Since China’s entry into WTO in year 2001, China’s automotive industry has gains it strength and competitiveness. In the first three year, the automotive industry gain tremendous growth followed by two years of market adjustment and thus slowly narrowing down the gap with the world market.

Statistic shows that China is currently the world’s third largest automobile manufacturer and the second largest car consumer market. In 2006, the production volume in China is expected to hit 6.8 million units with passenger vehicles achieving 3 million units. By the end of 2006, it is expected that there are 35 million vehicles on the road with 18 million of it are private vehicles. Out of the total estimated quantity, 60% of the vehicles are 4 years old and below. It is expected that by year 2020, the demand for automobile in China will reach 20 million surpassing the US market to become the biggest auto market in the world.

In the last few years, the China Automobile Industrial policy has been continuously progressing with reforms and adjustment in line with the rapid growth of the automotive aftermarket industry. The industry on modification has gradually developed to a more focus and specialized direction. According to an incomplete statistic, 65% of private vehicle owners have the desire to modify their vehicles and the trend of personalized vehicle modification has been slowly accepted by consumers. From 2007 onwards, the country’s auto aftermarket industry is expected to experience a rapid growth. It is estimated that by year 2010, China auto aftermarket sales turnover may reach more than 300 billion Yuan and this market is becoming the main contributing factor to the automotive industry with the estimated profit margin of 100 billion Yuan.

From 2001 to 2003, the rapid increase in auto manufacture and sales has contributed to a market growth rate of 30% per annum. This great potential market has attracted many international reputable auto aftermarket brands to China such as the largest car manufacturer, Mercedes Benz, Germany’s well known car modification companies, world renowned brand such as HKS and etc.

The auto aftermarket industry has a huge commercial market in all developed countries and China with its huge car consumer market will have a great potential to develop and become the world leader in the auto aftermarket industry in the near future.

In October 2006, the 1^st Shanghai International Re-fitting Expo was successfully organized and this is the first China Government approved re-fitting auto expo in China. Therefore, regardless of the scale of exhibition, product positioning, type of car exhibits and visitors volume, this expo has given great influential to the auto aftermarket industry.

The Shanghai International Re-fitting Auto Expo was jointly organized by China Auto Brand Centre and Shanghaimart. With the theme Auto, Technology, Creation and Life as well as serving as a platform for networking, cooperation, innovation and development ideas, this expo has attracted many well known players in the auto aftermarket industry in which the organizers has planned to make it a yearly event.