The return of Automechanika Buenos Aires: a true reunion party for the sector

With its return to face-to-face meetings, the corridors of Automechanika Buenos Aires 2022 burst with business, news and reunions with colleagues and clients. More than 700 national and international brands exhibited their products, with the participation of top-level international companies from Turkey, Thailand, India, Japan, Italy, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Brazil, Chile, the United States and Egypt. In addition, the trade fair featured distinguished international pavilions from Germany, Brazil and Turkey.

The meeting – jointly organized by Messe Frankfurt Argentina and the Association of Argentine Components Manufacturers (AFAC) – generated great enthusiasm and showcased the sector's positive situation, reflecting a favorable projection for the industry's development.

“This edition exceeded our expectations,” said the exhibition's Project Manager, Mr. Fabián Natalini. “After four years and with a pandemic in between, the spare parts sector was eager to meet, establish face-to-face relationships and leave aside virtual meetings. This type of business event allows you to interact with colleagues, generate new contacts, do business, find out about the latest developments in the sector and update your professional knowledge. They are the perfect setting to demonstrate the potential of the entire automotive value chain, with both supply and demand gathered in one place.”

For his part, AFAC President Mr. Raúl Amil highlighted that: “After a brief interruption, we are very happy to meet again at Automechanika Buenos Aires, which since 2000 has consolidated its role within the automotive value chain. Around 400 companies make up the Argentine spare parts sector, and of those, about 260 were present at the exhibition, with the full commitment, time, investment and technology that an event like this requires.”

Among the more than 22,000 visitors were entrepreneurs, professionals and workshop foremen from more than 30 countries, who toured the exhibition and attended the different activities available.

AFAC offered the "Transformation of production and human capital in the face of technological change" seminar, discussing several topics concerning the industry's future and culminating with a lunch where the sector's foremost authorities were present. Meanwhile, the Argentine Federation of the Automotive and Related Repair Shops Association (FAATRA) offered talks and competitions at its booth. In addition, the classic exhibitors' conferences presented the latest trends and developments.

The 7th International Matchmaking Program of Spare Parts Buyers also took place – organized by Messe Frankfurt Argentina and the Investment and International Trade Agency of Argentina – where, through more than 110 meetings, national companies presented their goods and services to foreign buyers from Brazil, Paraguay, Ecuador, Chile, Mexico and El Salvador.

In addition, the 4th Spare Parts Localizations Round was carried out, organized by AFAC together with the Association of Automotive Makers (ADEFA), in which leading terminals met with auto parts manufacturers to achieve greater local integration and import substitution.

This year, Automechanika Buenos Aires 2022 presented novelties such as the participation, for the first time, of the competition sector, which had an exclusive area for 12 exhibiting companies belonging to the Chamber of Autoparts Manufacturers for Competition Cars (CAFAEC).

Another of this edition's notable additions was the "Future Professionals at Automechanika Buenos Aires'' initiative, a program that allowed 200 students from technical high schools from CABA to visit Automechanika Buenos Aires, with special activities for them, which was jointly organized by Messe Frankfurt Argentina and the Ministry of Education of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. Additionally, fourteen educational entities from all over the country also toured the venue during the exhibition.

Also during the event, the meeting of the Mercosur Autoparts Council (Mercoparts) was held, attended by the highest authorities of the regional spare parts entities. The Council is composed by AFAC from Argentina, the Paraguayan Chamber of Auto and Motorcycle Parts Manufacturers (CAPAFAM), the Chamber of Automotive Component Manufacturers – Uruguay (CFCA), and the National Union of the Automotive Vehicle Components Industry – Brazil (SINDIPEÇAS).

Another attraction to highlight was the EQ Project, a weekly reality show broadcasted by Canal de La Ciudad. A group of professionals restored a 1929 Ford Hot Rod, which is being built in the show's current season.

Although the face-to-face meeting ended, Automechanika Buenos Aires continues to expand in its digital format: the interactive catalog of Exhibitors & Products will remain active and permanently updated, connecting the entire automotive and spare parts industry.

All visiting mechanics who registered online will participate in the raffle organized by Messe Frankfurt Argentina and FAATRA, where the following prizes will be distributed: four Niwa high-recovery compressors (2.5HP x 100L), four Niwa 5-piece compressor kits, one Niwa MULTI-MIG-180EX welder, one Metabo BS 175 double-combined grinder, and three Navigator NANO multi-brand car scanners from TEXA. The winners will be announced on the Automechanika Buenos Aires networks on October 24 and 31, and November 7.

Visiting the exhibition is an enriching experience for all industry members. This is how the exhibitors experienced it: