'I recommend a visit to ACMA Automechanika's new product section.'

Michael Johannes, Vice-President, Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH on why ACMA Automechanika New Delhi 2015 is a must-visit this week. An email interview by Shobha Mathur.

How many global exhibitors are participating in ACMA-Automechanika 2015 and how much growth is there over the previous show in terms of participants and why?
At this year’s edition there will be altogether more than 430 exhibitors, with 171 international brands coming from 12 countries, for instance from Brazil, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Korea, Malaysia, Spain and the UK. Thus, international participation has increased by 34 percent as steady sales and the growing market for auto components in the country continues to attract auto component giants from across the world. 

What is the global perspective on the ‘Make in India’ vision of the new Indian government? Are companies actively looking at making in India and shipping from here?
The vision is simply to transform India into a global manufacturing and innovation hub whose products become synonymous with superior quality, not be detrimental to the environment and inspire confidence among global consumers.

The Indian government plans to make the automobile industry a lynchpin of ‘Make in India’ programme, for attracting foreign investments and turning the country into a manufacturing hub. The aim is to make India the world’s fourth largest market for automobiles by 2015 and third largest by 2016, behind only China and the US.

What are your expectations on the highlights of this year’s show and will there be any firsts in terms of new products, technologies and events?
The fair covers 16,000 square metres of exhibition space, so there is a lot to discover and explore for the trade visitors. More than 430 companies are exhibiting their innovations and demonstrating their latest developments. I recommend a visit to the New Product Display section where exhibitors highlight their new products and solutions. Our platinium partner Bosch will launch new products, test equipments and service concepts during the show.   

Moreover we have organised a comprehensive seminar on February 27 where noted industry experts share their valuable insights and international best practices on developments in R&D and innovation, advancements in mechatronic systems, sustainable mobility, fuel efficiency and emerging export markets.

With the second edition, we have decided to take a strong initiative to address the rising concerns on counterfeit products sold in the replacement market. The platform will be used to inform the industry and consumers about the genuineness of aftermarket products through Messe Frankfurt’s global initiative ’Messe Frankfurt Against Copying’ and ACMA’s ‘Asli Naqli campaign’.

How do you perceive the trends in the industry and the takeaways from the last ACMA-Automechanika show in New Delhi?
The successful première of ACMA-Automechanika New Delhi two years ago showed that our strategy of launching an Automechanika in India in cooperation with our partner, ACMA, has been a success. Messe Frankfurt’s expertise in organising international automobile fairs and ACMA’s contacts in the Indian supplier industry represent an ideal foundation for ACMA- Automechanika New Delhi. Moreover, we enjoy the support of the industry, for example, from  Robert Bosch, one of the world’s biggest automotive components suppliers.

What are expected to be the key takeaways of this year’s ACMA-Automechanika show?
The trade fair is expected to welcome over 10,000 visitors including OEMs, Tier 1 manufacturers, engineers, aftermarket distributers and suppliers, decision makers and professionals from the industry.

What will be the theme of the ACMA-Automechanika 2015?
ACMA-Automechanika New Delhi 2015 gears up to present a reliable platform to identify and source genuine aftermarket products. As vehicle manufacturers rapidly embrace safety standards, battling the burgeoning counterfeit business has become even more important.

Concerned with the growing number of spurious auto parts, roughly estimated to be 36 percent of the automotive aftermarket in India, the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) together with Messe Frankfurt has taken a strong initiative to address the rising concerns on counterfeit products sold in the replacement market at the second edition of ACMA-Automechanika New Delhi.

Which product categories will see the maximum additions in this show?
The event covers the full range of parts for motor vehicles, as well as components for the drive, chassis, body, electrics and electronic groups, equipment for vehicle service and repair, bodywork repair and painting, tyres, batteries and performance systems. Maximum additions we have in the product group ‘Parts & Components’. 

Are any big names who were not present in the last ACMA-Automechanika show participating?
This year, we have many first-time exhibitors including Bosch and Climax Overseas among others as well as pavilions from Korea and Thailand.

How actively are Indian exhibitors taking part in other Automechanika shows globally and how beneficial has the journey been?
Indian companies who want to enter new markets and gain new business partners use our Automechanika shows worldwide; they come mainly to Frankfurt, Dubai and Istanbul. 

For instance at Automechanika Frankfurt 2014 there were 166 exhibitors from India. The facts and figures of our visitor and exhibitor surveys say that most of the exhibitors are very content with their participation.