Lewis Sandler poses beside his modified "Pontiac Firebird" at China International Automotive Aftermarket Industry Fair on March 14, 2008. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]

The custom car exhibition at the China International Automotive Aftermarket Industry Fair (CIAAI) has been a crowd pleaser from its beginnings in 2006. This year's fair began on March 14th and has drawn an increasing number of well-known foreign and domestic auto modification brands, including ACE, KONI, RECOROR and COSCU.

The exhibition area takes up three zones in the front square of the China International Exhibition Center for custom engines and body parts, custom audio and video equipment and custom off-road vehicles.

More than 500 custom cars are on display with on-site summaries of the modifications. The display cars range from Hummers, SWIFTs, Nissans, and QQs to Pontiac Firebirds and Jeeps.

Custom auto-parts manufacturers and custom auto shops have also joined the fair to show their latest products and modification technology.

More and more foreign traders are using this platform to learn about China's custom auto market.

The exhibition is sponsored by the CIEC Exhibition Co., Ltd and is supported by the U.S.-based Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) and the Audio Sports club-MECA as well as over 100 Chinese auto clubs.

The four-day event will include symposiums on OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) opportunities in China for overseas enterprises, imported custom auto parts and advanced foreign custom auto technology applications.

Within the custom auto event, the International Automobile Audio & Video competition has had a stupendous increase in participating vehicles this year.

CIAAI, one of the most professional auto aftermarket industry fairs in China, has attracted more than 400 exhibitors in 5 different categories this year: maintenance and repair, decoration, parts and accessories, customizing, and chain stores and franchises.