An enterprise representative in charge of market operation said, “At present, there are many auto parts exhibitions in China. Yet among these, few are with scale and of quality, not to mention targeting at the overseas markets. Now many enterprises choose to go directly to the export destination country to participate in exhibitions as well as to exploit the market. However, these exhibitions are only restricted to one market. Therefore, a comprehensive platform facing the world is urged by auto parts enterprises”. This representative spoke out the true feeling of Chinese exhibitors.

For quite a long time, the Chinese auto parts enterprises were confronted with many problems. For example, when participating in overseas exhibitions, they have to pay high prices but end in getting remote booth locations. Moreover, the visas can not be guaranteed. Auto parts enterprises only play a supporting role in Auto China and Auto Shanghai. Some specialized auto parts exhibitions and fairs are confined to the domestic market with few international buyers. The over-promotion and lack of characteristics usually puzzle the Chinese enterprises. All of the above situations are dissymmetry with China's status as the 4th largest economy, the 3rd largest auto maker, the 2nd largest auto consumer, and the largest potential market in the world. Therefore, China needs an international platform for the development of domestic auto parts and aftermarket enterprises.

“The platform for the development of China's auto parts should be created by our Chinese”. The mainstream media’s appeal gets to the point. 

The Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) of China held the first China International Auto Parts Expo (CIAPE) in Beijing from November 29 to December 1, 2007. 1049 exhibitors from 27 countries and regions have displayed their latest products, innovative workmanship, and brand images in an area of 50,000 square meters, attracting more than 40,000 trade visitors from 97 countries and regions.

It is reported by China Automotive News that China International Auto Parts Expo is the very platform. The expo cannot help every exhibitor to enter the purchasing system of multinational enterprises, but it provides auto parts enterprises with convenient means to meet with premier purchasers in the world. More importantly, CIAPE promotes the overall image of China's auto parts to the world.

CIAPE is internationalized, professionalized, and market-oriented in organizing structure and operation mode from the very beginning. Oriented to the global OE market and aftermarket, it aims to promote communication and cooperation in the international automotive industries, improve the independent innovation capabilities of automobile and auto parts enterprises, and to upgrade their international competitiveness. It serves as a platform for showcasing, trade and cooperation for the global auto parts and aftermarket industries.

Held by the Chinese government, CIAPE will promote China's auto parts industry to participate in global competition and cooperation. It will deepen the global division of labor and optimize the auto supply chains, and will play an active role in the development of the world’s auto industry.

High-level cooperation --- cooperate with famous international associations and exhibitions

The success of CIAPE 2007 attracted wide attention from both China and abroad.

Mr. Mario Fiems, Exhibitions Director of COMEXPOSIUM, and representatives of Promosalons China paid a visit to the Organizing Committee of CIAPE on 20th June, 2008. This is the forth meeting between both sides.

Mr. Fiems said that last year they had people visit CIAPE and brought back their evaluation report which gave very high opinion about CIAPE. Now the new COMEXPOSIUM, as the organizer of EQUIP AUTO in France, will launch the strategic cooperation with CIPAE in an all-round way. Both sides have reached agreements in that they will promote the strategic cooperation in a comprehensive, extensive and multi-level direction.

On 26th June, 2008, the delegation of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE International) including Mr. Tom Ryan (2008 SAE President) and Mr. David L. Schutt (Executive Vice President) paid a visit to MOFCOM. Mr. Chen Jian, Vice Minister of MOFCOM, and Mr. Zhang Ji, Deputy Director General of Department of Mechanic, Electronic and Hi-Tech Industry met with these American guests.

Mr. Tom Ryan expressed his high appreciation to the Chinese government in providing support for SAE International. According to him, SAE International is committed to assisting China's automotive companies in technology development. SAE gives strong support to CIAPE and will co-organize a high-leveled professional technology forum with the Organizing Committee on CIAPE. According to the agreement between both sides, main contents of the forum will include the engine technology and the top 30 automotive technologies and innovations that will appear on prototype and production vehicles by 2015. Specialists from AVL  Corporation, FEV and Roland Berger Strategy Consultants will deliver speeches and answer questions from the audiences.  

On 8th July, 2008, Mr. Jiang Yaoping, Vice Minister of MOFCOM, had a meeting with the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) delegation including Mrs. Kathleen Schmatz (AAIA President & CEO) and Mr. Jerry O’Pry ( AAIA Chairman) and so on. After the meeting, Mr. Jiang hosted the official signing ceremony of partnership agreement between CIAPE and AAIA.

