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Moscow International Automobile Salon’2012 (MIAS’2012)

Moscow International Automobile Salon’2012, an event held under the aegis of the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles (OICA) alongside with other largest motor shows worldwide, was held August 31 through September 9, 2012 in Crocus Expo IEC!

The organizers of MIAS’2012 were traditionally the Association of Russian Carmakers NP and the Crocus Expo International Exhibition Centre. The event was supported by the Automobile Manufacturers Committee of Association of European Businesses in the Russian Federation (AEB).

The Moscow Autosalon’2012 became the largest and the most impressive edition of the project history in Russia: the exhibit space exceeded 100 000 sq m, more than 100 companies participated in the show and number of visitors exceeded 1 000 000 people!

The increase of the exhibit space of the Moscow International Automobile Salon’2012 in more than 2 times in comparison with 2010 testifies to increasing influence of the Russian automobile market on the world automotive industry and its dynamic development. Presence of not only top managers from representative offices but also from foreign headquarters underlined again the significance of the Moscow Autosalon for key players of the worldwide market.

All leading foreign and national automobile brands and car makers were presented at MIAS in 2012:  Audi, Bentley, BMW, Brabus, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Citroen, FAW, Fiat, Ford, Foton, Geely, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep, KIA, LADA, Land Rover, Lexus, Lifan, Luxgen, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Peugeot, Porsche, Renault, Rolls-Royce, SEAT, SKODA, smart, SsangYong, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo, ZAZ , GAZ and UAZ.

Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, KIA, LADA, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Opel, Peugeot, Renault, SEAT, SKODA, SsangYong, Suzuki, Volkswagen and Volvo presented 34 concept cars.

This year Moscow International Automobile Salon will be remembered not only by magnificent exhibits, unforgettable shows of the Russian and worldwide car premieres. It was not only global review of the best novelties but also demonstration of recent trends of the branch, reference points to which all world automakers aspire! MIAS’2012 participants took efforts not only in stand design but also organization of entertainment and dedicated and dense business programs. This year Moscow Autosalon produced quite an impression by a lot of interactive projects and online activities, draws of memorable prizes and valuable gifts, magnificent performances, fashionable shows and flashmobs.

The Gala Opening Ceremony of the Moscow International Automobile Salon’2012 took place August 30 in the Crocus Expo IEC. The ceremony was presented by Anna Shatilova and Igor Kirillov, People's Artists of the USSR and Russia, TV announcers of the Central TV of the USSR. The presenters introduced guests of substantial standing from state authorities and sponsors of the project to exhibitors, numerous journalists and guests of the exhibition centre. Speakers at the ceremony:

• Anatoly Nasonov, Deputy Chairman Government of the Moscow region;
• Patrick Blain, President Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles (OICA);
• Joerg Schreiber, Chairman of Automobile Manufacturers Committee of Association of European Businesses (AEB);
• Vladimir Gutenev, First Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Indutry of the State Duma of the Russian Federation;
• Oleg Eremeev, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Economic Policy of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation;
• Alexey Komissarov, Head of the Department of Science, Industrial Policy and Entrepreneurship of Moscow;
• Aras Agalarov, President ZAO CROCUS INTERNATIONAL.

After the official part of the ceremony the Moscow International Automobile Salon’2012 was declared open and high ranking guests made a tour at expositions.

The finish of the annual rally Made in Togliatti-2012 with participation of the best developments by Togliatti car makers on the basis of AVTOVAZ OAO cars took place September 1 at MIAS. The ninth rally started August 17. It was held in 13 Russian cities.

September 8 Moscow Autosalon’2012 hosted the 6th – final! – round of the Eastern Europe championship on stuntriding MOTUL M1 – Stunt Battle Russia.

Test drives arranged by Fiat, Land Rover, Luxgen, smart and Volvo were held outdoors on the adjacent to the pavilion outdoor areas.

A contest The Best Automobile of the Moscow International Automobile Salon’2012 was for the first time held within the frames of MIAS’2012. Mass media representatives who had visited MIAS’2012 during Press Days (August 29-30) left their opinions about exhibits and press conferences organized by car manufacturers. Thus the best cars in each segment and the best car of the motor show have been defined.

The poll was held in ten principal nominations, two supplementary nominations and Grand Prix. All winners were granted diplomas and valuable prizes. The Awarding Ceremony was presented by Arkady Zlotnikov, First Deputy Director Crocus Expo IEC, and Yuriy Geiko, a well-known journalist, host of Avtolikbez and Avtoradio programs.

