Vinnie Mehta, Director General, ACMA and Raj Manek, Executive Director and Board Member, Messe Frankfurt Asia Holding Ltd., share interesting details about the event in an exclusive chat with Aftermarket & Service.
ACMA Automechanika New Delhi is back (as a physical event) after a gap of 5 years. We are glad to see the event garner tremendous response from exhibitors. What is the mood like as we get closer to the start of the country’s largest automotive aftermarket spectacle?
Vinnie Mehta: We are thrilled to witness the overwhelming enthusiasm and positive response from exhibitors as we approach the commencement of the country’s largest automotive aftermarket spectacle. The anticipation is palpable, and the return of the event as a physical gathering after a hiatus of five years has generated significant excitement within the automotive industry. We are excited for this year’s edition looking at the growth of the market.
Raj Manek: The strong participation of exhibitors reflects the industry’s eagerness to reconnect, showcase innovations, and explore collaborative opportunities. We are confident that the event will serve as a dynamic platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and showcasing cutting-edge technologies. The mood is one of anticipation and optimism, and we look forward to delivering a successful and impactful event that contributes to the growth and advancement of the automotive aftermarket sector in India.
From an international perspective, how many country pavilions / exhibitors do we have at the event? What do you think are the key attractions for overseas companies & visitors to participate / visit at ACMA Automechanika?
Vinnie Mehta: We have 4 country pavilions: China, Taiwan, Thailand and Korea and a total of 500+ exhibitors. ACMA Automechanika is India’s leading platform for Indian and international players to tap the trade and collaboration opportunities and serves as a hub for cross-border collaborations, making it a must-attend for international participants seeking to expand their presence in the dynamic automotive landscape.
At ACMA Automechanika New Delhi, we are proud to host a diverse array of country pavilions and exhibitors from around the globe, showcasing the event’s international significance. It reflects the event’s stature as a global platform for the automotive aftermarket industry. Overseas companies and visitors are drawn to ACMA Automechanika New Delhi for its unparalleled opportunities to engage with a vast and dynamic market, strike international partnerships, and gain insights into India’s burgeoning automotive sector.
Raj Manek: Key attractions include access to a wide spectrum of innovative products, technologies, and services, networking with industry leaders and innovators, and participating in forums that facilitate the knowledge exchange. The international perspective offered at the event creates a unique environment for collaboration, making ACMA Automechanika New Delhi a must-attend for those seeking to expand their global automotive footprint.
How does the future roadmap for the event look like? Where do you see opportunities for growth and expansion and considering the potential of the Indian market, (by when) do you see the event growing in size and importance to match the likes of Automechanika Shanghai or even the mother show at Frankfurt?
Vinnie Mehta: We foresee a promising future for our event as it continues to solidify its status as a cornerstone in the global automotive aftermarket landscape. The dynamic growth of India’s GDP, particularly in the automotive and auto component sector, presents a wealth of opportunities for expansion. Building on the success of the current edition, we envision a strategic roadmap that involves continuous enhancement of exhibitor diversity, innovation showcases, and international collaborations.
Raj Manek: The goal is to elevate ACMA Automechanika New Delhi to the scale and importance of renowned events like Automechanika Shanghai or Frankfurt, aligning with the rapid growth of the Indian market. We anticipate that, in the coming years, our event will not only match but exceed expectations, becoming a key driver for industry convergence and a beacon for the global automotive aftermarket community with ACMA Automechanika New Delhi India.
The growth of the exhibition in size and internationalisation is off course our aim, but this will go hand in hand with the development of each segment within the aftermarket sector. The exhibition platform should only mirror what is happening in the market, and all signs at present point to a very bright future for this segment in India and therefore, a steady growth for the exhibition in the coming years to start getting closer to the size of other major Automechanika’s around the globe.