The motorcycle event of the year: In the biker-city of Cologne the barrier of 200,000 visitors has been broken

2008-10-13 10:05
INTERMOT Cologne impressed fans and experts Innovations in all segments: Hi-tech and fascinating design An event for the whole family — large number of kids and teens


The heart of the motorcycle and scooter world was beating in Cologne during the last five days. This was impressively demonstrated by INTERMOT Cologne, which ended on Sunday, 12th October 2008. For the first time the biker-city of Cologne broke the barrier of over 200,000 visitors from 110 countries: The motorcycle event of the year impressed fans with an action-packed trade fair and atmospheric highlights in the city. "This was an outstanding
turnout, which clearly showed the sector that in Cologne the international trade is addressed just as much as the general public" says Oliver P. Kuhrt, Executive Vice President at Koelnmesse. "In addition to motorcycle and scooter enthusiasts, our approach of creating a world of experience for the whole family was a complete success, and enabled us to introduce new target groups to the fascination of motorcycles". Reiner Brendicke, General Manager of the German Motorcycle Industry Association (IVM), agrees with this assessment: "We have
addressed the younger public through a variety of measures during the last few years. This clear trend, that an ever younger generation is becoming interested in motorcycles and scooters, could be seen at INTERMOT Cologne and around the city, giving confirmation of our work and a recognition of the involvement of our members, who once again presented themselves impressively in Cologne".


Over 200,000 buyers and motorcycle enthusiasts from 110 countries came to the metropolis on the Rhine as part of INTERMOT Cologne. Among them were numerous trade visitors from Germany and abroad. The appeal for trade visitors remained undiminished and accounted for around 30 per cent. In all, 35 per cent of the buyers came from outside Germany. INTERMOT Cologne is the most important business platform for the German and international specialist
trade, and has confirmed this over a long period of time.

For five days the unique mix of exhibitors' presentations, shows and motor sports ensured packed trade fair halls and an excellent atmosphere. The exhibiting companies at INTERMOT Cologne 2008 were accordingly satisfied, and impressed the international trade and the interested public with numerous world premieres. The new models presented were stronger, safer, lighter, easier to handle and included the best hi-tech equipment packaged into fascinating designs. At the INTERMOT Cologne innovation centre and on the electric test track in the outdoor area, visitors could find out more about alternative drive concepts and test the electrically powered bikes. In addition, there were also many innovative products presented in the segments accessories, clothing and parts.

In total 1,068 exhibiting companies from 36 countries participated in INTERMOT Cologne 2008, of which 372 were German and 696 came from abroad. The proportion of foreign exhibiting companies was 65 per cent. After Germany, the country with the largest number of exhibitors is traditionally Italy, followed by Taiwan, China, the USA, the UK, Pakistan, the Netherlands and France. Headed by the "great five" of the motorcycle and scooter branch — BMW, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha — all the popular manufacturers, without exception, were represented in Cologne. This naturally included the renowned Italian manufacturers Benelli, Ducati, Husqvarna, Malaguti, Moto Morini, MV Agusta, plus the Piaggio group with the brands Piaggio, Vespa, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi and Derbi. Once again, all the brands impressed the visitors with their spectacular presentations.

The world of motorcycles fascinated the visitors because of the elaborate presentations in the trade fair halls, but that wasn't all. Throughout the entire outdoor area, the visitors could actively
take part by testing brand-new models in all motorcycle segments. There were also activity areas for new motorcycle fans who did not yet have their special driver's licenses. There was a real "run" on the track for kids and teens, where the young people were thrilled to take their first
motorcycle rides under the supervision of professionals. In addition, visitors were able to experience spectacular shows, motorcycle races and stunts in the activity areas and on the racetracks of INTERMOT Cologne.

There was also a huge crowd on the stage of "VivaLaMopped", an initiative of the IVM. More than 2,500 teens aged between 16 and 20 showed up to compete for the five free motorcycle driver's licenses that were being raffled off, and of course to meet their favorite musicians as well. The groups performing on the VivaLaMopped stage included Sistanova, the Donots, Max Buskohl & Empty Trash, Die Happy, Oomph, Blumentopf and Vanessa Petruo. The musicians handed out autographs and answered all the questions put to them in an interview with Markus "Commander" Schultze.