Principal nominations:

• Best Urban Car: smart
• Best Car of Small Class: MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4
• Best Car of Medium Class: NEW Mazda 6
• Best Car of Business Class: Toyota Camry
• Best Luxury Car: Rolls-Royce Ghost
• Best Off-road Vehicle: Volkswagen Touareg
• Best Minivan / Wagon: SEAT Alhambra
• Best Convertible / Coupe: Audi R8 Coupé
• Best Ecomobile: Renault Zoe
• Best Prototype / Concept Car: LADA XRAY

Supplementary nominations:

• The most successful press conference: ÎÀÎ AVTOVAZ
• The Most beautiful stand exposition: ÎÎÎ Mazda Motor Rus

Grand Prix Dream Car (main nomination of the Moscow International Automobile Salon’2012): Bentley Continental GT Speed

All in all 2500 Russian and foreign journalists from the most respectful mass media provided press coverage of the Moscow Autosalon this year.

The Moscow International Automobile Salon’2012 was at the centre of attention of not only journalists, specialists of the branch and motorists, but also of many known persons of show business, policy and sports who visited this grandiose event.

Automobile premiers were highly appreciated by Gennady Zyuganov, Egor Konchalovsky, Grigory Leps, Valery Meladze, Andrey Malakhov, Dmitry Malikov, Vladimir Kristovsky, Alexander Marchal, Vlad Lisovets, Max Pokrovsky, Tatyana Mikhalkova, Mikhail Petrovsky, Victor Nilov, players of CSKA and Dynamo football clubs, and also other media persons.

As its popularity and success rate has grown over the last MIAS’2012 has developed to incorporate more than just an exhibition. These special events serve to attract leading exhibitors and visitors and allows all participants the chance to broaden their knowledge and of course their sales potential. In particular the VII conference of the cycle Automobile Business was held within the frames of the calendar of events. The organizer of the conference was the most prominent business newspaper Vedomosti. Participants of the conference considered future trends of the world automotive industry, a state role in innovative development of the Russian automotive industry, development prospects of electric transport in Russia and possibility for creation of a new business in the conditions of the market development.

Numerous dealer conferences initiated and organized by car makers formed an integral part of the business program.

Car and Child topic is invariable for MIAS. Issues related to safety on roads are the most important issues of the modern world, and children's safety is of the primary importance. Thus a traditional special area for young car fans devoted to traffic rules was arranged within the frames of the exposition. Safe Traffic, the only public organization at the exhibition, reminded automakers of their social responsibility for a motor vehicle – one of the most dangerous means of transport.

There was another children’s ground devoted to Walt Disney’s Cars animated cartoon. Young visitors of MIAS’2012 had an opportunity to watch the movie and meet its characters, take a picture with favorite characters specially made in full-scale. Protagonists of Cars, the biggest radio-controlled cars in the world, finished the international tour Agents on a Mission at the Moscow Autosalon!

Development of world automotive industry is impossible without the market of automotive components, accessories, insurance and bank services, specialized media and etc. The most known companies of these categories were among the participants of MIAS’2012: Michelin, Yokohama, Continental Tyres, DMACK tyres, Dunlop, Hankook, Nexen Tire, Cordiant, Vianor, Gazprom Neft, Lukoil, Liqui Moly, Mannol, Mega-F, Alarm Trade, StarLine, Kugar Tuning, Itelma, Stopol and many others.

HarmanRus, Invader, TopCar, Startech and Mansory famous tuning companies participated in the show for the first time.

Unprecedented security measures were involved: cynological and fire services, private security structure, rescue services, traffic police and video surveillance system. Own service of Crocus Expo IEC traffic organization controlled traffic within the complex, parking, and exits to and from Moscow Motor Ring Road (MKAD).

Participants of MIAS’ 2012 and journalists noted high level of the exhibition at all stages of its preparation and holding, and also irreproachably organized work for representatives of mass media.

The Moscow International Automobile Salon’2012 became an unforgettable event not only for visitors, but also for exhibitors, many of whom expressed their wish to take part in the integral component of the project – InterAuto 2013 automobile exhibition and in the following edition of MIAS which will take place in 2014, and, moreover, some of them have already submitted applications to the organizing committee.

The organizers of MIAS’2012 would like to express their special gratitude to the General Sponsor MICHELIN Russia and CIS, Official Bank Partner Gazprombank OAO, General Information Partners – Za Rulem magazine publishing house and AvtoRadio station, General Internet Partner Auto.dmir.ru, Official Information Partner Vedomosti newspaper, Business Information Partners – RBK daily newspaper and Russkiy Reporter and Expert magazines, Official Information Partner of Business Day Business FM, Media Partner of Business Day The Moscow Times, Intellectual Partner of Business Day Harvard Business Review magazine, TV Partner Avto Plus TV channel, Press Centre Partner Rostelecom OAO, and Sponsor of Children’s Ground Rolf OOO (dealer centres chain) for their active support during the preparatory period.

Press Service Crocus Expo IEC