SMMT has been out in Germany for the massive Automechanika Frankfurt show this week, the first time the event has been held in four years due to pandemic disruptions.
Spanning many halls and multiple levels over a vast area, the show is a notorious source of blisters and bratwurst along with unbeatable opportunities to meet colleagues, old and new, from across Europe and beyond.
The focus is on aftermarket service, repair and accessories for vehicles of every size and shape, from electric scooters to mining equipment and everything in between.
The show catalogue is 900 pages thick and, if you wanted to travel every walkway of every hall, you would need days to do so, preferably on one of those scooters.
SMMT organised a UK Pavilion of members and non-members for many years, and 2022 is no different, with thanks to sponsor Santander UK Corporate and Commercial.
There are more than 100 more British companies across the various halls flying the flag of aftermarket in the UK, a sector worth nearly £13 billion to the economy and supporting more than 350,000 jobs.
This sector is as old as motorised transport itself and, like vehicle manufacturers, is taking steps on the journey to decarbonisation, training people and investing to make sure it keeps pace with rapidly developing technology, while continuing to ensure ICE vehicles run as safely and efficiently as possible.
Change is often faster in the commercial vehicle and bus sector than in the car world, and this sophistication and efficiency can bring financial benefits to operators and users, as well as comfort and convenience.
The aftermarket sector has come a long way in the last four years, thanks to the dedication and hard work of the sector. While there is still a huge amount to do, it is a cause of optimism for the decades ahead.
