The 12th Automec, the largest automotive aftermarket fair in Latin America, which takes place from April 7th to 11th, at the Anhembi Exhibition Pavilion, brought together representatives from the automotive sector and other personalities, in the official opening ceremony, which presented, among other topics, the challenges, claims and opportunities of the auto parts segment.
In his optimistic speech, Paulo Butori, president of Sindipeças (National Union of Automotive Components Industry), said that the aftermarket will reinvigorate the strengths of the automotive sector."Today, the fleet has reached 41.5 million vehicles and if we don't buy new cars, we fix what we use," he said. Butori pointed out that the technical inspection of vehicles and emissions and the renewal of the fleet should also be the government's agenda and that exports should move the sector.
“Today, we launched the Car 100% application, where the vehicle is scheduled to be inspected on the cell phone through a questionnaire that assesses the conditions of various items”, he emphasized.
Antonio Fiola, president of Sindirepa Nacional (Union of the Vehicle Repair and Accessories Industry) highlighted the growth of the vehicle fleet, which the category keeps in operation. “The fleet needs to undergo preventive maintenance and with the end of the vehicle inspection, the repair has been corrective”, he said. According to Fiola, numbers prove that the inspection has brought numerous benefits to the environment, to the population's he alth and to mobility in cities. He also mentioned that the replacement sector has been working to regulate the bill that regulates the workshops, which, among other things, requires a person in charge with 400 hours of training in the workshop.
Francisco de La Tôrre, president of Sincopeças-SP (Union of Retail Trade of Vehicle Parts and Accessories of the State of São Paulo), said that the fair took a leap in quality in content, presenting forums, lectures and debates. Vehicle inspection was also a topic in his speech. “It is fundamental and the issue needs to be addressed seriously,” he said. The entity holds the Automotive Recycling Forum at the fair, on April 9.
Renato Giannini, president of Andap/Sicap (National Association of Auto Parts Distributors/Union of Wholesaler, Importer, Exporter and Distributor of Bearings, Accessories and Components for Industry and Vehicles in the State of São Paulo), highlighted the magnitude of the sector and the fair, which has the representation of more than 1.2 thousand brands. “Although the economy is showing signs of weakening, the sector is developing”, he commented.
At the end of the event, Margarete Gandini, representative of the MDIC (Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade), said that it is time to think about the future and about medium and long-term actions and for this reason, she called a meeting to discussion of a joint agenda to ensure the growth and strengthening of the sector.“Together we will find solutions for the development of the sector and the Country”, he concluded.
The fair, which expects to receive 70,000 visitors on its 78,000 m², is supported by Sindipeças and co-supported by Andap/Sicap, Sindirepa-SP and Sincopeças-SP.
