CMT CHINA

About the fair

The Nanjing International Auto Expo showcases the latest technologies from carmakers and related-goods producers. Main sections include passenger, commercial and sports cars, mopeds, scooters, bicycles and special-purpose vehicles, automotive components and parts, auto electronics, safety systems, exterior and interior design, accessories and tuning, garage equipment, repair and service, fuels and alternative fuels, oils, lacquers, paints, car care and more. Visitors can see and sit in new vehicles and evaluate the latest advances and technologies, with all kinds of cars on display — from luxury vehicles to family minivans, plus many low-consumption, eco-friendly hybrids — along with accessories and parts.

Planning the trip

• Register the badge online. Every major fair issues visitor badges in advance, and on-site registration means queueing on the busiest morning of the show. Registration usually opens one to two months out.
• Check the visa position early. China's entry rules have changed repeatedly in recent years, including visa-free arrangements for a growing list of countries and transit exemptions. Confirm what applies to your passport for this month, and ask the organiser for an invitation letter if a business visa is needed — issuing one is routine.
• Book accommodation before the dates firm up. A large fair fills its host city and rates move accordingly. Cancellable bookings made early cost less than confirmed ones made late.
• Decide which halls before you arrive. The bigger Chinese fairs run to several halls across separate phases, and walking them without a plan burns a day. Shortlist the stands you need and treat anything else as a bonus.
• Plan the follow-up, not just the visit. Business cards collected at a fair convert poorly once you fly home: quotes arrive in patchy English, samples stall, and the time difference eats a day per exchange. Deciding who handles that before you travel is what makes the trip pay for itself.