The facelift of the Essen Motor Show is going down well all round. "The stronger orientation back to its roots as the 'International Sports and Racing Car Exhibition' has already shown its first effect this year," Frank Thorwirth, Chairman and CEO of Messe Essen, drew an initial conclusion on Sunday evening towards the end of the Essen Motor Show 2009. "The dialogue with sectoral representatives from all areas is showing that the realignment is being accepted positively." The return to the more distinct emphasis on the fields of tuning, motor sport, sporty series vehicles and classic cars is meeting with noticeable approval: "From the automobile manufacturers too, there are positive signals about using the Essen Motor Show in future as a platform especially for the presentation of their motor sport activities, sporty model series as well as the vehicle models designed for private motor sportsmen and sportswomen."
Position as Europe's Most Important Tuning Show Highlighted
"With approx. 310,000 visitors from over 30 countries who have immersed themselves in the automobile experience landscape of the Essen Motor Show with its unique diversity anywhere in the world, we have achieved an extremely respectable result in spite of the very difficult economic outline conditions and we can be very satisfied with this result in view of the situation," according to the Chairman and CEO of Messe Essen. "We have thus clearly highlighted our position as the most important performance show in the tuning sector in Europe and as Germany's number-one motor sport fair."
Moreover, it was shown once again: The Essen Motor Show has a public which has an extreme affinity for cars and puts automobile individuality and sportiness right at the top of its list of priorities. Almost without exception, the visitors are interested in motor sport as well. Therefore, the fair in 2010
intends to stress the sporty aspect in all the exhibition sections even more distinctly. Thorwirth: "We will further consolidate our character as the leading 'special-interest fair' in this sector."
Spectacular Outdoor Event Planned for the Opening of the Fair in 2010
"An outdoor event is to be the outstanding dramatic start with which we will set a corresponding tone and will open the fair spectacularly next year," according to Egon Galinnis, Managing Director of Messe Essen. "In this case, drivers and vehicles from the different racing series and motor sport epochs will present themselves live in action." There are also plans for a motor sport conference for racing professionals, technicians, team bosses and drivers. Next year, the visitors can once again look forward to the "Motor Sport Arena" indoor course with the hot Drift Shows and the neighbouring Pit Lane with 30 racing series which, within the framework of the numerous "special events", proved to be the hit in the favour of the public and the central meeting place of the racing scene at the end of the year.
Customers from Asia and Overseas Order Enhanced Luxury Vehicles
A good demand was also registered by the suppliers of enhanced complete vehicles. Especially suppliers in the field of the particularly sophisticated first-class tuning were glad about concrete purchasing deals not only with visitors from Europe: For example, customers from the Asian region or overseas also ordered enhanced luxury vehicles at the fair.
Purchasing Palace for Tuning Freaks
The results of the survey of the visitors indicate that the Essen Motor Show is not a pure presentation fair but instead a sales fair as well: Half of the visitors bought or ordered something from the range on offer. The tuning freaks used the opportunity to purchase accessories and tuning parts for their beloved hobby here: wheel rims, spoilers, lowering sets, stylish lamps or entertainment electronics.
Classic Automobiles - Timeless and Crisis-Proof
The classic automobiles at the fair once again proved to be timeless - and crisis-proof. Brisk demand was registered by SIHA, the organiser of the classic car sector. Anton L. Franssen, Managing Director of SIHA: "Oldtimers are very popular. Not least as a lucrative investment provided that you decide in favour of the right models. On both the supply and demand sides, the oldtimers sector at the Essen Motor Show is specialising towards sports cars, convertibles and sporty coupés." A special show with over 20 legendary vehicles of the English racing car forge Lotus has caused a stir this year.
The Next Dates:
The 43rd Essen Motor Show will take place at Messe Essen from November 27 to December 5, 2010.
