Automechanika Frankfurt 2026 opens today with 4,400 exhibitors

Automechanika Frankfurt 2026 opens today, 8 September. Around 4,400 exhibitors from more than 80 countries are taking part in this year’s edition of the leading international automotive aftermarket trade fair.

The event will run until 12 September 2026. Across approximately 300,000 square metres of exhibition space, companies will present products, technologies and solutions for the entire automotive aftermarket. Artificial intelligence, electromobility, digitalisation and autonomous driving will be among the main themes.

According to the organisers, exhibitor numbers have increased by around 5 per cent compared with the previous edition, while the entire exhibition centre is fully booked.

“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,” said Detlef Braun, Member of the Board of Management of Messe Frankfurt.

The aftermarket continues to grow

According to the latest forecasts from Frost & Sullivan, the global automotive aftermarket is expected to grow by 5.8 per cent by 2026. Key drivers include the increasing lifespan of vehicles, the growing importance of the independent spare parts market and new opportunities created by electromobility, digitalisation and artificial intelligence.

At the same time, companies are facing geopolitical uncertainty and volatile supply chains. Automechanika Frankfurt will showcase the solutions and business models currently being developed in response to these challenges.

More than 500 events

This year’s programme includes more than 500 events focusing on innovation, transformation, sustainability, training, further education and recruitment.

New features include the Future Mobility Park, the first Automechanika Pitlane and the Experience Park. Visitors can expect live demonstrations, technology presentations and a pit lane stretching approximately 200 metres.

The new HighTech4Mobility forum in Hall 2, known as the Festhalle, will focus on software-defined vehicles, autonomous driving and digital services. On the opening day, representatives from the European Commission, CLEPA, the FIA and Moving Intelligence will discuss the requirements and implications of the EU Data Act for the automotive market.

The “AI in Motion – Reinventing Automotive Aftersales” study, prepared by the IBM Institute for Business Value in collaboration with Automechanika, will also be presented. Experts from Google Cloud and Boston Consulting Group will discuss how artificial intelligence can unlock new value creation opportunities in the aftermarket.

Future technologies in action

The Future Mobility Park will be located in the Agora outdoor area. University teams will present innovative vehicles and prototypes, including the “lux025” solar car, which has already covered 3,000 kilometres using solar energy alone.

Visitors will also be able to see the “muc022”, described by the organisers as the electric car with the longest range in the world, as well as an autonomous racing car developed by RWTH Aachen University. Test drives of vehicles featuring innovative powertrain technologies will also be available.

The exhibition grounds will additionally feature a fully electric kart from BRP-Rotax and an authentic Dakar bivouac prepared by NRF.

Training for automotive professionals

A comprehensive programme of free, certified training sessions will take place across five exhibition halls. Topics will include damage diagnosis, cost estimation, specialised repair techniques, surface preparation and painting, ADAS diagnostics and alternative powertrains.

Separate training sessions will be available for commercial vehicle and caravan professionals. After the event, the training programme will be made available online free of charge.

The AMBITION programme, held under the motto “What’s up next?”, is aimed at Generations Z and Alpha. It combines technology, gaming and entertainment with career opportunities in the automotive industry. More than 4,000 school pupils are expected to attend.

Awards and special events

Automechanika Frankfurt 2026 will begin with a CEO Breakfast and a keynote speech by Dr Bertrand Piccard, known for the first non-stop round-the-world balloon flight and the Solar Impulse mission, the first round-the-world flight in a solar-powered aircraft.

The Automechanika Innovation Awards will also be presented on the opening day. A record 185 products and solutions were entered in ten categories. The winning innovations will be displayed in a dedicated area in Hall 3.0.

The PIONEER AWARD will take place on 9 September. Ten start-ups from Germany, France, Israel, Austria, Sweden and Switzerland will present their forward-looking mobility solutions.

Remanufacturing Day, organised for the fourth time in cooperation with APRA Europe, will also take place on 9 September. The event will focus on the growing importance of remanufactured vehicle parts, current industry challenges and the role of remanufacturing in sustainable mobility.

Automechanika Frankfurt 2026 takes place from 8 to 12 September at Messe Frankfurt.