Inside the aftermarket’s biggest week
The biggest biennial week in the industry took place from September 8 to 12 at Automechanika Frankfurt.
With 112,000 visitors comprising the world’s biggest buyers, automotive service and repair business owners and parts distributors making the trip to Germany from 173 countries, there is no doubt at all that this event remains the heavyweight of the global auto aftermarket industry.
Add to this the 4,400 exhibitors from 80 countries and you have an extremely detailed selection of brands, products and services coupled with training seminars, awards presentations and networking events conducted throughout this immense five day trade fair.
The first Automechanika was launched in September 1971 at the Messe Frankfurt exhibition grounds as an emergency “Plan B” replacement for the then cancelled Frankfurt Motor Show.
After a second consecutive event in 1972, it shifted to a biennial schedule held on even-numbered years and the now world famous trade fair celebrated its milestone 25th edition in September 2018.
The 2020 event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was replaced by a smaller “Digital Plus” hybrid edition in 2021, returning to its full format in 2022.
New innovations this year included the HighTech4Mobility section that focused on software defined vehicles, connected systems and digital services. Presentations in this sector of the trade fair covered modern industry issues including vehicle data, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. New and emerging companies and start-ups in this sector were honoured with a special HEY / Pioneer Award for the most innovative project. The inaugural winner was Whix Technologies of Israel for their system that makes any tyre become an autonomous, self inflating tyre.
There was also the Future Mobility Park in the large outdoor Agora area, where latest specification electric cars were put through their paces, enabling some visitors to have a drive as well. Displays of aftermarket accessories and components fitted to current popular electric vehicles were also located in this informative section that showcased the industry’s progression, adaptation and embracing of EVs as a major part of the future of the global automotive aftermarket industry.
The new Experience Park also brought some fun track activity, providing all wheel drive vehicle displays, Unimog interactive experiences and a roll over simulator in a desert environment.
Above all, was the impressive debut of the Automechanika Frankfurt pit lane, a 200 metre outdoor section comprising racing team garages, cars and team experts with interactive displays taking place on the hour as these magnificent machines were driven for visitors to see, hear and feel. The area had its own small grandstand, merchandise shop and live commentary to give visitors an added experience at this globally renowned trade fair.
Of course Automechanika Frankfurt is all about doing business, viewing the latest on offer by the world’s leading component and equipment manufacturers. Major car companies like Mercedes-Benz and BMW showcased their parts remanufacturing prowess, outlining their long term commitment to the automotive aftermarket and to their own environmental sustainability.
In total 66% of Automechanika Frankfurt visitors came from abroad and 34% from within Germany, which represented an 18.5% increase in the number of German trade fair visitors compared to the 2024 event.
One of the most encouraging points taken from this year’s event was the Frost and Sullivan presentation on the state of the global automotive aftermarket. They have predicted global industry growth of 5.8% this year driven by the increasing lifespan of vehicles, the growing importance of the independent spare parts market and new opportunities arising from electromobility, digitalisation and the use of Artificial Intelligence.
The trade fair celebrated automotive aftermarket developments with the Innovation Awards and it welcomed the young industry stars of the future with the event’s excellent Ambition section. More than 4,000 high school students took part and discovered what a future in the auto aftermarket industry could look like by absorbing the length and breadth of the industry at this global event.
Hands on workshops also proved very popular at Automechanika Frankfurt, particularly those focused on robotic bodywork painting, which showcased just how advanced modern panel repair technologies have become. These displays coupled with a series of presentations ensured that this sector of the industry was extremely well covered.
Mark the dates of September 5 to 9, 2028 for the next Automechanika Frankfurt, you won’t want to miss it.