Mrs. Kathleen Schmatz said, “At present, the Chinese aftermarket is maintaining rapid development thanks to China's policy of opening to the outside world. AAIA and its members are attaching great importance to the Chinese market and are proud to launch cooperation with CIAPE. The U.S. aftermarket technology, brands, products and delivery system are second to none in the world. We have been very careful in choosing a partner in China, and are looking forward to establishing long-term cooperation with CIAPE for our long-term and stable development in China.” AAIA will organize its member companies to participate in CIAPE this year. In addition, AAIA will present a symposium at CIAPE on the U.S. aftermarket and AAIA will hold a one-to-one business meeting which will match prominent Chinese companies with leading AAIA manufacturer and supplier members to discuss business ventures in China.

On 23rd, July, 2008, Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) has reached cooperation agreement with CIAPE delegation in its headquarter, with the presence of the Commercial Counselor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in U.S.A.

On 9th August, 2008, the Commercial Counselor of the Consulate General of The People’s Republic of China in Los Angles together with CIAPE delegation paid a visit to the headquarter of Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA). SEMA management had a thorough discussion on the strategic cooperation with CIAPE. The board of SEMA admires the great efforts made by CIAPE in promoting the cooperation in the area of specialty equipment between China and America. Both sides hold that the development of auto conversion industry answers to not only the requirement of social and economic growth but also the trend emphasizing individuality in automobile consumption. The industry is in accordance with the diversified development of automotive industry and thus has a huge market full of potentials. SEMA management expressed that in CIAPE 2008 SEMA will bring not only all kinds of specialty equipment and accessories but also a wonderful auto salon to the Chinese market and audiences.

Up to now, CIAPE has already established cooperative relationships with the organizers of EQUIP AUTO, APPEX and SEMA SHOW for the strategic development of the international auto parts and aftermarket exhibitions.

With the entry of the 7 professional associations including AAIA, MEMA, SEMA, Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA), the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), SAE and Automotive Parts Manufactures Association (APMA), CIAPE now has 24 international cooperative associations and it still enlarging its global cooperative network.

The work of inviting business moves smoothly

CIAPE 2008 will be held from November 12 to 15, 2008 in China Internatioanal Exhibition Center (New Venue) covering an area of 80,000 square meters. The exhibits range covers auto parts, repair and maintenance products, tuning cars, specialty equipment and services as well as aid-foreign passenger cars and commercial vehicles of Chinese domestic brands.

The exhibitors include such famous enterprises as Bosch, Denso, Delphi, Visteon Auto Air-conditioning, Yanfeng Visteon Automobile Trim System, Johnson Controls Automotive Components, Lear, Tenneco Ride Control System, BorgWarner Transfer Systems, Asimco Oil Pump and Nozzle, ZF Steering, United Automotive Electronic Systems, Sanden Behr Automotive Air Conditioning, TRW Automotive Safety Systems, GKN Drive Shaft, Aichi Forging, Hitach, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation, FAW Group, Dongfeng, Beijing Automotive Industry Holding, Beijing Hainachuan Automotive Parts, Chery, Beijing Gear Works, China National Heavy Duty Truck Group, Wanxiang Group, Yuchai Group, Qingte Group, Wanfeng Auto, Zhejing Luo’s Enterprises, and so on. In addition, the exhibitors also include auto parts companies of scale from the 12 automobile industrial bases in Changchun, Tianjin, Shanghai, Chongqing, Wuhan, Wuhu, Taizhou, Xiamen, Guangzhou, Hefei, Baoding, Liuzhou and automotive industry chain areas in 27 provinces and cities.

Recognition of CIAPE among overseas exhibitors has been greatly improved compared with last year, and exhibitors from many countries and regions such as U.S, Germany, UK, Canada, Korea, India, Iran, Turkey, Brazil, Hong Kong and Taiwan will participate in CIAPE 2008. Some international famous brands of quality, standards, testing and training will also display themselves in CIAPE 2008 as service providers.

Organizing trade visitors in an all-round way

The Organizing Committee has greatly enhanced promotion of CIAPE around the world and held promotion activities in more than 10 countries and exhibitions this year. The list includes Hanover, Stuttgart of Germany, Washington, Detroit of USA, London of England, Tokyo of Japan, Seoul of Korea, New Delhi of India, Hong Kong of China, Kiev of Ukraine, Brno of Czech, Dubai of UAE, Toronto of Canada, and Mexico City of Mexico. Meanwhile, more than 150 Chinese embassies and over 70 cooperative organizations around the world are actively assisting in promoting CIAPE worldwide.

Electro-mechanic Office of 27 provinces and cities, 12 national automobile and auto parts export bases and 15 domestic associations and agencies have all participated in the promotion activities.

The key to ensuring the quality of an exhibition lies in the synchronous increase of both exhibitors and trade buyers. The service of the Organizing Committee focuses on helping exhibitors and buyers make substantial achievements, and substantial breakthrough has been achieved.

