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Automechanika Celebrates 40th Anniversary

The Automechanika aftermarket trade fair brand has been celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, having opened its doors in Frankfurt on September 18, 1971. At that time nobody would have predicted that this event would develop into the world’s leading businesses platform for the automotive supplier industry, the service and repair sector and the trade in general.
The trade associations, especially the Federation of the German Motor Trade (ZDK) were not deterred by the cancellation of the Frankfurt Motor show that year and instead called for an event for automotive parts and accessories suppliers. About 500 companies and 75 000 visitors from 63 countries came to Frankfurt for the first Automechanika.
The participants were delighted and the results were good for all parties concerned. It was then decided to stage Automechanika in the alternate years between the Frankfurt Motor Shows.
Today Automechanika is not only one of the leading trade fairs organised by Messe Frankfurt, but also the world’s most international trade fair brand. Automechanika is now held at 11 venues worldwide in addition to the flagship event in Frankfurt. The cities outside Germany where Automechanika trade fairs are now staged are: Moscow, Shanghai, Bangkok, St. Petersburg, Dubai, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Kuala Lumpur, Madrid, Istanbul and Johannesburg.
Frankfurt continues to be the home venue and last year attracted 4 471 exhibitors from 76 countries and 155 000 visitors.
Already 80 per cent of the exhibition space has already been sold for the next Automechanika to be held in Frankfurt from September 11-16, 2012. Companies wishing to register for the 2012 event can find full details on the internet at www.automechanika.com.
Automechanika South Africa will be staged at the Johannesburg Expo Centre for the third time in 2013, with the show dates being May 8 – 11.