Mary has over 20 years experience as the editor of our Malaysian sister magazine, The Tyreman. Based in Kuala Lumpur, she writes articles for us on the Malaysian and other South East Asian markets.
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Plans Shape Up Ahead of Automechanika Kuala Lumpur 2019
Preparations have already begun for the next edition of Automechanika Kuala Lumpur, which continues to serve as the Asean region’s leading automotive trade fair by connecting the global industry with significant domestic players. The 2019 edition is expected to welcome 300 exhibitors and 8,000 visitors to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) has a continually developing automotive industry that recorded a CAGR (Combined Automotive Growth Rate) of 11 per cent since 2011. What’s more, annual car sales in the Asean region are expected to reach 4.9 million units by 2020, supporting the view that the area is transforming into a global economic and trade powerhouse for the automotive world.
As the host of Automechanika Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia sits in the heart of the Asean region and is home to numerous global OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) players. The country boasts the third highest motor sales and production figures, and is a hotspot for overseas companies to expand their business in the region and capitalise on the market’s positioning. Facilitating that connection is Automechanika Kuala Lumpur, which would see leading names from an estimated 18 countries and regions at the 2019 edition. The show would once again feature a comprehensive series of educational fringe events, networking sessions, competitions and business opportunities, that are reflected through the theme of ‘Sourcing, Training, Entertainment’.
In the fair’s sourcing aspects, its coverage includes multiple industry sectors, such as parts, components, electronics, systems, repair, maintenance, accessories and customising. Some of the previous edition’s participants include Hock Lee, Launch Tech, Newera, Perodua, Proton, Spandy Tool, UG Electronics, Unipac, Valeo, Wilayah and Yamada.
The new Tyre Competence product category adds to the range of sourcing opportunities. Companies from the tyre sector are categorised accordingly, allowing fairgoers to tap easily into a plethora of product developments and innovations from the tyre sector in Malaysia and beyond.
Fiona Chiew, Deputy General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co Ltd, discussed how the addition of Tyre Competence would benefit the show’s attendees: “Malaysia’s tyre market is expected to reach above US$2.3 billion by 2022, on the back of growing vehicle demands, continued infrastructure development and higher consumer purchasing power. The entire Asean region has a well-established tyre sector, meaning its inclusion in Automechanika Kuala Lumpur would naturally benefit those looking to tap into the entire industry’s developments here.”
Aside from the range of sourcing opportunities, ingenuity is said to be found in the show’s ‘impressive’ training and entertainment offerings. One such example is the highly anticipated EMMA (European Mobile Media Association) car audio and tuning competition, whereby vehicles from different Asean countries would have the opportunity to demonstrate their most impressive audio installations. The Collision Repair Training workshop would also take place once again, following its successful and beneficial inclusion in the previous edition.