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Stuttgart, March 14, 2010

The tenth Retro Classics, the Stuttgart-based trade fair for historic and classic cars, took place at the weekend for the third time at the new trade fair grounds at the airport. The trade fair concluded today (Sunday, 14 March) on a record high. Last year's excellent visitor record has been exceeded by approximately 10% with over 60,000 visitors attending. Also from an exhibitor perspective, the trade fair registered a new record with more than 1,100 participants taking part and around 3,000 cars on display (2009: 1,050 participants and 2,500 cars). Its area requirement occupied almost the entire trade fair grounds with 100,000 square meters. Finally, the international character of the Stuttgart-based trade fair for historic and classic cars is once again on the increase, which was evident in the array of visitors and exhibitors who came from 15 different countries. New exhibitors came from Spain, Portugal and Turkey and the event attracted visitors from neighboring countries Switzerland, Austria, France and the Benelux countries. Also guests from Russia, the Czech Republic, Poland, England, Portugal and the United Arab Emirates were welcomed at the stands in the eight trade fair halls.

"All in all it was a successful anniversary. The tenth Retro Classics more than exceeded its high expectations", rejoiced Roland Bleinroth, Managing Director of Messe Stuttgart, who reviewed the event for the first time at noon on Sunday (today): "Our historic and classic cars trade fair has once again received a real boost in quality, quantity and international character, which affects both exhibitors and visitors, and its excellent image as a first-class exhibition has been confirmed." The premium purchasing power of keen visitors, as well as the trade fair's own structured exhibition profile, also played a role here and this is what "distinguishes us from many other historic and classic car trade fairs." Ultimately the visitors were not only looking forward to viewing the many vehicles, but also, "despite the current economic climate, were looking forward to purchasing historic and classic cars and youngtimers". He added that the majority of the approximately 320 vehicles for sale in Hall 6, for the most part private vehicles, found new owners and the dealers also enjoyed great business. "Sold" signs were already being placed on several high-priced vehicles on Friday.

Klaus Kienle, Managing Director of Kienle Automobiltechnik GmbH in Ditzingen and one of the world's leading Mercedes restorers, summarized it aptly: "Retro Classics has, as expected, become more international in character. Many visitors from abroad, such as Romania, Russia and Qatar, were here for the first time. It's a completely new market. Overall we are delighted with the visitor figures, the quality of the public and the sales. The trade fair has established itself so firmly that we are already looking forward to the next event." Nick Aaldering, Managing Director of "The Gallery" from the Netherlands, was also enthusiastic: "We are extremely satisfied with how the trade fair went. I was amazed so many visitors turned out with the current bad weather we are experiencing. The quality of the trade fair is continuing to increase and in fact this applies to both exhibitors and the public. The atmosphere was super, the stress-free organisation, Swabian style! We couldn't have wished for better. We are now regular customers!". And Heinz-Dieter Lankes, Managing Director of the auction house of the same name, could not have imagined a better premiere in Stuttgart to attract new customers: "We are really happy, a great trade fair. We sold 30- 40% of our products. It was incredibly busy. We always had our hands full! What I found particularly remarkable was the fact that several international visitors travelled here to the event. We are unique to Retro Classics and will be glad to come again next year."

Retro Classics defies the economic crisis
"The anniversary event of Retro Classics has impressively defied the economic crisis. The trade fair has repeatedly proven itself to be the central meeting place for the historic and classic car scene in south Germany and its appeal has, in the meantime, extended well beyond the country's borders", stated Ulrich Herrmann, organiser of Retro Classics. The influx of visitors confirms this viewpoint. And this is celebrated in the 3,000 historic and classic vehicles with two and four wheels, as well as the special shows such as "Design Studios from Mercedes", "90 years of Mazda", "75 years of Jaguar", "E-Mobility – Back to the past", and the unique assembly of approximately 30 Alfa Romeos from the private collection of Lopresto for the 100th birthday of the cult brand. Hall 4, which staged the theme of motor sport, once again enthused fans of historic and classic fast cars, as well as modern ones. Herrmann: "We will stick with this concept and will further develop it in the coming year for the anniversary event, "125 years' Cars"." The third appearance of historic and classic tractors and agricultural machinery, as well as the special area for commercial vehicles with the omnibus show put together by Konrad Auwärter, went down excellently. Not to be forgotten is the international spare parts market, whose 220 exhibitors were overwhelmed by the number of visitors and their interest.
Stuttgart's historic and classic cars trade fair has built up a regular clientele. And together with the trade fair, this is more than satisfactory. In total, 99% of visitors surveyed would recommend Retro Classics and 98% are planning on attending the event again in 2011, of which more than 70% were definitive. Almost half of the visitors are also certain that Retro Classics is continuing to increase in significance in comparison to other events.

