Automobile and bike markets to hit top gear

Addressing the four-day trade show’s opening ceremony May 30, deputy minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Cam Tu said: “Although Vietnam’s automobile and motorcycle markets and supporting industries are in a difficult period now, I still strongly believe that in a near future, Vietnam will be one of the attractive markets for automakers, motorcycle manufacturers and supporting industries.”

“Our mission is to prepare for the needs of the market, and this exhibition is one such preparation.”

The show, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 7, saw almost 250 Vietnamese and foreign exhibitors and about 400 booths, a 40 per cent rise compared to last year in the number of booths.

The event has almost 300 categories of products displayed and offered for sale, with a majority being accessories, repair items, testing and maintenance products, car’s interior items, tuning products, lubricants, additives products, petroleum equipment and green fuels.

Tao Linh, president of Asia Trade Fair and Business Promotion Co - the show organiser, said: “The event is seeking to become an interactive playground between companies and consumers and also to be an effective marketing channel for businesses, especially in supporting industries.”

The event includes networking activities, tours to manufacturers in Vietnam for foreign companies who are looking for business opportunities.

Vietnamese major automaker VEAM, an exhibitor at the show, would in the third quarter this year launch new versions of light trucks, said VEAM president Tran Ngoc Ha. He added his company was also seeking auto part suppliers. 

One of the famous car brands present at the show is Subaru. Meanwhile, the motorcycles displayed include Harley Davidson, Rebel and Ducati.