2022 Automechanika Frankfurt Post-Show Report

Introduction

The five-day biennial Automechanika Frankfurt wrapped up on Sept. 17, debuting as the first in-person event after four years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Show Info

The show saw over 3,000 exhibitors from 70 countries, bringing various products from automotive parts, maintenance and repair equipment, tools, automotive electronics, MaaS, car paint customization, vehicle diagnosis services, and autonomous driving solutions.

According to statistics compiled by the event organizer, approximately 78,000 visitors from 175 countries attended Automechanika Frankfurt. These figures signified that with the current global supply chain restructuring and uncertain market conditions, visitors are more willing to participate in trade fairs to network and seek out new partnerships.

At least 92% of these visitors were surveyed to support the event organizers' overall show plan. For instance, this year, they organized up to 350 events, ranging from diverse peripheral events, workshops, and forums, covering various topics, including digital transformation, remanufacturing, alternative drive systems, and electromobility. The topics are timely as they cover the many issues and challenges that the industry has faced in the past years since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out.

Quoting visiting industry buyers, event organizers pointed out that due to the pandemic, trends like digitalization and online trade fairs have gradually matured. Yet, these buyers also emphasized that these online methods cannot replace the value of in-person interactions, walking the exhibition floor, or holding the product in their hands.

Market News

The auto parts and related sectors have seen their share of challenges, for example, shortages of raw materials, chips, and workers, supply chain restructuring, travel, border restrictions, and congested shipping ports. These challenges have introduced heightened urgency for the impacted sectors to implement new technologies and techniques.

The type of products and services exhibited at this year's show further represent the many changes in the industry in the past four years, such as the increase of products covering digital transformation, alternative drive systems, and electromobility trends. On the other hand, the popularization of Vehicle IoT solutions, and the development of new materials, which is more related to traditional auto parts, remanufacturing, and innovative solutions and business models, also signify how the overall industry demands are turning to sustainable, environmentally friendly, and more innovative options.

Notable Exhibitors

Chimei Motor - Visual ADAS Solutions

With electric vehicles and autonomous cars making rapid progress, safety systems for vehicles have become incredibly crucial. Chimei Motor's ADAS system solutions are AI-based, combining optical and visual expertise to ensure safer conditions for the driver. In addition, the company featured its Blind Spot Information System for commercial vehicles, iCam series blind spot safety system, and IVA collision warning system.

BSIS relies on the higher efficiency of automotive-grade chips, having passed Taiwan's VSCC testing certification, and acquired patents in multiple countries. The system has passed performance tests in Japan at JARI Automobile Research Institute and 100% per Taiwan's ARTC UNECE R151 BSIS regulations. Chimei Motor's BSIS is among the first on the market to use the most advanced AI visual-recognition technology, enabling real-time detection, categorization, analysis, and decision-making. The system also boasts the industry's widest vision and detection base range, removing any detection restrictions, such as whether the protected object is stationary, in relative movement, or temporarily blocked by public infrastructure.

Furthermore, the solution can maintain detection capabilities at night or in low-light environments due to Chimei Motor using advanced optical and structure designs. Regarding this year's show attendance, Chimei Motor representatives said they were satisfied with the quality of visiting buyers at the show.

Fu Gang - Wiper Blade Supplier

Fu Gang boasts the highest domestically-manufacturing rate of wiper blades in Taiwan. In addition, representatives said they met their goal benchmarks regarding meeting with quality buyers.

Much of a wiper blade's most crucial manufacturing processes, metals, plastics, rubber, and coating, are all completed within Fu Gang's factories. Aside from making general wiper blades, Fu Gang is also dedicated to producing wiper blades for specific uses, such as military equipment, boats, trucks, buses, and specialized wiper blades.

As the owner of Taiwan's only factory to house automated equipment for wiper blades, Fu Gang told CENS that the company hopes to continue to make the highest quality wiper blades at affordable prices to ensure the safest driving conditions for drivers.

Organizer Precision: Socket and tool storage maker

Organizer Precision Tools Co. featured its patented "Master Socket Tray" product and patented magnetic tray pad "Magpad," widely lauded by visiting clients and buyers at the showgrounds.

