Automechanika Frankfurt Digital Plus kicks off September 14, 2021 with the three-day event taking place as a hybrid event for the first time.

Combining a compact exhibition on the Frankfurt exhibition grounds with an online platform that allows exhibitors and visitors to participate and network digitally. In addition to product innovations, the focus will be on the topics and trends impacting the automotive aftermarket today.

There will also be a three-day programme of events supported by numerous partners and sponsors.

Approx. 50 percent of the 300 companies that have already registered are planning on getting together in Frankfurt in person once again.

There has also been significant international interest: the event is welcoming exhibitors not only from Germany, but also from many countries throughout Europe, as well as from Asia and even Australia. You will find more information on the exhibiting companies and their products in our exhibitor search on the website and in the Automechanika Digital Plus Navigator app, which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store and the Apple Store free of charge.

Olaf Musshoff, Director of Automechanika Frankfurt, explained: “People are very much looking forward to real in-person business encounters with their industry colleagues at Automechanika. At the same time, people’s trust in the digital networking opportunities that we have developed for this very special edition of the trade fair continues to grow. Our digital platform allows everyone to take part in the extensive three-day supporting programme not only here in Frankfurt, but also around the globe.

“This helps to ensure the international reach of our event.” The latest topics and trends are reflected not only in the company’s live presentations, but also in the supporting programme. An array of presentations and panel discussions on topics such as alternative drive systems, electromobility, 3D printing, sustainability and digitalization will be drawing visitors to the stage in Hall 3.0 and the live steam online.

Digitalization in the aftermarket

During the course of the ‘Let’s talk business’ panel discussion on 14 September, representatives from Bosch, AVL DiTest, Carbon and Hunter will be joining with Olaf Mußhoff, Director of Automechanika Frankfurt, to discuss innovative workshop solutions during a time shaped by digitalization and the mobility transition. Where does the automotive aftermarket need to innovate to achieve a sustainable future? Digitalization is a huge issue – what role will it be playing in the workshop sector in future, and how will new mobility solutions be impacting the automotive aftermarket?

Energy4Mobility

If Europe is going to meet its climate targets, it will also have to achieve major reductions in CO2 emissions in the transport sector. Alternative fuels could make a key contribution here. Be it hydrogen, electricity, biofuels or synthetically produced fuels – experts will be discussing which fuels are best for particular modes of transport in the next instalment of the ‘Energy 4 Mobility’ expert talk series entitled ‘Decarbonising modes of transport – challenges and solutions’ on 14 September.

Sustainable and resource-friendly – Remanufacturing Day

Sustainability and the role of the circular economy are in the spotlight at the first Remanufacturing Day on 15 September, which is being organised in cooperation with the Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA). This is where experts address this multifaceted topic and answer questions posed by participants.

Discover3Dprinting

Industrial 3D printing is also making its way into the automotive aftermarket. The process offers tremendous potential for various fields of production, but companies need to determine where they can best integrate this technology into existing production chains in a way that delivers tangible benefits. On 16 September, the ‘Discover3Dprinting’ seminar will offer a comprehensive look at additive manufacturing methods, presenting exciting application examples from various fields in the automotive industry. Participants will also discover the barriers that must be overcome when introducing these technologies and the places these barriers are encountered, as well as the applications for which industrial 3D printing is still not economically feasible.

‘Collision talk’ – the challenges facing the accident repair market today

On 16 September, ‘Collision talk’ will be addressing how body and paintwork shops can meet the challenges of today’s accident repair market. The body and paintwork shops are currently dealing with a number of problems simultaneously: a sharp fall in orders brought about by the pandemic; rapid increases in the cost of materials, wages and workshop equipment; collapsing margins in the spare parts business; and increasing moves by automotive insurers to reduce invoices.

This is the situation that the moderators, Christian Simmert (Editor-in-Chief of schaden.news) and Konrad Wenz (Editor-in-Chief of Fahrzeug + Karosserie) will be discussing with leading industry decision-makers.

Learning from Autodoktoren

This year there will once again be live accident repair demonstrations – moderated by Autodoktoren. Over the course of three days, they will be addressing topics such as car damage assessments following an accident, damage cost calculation and digital communication, professionally trained persons – new DGUV Information 209-093, removing exterior dents, combined joining techniques, windshield repair and replacement, exhaust measurement (PN) for diesel-powered vehicles, digitalisation and paintwork, the calibration of driver assistance systems and headlight beam alignment. Anyone who registers for one of these events in advance will receive a free ticket to visit the trade fair in person and view the live stream online.

The first Automechanika Body & Paint World Championships

More than ten German body and paintwork professionals are competing to reach the finals of the first international Automechanika Body & Paint World Championships at the trade fair.

On 14 September in Frankfurt, a panel of experts will be on site to select Germany’s winner, who will then face off against the national winners from China, England and South Africa. Everyone will also have a chance to vote for their personal favourites online.

There are more presentations, lectures and panel discussions on tap – find out what is on offer at www.automechanika.com/eventkalender.

Live in Frankfurt and online: one ticket covers both

Participants will be able to get together in person in Frankfurt am Main and experience the programme live on the exhibition grounds. A comprehensive protection and hygiene concept ensures that the best possible safety precautions are in place. At the same time, all exhibiting companies will also be presenting their products online, with participants having the opportunity, for example, to make new contacts through digital matchmaking, communicate with one another using live chats and one-to-one video calls, and participate in the events being streamed live. This ensures that networking will also be possible for the trade visitors who are unable to travel to Frankfurt due to travel restrictions or other reasons.

To visit the trade fair in person or access the online programme, visitors will require a single-day ticket.

This year these will only be available from the online ticket store. The single-day ticket not only entitles the ticket holder to visit the event in Frankfurt, but also allows them to take advantage of the full Automechanika Frankfurt Digital Plus programme as a live stream on all three days of the event – including the ability to contact exhibitors, find out more about products and network with other industry experts.

For information on the program and to purchase a ticket, visit  www.automechanika.com/eventkalender.