Automechanika Frankfurt kicked off today in grand fashion with 4,400 exhibitors
Running from the 8th to 12th September 2026, Automechanika Frankfurt continues to be a global meeting place for the automotive industry.
Around 4,400 exhibitors from over 80 countries are present with innovations for the entire automotive aftermarket and demonstrate how AI, electromobility, digitalisation and autonomous driving are transforming the industry.
Detlef Braun, Member of the Board of Management Messe Frankfurt, explains: “This leading international trade fair success story continues: despite challenging economic conditions, we have seen an increase in exhibitor numbers of around 5 percent. 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.
