Auto shows calling off divorce ( 2003-12-26 01:35) (China Daily)
The two competing international auto shows set for next year in Beijing will
merge into one, their organizers have said.
The deal to collaborate on a single show -- named Auto China 2004 -- calls
for the event to take place from June 6 to 16.
The Automotive Industry Sub-Council under the China Council for the Promotion
of International Trade (CCPIT), China Automotive Engineering Society (CAES),
China National Automotive International Corp (CNAIC) will sponsor the event.
The move comes after the organizers parted company and each announced last
month they would go their own way.
"We had differences on motor show venues and inviting participants. But now
we have a common understanding that co-operation will be much better,'' said
Zhang Xiaoyu, president of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.
"We aim to build the motor show into the biggest and best one in Asia,''
Zhang said.
The auto sub-council, which is under CCPIT in name but is in fact controlled
by the auto association, and CAES, last month said they will organize a motor
show, named "Beijing Motor Show 2004'' from May 18 to 25 next year in the
Beijing Economic Development Zone.
CCPIT and CNAIC planned their motor show, named "Auto China 2004'' from June
6 to 16 next year in the China International Exhibition Centre and Beijing
Agricultural Exhibition Hall.
The divorce made domestic and foreign automakers uneasy, since they could not
easily participate in both of the two motor shows with just four weeks
separating the two.
"The latest development will benefit both parties, vehicle manufacturers and
viewers next year,'' said Zhao Haiming, general manager of CNAIC.
The biennial motor show will feature a total area of 120,000 square metres at
the China International Exhibition Centre and Beijing Agricultural Exhibition
Hall.