Longer trade fair visit
Trade fair attractions and special areas encouraged visitors to stay longer in the halls; on average, visitors spent almost five and a half hours at the trade fair. And with good reason too - the special areas and new attractions were very impressive. Many historic and classic car fans visited the two-wheel area where the scope of motorbikes ranged from the start of the 20th century to current, historic and classic models from brands such as Ducati, Moto Guzzi, Heinkel, Agusta, Honda, Suzuki and Harley Davidson. Other crowd-pullers included the "Club and Countries Halls" with car brands from Italy, France and England. In addition, there were special motor racing stands, where the traditional clubs "Solitude Revival", the Hockenheimring and AMSC Leonberg, among others, were represented.

High quality of visitors / More foreign visitors than last year
The visitors of Retro Classics displayed a high level of competence and had distinctive knowledge; something which, according to the comments from many exhibitors, is unheard of. The initial evaluations of the survey results confirm this. The proportion of specialist visitors, who came to the trade fair for professional or business reasons, was approximately 24% (without "Family Sunday"). Also the foreign interest did not decline. In fact, the opposite holds true: The number of visitors attending from abroad has risen once again. Incidentally, 41% of foreign visitors came from Austria and another 38% travelled from Switzerland to Stuttgart. In addition, there were some groups who travelled by bus from Alsace, the French-speaking part of Switzerland and the Czech Republic to Retro Classics.

Obligatory date for historic and classic cars fans
With reference to the unique atmosphere in the new trade fair halls, Bleinroth, Managing Director of Messe Stuttgart, stated the cornerstone of Retro Classics is being built upon by the positive feedback of exhibitors and the influx of visitors. Ulrich Herrmann shares the same view and added: "Retro Classics has become an obligatory date for fans and people enthusiastic about historic and classic cars and has developed into the central meeting place for all historic and classic car events in south Germany. Furthermore, its acceptance is continuing to increase in neighboring countries so that we now find ourselves in a remarkable position from an international perspective." He added that the themes of the halls were well received by the public, as was the combination of tradition, legend cars and a suitable selection of new vehicles, which in this way documented the development of a brand. With the two main focuses – "Youngtimers" and "Neo Classics" (modern classic cars) –, which were prominently positioned within the framework of this year's Retro Classics, the spectrum of visitors expanded considerably, he added. After the historic and classic cars, in which 80% of visitors were primarily interested, came the Youngtimers with 50% in second place ahead of spare parts/accessories (33%) and restoration (22%). Multiple mentions were possible here.

Catchment area expanded considerably ... Every seventh visitor from Bavaria
The obvious need for the Stuttgart-based historic and classic cars trade fair is reflected in the origins of its visitors. 34% of trade fair guests surveyed did not come from Stuttgart or its surrounding area, but in fact travelled more than 100 kilometers to the new trade fair grounds. Indeed 9% travelled more than 300 kilometers to the event. These guests live beside Baden-Württemberg in Bavaria, Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine- Westphalia. Every seventh visitor came from Bavaria. Approximately two thirds of visitors were commercial individuals between 30 and 60 years of age. In addition, almost a quarter of visitors were there for the first time at Retro Classics in Stuttgart, but this is certainly not their last time.

The next Retro Classics, the eleventh event, will take place from 10 to 13 March 2011 in the new trade fair grounds at the airport, whereby 10 March will be a special day ("Preview Day") for specialist visitors and journalists.


