A total of 2,511 companies, the most ever, exhibited in 5,539 booths at the 2018 Automotive Aftermarket Product Expo Oct. 30-Nov. 1.
Show organizers say the 2018 event drew 48,603 targeted AAPEX buyers. AAPEX is co-owned by the Auto Care Association and the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Assocation, the light vehicle aftermarket division of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association.
A recap of the 2018 AAPEX, provided by show organizers, follows.
- For automotive service professionals, Mobility Garage added new and advanced training programs on electric and alternative fuel vehicles, as well as shop equipment and technology.
- AAPEXedu offered 50-plus sessions and new forums on important topics, including the leading trends and outlook for the industry, retrofitting and servicing advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), new mobility models, and emerging vehicle technologies. A special general session for automotive service professionals tackled a critical issue: building rewarding careers for automotive technicians and ensuring they have the skills to repair vehicles equipped with new technology.
- Within the Technology of Tomorrow section, the Secure Vehicle Interface (SVI) was unveiled, showing attendees a solution that ensures vehicle data interfaces always enable safe, secure and standardized consumer access and control of the data their car generates. A Virtual Vehicle Challenge provided a friendly competition among attendees to test their skills as they journeyed into a virtual garage, selected automotive parts and installed them on a vehicle.
- AAPEX 2018 welcomed two keynote speakers to this year’s event: CNN’s John King and political strategist Karl Rove. The two shared their views on the midterm elections and how tariffs could impact the automotive aftermarket industry.
The event drew 48,603 targeted AAPEX buyers, and 161,938 automotive aftermarket professionals were in Las Vegas during AAPEX and the Specialty Equipment Market Assocation (SEMA) Show.
To see AAPEX 2018 highlights and headlines, visit AAPEX TV and daily broadcasts from Oct. 30 and Oct. 31.
AAPEX 2019 will be held Tuesday, Nov. 5 through Thursday, Nov. 7, at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas, Nev., USA.
For more information, visit www.aapexshow.com or e-mail: [email protected]. On social media, follow AAPEX at #AAPEX19.
