Where the future automotive ecosystem begins: We participated at Equip Auto
Equip Auto is an event like no other, gathering leading brands & professionals from the automotive aftermarket and vehicle production sectors for five days of networking, learning and invaluable face time. More than 1,100 exhibitors & brands and 95,000 automotive aftersales experts from the EMEA zone came together for the 25thedition from October 15 to 19 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles in the heart of the French capital.
Our Head of Sales Gwenael de Calan took the chance to visit this exciting event for two days and discussed latest trends and developments with leading experts.
Various panel discussions and keynotes were given by top-speakers including Bosch France, Fédération Nationale de l’Automobile, FORD France, ID RECHANGE, LIQUI MOLY, NISSAN and ZF Aftermarket France.
What are the main characteristics of the French automotive aftermarket?
France is a historical automobile industry country. It is the 2nd largest manufacturing industry in Europe and represents 38 million vehicles. Thanks to the ageing car parc, the French automotive aftermarket continues to grow. At the same time, new challenges appear in this dynamic market like connected cars, hybrid vehicles, or diesel decrease. On account of tighter emission standards, increasing e-mobility and digitalization, French Tier-1 and Tier-2 businesses are still lagging behind some international competitors in terms of innovation, but are speeding up to close the gap. Business benefits from government initiatives and funds that support financing innovations and increased R&D.