Prominent motorcycle fans from the worlds of music, TV and motorcycle racing met at the kickoff event of INTERMOT Cologne 2008. Among the guests were "commissioner" Richy Müller from the TV series "Tatort"; "Fanta 4" star Smudo; Vanessa Petruo, musician and former member of the band "No Angels"; Max Neukirchner, the German contender for the Superbike World Championship; and Chris Pfeiffer, holder of the title World Champion Stuntman for
many years. In the talk with Markus Schultze, the main topic was of course motorized two-wheelers.

This year, INTERMOT Cologne 2008 also featured the first-ever Cologne Custom Championships, where the best bikes in the categories Chopper/Cruiser, Fighter, Sports Bike and Scooter were presented in an area measuring nearly 1,000 m2. The winner,
Christoph Madaus on his Twin Trax, received not only a check for €5,000 but also a direct qualification to participate in the Customizing World Championship competition in Sturgis, South Dakota, USA, including transport costs.

In what has already become a tradition at INTERMOT Cologne, Koelnmesse cooperated with the Mogo team from Hamburg led by Pastor Erich Faehling to organize an ecumenical church service for the bikers in Cologne Cathedral. Approximately 4,000 bikers (2006: 3,000) attended the church service and then rode in a convoy through Cologne to the exhibition grounds. Another highlight was once again the "Suzuki Night of the Jumps", the freestyle motocross world championships, which were held in the LANXESS Arena.

Statements by exhibitors:

Kawasaki — Brigitte Walde
"We are very satisfied with the overall organization, the presentation and the preparations for the fair. The outdoor racetracks were also organized very well."

Ducati — Kai Swaton
"We are extremely satisfied with the fair. We're getting a very good response from visitors, who are also pleased by our new look at the trade fair. The new models, especially the new Monster, are attracting a lot of interest. All in all, we are very satisfied with every aspect of the fair."

Suzuki — Bert Poensgen
"The visitors' interest is significantly stronger than it was in 2006. We're getting a really good, interested audience so we're very happy with the event overall."

Yamaha — Ralf Keller
"I have the impression that the visitors' overall response to the trade fair is very positive. Fortunately, the motorcyclists who are growing older are now bringing their children along — so we're getting a lot of young visitors too. The
organization of the trade fair by Koelnmesse has been very good. We feel well taken care of here, and we're very satisfied with the way the trade fair has developed for us."

Honda — Kerstin Martens
"The trade fair is going well, and it's really fun to be here. We've had a lot of visitors at our stand. The trade fair was also the ideal platform for the meeting we held for our dealers. We feel
that Koelnmesse is taking good care of us, and we're satisfied with the way the fair has been running so far."

Piaggio — Gerd Hanrieder
"The Press Day was very successful for us. The response of the visitors is very positive, so we're also very satisfied with the Visitors' Days we've had so far (Wednesday and Thursday). The responses in the surveys we're carrying out at our stand are also extremely positive."



BMW — Heiner Faust
"The feedback we're getting from the visitors is very positive. In spite of the financial crisis, there's been a good mood and lots of interest from the visitors. Our products are making a good
impression, which means that up till now we've been very satisfied with the fair."

Motorex — Ronald Kabella
"In general, we are satisfied with the fair. For us, INTERMOT Cologne has turned out to be a good platform for making business contacts. The fair offers us a good opportunity to make international contacts and conduct high-quality discussions. At this year's fair, we were able to win over two new importers. We're also very satisfied with the organization and the structure of the fair."

The figures for INTERMOT Cologne 2008:

A total of 1,068 companies from 36 countries, 67 per cent of which came from abroad, participated in INTERMOT Cologne 2008, occupying a gross exhibition space of approximately 120,000 m². The participants included 322 exhibitors and 50 additionally represented companies from Germany as well as 658 exhibitors and 38 additionally represented companies from abroad. If we include estimates for the last day of the fair, approximately 193,000
purchasers and visitors from 110 countries came to INTERMOT Cologne, and more than 12,000 motorcycle fans attended the bike events in the city, such as the ecumenical church service for motorcyclists and the "Suzuki Night of the Jumps" in the LANXESS Arena. Trade visitors accounted for some 30 per cent of the total, with 35 per cent of them coming from abroad.

Source: INTERMOT

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