TUNING WORLD BODENSEE 2009 at a glance

Seventh edition of tuning event on road to success

German tuning companies continue to view market conditions optimistically. According to the mood at VDAT, Europe’s largest association of private tuners, this is due not least to the high regard that ‘Made in Germany’ tuning products enjoy around the world. From April 30th to May 3rd this spring, the international tuning industry will have all of its innovative capacities on display at the 7th TUNING WORLD BODENSEE in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Featuring 250 exhibiting companies from around the world, more than a thousand tuned muscle cars and a unique supporting program, it will provide a comprehensive overview of the tuning marketplace.

"In just seven years, TUNING WORLD BODENSEE has become Europe’s largest trade show exclusively devoted to the tuning industry,” proudly notes Klaus Wellmann, CEO of Messe Friedrichshafen. In 2009, the trade show team intends to build on this successful record while putting new emphasis on certain aspects of the world of car tuning. Before their official opening in July,  two new exhibition halls will be put into operation for TUNING WORLD BODENSEE. At the same time, Hall B5 will be renamed "Premium Car Area” and will feature a new layout. "The new stand layout was inspired by the Geneva Motor Show and the VDAT Salon at the Essen Motor Show, where any stands that are built higher than 1.5 meters are only along the walls,” explains Project Director Dirk Kreidenweiss. "This allows us to offer exhibitors considerably lower stand construction costs while providing an exquisite setting with greater transparency and superior clarity.” 

The premieres and exclusive vehicles customized by international top tuners will be presented on a floor space totaling approximately 85,000 sq m (915,000 sq ft). Also strongly represented this year will be the major tire and wheel specialists. 

Tuning clubs vie for stands 

As in previous years, tuning club interest in presenting their most attractive and elaborately customized cars to a wide international audience in Friedrichshafen has been enormous. "The deadline for applications to get one of the only 150 club stands was at the end of February, and once again the run on them was incredible,” reports tuning club supervisor Alexander Métayer. As a result of visitor demand to see new clubs at TUNING WORLD BODENSEE each year, about half of the tuning clubs in the A halls will be new this year. 

Five awards of excellence 

The four-wheeled stars of TUNING WORLD BODENSEE will be put head to head in five competitions. In advance of the trade show, publishing company Delius Klasing Verlag will select the most attractively tuned privately owned vehicle to appear in the Tuning VIP Hall (A3) during TUNING WORLD BODENSEE. Meanwhile, the Yokohama Tuning Award will be presented to the most original and unusual vehicles from the ranks of tuning clubs and private owners. The trend of suping up SUVs will be recognized with the Yokohama 4x4 Award, presented by Yokohama and Germany’s Auto Bild Allrad magazine. For the second time, EUROtuner magazine will be on hand at the trade show to bestow the EUROTuner’s Best Award, for which Europe’s top custom tuned vehicles will be presented to a jury across a 2,000-square-meter (22,000 sq ft) floor in Hall B3. Also part of TUNING WORLD BODENSEE will be the Best-Looking Club Stand Contest. 

Vehicles tuned for big, world-class sound at the 9th EMMA Sound Off competition

For the first time, TUNING WORLD BODENSEE will host the international Season Kick-Off of the European Mobile Media Association (EMMA). The sound and multimedia competition - the second largest of its kind after the Europafinale - is moving from the Car + Sound trade show to TUNING WORLD BODENSEE. Across a floor space of nearly 3,000 square meters (32,000 sq ft), reputable partners from industry will present over 100 competition vehicles from all over Europe. This will be accompanied by a show, demo car and product news program. 

American cult-status tuner Eddie Paul: Lake Constance meets Hollywood 

His appearances at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas always attract massive numbers of visitors. European auto fans will now have the chance to enjoy his mastery at TUNING WORLD BODENSEE. In fact, tuning icon Eddie Paul will take part in the trade show on all four days, and will be personally taking a close look at Europe’s tuning scene. Paul has created cars featured in over 100 Hollywood film productions, including The Fast and the Furious, Grease and xXx. In addition, his gleaming red Ford Mustang is featured in the current Miss Tuning calendar alongside this year’s Miss Tuning herself, Daniela Grimm. 

