2018 AAPEX Post-Show Report
2018/12/24 | By CENSThe 2018 edition of Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) kicked off from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1 at Sands Expo Center; a total of 6,269 exhibitors came from 43 countries/regions, a 4% growth compared to last year's figures, using up over 5,000 booths. Organizers estimate that over 162,000 professional buyers from approximately 135 countries visited the largest show of its kind in the North American region, marking a 7% increase compared to last year.
This year's buyers came from a multitude of backgrounds, including auto parts retailers, wholesalers, auto services, auto dealers, engine makers, fleet owners, body painters and after sales.
AAPEX is the largest and most professional automotive aftermarket (AM) parts show in the North American region, showcasing AM parts, engine parts, transmissions, brakes, suspension parts, paints, body parts, chemicals and lubricant oil, air and heat conditioning, green energy and environmentally-friendly products, repairing parts and equipment, auto-use software and services.
What's Up on the Market
As commercial vehicles remain the everyday persons' main transportation means, global vehicle numbers are now up to 1.2 billion units. Seeing such a vast consumer market, global automotive AM industry brands have also invested US$740 billion into tapping the market.
AAPEX serves to be the North American region's largest and benchmark auto show – just in the U.S. AM market alone, there are over 500,000 companies expanding across the country, including manufacturers, dealers, repairing workshops, marketing and retailers of all sizes. This is a huge network of companies capable of bringing forth quality parts, products, services, repairing services to the 278.60 million vehicles on the road.
In anticipation of the rise of new emerging technology and environmental awareness, most automotive brands are moving towards and offering electrified vehicles, those operating on alternative energy, or autonomous vehicles. An increasingly smart society and popularized smart cars are inevitable trends: experts believe by 2020, there will be 250 million connected vehicles on the road and produce valued US$14.5 billion-worth of data.
Under the current global climate and overall industry situation, Taiwanese exhibitors have eyed AAPEX as critical pivoting point to strengthen relations with clients for 2019.
Exhibiting Taiwanese companies were mostly congregated in Hall 1 and Hall 2 with other national pavilions and were also able to attract a more diverse crowd of buyers, while other companies were scattered in other halls. Taiwanese exhibitors have expressed that the client makeup this year mostly came from Central Asia, China, Russia, Middle East India, Mongolia and the U.S. Notably were the Chinese companies with sourcing departments and teams based in the U.S., who told CENS.com that they were at AAPEX to look for suitable suppliers.
Taiwanese exhibitors also reported that many of the clients who approached them were mainly looking for water tank cooling systems, collision parts, auto lights, body parts, suspension systems, brakes and other auto parts. Also, rubber and plastic parts were popular inquiries as well.
Even under the current trade tensions and global economic situation, long-time AAPEX exhibitor King Shing Industrial Co. Ltd., situated in Hall 1, said their experience and time at AAPEX usually bore good results. As a manufacturer, King Shing is capable of offering a full catalogue of products, ranging from air/heat conditioning, fans and exhaust fans. All of their products are export-ready, mainly to the U.S., Europe, South America, Australia and Middle East. With their clients based all over the world; King Shing finds their time at AAPEX the perfect opportunity to catch up on the latest and future trends.
EDN and CENS.com: Looking out for Taiwan's Interests
At this year's edition of AAPEX, Economic Daily News (CENS.com) had a booth on site the show grounds at No. 8216, offering Taiwanese companies and exhibitors a place to rest and network, as well as assist global buyers at getting the latest news about Taiwan's industry. Buyers can also procure trade magazines published by CENS.com, including Taiwan Transportation Equipment Guide (TTG), Handtools, Taiwan Industrial Suppliers (TIS) and CENS.com's special report on AAPEX, which promotes Taiwanese exhibitors through in-depth reporting, allowing global buyers become acquainted with the best that Taiwan has to offer.
2018 AAPEX saw CENS.com servicing approximately 250 international buyers, with the majority coming from North America at around 60% and around 23.53% hailing from Central and South America. CENS.com offers a comprehensive look at the kind of buyers visiting AAPEX this year:
North America: 59.66%
Central and South America: 23.53%
China/Hong Kong/Macau: 5.04%
Importers:28.47%
Retailers:18.64%
Trade Companies:12.54%
Bus/Trucks and other Heavyweight Vehicle Parts: 11.3%
Tools: 9.6%
Performance Car Parts: 20%
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