The Seoul Motor Show is a biennial auto show where domestic and foreign auto makers showcase their latest models that are either in production or at the R&D stage as well as new technologies for future models. The Seoul Motor Show dates back to 1995 and it is Korea's only motor show that has won the OICA( Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d' Automobiles) accreditation. This is the Seoul Motor Show 2011's 8th event.The Seoul Motor Show, which was designated by the Ministry of Knowledge and Economy as one of the top global exhibitions, has evolved into a major and well renowned exhibition held in Korea. Furthermore, it seems to be on the right track for joining the ranks of other top motor shows such as the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Paris Motor Show, the Detroit Motor Show and the Tokyo Motor Show.
Evolution, Green Revolution on Wheels, the 2011 Seoul Motor Show
The Seoul Motor Show 2011 is scheduled to be held for 11 days from March 31 to April 10 at KINTEX (Korea International Exhibition Center), Goyang, Gyeonggi-do (visit www.motorshow.or.kr to learn more). Under the theme of "Evolution, Green Revolution on Wheels", passenger cars, commercial vehicles, two-wheeled vehicles, bicycles, auto parts and other related devices will be on display at the exhibition. The 8th Seoul Motor Show will offer visitors a rare opportunity to have a panoramic view of the ongoing trend of the global auto market and new auto technologies.The 8th Seoul Motor Show will be the biggest motor show ever held in Korea; 132 companies (including auto makers and parts suppliers) from a total of eight countries with an expected visitor turnout of one million will take part in it. The 2011 Seoul Motor Show has elicited great interest from participants; above all, most of the participating auto companies asked for an expansion of the exhibition size, but KINTEX was not big enough to meet their demands for greater space. As a result, participating companies were allotted spaces that are 15 percent to 20 percent smaller than they wished.
The Seoul Motor Show 2011 will be an improvement on previous events.
Top-notch luxury cars and fancy sports cars such as Maybach and Porsche will perch on the floor of KINTEX.
In the case of vehicle models, ultra luxury cars and sports cars such as Maybach and Porsche that are rarely seen on the road will grace the Seoul Motor Show 2011 with their presence. In addition, Japan's Subaru, who developed the world's first four-wheel drive passenger car, will enter the Seoul Motor Show 2011 to flaunt its state-of-the-art technologies. As for vehicle parts suppliers, major purveyors such as Hyundai Mobis, Mando and HCC (Halla Climate Control Corp.) will put on display their future-oriented auto parts. In sync with an increasing focus on low-carbon and green growth around the world, an array of eco-friendly, high-efficiency, energy-saving small cars, hybrid vehicles, fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) and electric vehicles (EVs) will be displayed to stoke up public interest in the 'green vehicle' trend.
A variety of peripheral programs are also in the wings to entertain visitors: by lottery, a car and a bicycle will be gratuitously given to visitors each day. To better serve the forecasted 1 million visitors at the Seoul Motor Show 2011, there are a slew of programs in the pipeline such as a Smart Vehicle and Smart Road 2011(Telematics International Seminar), Collegian Self-made Car Contest, Collegian Automobile Design Contests, Best Car of the Show Awards by Journalists, UCC Contests, Car Design Class and Test-driving for Eco-friendly Cars (a new addition to the lineup of the Seoul Motor Show's peripheral programs). What's more, a total of 10 cars will be given to visitors for free by lottery during the 10-day Motor Show. On top of that, a bicycle will also be handed out each day to a lottery winner to make the Seoul Motor Show 2011 juicier and more visitor-friendly. In addition, to make sure visitors' have a pleasant tour of the show, amenities and resting places will be expanded.
The International Auto Industry CEO Forum, which will be attended by major global CEOs and is deemed central to the Seoul Motor Show 2011, is sponsored by the Choson Ilbo (a major newspaper in Korea), which by itself invited four to five CEOs of the world's best auto makers to learn about their management philosophy and changes in the global auto market and to foresee where the global auto industry is headed. Thus, the International Auto Industry CEO Forum is projected to draw a great deal of attention from industry insiders domestically and abroad.
The economic effects of the Seoul Motor Show 2011
Results of a survey which looked into the economic benefits generated from the Seoul Motor Show 2009 greatly underlines the economic impact of the Seoul Motor Show. According to the survey, the Seoul Motor Show 2009's positive effect on auto production was tantamount to KRW 525 billion, of which KRW 210 billion was created in auto production and KRW 315 billion in upstream and downstream industries. Furthermore, the Seoul Motor Show 2009's added value was estimated at KRW 393.7 billion. The organizing committee of the Seoul Motor Show 2011, armed with its accumulated knowhow and ample experience, has been strenuously developing multi-faceted programs to attract more global auto makers, visitors and buyers. The Seoul Motor Show 2013 that will be held after the construction of KINTEX's second exhibition hall is completed, will be held on a floor of 100,000㎡, twice the current floor size. Consequently, the Seoul Motor Show will take a giant stride towards becoming one of the world's top 5 international motor shows in terms of both operational capabilities and exhibition size.
For more information, contact to Huh Wan, Directro General of the Organizing Committee for Seoul Motor Show (wanhuh@kama.or.kr)