Exhibitors' Opinions about the Essen Motor Show 2009:
Manfred Sandbichler, Hankook:
"For Hankook, the fair was a success. We were positively surprised by the number of spectators. The 'Tune it! Safe!' campaign which we support was portrayed very well by the media too. We advocate the motor sport concept of the fair. The combination of tuning and motor sport makes the Essen Motor Show interesting for us."
Markus Kirchner, Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.:
"At the Essen Motor Show, we have presented our world innovation, a flexible daytime driving light. The product will only be available as from January and there was great interest at the fair. We also had a very good response to the Hella Show & Shine Award. The five vehicles in the final round were fantastic eye-catchers. The volume of the public at our booth was considerably above the level in the previous year - we are very satisfied with our appearance at the fair."
Sigi Scherm, Motor Sport Arena / Sport Auto:
"The enlarged Motor Sport Arena has aroused enthusiasm. When a car was driving on our racetrack, the hall was full. The driving professionals showed their ability in training sessions, races and test drives. The visitors could also occupy the passenger's seat. These taxi rides were totally booked-up."
Alexander Knesewitsch, Fiat Group Automobiles Germany AG Alfa Romeo:
"Alfa stands for motor sport and technology for any public. Our appearance at the fair focused on the Mito Quadrifolgio Verde which we have presented here. The visitors were very interested in the technology. We had a lot of targeted inquiries and a very positive response."
Prof. h.c. Bodo Buschmann, CEO Brabus; Chairman of the Board of VDAT - Verband der Automobil Tuner ("Association of Automobile Tuners"):
"The Essen Motor Show 2009 has put its foot down hard. We have had very good sales figures this year. Not only to European customers. At our booth, vehicles were also ordered by visitors from China and the USA. I am very satisfied with how the fair has gone.”
“As the Chairman of the Board of VDAT - Verband der Automobil Tuner, I would like to stress: With our VDAT Tuning Salon here in Essen, we have the optimum presentation platform for our enhanced automobiles. Shortly before Christmas, the Essen Motor Show is the high mass of the tuning fans from all over Europe. Therefore, the Essen Motor Show and VDAT have been permanent partners for over 20 years already and will remain so in future as well. Here, faithful fans are celebrating their automobile passion."
Hermann Tomczyk, Sport President of ADAC ("General German Automobile Club"):
"I am particularly pleased that the Essen Motor Show is returning more to its roots and I can only welcome this development. In future too, ADAC will, as the competent and leading representative of the interests in all the questions associated with mobility, nurture the over 20-year-old partnership with the Essen Motor Show in the proven way."
Anton L. Franssen, Managing Director of SIHA GmbH:
"With regard to the classic cars, it was significant that the suppliers offered more extensive and more qualified advisory services. Because the customers would like to receive more comprehensive advice before they buy anything. Moreover, we have established that there are no clear trends towards certain vehicle groups or categories. Vehicles in good condition with appreciation potential are being purchased. However, we are seeing that, from the supply and demand sides, the Essen Motor Show is specialising towards sports cars, convertibles and sporty coupés. The highlights amongst the sold vehicles include a 300 SL roadster which was built in 1961 and fetched Euro 460,000 as well as a Porsche Carrera RS 2.7-litre car from 1973 which was sold for Euro 230,000. Other noteworthy vehicles are an Aston Martin DB 4 convertible from 1962 which went for Euro 385,000 and a Ferrari 275 GTB 4 from 1965 which was sold for Euro 879,000."
Michel Pathe, Project Management for Fairs at Langstreckenmeisterschaft Nürburgring ("Nürburgring Long-Distance Championship"):
"The Motor Sport Arena took place for the second time. For many visitors, it has already become a permanent fixture. The concept is a supporting pillar of the Essen Motor Show. Here, visitors see different vehicles live in action, e.g. Formula 3 cars, rally vehicles and Fun Cup cars this year. We from the Long-Distance Championship were involved with twelve different touring and GT vehicles from the racing series. One highlight was the appearance of the 'Rage' band during which the vehicles drove around the grandstand. A second sensation was provided by live pit stops. The racing drivers all had lots of fun and are already looking forward to the next Essen Motor Show."