Cars of particular interest
Adler 2.5 Litre Autobahn
AFM Formel 2 Typ 50
Alfa Romeo 1900 C Super Sprint Coupé Touring
Alfa Romeo 1900 TI Pinin Farina
Alfa Romeo 2000
Alfa Romeo 2600 Prototyp
Alfa Romeo 2600 Sprint Coupé Bertone
Alfa Romeo 6C 1500 SS Zagato
Alfa Romeo 6C 1750
Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 Castagna Berlinetta
Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS
Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Corsa Spider Colli
Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Stabilimenti Farina Michelotti
Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Touring Villa d´Este
Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza
Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione
Alfa Romeo Centenario Display
Alfa Romeo Duetto 1750
Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 Sprint Coupé Bertone
Alfa Romeo Giulia 1750 Prototyp
Alfa Romeo Giulia GT Junior
Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider Bertone
Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider Verloce Pininfarina
Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint 1600 GTA Corsa
Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTC
Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint Speziale Coupé Bertone
Alfa Romeo Giulia Super
Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider Bertone Prototyp
Alfa Romeo Montreal
Alfa Romeo Sculpture
Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Stradale
Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/2 Daytona Coupe long tail sn.75033017
Alfa Romeo TZ1
Alfa Romeo TZ2
Alfa Romeo Z6 Zagato
Aston Martin 15/98 Short Chassis
Aston Martin International sn.S73
Audi 225 Roadster
Baur Club Display
Baur TC3
Benetton 189 / F1
Bentley 4.5 Litre Supercharged
Bentley-Badge
Berna 1UP138R1H
BMW 315
BMW 3200 CS Bertone
BMW 502 V8 Baur Cabrio
BMW Isetta 600
BMW V8 502 Jacobsen&Steinberg
Bugatti T44
Bugatti T55 Roadster
Bugatti T57 Atalante sn.57312
Bugatti T57 Atlantic Replica
Bugatti T57 Corsica
Bus Display
Delage D6 Sport Special
Duesenberg Model A
FBW Ramseier & Jenzer AN 40
Ferrari 246 GT Dino
Ferrari 250 GTE sn.3641
Ferrari 275 GTB/4 sn.10869
Ferrari 330 GT 2+2
Ferrari 365 GTC/4 sn.F101AC10015411
Ferrari 365 GTE 2+2
Ferrari 412 TI B sn.155
Ferrari 512 BB sn.36775
Floosies at the Auto Union Club Display
Footwork Porsche FA12
Hockenheim Historic Display
Junkyard Display
Koco 4/12 PS
Lagonda LG45 "Rapide"
Lagonda LG45 Rapide sn.12230/9105/R
Lagonda V12 Sports-Saloon
Lancia Astura Aerodynamico
Lancia Fulvia 1600 Sport Zagato
Lancia Fulvia Coupe Rallye 1.3 HF
Lanz Typ D2531
Lanz Typ D3506
Lanz Typ D7531
Magirus Deutz
March MKI / MKIII
Maserati 26M sn.2544
Maserati 3500 GT Vignale Spider
Maserati MC 12 Stradale
Maserati MC12 Corsa
Maybach SW 38/42 Spohn Cabriolet
McLaren SLR Stirling Moss
Mercedes-Benz 300 Cabriolet D
Mercedes-Benz 300 S
Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé
Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet C
Mercedes-Benz 540 K Sepecial Roadster
Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman
Mercedes-Benz 770 K W150 Ungepanzerte Pullman-Limousine
Mercedes-Benz Classic Center
Mercedes-Benz SEL
Mercedes-Benz SSK Replica
Mercedes-Lorry
MV Agusta Display
Opel GT
Peugeot 201 Coupe DL
Peugeot 301 D Coupe
Peugeot 402 Eclipse
Peugeot Darl´Mat
Porsche 356
Porsche 356 A Carrera
Porsche 804 F1
Porsche 908/2 Spider
Porsche 917/30
Porsche 962 sn.962-141
Porsche Tractors
Rometsch Porsche Spider
Saurer Typ 5AE
Star 12 HP
Unimog
Veritas C-90 Coupé
Veritas Meteor Formel 2
Veritas Meteor II
VW Typ 60K 10 Berlin-Rom-Wagen
Weekly market Display
Williams FW12 / F1