Automechanika Frankfurt enters into agreement with the ADS

EQUIP AUTO PARIS APPROACHES

A full programme for the 26th edition of the trade event has been released

Equip Auto Paris is a reference trade event for innovation in automotive aftersales and services for connected mobility. The 2022 edition of Equip Auto Paris will be held from the 18th to the 22nd of October. Recently, a mid-year press conference was held to announce the event’s agenda and other details. It was announced that nearly all of the available exhibition space has been reserved with about 95 percent of its 80,000 sqm surface area reserved for the event. Around 1,000 exhibitors and brands are expected to be on show, and it’s anticipated that about 80,000 professionals will be in attendance. About 35 percent of the exhibitors will be participating for the first time, and 25 percent of the participants are from outside of France.

The event will be held at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles and feature major European forums, an experiential demonstrator, theme villages, awards and other highlights. “We are delighted with the way this 26th edition of EQUIP AUTO Paris has been received,” Equip Auto Chairman, Philippe Baudin, said. “The feedback from exhibitors on the programme is very encouraging and confirms the choices we have made with a view to bringing together a wide range of players, representative of what our automotive and mobility industry is today and will be tomorrow. “Equip Auto Paris had to devise a rich, comprehensive programme of content that would be conducive to the business of its professional audiences. “Today, there is no doubt that this programme has hit the mark, given the presence of historic players and new market entrants, thus confirming Equip Auto Paris’ status as a 100 percent business exhibition and contributing to making it a structural pillar of Paris Automotive Week.” For more information, visit www.paris.equipauto.com Dozens of industry leaders and experts will take the stage at the 2022 SEMA Show Education Program, where attendees will have the opportunity to learn about current and future trends, proven business strategies, and new opportunities while at the annual event taking place in Las Vegas, in November. Beginning on Monday, October 31 – the day before the official opening of the four-day SEMA Show – the 2022 SEMA Show Education Program will include more than 70 free and premium sessions within 14 tracks. Showgoers may choose individual sessions across different tracks, mixing and matching the offerings to create a personalised agenda that meets one’s individual needs. “The Education Program is one of the SEMA Show’s key pillars, and it’s always been highly rated by participants,” SEMA Director of Education, Pamela Brown-Matthis, said. “We challenged ourselves and pushed to make the program better than ever. We focused heavily on bringing in elite subject matter experts and high-profile industry leaders. SEMA Show attendees are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to hear from industry experts while at the Show.” New this year are four sessions focused on challenges and opportunities associated with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. “Celebrity Insights,” moderated by African American Racers Association Cofounder Chris Harris, features automotive celebrities, legends, and luminaries with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Returning by popular demand is the Leadership Essentials Track, presented by Dale Carnegie. Also continuing in 2022 are comprehensive programs from partners, including the Society of Collision Repairers (SCRS), the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR), and the Tire Industry Association (TIA). The SEMA Show (November 1-4, 2022) is the world’s premier automotive trade show, featuring new products and trends in vehicle customisation. For more information, visit www.semashow.com

SEMA TO FEATURE ELEVATED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

Personal and professional development to take centre stage

AUTOMECHANIKA FRANKFURT ENTERS INTO AGREEMENT WITH THE ADS

The Association of Diesel Specialists (ADS) says it is the world’s leading trade association in the diesel industry

The new cooperation with the US-American Association of Diesel Specialists (ADS) further expands Automechanika Frankfurt’s international network of associations. “We are delighted to have gained a new international partner from the traditional automotive aftermarket,” Automechanika Frankfurt Director, Olaf Mußhoff, said. “This further underscores Automechanika Frankfurt’s significance as an international industry meeting place, and it is especially important for us as it helps us achieve our goal of expanding our network in the growing US market.” Based in the USA, the Association of Diesel Specialists represents companies worldwide that specialise in providing service for injection systems in the diesel industry. Many of the association’s members were exhibitors at Automechanika Frankfurt, the leading international trade fair for the automotive aftermarket. The association took advantage of this to get all of its members together in the same place following an extended break caused by the pandemic, and to establish new contacts in the European market. For more information, visit www.automechanika.com

CAPAS EMPHASISES OPPORTUNITIES

Players are eyeing up opportunities in Southwest China’s automotive industry following the conclusion of CAPAS 2022

The Chengdu International Trade Fair for Automotive Parts and Aftermarket Services (CAPAS) concluded on the 20th of August 2022 at the Chengdu Century City New International Exhibition and Convention Center. The three-day show saw an array of innovative product showcases and customised services. A collection of fringe events not only helped fairgoers achieve results that were more valuable but also spotlighted unique characteristics of the growing Southwest China auto industry. Key figures from CAPAS 2022:

