Autopromotec makes strong return with ‘enthusiastic’ exhibitors, visitors

Italy’s premier aftermarket show hosts a strong comeback event as crowds return to Bologna

The biennial exhibition of automotive equipment and aftermarket products Autopromotec returned for its 29^th edition between 25 and 28 May in Bologna following its Covid-induced postponement in what would have been its regular position in 2021. While the challenges to the European automotive industry continued to be evident – the show was reduced in length by one day to four days for this event, and the absence of Italy’s own Nexion Group are evidence of difference to pre-pandemic events – there was a notable buzz around the halls. Conversing primarily with tyre industry colleagues situated in Hall 20, the general feeling from exhibitors and visitors conveyed to Tyres & Accessories was that it is positive to be back at such events after a prolonged absence, though challenges remain, whether related to the emergence from the pandemic or tied to more recent developments, such as war in Ukraine. With a fast-evolving mobility sector, delegates looked forward to future trends too, supported by the event’s conference programme and central “Futurmotive experience.” Acknowledging the complexity of the current moment, Renzo Servadei, chief executive officer of Autopromotec, compared our turbulent times to rebuilding Rome following its sacking in 390 BC, calling for the automotive industry to seize the opportunity to build with the Roman rallying cry, “Hic manebimus optime” (“Here we remain most excellently”).

Summing up the show, Servadei said “the great enthusiasm to meet face to face after such a long time was tangible. In the past three years, while the world seemed to stand still, companies have never stopped investing and innovating. This led to an enormous technological advance that was seen in every way during these days of the show: visitors have finally been able to touch all the innovations announced in recent months. An increasingly technological and digitised sector, along with challenges, offers important opportunities to be seized: professional operators have shown that they are well aware of the importance of updating and training to keep up with the times. The large registered participation shows that the sector is ready to seize the challenges of the future of mobility.”

The show’s success is demonstrated by its statistics. In total more than 75.141 professionals, 15 per cent of whom came from 116 countries around the world, thronged around the Bologna exhibition centre. Autopromotec’s 141,000 square metre exhibition area, across 15 halls and six outdoor external areas, presented the world of the automotive aftermarket, offering insight, meeting and debate on the sector’s evolution. 1,311 companies participated in the show, with 31 per cent from 46 different countries outside Italy, showcasing international technology and innovation in the sector. Supported by Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the ICE-ITA Agency, the show also acted as a business-to-business meeting platform; planned with the support of Enterprise Europe Network more than 800 meetings were hosted in a sharp increase compared to the 629 of the pre-pandemic edition, Autopromotec said.

The Futurmotive Experience booth (Photo: Autopromotec)

Autopromotec character shifts with digitalisation

The exhibitor and visitor profile of Autopromotec 2022 showed the appetite for this in-person remains strong, but the exhibition organisers are also responding to challenges to the model from digital communication tools. It is the exhibition’s aim to provide a space in which the automotive aftermarket gathers digitally too. In the first five months of this year, the event’s website reached 285,733 unique visitors (compared to 234,868 in 2019) and more than 2,411,625 pageviews. A significant number of users followed the 2022 edition through social channels: again, in the first five months of the year, Autopromotec digital profiles had a total of 58,369 interactions and 2,074,809 post views.

Meanwhile, the show continues to respond to the great challenges of automotive market megatrends, currently in flux. Ecological transition and autonomous driving were typical themes of the conference programme, but it also looked at disruptive trends in the mobility supply chain, for example, with opportunities for in-depth discussion. And the first edition of Electric City brought a 360-degree view of electric mobility, with a selection of alternative-powered cars on display in the 600 square meters of exhibition area. Autopromotec 2022 overall offered a platform for companies to communicate their latest innovations, while simultaneously taking the temperature of a European mobility sector in flux.

Tyres at Autopromotec

The tyre sector was well-represented at Autopromotec in Hall 20, with large stands for major global brands, such as Falken and Toyo, while rapidly growing brands from East Asia, like Sailun, Triangle and Kenda were also represented. European market developments, focused on the Italian market but with wider relevance. Many brands exhibited alongside distributors, eager to support their brand-building activities.

Click here for more of our coverage from Autopromotec 2022.