New show highlights: Yokohama Sumo Fight and beatboxer Robeat 

TUNING WORLD BODENSEE 2009 features an updated supporting program. Twice daily, a clash of giants will take place in the middle of the new Premium Car Area. World and European sumo wrestling champions will face off at the Yokohama Sumo Fight, thrilling visitors with the traditional Japanese sport. In addition to watching demonstration sumo fights, visitors will also have the chance to enter the ring themselves. Meanwhile in the Performance Area, music artists such as Robeat, one of Germany’s top beatboxers will provide the right mood. With the uniquely amazing sounds and beats that leave his lips, Robeat reached the final of Das Supertalent, a TV show by German broadcaster RTL. Another Performance Area crowd pleaser will be the Lowrider Show, which once again will bring Europe’s best lowriders to Lake Constance. 

Enchanting: The MISS TUNING 2009 Contest 

"With the selection of MISS TUNING 2009, one of the most valuable hallmarks of TUNING WORLD BODENSEE will be made even more valuable - and the title even more appealing,” explains Project Director Dirk Kreidenweiss. "This year, the very successful Miss Tuning calendar will therefore be produced on the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. In addition to terrific media coverage and top career opportunities, the newly crowned Miss Tuning will be provided with a SEAT Ibiza SC by SEAT and Microsoft Xbox 360 for an entire year.” During TUNING WORLD BODENSEE, 20 charming candidates will participate in the contest final, and the winner will be chosen on the last day, May 3rd. 

Imposing: Tuned trucks roll in 

A truly gigantic presentation will amaze visitors in Hall A7. Truck tuning will also be part of TUNING WORLD BODENSEE for the first time, thanks to support from Germany’s association of trucker clubs. From minivans to heavy tractor trailers, visitors will be treated to a full range of truck tuning possibilities. 

Drifting champ Remmo Niezen to lay rubber 

Newly crowned drift king Remmo Niezen and his Falken Drift Team will literally be burning up the rubber behind the exhibition halls! Drifting demos have become one of the most popular motorsport events, and TUNING WORLD BODENSEE is bringing Dutchman Niezen, last year’s winner of the Drift Challenge, to Friedrichshafen. Three times daily, drivers will be drifting their tuned Nissans equipped with Falken tires on the course.

For evening revelers: Three late-night parties 

The schedule of after-show parties will begin on Thursday evening with festivities in Club Metropol, where Leeroy Thornhill, founding member of The Prodigy, will be spinning out the electro beats. On Friday, the second annual Radio 7 Party Night with music master Matze Ihring will be held in Hall A2. The top act on that night will be charts success Marquess. Following tradition, the Best of Ibiza Party Vol. VII will take place again on Saturday. A sellout year after year, the sound at this party always gets everyone moving to the beat. 

Wagon tuning wizard wanted 

Riding low, with racing seats or an aerodynamic spoiler: The most original hand cart tuning ideas will be debuted on May Day. Creativity will know no bounds. Anything goes - from alloy wheels to pistons and cylinders! 

Getting there smoothly: Traffic radio to simplify arrival 

Messe Friedrichshafen in partnership with Radio 7 will actively assist visitors as they approach the trade fair grounds. Every hour, Radio 7 (Ulm: VHF 101.8 MHz; Aalen: 103.7; Ravensburg 105.0; Tuttlingen 102.5) will broadcast up-dated traffic reports for the region around TUNING WORLD BODENSEE, as well as tips to avoid traffic holdups. Up-to-date traffic information will also be available online at www.Radio7.de and www.tuningworldbodensee.de.

Free parking
 
A unique feature of TUNING WORLD BODENSEE among Germany’s auto shows continues: In 2009, visitors may once again park their cars for free in the official visitors’ parking lots. 

Kombitickets
 
Visitors not driving their cars to Messe Friedrichshafen can purchase the kombiticket for the ferry from Romanshorn and for the catamaran from Konstanz. 

Opening hours and admission 

The international trade show event for car tuning, the tuning club scene and lifestyle will take place from Thursday, April 30 to Sunday, May 3, 2009 and will be open from 10 AM to 6 PM daily. The day pass costs 12 euros (reduced day pass: 10 euros). Visitors may reserve admission passes in advance online at www.tuningworldbodensee.de/twb-en/besucher/tickets-online.php. Tickets for evening events are available at www.tictec.de and at ticket vendor box offices. Further information about exhibitors, new products, the supporting program and travel directions to Messe Friedrichshafen are available at www.tuningworldbodensee.de. Those wishing to apply for a stand in the club area should write to twbclubs@messe-fn.de.