Automechanika Frankfurt 2026 is set to begin tomorrow, bringing together around 4,400 exhibitors from more than 80 countries for the leading international trade fair for the automotive aftermarket.
Taking place from 8 to 12 September 2026, the event will serve as a global meeting point for the automotive industry, showcasing the latest technologies, products and solutions across the entire automotive aftermarket. Key themes at this year’s event include artificial intelligence (AI), electromobility, digitalisation and autonomous driving, highlighting the technologies reshaping the automotive sector and its future.
Alongside product and technology showcases, Automechanika Frankfurt 2026 will introduce new formats designed to encourage industry exchange and strengthen global networking. These initiatives come at a time when collaboration and international connectivity are becoming increasingly important as the automotive industry undergoes rapid technological and structural transformation.
Detlef Braun, Member of the Board of Management Messe Frankfurt, explains: “The success story of Automechanika Frankfurt continues: despite challenging economic conditions, we have seen an increase in exhibitor numbers of around 5 per cent. Around 4,400 exhibitors from over 80 countries are presenting their innovations and solutions at the fully booked exhibition centre, which covers around 300,000 square metres. In times of ongoing geopolitical crises, Automechanika enables us to strengthen resilience and market presence.”
The global automotive aftermarket remains on a growth trajectory despite a challenging economic environment. According to the latest forecasts from Frost & Sullivan, the sector is expected to grow by 5.8 per cent worldwide by 2026. Key drivers include 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. At the same time, geopolitical uncertainties and volatile supply chains are creating new challenges. Automechanika Frankfurt 2026, which brings together leading players from industry, workshops and the retail sector from around the world, will showcase the solutions and business models currently on offer in the automotive aftermarket.
Once again this year, Automechanika Frankfurt is offering a diverse and extensive programme featuring over 500 events. Detlef Braun explains: “Automechanika Frankfurt 2026 will focus on the key issues currently shaping the industry: innovation, transformation, sustainability, and training, further education and recruitment. This year, Automechanika Frankfurt will be even more diverse and exciting; it is far more than a traditional trade fair. With the Future Mobility Park, the first Automechanika Pitlane and the Experience Park, we are bringing innovations to life for our visitors. Visitors can look forward to plenty of live action with leading figures, the roar of engines, exciting challenges, exclusive insights and a pit lane stretching some 200 metres.”
The new ‘HighTech4Mobility’ forum in hall 2 (Festhalle) will focus on developments relating to software-defined vehicles, autonomous driving and digital services. On 8 September at 11.30 am, a member of the European Commission (Dr Sören Schneider, DG Connect) and representatives from CLEPA, the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) and Moving Intelligence, amongst others, will discuss the requirements and implications of the EU Data Act for the automotive market. Also on 8 September at 3.00 pm, the study ‘AI in Motion – Reinventing Automotive Aftersales’ by the IBM Institute for Business Value, in collaboration with Automechanika, will be presented. Under the theme “How Tech is Driving the Future of Mobility”, leading industry representatives from Aufinity, Holon, Mahle and CLEPA will discuss, on 10 September at 5.30 pm, how technology is becoming the key driver of the entire mobility ecosystem.
What role will the vehicle play in future as an active health assistant? Representatives from RWTH Aachen University and TU Braunschweig will speak on this topic under the title “Future of Automotive Health” on 10 September at 11.00 am. In addition, a demonstration vehicle in the HighTech4Mobility area will show how health data can be collected and utilised whilst driving. Under the title “How AI Can Unlock Value in the Aftermarket”, experts from Google Cloud and the Boston Consulting Group will discuss, on 10 September at 1.00 pm, how artificial intelligence can unlock new value creation potential in the aftermarket.
The “FIA Global Consumer Mobility Trends Study” offers fascinating insights and will be presented on 8 September at 10.00 am in the Innovation4Mobility Forum in Hall 3.0. For this study, conducted in collaboration with Ernst & Young, the FIA surveyed 10,000 road users across ten markets on mobility today and tomorrow.
Visitors can experience the mobility of tomorrow first-hand at the Future Mobility Park on the Agora outdoor area. University teams will be presenting innovative vehicles and prototypes: from the ‘lux025’ solar car – which has already covered 3,000 kilometres powered exclusively by solar energy – to the ‘muc022’, currently the electric car with the longest range in the world, and the autonomous racing car from RWTH Aachen University. In addition, a fully electric kart drive from BRP-Rotax will be on display for young karting enthusiasts. Visitors can try out various vehicles featuring innovative drive technologies for themselves during test drives. A genuine Dakar bivouac from NRF will also bring a rally atmosphere to the exhibition grounds.
“Training and further education are, and will remain, vital for the entire industry. That is why, alongside a series of free, certified trainings, we are organising a varied and comprehensive programme across a total of five exhibition halls, covering the latest trends and developments. What’s new is that we’ll be making the programme freely available online after the show,” explains Detlef Braun. The traininngs cover a range of topics, from damage diagnosis and cost estimation, measurement and specialised repair techniques, through surface preparation and paintwork, to ADAS diagnostics and alternative powertrains. In addition, trainings are on offer for commercial vehicle and caravan professionals.
With the double award-winning AMBITION format, Automechanika Frankfurt offers a unique programme for Generations Z and Alpha. Under the motto “What’s up next?”, technology, gaming and entertainment come together with exciting career prospects. School pupils, apprentices and students gain insights into apprenticeship opportunities in the automotive trade, discover the diverse career options within the automotive industry and forge valuable contacts with companies. A varied programme featuring talks, seminars and masterclasses provides practical knowledge on new technologies and the mobility of tomorrow. Over 4,000 school pupils are expected to attend.
Further programme highlights
For the third time, Automechanika Frankfurt will kick off on 8 September 2026 with a CEO breakfast and a keynote speech by Dr Bertrand Piccard, who will speak about innovative strength, pioneering spirit and the economic opportunities of sustainable transformation. Dr Piccard gained international recognition, amongst other things, for the first non-stop round-the-world balloon flight and for the groundbreaking ‘Solar Impulse’ mission – the first round-the-world flight in a solar-powered aeroplane.
Another highlight are the Automechanika Innovation Awards, which will be presented in ten categories at an awards ceremony on 8 September at 5.00 pm. A total of 185 entries were submitted – a new record that demonstrates the diversity and innovative strength of the industry. The award-winning products will be showcased in a special area in Hall 3.0 during the trade fair.
Also on 8 September at 6.30 pm, the ‘Golden Classic’ awards ceremony, organised by AUTO BILD KLASSIK, will take place on stage in Hall 11.1. The winning vehicles will then be presented on the exhibition grounds.
Which innovations will shape the mobility of tomorrow? At the PIONEER AWARD, ten selected start-ups from Germany, France, Israel, Austria, Sweden and Switzerland will present their forward-looking solutions in short elevator pitches on stage in the Agora outdoor area on 9 September from 11.00 am to 1.00 pm. The award ceremony will take place at 3.00 pm.
Remanufacturing Day will take place for the fourth time on 9 September 2026, in collaboration with the international association APRA Europe. The event highlights the growing importance of remanufactured vehicle parts for sustainable mobility and offers industry experts a platform to discuss current developments, challenges and opportunities in remanufacturing.
The Aftermarket Women Network invites to a panel discussion entitled “Driving Change Together: The Capabilities, the People, and the Path Forward” on 8 September at 1.00 pm on the stage in Hall 8.0. The focus will be on how companies can attract, develop and retain skilled workers in the long term through diversity and targeted talent development.
The full programme is available online at www.automechanika.com/programm.