The company is an expert maker of <storage solutions for socket tools and other organizational solutions for related tools and parts. While Organizer Precision Tools' primary market focus is in OEM and ODM sectors, the company is still a considerable spender of funding to research and develop new products, obtain patents, and achieve the end goal of profit sharing and creating business opportunities with clients as a win-win situation.

Crowds at the show had yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, a company representative told CENS, suggesting that some countries still had certain travel restrictions. However, from another point of view, Organizer Precision Tools booth staff observed that big-brand companies were still proactive participants at the show, creating business opportunities and cultivating new client relationships. Buyers also made more inquiries and orders.

Another observation at the show indicated that show buyers were primarily Germany-based, followed by the U.K., France, Italy, Israel, Syria, and even the U.S.

Regarding their thoughts about Europe-based clients, company representatives said that buyers were still very proactive in procuring new products and equipment despite the economic downturn and inflation. As a result, Organizer Precision Tools believe these clients hope to break even through equipment upgrades and open new markets.

Esuse Auto Parts: Auto lamps and accessories maker

Esuse Auto Parts is equipped with over 30 years of manufacturing experience in automotive and scooter lamps and parts. In addition, the company featured its patented "Smart Sync" warning lamp that boasts an easy installation process and supports synchronized or staggered connected Esuse warning lights up to 16 lights, which optimizes the user operation efficiency and shortens installation time.

With automotive-focused technologies rapidly progressing and improving vehicle safety measures, Esuse has focused on rolling out adaptive driving beams and matrix LED applications to ensure comfort for the drivers' vision and improve safety guarantees. On the other hand, Esuse has also combined making interior vehicle trims with its In-Mold Decoration technique, which uses different luminance and colors to create varied visual effects for better quality and customizable services.

Esuse is dedicated to creating various automotive LED-based products, including LED daytime, fog, head, tail, under, varied LED work, interior, and warning lights. Esuse's factory has molding operations, SMT, and an assembly line. The company's products are all in-house designed and manufactured.

To fulfill client requests, Esuse acquired ISO9001 and IATF16949 global automotive industry's quality management system certifications to ensure its products are certified and follow related regulations.

Genius Tools - Air socket tool maker

Genius Tools featured its air socket tools, unique for their lifetime warranty and varied specifications and sizes. Aside from maintaining a comprehensive product line to provide customers with a one-stop service, the company is equipped with in-house manufacturing capabilities and has strategically opened factories in essential markets. This was done to shorten delivery times and serve as a guarantee of steady supply for customers.

Other product lines of quality tools include socket wrench sets, air tools, hand tool sets, screwdrivers, auto maintenance parts, and auto maintenance tools.

CENS teams up with suppliers to create biz

Economic Daily News (CENS) was located in Hall 1.2 A35 booth, offering buyers the chance to obtain Taiwan Transportation Equipment Guide (TTG), TTG USB, and Taiwan HandTools industry magazines, all published exclusively by CENS.

CENS' publication team proactively promoted its biggest feature at the show — real-time business matchmaking services that allow buyers to get the chance to be paired with suitable suppliers. The service effectively removed the traditional obstacles that would bar global procurement processes requiring travel and time. Buyers would have the opportunity to network with Taiwanese suppliers that could not make it to the show.

As the first in-person Automechanika Frankfurt show since the pandemic broke out, Taiwanese suppliers were enthusiastic regarding their attendance at the fair. In addition, many suppliers had observed that buyers at their booths showed similar enthusiasm and more patience when inquiring about product details, which was a boon for suppliers looking to get a leg into the European market.

Buyer Analysis

Using the data collected through CENS' biz matchmaking services at this year's Automechanika Frankfurt event, we offer a look at our buyer profiles and procurement inquiries.

The top three areas where our buyers traveled from were Europe (19.59%), Asia (19.07%), and the Middle East (17.01%).

The top five buyer background types included Exporters (25.75%), Importers (25.21%), Manufacturers (17.26%), Distributors (12.6%), Retailers (7.95%).

The top five product categories that were the most popular among our buyers included Electrical parts for engines (22.6%), Engine Systems (22.6%), Body parts (20.6%), Repair tool kits and equipment (19%), Other interior accessories (18.5%)