Automechanika Frankfurt 2028

Automechanika Frankfurt is Messe Frankfurt’s international trade fair for the automotive aftermarket and vehicle service industry. The next announced edition runs from 5 to 9 September 2028 at Messe Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. The fair brings together product manufacturers, distributors, retailers, workshops and automotive technology businesses across a broad aftermarket supply chain. It is a commercial and professional event: visitors can compare products and discuss service, repair and technology requirements, while exhibitors can present solutions to an international trade audience.

The organiser’s current visitor information lists opening hours of 9:00–18:00 from 5 to 8 September and 9:00–17:00 on 9 September. The event spans five days, but the daily schedule differs; check the organiser’s current information when planning a visit.

Why Automechanika Frankfurt matters

Compare across the aftermarket

The product groups cover replacement parts and components as well as workshop, repair, diagnostic, body-and-paint, tyre, wheel, care and digital-service needs. Buyers can use that breadth to identify where products overlap, which specifications need closer comparison and which suppliers merit a follow-up discussion.

Connect workshop practice with technology

Repair and maintenance professionals can assess equipment and systems against the vehicles they service, the jobs they handle and the skills available in their teams. The event’s current product categories include diagnostics and repair, connectivity and autonomous driving, digital solutions and services, and electrics and electronics. These categories make it possible to consider traditional workshop needs alongside changes in vehicle systems and aftermarket business models.

Understand the fair’s international scale

In its final report on the 2026 edition, Messe Frankfurt reported 4,400 exhibitors from 80 countries and more than 112,000 trade visitors from 173 countries. The organiser said 66 per cent of trade visitors came from outside Germany. These figures describe the completed 2026 edition, not a forecast for 2028. They show the range of companies and professional perspectives represented at the previous show, while the 2028 exhibitor list and programme remain to be published.

Who should visit Automechanika Frankfurt?

Workshop owners, managers and repair professionals

Use the fair to compare equipment, diagnostic systems, replacement parts and service products against real workshop needs. Before attending, list the vehicle types and jobs that matter most to your business. At stands, check compatibility, technical specifications, installation requirements, training needs, service support and parts availability. A useful outcome is a shortlist of products to evaluate further, not a purchase decision made without checking fit and total operating requirements.

Parts distributors, wholesalers and retailers

Buyers can review parts and component ranges, assess how suppliers describe coverage and compare products that may complement an existing portfolio. Prepare a focused list of categories, brands or vehicle applications to investigate. Ask about catalogue data, product identification, warranty terms, packaging, distribution arrangements and the evidence available for technical claims. The fair can help structure supplier research; commercial terms and product fit still need to be confirmed directly.

Automotive manufacturers and aftermarket suppliers

Exhibitors can use the event to present products and services to professionals from workshops, retail and industry. Plan around the audiences most relevant to your offer: for example, repair businesses for workshop systems, parts buyers for components, or service providers for digital tools. Define what a worthwhile conversation would establish—application, market fit, technical requirements, distribution interest or a next step—and record the contact and agreed follow-up accurately.

Automotive software and mobility technology businesses

Companies working on connected systems, vehicle data, diagnostics or digital aftermarket services can use the fair to understand how their offer relates to repair, retail and service operations. The 2026 edition’s HighTech4Mobility format focused on software-defined vehicles, connected systems, digital services, vehicle data, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. That was a previous-edition programme; check what the organiser confirms for 2028 before building a visit around a particular session or format.

What can you find at Automechanika Frankfurt?

The organiser’s current product-group information presents the following areas. Product placement and hall arrangements can change, so use the current fair catalogue and Navigator app for the 2028 layout when available.

Parts, systems and workshop work

• Parts & Components: replacement parts and components for the automotive aftermarket.
• Diagnostics & Repair: products and equipment connected with vehicle fault-finding, repair and maintenance.
• Electrics & electronics: electrical and electronic products for vehicles and service work.
• Oils, lubricants & fuels: fluids and related products within the organiser’s product classification.

Vehicle appearance, wheels and bodywork

• Body & Paint: products and systems for body repair and refinishing.
• Car Wash, Care & Detailing: washing, surface care and detailing products and services.
• Accessories, Wheels & Customizing: accessories and customisation, with wheels integrated into this product group in the current organiser information.
• Wheels Management & Tire Service: a highlighted product area in the organiser’s current information.

Digital and emerging vehicle systems

• Connectivity & Autonomous Driving: products and technologies associated with connected and automated driving systems.
• Digital Solutions & Services: digital products and services for the automotive industry and aftermarket.

The organiser also identifies special-interest themes including electric vehicles, remanufacturing, trucks, tyres, caravans, classic vehicles and motorcycles. These themes help visitors look for relevant offers in the exhibition and organiser’s search tools; they do not replace checking an individual exhibitor’s catalogue and product scope.

What makes Automechanika Frankfurt distinctive?

The fair links established aftermarket categories with practical discussion of mobility and service change. Its core product groups span parts, workshop equipment, repair, vehicle electronics, body and paint, wheels, care and digital solutions. The 2026 final report also documented several event formats that broadened the previous edition beyond conventional product displays.

