A large number of suppliers are staying away from the Frankfurt motor show (International Automobil-Ausstelling – IAA) in September this year.
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According to Automotive News Europe (ANE), well-known suppliers such as Hella, Magna, Beru and Recaro are not attending this year because of the high cost of exhibiting. According to the newspaper, suppliers are also starting to focus more on exhibiting at in-house shows at vehicle manufacturers than at general public shows.
A Beru spokesperson told ANE that there is no compelling cost-benefit relationship from exhibiting any more.
“For us we are only interested in the first four days of the show when we can meet business contacts and the media,” said head of marketing Hans-Peter Vater. Vater added that fewer purchasing executives now attend the show. “The days when vehicle manufacturers brought their employees to the show by bus are over.” On public days the halls that do not contain new cars are practically empty.
Magna reportedly said it would consider returning to the IAA in the future. Hella and Recaro said they were more interested in exhibiting directly at OEM-led events.
The German motor industry trade association, the Verband der Automobilindustrie (VDA) that helps organise the IAA does not see any reason to panic. “We don’t see a general trend of suppliers turning their backs on the IAA,” a spokesman said.
Large suppliers are expected to pay around EUR1m to equip a stand. Travel and accommodation costs are additional.
