Do you remember the last Automechanika show? Held way back in the ‘before times’ of 2019 there has been a lot of water passing under the automotive aftermarket’s collective bridges since then.
However the biennial show is back after this long absence, and it promises to be bigger than ever. Indeed, the organiser claims that it has ‘double the amount’ for visitors to see and do compared with the previous edition.
This doesn’t mean that there will literally be twice the number of exhibitors, but the number of training and information events on the fringes of the show has dramatically increased. New events for this year include a Detailing Hub, Collision Repair Live and Paint & Spray Live, providing live demonstrations, as well Modern Garage and EV Training Academy hosted by the IMI.
As well as skills-based sideshows, you can pick up info on the future of the industry in keynote conferences, including one on whether EVs are the right way forward, MOT testing in the future and a conference on skills and talent. Aimed at students, this debate will provide advice on how to train and inspire them to stay in the industry.
The exhibitors themselves will be hosting a variety of demonstrations of their stands. These include ADAS fitment from Bosch, on-stand EV training at Alliance Automotive Group and hands-on demos from Hayes, NGK and many others.
Giveaways
Speaking of stands, there will be a substantial number of show offers and giveaways throughout the event. Notable giveaways include Laser Tools handing out two VIP Passes to the BTCC at Donington Park and £250 worth of tools while visitors to the Bosch stand will be in with a chance of winning a Tassimo coffee machine and Snap-on is apparently giving its Intelligent Diagnostics customers the chance to win a real and working 1923 Ford Model T pick-up!
Coffee, racing or veteran cars not your thing? You can be in with a chance of winning an e-bike on Arnold Clark Autoparts’ stand, Opus IVS will be giving away a DrivePro Elite diagnostics platform with complimentary software subscriptions, while Sagola will be giving away a new special edition spray gun to the person that impresses the most in VR painting competition.
Launches and meetings
There will be a number of product launches as well. Exactly what will be launched at a show often remains under wraps until the event, but we know that big brands including Continental, Meyle, JLM and Osram will have new gear to show off.
Finally, there is perhaps the most important reason for attending, namely face to face meetings. There are hundreds of exhibitors, arranged over three halls meaning that almost everyone in the supply side of the UK aftermarket will be there somewhere. Those that don’t have a stand at the event will almost certainly be visiting, so there is a good chance that (if you are like us) that you’ll be able to doorstop the person that you’ve been trying to get hold of for weeks. Otherwise, there will be plenty of opportunities to talk business, deal with and gossip with contacts old and new.
Automechanika Birmingham takes place from 6-8 June at the NEC. Register for your free ticket here
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