Over 57,000 enthusiasts of historic and classical cars at the trade
fair for historic and classic cars in Stuttgart / International
character continues to increase
The ninth Retro Classics trade fair, the international exchange for
historic and classic cars, motorcycles, spare parts and
restoration, took place at the weekend for the second time at the
new Stuttgart Trade Fair Centre, located directly beside the
airport and came to a close on Sunday, 15 March registering
record figures. With over 57,000 visitors, the previous year’s
excellent result was exceeded by approximately 15%. The trade
fair also registered a record number of exhibitors with over 1,050
participants (2008: 820), whose requirement for floor space
therefore increased from 75,000 to 100,000 m². Also, the
international character of the trade fair for historic and classic
cars was complemented with visitors and exhibitors coming from
around 15 countries to the trade fair. New exhibitors came from,
for example, the Netherlands, Hungary and Belgium, and visitors
from neighbouring countries Switzerland, Austria, France and
Luxembourg, were welcomed at the trade fair. Also guests from
the Czech Republic, Russia, Poland, England, Portugal, Mexico,
Indonesia and Dubai were made feel welcome at the stands in the
eight trade fair halls.
"Retro Classics more than lived up to its high expectations",
stated Roland Bleinroth, Managing Director of Messe Stuttgart,
gladly. On Sunday morning (March 15), Bleinroth drew the first
positive conclusion to the event. "Our historic and classic cars
trade fair has again enjoyed a surge in quality, quantity and
international character, which affects both exhibitors and visitors
alike, and its superior image as a premium exhibition has been
enhanced." This includes a top-quality visitor audience with strong
purchasing power, as well as a clear exhibitor profile, which
"distinguishes us from other historic and classic cars trade fairs".
He went on to say that, in the end, the visitors were not only
delighted at the sight of the many vehicles but also "purchased
historic and classic cars, as well as youngtimers, in spite of the
current economic climate". Thus, the majority of the
approximately 400 cars at the exchange, which had its own hall
for the first time, found new owners and the dealers were also
extremely satisfied. A pre-war car as an investment, for example,
was worth approximately 500,000 Euro to one visitor. Klaus
Kienle, Managing Director of Kienle Automobiltechnik GmbH in
Ditzingen and one of the world’s leading Mercedes’ restorers,
aptly summed it up: "In the future, I will only exhibit at a historic
and classic cars trade fair in Germany, and that will be Retro
Classics in Stuttgart." He went on to say that all his customers
come to Stuttgart not only because of the excellent infrastructure
but also because they think "why should I go elsewhere?". A
high-ranking member of the Executive Board of Robert Bosch
GmbH expressed a similar view stating that he would only be
attending one historic and classic cars trade fair and that was
namely Retro Classics in Stuttgart.
"No ifs and buts about it, Retro Classics has established itself as
the central meeting point for the historic and classic car scene in
south Germany and has gained a reputation far beyond", stated
Ulrich Herrmann, organiser of Retro Classics. The high number of
visitors proves this. The public enjoyed 2,500 historic and classic
cars on two and four wheels, as well as special shows such as
"100 years of Bugatti", "100 years of Abarth" and a unique
assortment of approximately 30 Ferraris. The new trade fair hall
dedicated especially to motor sports, where the theme was
displayed for the first time, straight away impressed fans of
historic and classic cars, as well as current fast cars. "We will
stick with this concept and further develop it in the coming year
for the anniversary event of Retro Classics", stated Herrmann. The
second appearance of historic and classic tractors and
agricultural machinery, as well as the special area for fire engines
and the omnibus show put together by Konrad Auwärter, were
well received by the public.
The Stuttgart historic and classic cars trade fair has, in the
meantime, developed a regular visitor profile. Retro Classics was
worth the visit for 94 percent of visitors and they will recommend
the event to others. Overall, 96 percent of visitors surveyed will
visit the trade fair again in 2010. Almost half of the visitors
surveyed are very sure that Retro Classics will gain in
significance.
