Undoubtedly, China is never far from the minds of most company executives. The East Asia country became the world’s second largest automotive market and the world’s third biggest automotive producer in 2006. Add to this the fact that road infrastructure is constanty improved, with expressways being added at the rate of around 33,600 km (21,000 miles) per year. Automotive financing, retailing and distribution networks too are being improved.

China’s automotive industry will once again gather in Shanghai in December to take part in the third Automechanika Shanghai. The event will be held from December 5-7 at the New Shanghai International Expo Centre. Automechanika Shanghai has gained a reputation as one of China’s leading professional forums for the automotive parts, components and aftermarket industry.

The 2007 show will house a complete range of products for the automotive original equipment and aftermarket, from low to high-end, from basic to hi-tech. In line with the profile of the global Automechanika brand, products on display include parts & systems, accessories & tuning, repair & maintenance, and service station & car wash.

In order to serve as a platform for future business positioning, Automechanika Shanghai also offers a well-rounded overview of the Chinese auto industry through a comprehensive fringe programme of seminars and networking events. Thus, there will be market seminars at the ‘Automechanika Academy’ offering in-depth discussion and exploration of pertinent topics in the industry.

Moreover, the special supplier-buyer match-making in the Automechanika Match-making Forum will enable buyers to meet with suppliers onsite according to their pre-set criteria. The buyer delegations and buyer presentations from important Chinese and overseas manufacturers, distributors and importers also helps VIP buyers to outline their company profiles and purchasing requirements directly to qualified suppliers.

Covering 50,000 sqm, the 2007 fair will house over 850 exhibitors from Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, UK and USA, proving the show’s position as China’s leading international forum for the automotive industry. By comparison, Automechanika Shanghai in December 2006 had 615 exhibitors with over 12,000 visitors from 97 countries and regions visiting the last event.