FRANKFURT: Malaysia's auto-parts industry has improved over the years and is the best-developed in South-East Asia, according to Messe Frankfurt vice-president Michael Johannes.
Messe Frankfurt is the organiser of the world's largest auto-parts and after-market trade fair, Automechanika. The event is held biennially and is now into its 25th year.
Johannes said the Automechanika Kuala Lumpur Trade Fair — the Malaysian edition of Automechanika to be held in March 21-23, 2019 — is the gateway to the Asean region for Messe Frankfurt
“Automechanika Kuala Lumpur may be a smaller show, but of high quality, and deals with topics which are future-oriented. “We also organise seminars, programmes about various projects of the industry during the event and provide the latest data and information about developments taking place within it,” he said when met at the Frankfurt edition of Automechanika.
The last edition of Automechanika Kuala Lumpur — also a biennial event — saw 246 companies from 18 countries and regions showcasing their products before some 5,650 visitors from 71 countries.
The 2019 event will be held under the theme, “Sourcing, Training, Entertainment”.
Messe Frankfurt also organises a Vietnamese edition called Automechanika Ho Chin Minh City. This year's event was held in April.
Johannes said Asia especially China will continue to be the growth centre in driving innovations and developments taking place in the industry.
“China's now places great emphasis on environmental protection and reducing the level of pollution, ” he said.
He pointed out that two major technical developments would have a long-term impact on the automobile industry and in turn, also the auto-parts sector.
“There is great emphasis on clean vehicles and digitalisation. There will be business opportunities in the new business models. Indeed, digitalisation will generate the biggest growth.