Extensive trade fair visit
The trade fair attractions and special areas on the significantly
larger exhibition area encourage visitors to stay longer in the
halls. On average, visitors spent five and a half hours at the trade
fair. And with good reason too because the special areas and new
attractions were impressive. There were also throngs of visitors at
the factory stands from, for example, Peugeot, Skoda and Bosch.
Many historic and classic car fans visited the two-wheel area, in
which the spectrum of motorcycles ranged from the originals at
the beginning of the 20th century to current and historic and
classic models from brands such as Moto Guzzi, Heinkel,
Agusta, Honda, Suzuki and Harley-Davidson. The "Country Halls"
with car brands from France and England were also a visitor
magnet. In addition, clubs from the Czech Republic and, for the
first time, Russia, as well as the special racing stands, among
others, with the traditional clubs "Solitude Revival" were
represented. Five teams from the Mercedes-Benz Club in
Moscow under the management of Ewgenij Soroka made the
2,500-kilometre long trip to Stuttgart and visited clubs in Minsk,
Berlin and Prague along the way.
Top-quality visitors / Increase in foreign visitors compared to last
year
According to many of the exhibitors, the visitor profile for Retro
Classics was unique. It was characterised by expert visitors who
had distinctive specialist knowledge. The initial results from the
survey confirm this. 32 percent of visitors came to the trade fair for
professional or business reasons (excluding "Family Day on
Sunday"). Foreign interest also did not decline. In contrast: The
number of foreign visitors continues to grow. 34 percent of foreign
visitors came from Switzerland and another 31 percent travelled
from Austria to Stuttgart.
A must-see event for historic and classic car fans
Thanks to the positive feedback received from exhibitors and the
increase in the number of visitors, the Managing Director of
Messe Stuttgart, Roland Bleinroth, stated, with a view to the
possibilities offered by the new Stuttgart Trade Fair Centre, that
the basis for the Retro Classics trade fair, which was set in 2001,
can be further developed. Ulrich Herrmann was of the same
opinion and added "Retro Classics is firmly rooted as a must-see
event for fans and people who are enthusiastic about historic and
classic cars. It will definitely develop to become the central
meeting point for all historic and classic car events in south
Germany. Apart from this, the event is being accepted and
welcomed more and more in neighbouring countries. Thus, from
an international perspective, we are definitely heading in the right
direction". He went on to say that the hall themes were well
received from the word go, as was the combination of tradition,
car legends and an apt selection of new vehicles, which, in this
way, documented the development of a brand. With the two
central themes, "Youngtimers" and "Neo Classics" (modern and
classic cars), which were prominently positioned within this
year’s Retro Classics, the number of visitors rose significantly, he
added. In the Youngtimer area, the interest grew significantly.
After historic and classic cars, in which 75 percent of visitors
were primarily interested, the theme of Youngtimers came in at
second place with 58 percent ahead of spare parts/accessories
(34 percent) and restoration (25 percent). (Multiple answers were
possible here.)
Catchment area clearly expanded / Every seventh visitor from
Bavaria
The obvious need for the historic and classic car trade fair in
Stuttgart is reflected in the origin of its visitors. 36 percent of trade
fair visitors surveyed (2008: 25 percent) did not come from
Stuttgart or its surrounding area, but rather travelled a distance of
more than 100 kilometres to the new trade fair grounds. Nine
percent took on a journey of more than 300 kilometres to attend
the event. These visitors came from locations beside
Baden-Württemberg such as Bavaria, Hesse,
Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine Westphalia, with every
seventh visitor coming from Bavaria. The motorway and airport
connections to the trade fair received much praise. From an
economic perspective, approximately 70 percent of visitors were
aged between 30 and 60 years. In addition, roughly a quarter of all
visitors were attending Retro Classics in Stuttgart for the first
time, but certainly not the last.
The next Retro Classics, the tenth such trade fair and therefore
an anniversary event, will take place from 11 to 14 March 2010 at
the new Stuttgart Trade Fair Centre. The 11th March will mark a
special day ("Preview Day") for specialist visitors and journalists.
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