10th October 2011: This time next year, Europe’s leading trade fair for the automotive supplier industry will be opening its doors to visitors for the seventh time for three days focussing on all aspects of the latest innovations in the automotive industry between 10th and 12th October 2012, German and international companies will be showcasing their products and services in the Allerpark in the German city of Wolfsburg. Alongside future-oriented issues in the automotive value creation chain, the specialist trade fair will also focus on the fields of lightweight construction, electromobility and driver assistance systems and infotainment in vehicles. The partner countries Argentina and Brazil will, of course, also take centre stage at the IZB 2012, which, according to the number of registrations submitted, is sure to be a big success. At present, far more than half of the available exhibition space has already been allocated so soon after the start of the official registration procedure.

Argentina and Brazil were selected as the partner countries of the IZB 2012 based on the extremely successful development and the enormous potential of their automotive markets. 2010 was a record year for the Argentinian automotive industry, with domestic sales increasing by 43 percent according to figures compiled by Germany Trade and Invest and the Brazilian automotive manufacturers’ association Anfavea. A further increase in sales of at least 10 percent is expected in 2011. The share of imported vehicles in 2010 was 61 percent and may now fall slightly due to the fact that the Argentinian government has taken measures to limit the surge in imports. German automotive manufacturers are well-positioned in all areas of the Argentinian automotive industry. They mainly provide Argentina with products from their factories in the country itself, as well as with imports from their branches in Brazil.

Automotive sales in Brazil are also continuing to increase, with forecasts currently indicating a sales growth of 3 to 5 percent in 2011. While growth in the passenger car segment is now slowing down, sectors involving light commercial vehicles, vans, buses and motorbikes are developing dynamically. The import of vehicles and automotive parts to Brazil significantly increased in 2010, with Germany continuing to be its second most important supplier country for automotive parts. Sales of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles also increased by around 6 percent in Brazil in 2010. According to data collected by Germany Trade and Invest and the automotive manufacturers’ association Anfavea, this growth of the segment continued in the first three months of 2011 with an increase of 3.6 percent, despite the fact that the financing conditions deteriorated.

The International Suppliers Fair (IZB) started in 2001 as an in-house trade fair run by Volkswagen AG, boasting 128 exhibitors from six nations and 13,500 visitors on an exhibition area of 6,000 square metres. Since 2004, the event has taken place every two years and has achieved continuous growth in all segments. Last year, 48,000 expert visitors from all over the world attended the IZB and visited the stands of 729 exhibitors from 24 different countries. These record figures are in tune with the ever increasing role of the IZB as Europe’s leading trade fair for the automotive supplier industry.

The IZB 2012 will also feature a diverse specialist accompanying programme containing a multitude of different events. Leading industry experts will be present at congresses, conferences and forums dealing with current and topical issues in the international automotive market. As partner countries of next year's IZB, Argentina and Brazil will play a key role in the programme of events.