Like many companies, manufacturers and suppliers of automotive parts and equipment continue to search for professional marketing platforms to better promote their business in China.

The quest has led many to the trade show Automechanika Shanghai as buyers from across China - and the world - view the fair as one of the year's major sourcing events, a place where they can meet new suppliers and find the automotive products they need.

The growing importance of Automechanika Shanghai is reflected in its rapid growth last year:

The number of exhibitors doubled to 1,250, including pavilions from Germany, Italy and South Korea.

The number of visitors increased 82 percent to 22,000, with about 25 percent of those from overseas.

Total floor space increased 117 percent to 51,000 sq m.

Its international character grew to include visitors from 103 countries and regions, with the greatest number from South Korea, Taiwan of China, Iran, Russia, India, Japan, Turkey, the United States, Denmark and the United Arab Emirates.

Industry-leading brands were highly visible on the show floor, including Bando, Bosch, Launch, Liqui Moly, Schaeffler, Snap-on, Transpo Electronics, Wrth, Webasto and Zonda.

This year the auto parts fair will offer additional opportunities, including:

A matchmaking forum, that puts suppliers directly in touch with buyers that meet their pre-specified criteria;

Hosting a product presentation that demonstrates the unique qualities and applications of products to trade fair visitors;

Automechanika Academy seminars that provide more insight into the original equipment and aftermarket;

Buyer presentations that describe their needs.

(China Daily April 21, 2008)