Auto Industry Comes Together to Promote and Sell

Two big events on the 2016 calendar gave players in the automotive industry an opportunity to connect and promote their services. The 2016 International Congress of the Automotive Industry in Mexico (CIIAM) and Expo INA PAACE Automechanika, both held in Mexico City, brought local and global insiders together to promote Mexico as an important automotive hub and underline the importance of OEMs and their suppliers to the industry’s development.

Mazda Mexico was guest of honor at the 14th CIIAM. The event focused on the evolution of the Mexican industry and the challenges the country still faces, especially in transforming Mexico’s image into an R&D center rather than just a manufacturing base. Representatives from the Ministry of Communications and Transportation (SCT) and ProMéxico took the opportunity to highlight opportunities in logistics, manufacturing and exports.

The Congress was an important opportunity for OEMs in the light and heavy vehicle segments to discuss the needs of the industry and their strategies for local sourcing. Car manufacturing forecasts were also on the table. According to Guido Vildozo, Manager of Latin America Light Vehicle Sales Forecasts for IHS Automotive, Mexico will produce 4.8 million units by 2020. Óscar Albin, Executive President of the organizing authority, and  Rogelio Garza Garza, Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce at the Ministry of Economy, ended the Congress with positive remarks about the future of the automotive and auto parts industries in Mexico.

Companies from Germany, Brazil, Argentina, Turkey, South Korea, Taiwan, China and the US filled the Banamex Center for the debut Expo INA PAACE Automechanika. The country’s largest event for the automotive aftermarket provided an opportunity for large auto parts manufacturers and distributors to show their wares to clients in the Mexican market. More than 400 participants from around the world offered their products to more than 10,000 visitors, ranging from purchasing directors for the leading OEMs in Mexico to managers and operators of the country’s service shops.