(openPR) - In agreement with the industry, Messe Frankfurt has decided to bring forward the coming Automechanika Frankfurt 2012 by one week. This means the world’s leading trade fair for the automotive industry will now take place in Frankfurt am Main from 11 to 16 September 2012. The 64th IAA Commercial Vehicles Show, the world’s most important trade fair for mobility, transport and logistics, which is organised by the German Association of the Automotive Industry (Verband der Automobilindustrie – VDA), will be held in from 20 to 27 September 2012.

“By taking this step, we relieve not only the pressure on the fair and exhibition calendar for September 2012 but also comply with a request of the automobile industry”, explains Detlef Braun, Member of the Board of Management of Messe Frankfurt. “Thus, our customers will be able to take part in Automechanika Frankfurt and use the IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in to make presentations and expand their business relationships.”

An overlap between two such important events for the same sector would be of significant harm to both the industry and the German fair and exhibition business. “Therefore, we considered it our duty as organisers of the Automechanika to take the necessary steps. Hence, we conducted open and constructive discussions with the VDA, and sought and found a good solution for both sides”, adds Braun. VDA President Matthias Wissmann emphasises, “This means that visitors interested in the Automechanika and the IAA Commercial Vehicles Show will be able to attend both events. Our member companies welcome this solution, too.”

Klaus Burger, President of the Federal Association of Manufacturers and Importers of Automobile Service Equipment (Bundesverband der Hersteller und Importeure von Automobil-Service Ausrüstungen ASA e.V.) and General Manager of Maha Maschinenbau Haldenwang GmbH & Co. KG, explains, “As ASA President, I am very pleased about this decision. The change of dates is very much in the interests of workshop-equipment suppliers who will now be able to exhibit at both events without difficulty.”

Thomas Fischer, Chairman of the Association of the Independent Parts Market (Verein Freier Ersatzteilemarkt e.V. – VREI), is also in favour of the change. “Given the situation, I consider Messe Frankfurt’s decision to be logical and correct. By making this change, it has shown that it takes the needs of the industry seriously and is a reliable partner.”

Dr. Axel Koblitz, General Manager of the Federation of the German Motor Vehicle Trade (Zentralverband Deutsches Kraftfahrzeug-gewerbe – ZDK) says, “The decision to move the Automechanika dates forward is a good and unbureaucratic step, which I wholeheartedly support. I think that Messe Frankfurt has acted in the interests of the sector as a whole.”

To avoid overlaps in the future, Messe Frankfurt and the VDA have agreed to coordinate future events closely at an early stage.

Messe Frankfurt is Germany’s leading trade fair organiser, with 450* million euros in sales in 2010 and more than 1,770 employees worldwide. The Messe Frankfurt Group has a global network of 28 subsidiaries, five branch offices and 52 international Sales Partners, giving it a presence for its customers in more than 150 countries. Events “made by Messe Frankfurt” take place at more than 30 locations around the globe. In 2010, Messe Frankfurt organised 88 trade fairs, of which more than half took place outside Germany.
Messe Frankfurt’s exhibition grounds, featuring 578,000 square metres, are currently home to ten exhibition halls and an adjacent Congress Center. The company is publicly owned, with the City of Frankfurt holding 60 percent and the State of Hesse 40 percent.
For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com
* preliminary numbers (2010)

Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH
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www.messefrankfurt.com