systems sector and its related Connectivity Zone are seeing particular gains and will be highlighted in specialised zones in a larger area. The idea of automotive connectivity will be a focal point at Automechanika Shanghai 2016.

The connected vehicle is the trend of the future. Connected vehicles are able to communicate with each other and the surrounding transportation infrastructure to enhance safety, convenience and efficient flow of traffic. With the enhanced connectivity features of vehicles brings greater business opportunities. Gartner, the world’s leading information technology research and advisory company, forecasts that one in five vehicles on the road worldwide will be linked by some form of wireless connection by 2020. This will result in 250 million connected vehicles in the next 4 years. The thinking is that market opportunities will only continue to grow in this field in the future.

Back to the tyre and wheel side of things, with the West Hall housing the Wheel Rim/Tyre sectors for the first time and with Automechanika owners Messe Frankfurt having licenced the Reifen name from its brand holder Messe Essen, it is surely just a question of time before Automechanika Shanghai merges with Reifen China as has already been agreed with Automechanika Frankfurt, Dubai and Birmingham?