Aurélie Jouve (Equip Auto): "We redefine our identity as a salon for professionals with a shared passion"

With just over three months to go until a historic 50th anniversary of Equip Auto, Aurélie Jouve, director of the show, gives us all the details of the event, which will take place from October 14th to 18th at Paris Expo Port de Versailles. Jouve prefaces the interview by noting that "Equip Auto is celebrating its 50th anniversary from October 14th to 18th, under the patronage of the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, which allows us to attract many institutions, not only French but also international, which give great strength to the show and to this edition in particular."

AutoRevista.- What will we see at this edition that promises to be exceptional in Equip Auto's history since 1975?

Aurélie Jouve.- On its 50th anniversary, Equip Auto is transforming itself, through a new identity, into the International Automotive Trade Show, covering the entire value chain. This new identity carries with it a promise of unity for the sector under the motto "All united around the same passion," which goes far beyond a simple activity or profession. This promise aims to be inclusive, including our exhibitors who are constantly innovating to adapt; our visitors who come to Equip Auto to always be connected to new tools and techniques; and to discuss the challenges facing professionals involved in the future of the sector. It is the leading B2B trade show for the automotive industry in France.

This positioning is reflected in Equip Auto's desire to cover the entire market

This positioning is reflected in Equip Auto's desire to cover the entire market, including private vehicles, light and heavy commercial vehicles, two- and three-wheelers, and also light quadricycles. These vehicles can be driven without a license, a market that is developing rapidly in France. Since April, in France, it has been mandatory for this type of vehicle, which represents a growing niche with approximately 400,000 units in a market of four million, to pass the vehicle inspection (ITV). This opens up a business opportunity in the workshop and after-sales sectors.

AR: How do you expect this to evolve compared to the previous edition?

A.J.- Compared to the 2019 edition, the edition we took as a benchmark since it was held before the pandemic, we expect to welcome around 100,000 professionals across 100,000 square meters of exhibition space, bringing together 1,400 brands in five halls at the Port de Versailles. As a new feature, there will be an outdoor area for construction and equipment companies with a technological focus.

As our ambition for this edition, we want to position Equip Auto as a prime location for information and exchange for the automotive industry. The show will bring together industry professionals in a friendly and passionate atmosphere, placing business opportunities at the heart of its purpose.

We want to position Equip Auto as a prime location for information and exchange for the automotive industry

We will have 50% French representation and the other half international representation, with companies from Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania, and 30% of new registrants, demonstrating Equip Auto's ability to attract new companies and businesses that join a loyal base of exhibitors and visitors.

The representation of Spanish companies, the sixth largest in 2022 excluding France, is made up of 23 companies (8 in the SERNAUTO pavilion and 15 directly), representing a 170% growth compared to 2019, a figure that may increase in the coming months. This demonstrates that Spanish companies are finding buyers and suppliers at Equip Auto. We can see growing interest, and in this regard, we highlight the support of SERNAUTO.

AR.- In an unprecedented and highly complex time for the sector, what is Equip Auto 2025's proposal?

A.J.- Equip Auto aims to be at the forefront of upcoming changes in consumer habits, regulations, and trends, where experts and professionals decipher and analyze future market developments, from original equipment to after-sales and mobility-related services. The show aims to support professionals in adapting their practices and acquiring the new skills needed to meet the needs of a rapidly changing industry.

Its objective is to highlight best practices for a sustainable future and enable market players to discover the solutions that will serve the mobility of tomorrow. All of this is focused on a highly diverse visitor base representative of the automotive, aftermarket, and mobility industries, with a significant French and international buyer representation.

In an analysis conducted for the 2019 edition, we found that 90% of visitors consider Equip Auto important to their company's activities. Taking that edition as a reference, 83% of visitors were decision-making executives, 81% attended with a project, and 72% achieved the objective of their visit.

Our mission is to cover all activities in the value chain with innovations such as connectivity, energy, and the aforementioned quadricycles. Given the rise in environmental social responsibility, Equip Auto is working with a specialized environmental agency to reduce the event's potential environmental impact by 30%, thanks to a structured plan involving All stakeholders. The event will address four key trends: energy transition, digital transformation, the circular economy, and related businesses such as charging infrastructure and two- and three-wheeled vehicles.

All of this represents an interesting opportunity for European manufacturers advancing in electrification and sustainable mobility. Regarding the Chinese presence, we cannot forget that it is the world's leading market. Chinese exhibitors attending Equip Auto do so with a quality offering, which overcomes any possible prejudice regarding products from the Asian country.

AR.- Meeting spaces will be greatly enhanced. Isn't that right?

