2014 Automechanika Frankfurt
| by Austin Gamble
Frankfurt Fizzes
It comes around every two years, and never ceases to amaze. When I first visited the show in 1988,
the variety of parts on display knocked my socks off, and each time I revisit the reinvention of the show
continues to bare my feet.
2014 Automechanika Frankfurt
T
he 23rd Automechanika, held
from 16 to 20 September
2014, once again did not fail
to impress, providing a showcase
for innovations from the international
aftermarket. And as you trawl the halls,
even though you have been astounded
show after show, decade after decade,
you start to visualise the size of the
global automotive aftermarket, and
your head starts to get around the fact
that the world is one enormous car
parc, with thousands of companies
fishing in this market, and all throwing
out spectacular lures to entice the
customers, whether distributors,
retailers, workshops, or whatever
business dealing in the vibrant parts
sector.
This year the Frankfurt hotels were
once again in demand, with room
prices going up accordingly, and
around 140,000 trade visitors from
173 countries, of which one in four
came from the workshop sector, filled
the exhibition halls. On the exhibitor
side, the fair set a new record with
4,631 companies from 71 countries.
Detlef Braun, member of the Board of
Management of Messe Frankfurt, puts
it into perspective, “The ratings given
by exhibitors have been outstanding
with a significant impetus coming from
outside Germany. However, German
companies also see
the current economic
situation in a more
positive light than in
2012.” International
visitors comprised
60 percent of the
visitors, there to
investigate new
trends such as
alternative power
trains, fully automatic
digital reception
processes, energy
efficiency, lightweight
construction
➲
solutions with previously impossible
loading capacities, accessories,
customising, car media and 3D printing.
Braun enthuses, “More than ever
before, Automechanika in Frankfurt
has shown itself to be a platform for
the presentation of important, futureoriented technologies as the key to
tomorrow’s developments throughout
the entire automotive aftermarket.”
Hall 10, and the wide-ranging choice
of basic and advanced training choices
available at the Galleria.
The latest products and
developments from the world market
in the commercial-vehicle field has
also become a must see at Frankfurt.
Braun explains, “Sustainability and
environmental compatibility also play
an extremely important role in the
commercial-vehicle segment.
For example, vans with previously
unheard of loading capacities and
weight-optimised electric refrigerated
vehicles were to be seen here for the
first time.” These were on display
under the ‘Truck Competence’ banner
on over 1,000 exhibition stands, and
through the associated special shows
revolving around ‘Truck Competence’.
➲
The girls from Brazil
Other points of interest were the wellattended ‘Collision Damage Talk’,
sponsored by the paint manufacturers
who had returned to Automechanika
after an absence of 12 years, the
alternative drive displays in the new
We found some fans of aBr!
| words in action
22
➲ The Messe Frankfurt campaign against
copying gets the message across with a pirate
out of his depth
october 2014