Despite the global economic slowdown, thousands of companies are choosing to attend reputable Automechanika brand shows held in 13 cities around the world.

Automechanika Shanghai auto parts show provides a venue for high-quality exhibitors and buyers to connect. [China Daily]

One is Automechanika Shanghai scheduled for December 9 to 11 this year. Now the largest event by the trade promotion company outside of Germany, its Shanghai show is also China's largest in the industry, where global automotive parts and equipment buyers and suppliers meet to do business.

Automechanika Shanghai 2008 held in December last year proved to be a successful event for industry insiders because of its increased scale and programs:

Its exhibition area increased 80 percent from 2007 to 92,000 sq m in 8 halls.

1,982 exhibitors gathered at the show with overseas pavilions from France, Germany, Italy, South Korea, Malaysia, the United States, as well as China's Taiwan province.

Over 30,800 buyers from all over China and the world attended the show. Top 10 visiting countries and regions outside of the Chinese mainland included South Korea, Russia, Iran, Japan, the United States, India, Malaysia, Italy, Germany and Taiwan. Chinese buyers came from 30 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities.

Important buyers such as ArvinMeritor, Aurea Investment, Hyundai, Cummins, Delphi, Federal Mogul, Iran Khodro Industrial Group, Shanghai GM, Shanghai Volkswagen, TRW, Valeo Asia and many more attended the 2008 show.

In addition to product and technology exhibitions, a number of rewarding fringe programs were also held during the show, including:

The Matchmaking Forum. Heads of procurement from top auto parts manufacturers, parts and equipment distributors and importers, parts and accessories chain stores, and key vehicle manufacturers were invited as sourcing buyers at the forum. Over 90 percent of exhibitors who attended the 2008 forum were satisfied with their result.

The Automechanika Academy. Experts from prestigious trade associations, research institutes, consultancies and leading companies in the automotive industry were invited as speakers to share their insights with exhibitors and visitors at the event.

In addition, other events like product presentation, and professional conferences such as the International Forum on Service Outsourcing in the Manufacturing Industry, the China International Automotive Engine Techniques & Equipment Conference and the Forum on Strategic Change in China Auto Electronic and Electrical Appliances Industry were also effective interchange platform for the exhibitors and visitors.

(China Daily April 20, 2009)