A.J.- Thematic meeting forums are an opportunity to discover and discuss the latest innovations, products, and services, sector by sector. We seek to enable exhibitors and visitors to establish strategic contacts and strengthen their visibility and positioning in their business areas. To this end, we have set up Equip Auto zones in areas such as bodywork and paint, the used vehicle world (used vehicles), the circular economy (reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling), and startups. We have also added zones on tires and innovation, technology, energy, and talent to spread the word about the sector to young people, as there is a significant shortage of new professionals.

We seek to enable exhibitors and visitors to establish strategic contacts and strengthen their visibility and positioning in their business areas

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary, we have created the Equip Auto Arena, a unique space dedicated to workshops, conferences, and forums for this edition. It will be an even more welcoming space, with 250 seats, located at the heart of the show, in Hall 1. Equip Auto Arena will host the International Grand Prix of Automotive Innovation; 11 workshops dedicated to repair, tire, maintenance, and service professionals; eight conferences dedicated to the aftermarket ecosystem; and the first major European forum: "Automotive Distribution and Services Facing Their Future." This is a comprehensive program rich in content to address the challenges of the future with presentations in French and English.

Furthermore, the Tech Academy, in the Tech Village, is set up as a dynamic space dedicated to technological innovation in mobility. It will host demonstrations, presentations, and immersive meetings. Topics covered include software-defined vehicles (SDV); approach and convergence with smartphones; artificial intelligence in vehicles; smart glazing surfaces; automated driving; new engines: electric and hydrogen vehicles; and lighting, connections, and sensors. These are key topics for the training of vehicle repairers.

AR.- The Grands Prix for Innovation continue to be an important incentive in this very special year.

A.J.- That's right, and they're also celebrating their 40th anniversary, so we're celebrating a double anniversary. They're an event within the event, a benchmark for innovation, and they provide exhibitors with global visibility thanks to a jury. Internationally, with 25 journalists from different countries (including AutoRevista) and 100 French journalists, who evaluate and recognize emerging technologies in eight categories: bodywork and paint equipment; garage and workshop equipment; lubricants, maintenance products, car washes, and service areas; original equipment and tires; aftermarket components and equipment; sustainable development and the circular economy (a new category); and digital solutions, IT, connectivity, and mobility, with the addition of corporate social responsibility as a new category.

The Grands Prix for Innovation are an event within the event, a benchmark for innovation, providing exhibitors with global visibility thanks to an international jury of 25 journalists from different countries and 100 French journalists

AR.- Its historical idiosyncrasy as a benchmark in aftermarket events in Europe is also highlighted.

A.J.- Equip Auto covers the French aftermarket market and attracts international players through ten key indicators: turnover size, mechanical maintenance turnover, revenue structure divided into parts and labor, and others. Aftermarkets, distribution of aftermarket players, digitalization of the customer journey, workshop selection criteria, aging vehicle fleet in France with weak renewal rates, DIY (Do It Yourself) and low new vehicle sales.

AR.- It is has announced that the edition will feature several parallel events.

A.J.- The "(R)Evolution" exhibition will celebrate 50 years of Equip Auto Paris with an exceptional tribute to innovation and influential figures in the automotive sector. It will highlight 50 key figures and innovations that have left their mark on the automotive industry and offer a perspective on the future. Also part of this forward-looking event is a hackathon. For 48 hours, professionals and training schools in engineering and automotive will join forces to imagine the mobility of tomorrow.

The Equip Auto Paris gala evening will take place on Tuesday, October 14th, at an iconic location in the heart of Paris, which, for the moment, is being kept secret.

Another attractive event that will enhance Equip Auto's 50th anniversary offering will be the dedicated Automobile Awards space, which will host all the models competing for the Grand Prix "The French's Favorite Car." This will give visitors an overview before voting and allow aftermarket specialists to discover the car of tomorrow.

An area dedicated to artists (sculptors, furniture designers, etc.) will also be set up in Hall 3, where visitors and exhibitors can vote for their favorite automotive-related work. The winning artist will receive an award on the final day of the show in the Equip Auto Arena. To celebrate the 50th anniversary, a unique event will be held each day of the show, celebrating 50 years of passion, evolution, and innovation, as well as two evening events on October 16 and 17. The event's promotion has been complemented by 12 podcasts in French and English, from last October until the event itself, with topics such as Equip Auto's history, retrospective and heritage, key partners, training, innovation, the role of women, and international dimension.

AR: Finally, how has the initiative to project the event's image in France through Equip Auto on Tour in 2024 helped the next edition?

A.J.: The initiatives carried out through Equip Auto on Tour, with stops in Montpellier, Reims, and Rennes, have been a way to bring solutions and brands to professional repairers who don't have the time or opportunity to visit Equip Auto. This is a series of initiatives that we carried out in 2021 and is a way to showcase the "flavor" of Equip Auto, conveying that there is much more.