The 24 international associations cooperating with CIAPE will organize professional buyers to purchase at the exhibition. Among these, 15 professional purchasing delegations form US, Turkey, Germany, England, Canada, Korea, Pakistan, Vietnam, Brazil, Russia, and India etc. will purchase on-site. Both www. Gasgoo.com and Auto1688.com will organize about 80 purchasers from North America and Europe to hold match-making meetings during CIAPE 2008. In addition, regional level match-making meetings will also be held by Taizhou, Xiamen and Ningbo. By then,  many international buyers from Toyota, General Motor, Ford, Chrysler, Volkswagen, Fiat, PSA Peugeot Citroen, Renault, Volvo, Paccar, Takata, Naveco, Kia, Iran Khodro, Tatamotors, Alexander Dennis, Bosch, Denso, Delphi, Magna, Visteon, Valeo, Faurecia, BorgWarner, Continental, Mahle, TRW, Lear, Honeywell, Georg Fischer, ThyssenKrupp, ZF, Behr, Tenneco, Eissmann, Dana, Buben, Bosal International, Autobacs, Suspa, Hella, Haldex, Brose, Aunde Isri, Mapco, Ficosa and Sogefi, Vibracoustic, Spain MMM, Canada CTC, UAP, Rieter, Mitsuba, etc. will attend the exhibition and meetings.

The on-line visitor pre-registration is processing smoothly. The latest updated information of CIAPE 2008 is delivered through e-newsletter to exhibitors and potential visitors by e-mail shots. The cooperation with HC360.com and auto parts malls influences directly over 100 specialized auto parts production and distribution areas. CIAPE gets face to face promulgation; and auto parts agents and service providers get better understanding about CIAPE. FM 103.9 and HC360.com will broadcast alive on-site at CIAPE. Beijing Youth Daily, Auto Fans and www.xcar.com.cn will organize club activities. The world famous auto salon of SEMA will come to China for the first time. It includes such elements like custom vehicles, manufacturer interviews, product giveaways and other automotive lifestyle promotions, and will compete with China's domestic tuning cars. This will catch the eyes of visitors worldwide, and bring great influences on individualized consumption idea of the Chinese market, together with the area of production, circulation, and management.

Accompanying activities to better serve the OE market and aftermarket

The authoritative and instructive accompanying activities are another characteristic which distinguishes CIAPE from other similar domestic exhibitions. Under the theme of “communication, cooperation, development and mutual benefit”, CIAPE 2008 have planned 6 forums and several special activities for specific countries.

In CIAPE Beijing Summit Forum held at the Great Hall of the People, Chinese governmental officials, CEOs from multinational automobile and auto parts enterprises and leaders of famous international automotive associations will share their managerial experiences with managers, researchers, media and industrial professionals.

At CIAPE Beijing Technology Forum, experts invited by SAE International will reveal the new technologies and development trend of power technology in future automotive industry to widen horizon of managers, engineers, technicians, scholars and R&D personnel in automobile and auto parts companies.

In the accompanying forums such as CIAPE Beijing International Sourcing Forum, Chrysler Purchasing Special Session, AAIA promotional and match-making meeting, and BME match-making meeting, lectures will be delivered on purchase rules and case study in automobile enterprises from U.S. Germany, Japan, Korea and China. This will meet with the multi-level requirements of auto parts production and circulation enterprises.

In addition, the 12 automobile and auto parts export bases and China Automotive Technology  and  Research Center have planned a program to introduce market access regulations of the key auto export markets. It will invite authoritative experts from 10 countries whose export of whole vehicles ranges top 10 to give speeches and will bring virtual help to the export  of China's domestic automobile manufacturers.

Seminar on inviting outside investment organized by the auto stadt in Michigan is greatly supported by Commercial Service of Embassy of the United States of America and Ministry of Commerce of China. It will provide Chinese automobile and auto parts industry with a unique opportunity to enter into the American market of service, logistics, research, and manufacturing.

In addition, economic and trade seminar and match-making meeting on auto parts industry held by many regions and countries such as Asia, Latin America, Europe, Oceania, England, Canada, Turkey, and Commonwealth of Independent States, etc, will meet requirements of enterprises and provide them with chances to choose the international market in a comprehensive way.

Substantial achievements in cooperation with media

At present, CIAPE 2008 has over 40 cooperative media. COMEXPOSIUM Groups (France), AAIA (America), SAE and SEMA are promoting overseas professional media to publicize CIAPE, which enables international exhibitors and professional buyers to know more about CIAPE. Plane media such as China Automotive News, Beijing Youth Daily and Shanghai Automotive News give introduction and follow-up reports about CIAPE and its activities. And the cooperation with many network media such as china.alibaba.com, HC360.com, chinacars.com, made-in-China. com, gasgoo.com, Indiamart of India is very successful, and the number of international visitors to CIAPE has been increased greatly.

CIAPE 2008 will be a developing and successful exhibition.