• Visitors: 10,269 • Exhibitors: 407 • Space: 35,000 sqms • 14 fringe events • 34,850 views on live broadcasted events “CAPAS 2022 portrayed Southwest China’s dynamically developing automotive industry,” Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co Ltd Deputy General Manager, James Yu, said. “The region is on track to become a worldclass car manufacturing cluster with a rising auto consumer market owing to the ChengduChongqing Economic Rim. “The show successfully gathered industry resources in the surrounding areas, as well as from further afield to meet demands in manufacturing and the aftermarket. Themes also spotlighted regional initiatives that promote new energy vehicles and car connectivity.” In anticipation of this transformation, exhibitors displayed the latest products, technologies and services across themed zones like Parts and Components, Accessories and Customising, and Repair / Supply Chain and Chain Stores, to name a few. To spotlight the robust automotive supply chain, the Chengdu-Chongqing Dual-city Economic Rim zone hosted pavilions from Chongqing, Guangzhou, Hubei and Hunan, with another 14 city pavilions from Sichuan like Guangan, Mianyang, Nanchong and Neijiang. Once again, participants appreciated that the organisers facilitated effective business conversations for suppliers and buyers. The VIP Buyers Programme offered a targeted approach to sourcing, as players leveraged the show’s networks within the market. In addition, the show collaborated with Magic Cube Auto College to stage a number of live events for remote audiences. The renowned local media partner spoke to guests with product presentations and talked to suppliers and buyers about the prosperities of the Southwest market. The programme attracted 34,850 views, extending the onsite experience to the online community. Elsewhere, the China New Energy Vehicle International Cooperation Conference 2022 examined Sichuan’s auto industry and its new energy vehicle sector. Other informative events included the Southwest Automotive Aftermarket Summit 2022, Commercial Vehicle (Southwest) Maintenance Enterprise Transformation and Upgrading Forum, and the China (Chengdu) Commercial Vehicle Aftermarket Summit 2022. CAPAS is jointly organised by CCPIT-Auto, Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co Ltd and CCPIT-Sichuan. The ninth edition of CAPAS will take place from the 18th to the 20th of May, 2023. For more information, please visit www.capas-chengdu.com or email auto@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com

BRIDGESTONE CLAIMS BACK-TO-BACK CANSTAR BLUE AWARDS

The tyre retailer has again claimed the ‘Most Satisfied Customers’ award

Leading consumer comparison website, Canstar Blue, has named Bridgestone as the winner of its annual ‘Most Satisfied Customers’ accolade in the Tyre Retailer category for the second consecutive year. The Canstar Blue rankings sees Australian motorists who have purchased tyres in the past two years rate their experience, with more than 900 consumers taking part this year. The result highlighted that Bridgestone is exceeding its promise of customer service with five-stars in five of the seven criteria – an improvement on last year’s result. The national network of Bridgestone Select and Bridgestone Service Centres was the standout performer in the 2022 rankings, as the only retailer to be awarded a perfect five-stars in Overall Satisfaction, as well as in Customer Service, Quality of Tyres on Offer, Advice by Staff, and Range of Tyres on Offer. “This is an outstanding result for our Bridgestone network, and highlights the confidence customers have in our service, experience and tyres,” Bridgestone Australia and New Zealand Managing Director, Heath Barclay, said. “We’re honoured to have Canstar Blue award us with the title of Most Satisfied Customers for a second year, and we congratulate our stores throughout Australia on their contribution and success in this award. Without our valued and committed network of stores, we would not be able to deliver outstanding service.” Canstar Blue editor, Dean Heckscher, said the result showcases Bridgestone’s position as trusted, local experts. “Receiving five stars for overall satisfaction, quality of tyres and staff advice, Bridgestone is in pole position for those looking to take care of their ride,” Dean said. “Pulling into a tyre retailer can seem daunting for some, with the inner workings of a car and the tread levels of a tyre sounding like a different language. By comparing tyre retailers, consumers can potentially find a retailer that helps them understand how to take better care of their vehicle and tyres, while also doing so at a competitive price.” The Canstar award is the third accolade Bridgestone has won in the past 12 months, complementing its Reader’s Digest Quality Service Award, and its ninth straight awarding as ‘Australia’s Most Trusted Tyre Brand.’ For more information, visit www.bridgestone.com.au