Big plans are underway for the next Automechanika Shanghai, scheduled for Nov 29 - Dec 2, 2017. Each year, the show continues to expand with the scale, exhibitors and visitors increasing.

Held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Puxi, Shanghai, the exhibition space will climb to 330,000 square meters this year, an increase of 7 percent from last year's 312,000 sq m. Approximately 6,000 exhibitors from 42 countries and regions are expected to attend this year, an increase of 4 percent over the 2016 count of 5,756. The number of visitors attending the show is expected to see an 8 percent increase, with 130,000 from 140 countries and regions. There were 120,671 visitors at the 2016 show.

China remains the powerhouse and pivotal driver of the automotive market in the world, with the original equipment market experiencing a steady ascent. In 2016, the production and sale of automobiles in China grew rapidly and achieved record heights. The production and sales reached 28.12 million and 28.03 million units, respectively.

Fiona Chiew, deputy general manager of Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co Ltd, said: "The steadily growing market in China and the rest of Asia has created a healthy breeding bed for the automotive market to evolve and advance. It is reflected in part by our expanding show scale and participant numbers. The exhibition area of all product zones has seen an increase, with a more diverse range of products to showcase."

Connected mobility and autonomous driving are the topics of the moment in the automotive industry and are destined to transform the automotive world.

E-mobility and infrastructure will see more participation this year, with exhibitors and research institutes gathering from around the world to show a wider range of e-mobility solutions, ranging from electro-mobility and alternative driving systems, charging infrastructure, battery technology and power electronics to lightweight construction.

A new zone, REIFEN, will make its debut at Automechanika Shanghai 2017. REIFEN is the world's leading trade fair for the tire sector.

Automechanika Shanghai 2017 has already received an overwhelming response in booth reservations from key players. Reputable auto parts companies such as Schaeffler and ZF have already confirmed bigger spaces while others, such as ContiTech, Corteco, Dayco, Federal Mogul, Hella, Mahle, MANN+HUMMEL, NGK, SDS, Tec Alliance and Valvoline, will return.

Automechanika Shanghai is organised by Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co Ltd and the China National Machinery Industry International Co Ltd (Sinomachint). It is one of 17 Automechanika fairs held in Africa, Asia, Europe and North, Central and South America.

For more information about the Shanghai show, please visit www.automechanika-shanghai.com or contact Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, +852 2802 7728 / auto@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com.

zhuanti@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 04/19/2017 page16)