The 2016 Seoul Auto Salon, the country’s largest custom car and accessories show, will take place this summer from July 7 to 10 at Coex in southern Seoul.

The trade fair is the largest auto aftermarket show in Korea, displaying tuned cars and other parts and accessories used to modify vehicles. 

Starting with 82 exhibiting companies and 51,000 visitors in 2003, the auto show has indeed increased in scale over the past 13 years to an expected 130 companies and estimated 80,000 visitors this year, although it took a hit with low public attendance of 58,000 visitors due to the Middle East respiratory syndrome outbreak last year.

However, next to international events such as the Specialty Equipment Market Association Show in the U.S. and the Tokyo Auto Salon in Japan, the Seoul Auto Salon will no doubt pale in comparison.

Nonetheless, the Korean event organizer said the smaller scale is to be expected as the domestic auto tuning market itself is relatively new and small compared to those abroad.

In comparison to the U.S. auto tuning market worth $35 billion, and Japan’s at $14 billion, Korea’s car-tuning industry is estimated to be worth just $500 million, according to South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

This is especially true when considering the SEMA Show is not open to the public, but only industry affiliates, while the Tokyo Auto Salon is partially open to the general public. On the other hand, the Seoul Auto Salon is open to the public on all days -- indicating the effort to spread awareness for the emerging auto tuning and aftermarket industry in Korea.

Yet, the organizers of the 14th Seoul Auto Salon will try to up their game by holding various events as well as offering seminars about electric vehicles and auto tuning to educate interested buyers and industry people, officials said.

By Lee Seo-young (seoyounglee@heraldcorp.com)