The automotive component-supplying industry takes an optimistic view of the future. The success of this year’s Automechanika in Frankfurt am Main is certainly one indication: attendance at this leading international show of the automotive business from 12 to 17 September topped 165,000, breaking the record set in 2004. And there were more top-level decision-makers than ever among the visitors. 4,658 exhibitors from 72 countries displayed new products and innovations on about 300,000 square meters of floor space.

In Germany the Automechanika continues to be regarded as the most important trade fair for service and repair shops. This sector accounted for more than a third of the fairgoers. 96 percent of the attendees were satisfied with what they were offered – and on the whole consider the business outlook for the industry to be very good. Just about 90 percent make out a good to satisfactory trend, and with that find themselves in agreement with the assessments of the international decision-makers, for the first time in a long time. The exhibitors even top their very positive statements of two years ago: around 90 percent of all manufacturers, too, see the current business trend in their sector as good to satisfactory (2004: 80 percent). Especially the German companies are hopeful: more than 90 percent think the economic trend is good to satisfactory (2004: 82 percent), while 88 percent of foreign manufacturers think the same way (2004: 79 percent).

ATE: exhibition stand geared to the brand centennial

ATE at Automechanika 2006

The ATE Catering Bar

Landmarks of history and the latest technologies in the shop section of the exhibition stand.

As in earlier years, ATE’s presentation at the show drew crowds and provided a forum for numerous business and technical discussions and for making personal contact. A further focus of interest was the ATE brand centennial: for 100 years, consistent innovation and new products have made the company a fixture in the market for brake equipment, ensuring safe motoring worldwide. As of this year, ATE also is represented in North America.