Autobody News’ Stacey Phillips Ronak is attending Automechanika Frankfurt 2024 in Frankfurt, Germany, which brings together automotive professionals from more than 170 countries.
During the five-day event, Sept. 10-14, approximately 4,200 exhibitors will showcase their products and services in Parts & Components; Diagnostics & Repair; Tires & Wheels; Body & Paint; Car Wash, Care & Detailing; Oils, Lubricants & Fuels; Accessories & Customizing; Electrics & Electronics; and Connectivity & Autonomous Driving.
This year’s trade fair is themed “Driving Transformation” and will focus on trends and developments in the automotive aftermarket industry. These include electrification, sustainability, digitalization, connectivity, artificial intelligence (AI) and recruitment.
“Ever since this event was launched more than 50 years ago, Automechanika in Frankfurt has provided an opportunity to take stock of the automotive industry and all of its segments,” said Detlef Braun, member of the executive board of Messe Frankfurt.
Exhibitors throughout the fairgrounds, including in the Body & Paint hall, were completing set up before the show opens Sept. 10.
As part of the Automechanika Academy, trade fair participants will be able to pursue professional development, speak with experts and network throughout the week. Multiple stages will highlight topics such as EV repair, the use of AI in dealerships and shops, cybersecurity, alternative drive technologies, 3D printing, the circular economy, young talent and recruitment in the automotive industry, e-commerce and new business models in the classic car business.
An addition to the show this year is the AMBITION event, in which Gen Z is invited to experience the future of mobility under the motto, “What’s up next…” AMBITION will showcase a range of topics that interest the Gen Z generation, such as gaming, eSports, hypercars, influencers and creators. There will also be panels, talks, workshops, parties and live acts.
Nearly a dozen Chinese auto manufacturers will exhibit their EVs in Hall 12.1 as part of the Electric Vehicle Expo. Automechanika organizers said the manufacturers are exhibiting “to get to know new international business partners for repairs, maintenance and service.”
Exhibitors include GEELY HOLDING GROUP, with the brands GEELY AUTO,LYNK & CO and ZEEKR. Other manufacturers include BYD, AVATR, HONGQI, DFSK, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL), JAC, FUTURUS, JENESS, FZB, PEGASUS and Elaris.
Innovative technologies in the field of future mobility will be discussed as part of the expert forum Innovation4Mobiity. These include e-mobility, vehicle-integrated photovoltaics, bidirectional charging, sustainable fuels, automotive hydrogen, connectivity, AI in vehicles and software-defined vehicles.
In the outdoor Agora area, showgoers will find the “Future Mobility Park,” a test and experience circuit supported by BYD, Elexon, Pirelli and B&M Marketing. Here, visitors will be able to experience new mobility solutions, live alternative drives and innovative technologies, as well as test drives. One of the highlights is an e-van -- equipped with innovative drive technology and powered entirely by solar energy -- that set the world record for scaling the Earth’s highest volcano.
A special “Workshop of the Future” has been organized with the Zentralverband Deutsches Kraftfahrzeuggewerbe (ZDK) and the Zukunftswerkstatt 4.0 (Future Mobility Workshop 4.0) of the Institute for the Automotive Industry (IfA). Attendees will be able to participate in an interactive experience of future technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, extended reality (XR), automation and digitalization.
The Sustainability Court will have a networking area this year, and a program focused on issues such as sustainability in production, the supply chain and the circular economy. The third Remanufacturing Day will take place Sept. 11, in cooperation with the Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA).
Stay tuned to Autobody News for daily updates on the show.
Stacey Phillips Ronak