HighTech4Mobility brought software companies, start-ups, workshops, retailers and industry representatives together around software-defined vehicles, connected systems, vehicle data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and aftermarket business models. The 2026 Experience Park included interactive mobility activities; the Automechanika Pit Lane presented motorsport vehicles and experiences; and the Future Mobility Park included a test circuit and alternative-drive vehicles from participating universities. The Classic Alliance programme included live restoration activity and specialist presentations. These are examples from 2026, not confirmed promises for the next edition.

For visitors, the practical distinction is the combination of sourcing and comparison with technology-focused discussion and demonstrations in the previous programme. Use the 2028 programme when published to decide which elements merit dedicated time.

What should you try to achieve at Automechanika Frankfurt?

If you buy or distribute parts

Build a product shortlist for a defined vehicle or customer segment. Compare catalogue coverage, product identification, technical documentation, warranty information and distribution terms. Record which suppliers can provide the evidence your business needs and which questions remain open.

If you run a workshop or repair business

Identify equipment or service products that address a specific workflow. Bring examples of the vehicle systems and repair jobs you handle. Compare diagnostic functions, compatibility, update arrangements, training and service support rather than relying on headline features alone.

If you develop or supply automotive technology

Test the relevance of your product for a clearly defined aftermarket user. Explain the application, system dependencies and technical requirements in terms that a workshop, distributor or service provider can assess. Use conversations to learn what must be validated before a commercial or technical follow-up.

If you exhibit

Set a measurable participation objective. Examples include presenting a new product range to a defined buyer group, checking distributor interest in a specific category or gathering structured feedback on an application. Agree internal criteria for recording discussions and follow-up; attendance or a conversation alone does not guarantee a lead or sale.

How to prepare before Automechanika Frankfurt

1. Define your purpose

Choose whether the priority is sourcing, supplier comparison, workshop investment, product presentation, technical learning or market research. Turn that purpose into a few questions that can be answered by a product demonstration or a focused conversation.

2. Map your requirements

For parts, note vehicle applications, reference data, quality documentation and required supply terms. For workshop equipment, list the jobs, vehicle systems, throughput and staff capabilities the equipment must support. For digital services, identify the relevant data sources, integration needs, security questions and operating model. These are preparation prompts, not claims that every exhibitor offers each feature.

3. Prioritise product groups and exhibitors

The organiser provides an exhibitor and product search and describes the Navigator app as a fair guide with an interactive site map, hall plan, exhibitor and product search, and event news. Use the current version when it becomes available for 2028. Place essential companies and categories first, relevant alternatives second, and exploratory interests last. Recheck the organiser’s catalogue for updates before travelling.

4. Prepare specific supplier questions

• Which vehicle makes, models, systems or applications does the product cover?
• What technical documentation, approvals or test evidence can the supplier provide?
• How are product updates, compatibility changes and after-sales support handled?
• What training or installation requirements should a workshop plan for?
• For distributors, what catalogue, warranty, packaging and supply information is available?
• For digital products, what data, connectivity, cybersecurity and integration requirements apply?
• Which commercial terms, minimum quantities or service conditions need a separate quotation?
• What is the best next step for evaluating the product after the fair?

5. Plan the practical details

The organiser lists five fair days and different opening hours on the final day. Confirm the current timetable, access conditions and transport arrangements in the organiser’s visitor information before travel. Build a realistic schedule around the stand visits, product groups and sessions that match your goals.

How to make the most of the exhibition

A large international fair can produce more information than you can use. Keep a short record for each relevant stand:

• Company and product: identify the supplier and the item or service discussed.
• Application: note the vehicle, workshop process or customer need it addresses.
• Evidence: list specifications, catalogue details, approvals, demonstrations or documents to review.
• Business fit: record why it may suit your business, and what remains uncertain.
• Contact and next action: agree who will send or review what, and when to follow up.

For competing parts or systems, compare the same criteria from supplier to supplier. For workshop equipment, distinguish purchase price from installation, training, service and operating requirements. For software and connected services, write down integration and data questions before comparing features. Use the official app and current hall plan to navigate; verify locations against the organiser’s latest information.

Plan your time realistically

Automechanika Frankfurt runs across five days. The right visit length depends on your objectives, the number of product groups you need to cover and the confirmed 2028 programme. The organiser’s Navigator app is intended to support orientation across the grounds and halls.

Start of the day

Visit the highest-priority suppliers or product groups while your schedule is fresh. Leave enough time to compare products rather than collecting only brochures.

Middle of the day

Use the central part of the day for a planned demonstration, meeting or specialist programme item if one is listed in the confirmed 2028 schedule. Keep space between appointments for navigation and conversations that take longer than expected.

End of the day

Review your notes, mark unanswered technical or commercial questions and arrange follow-up while the details are clear. Reorder the next day’s list if supplier information has changed your priorities.

This is a planning method, not an official daily timetable. Check the event programme and opening hours before setting appointments.

Beyond the exhibition floor

The 2026 edition’s reported programme included around 500 events and a range of practical formats. HighTech4Mobility addressed software-defined vehicles, connected systems, vehicle data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and aftermarket business models. The Experience Park and Future Mobility Park presented interactive or hands-on mobility experiences, while the Pit Lane and Classic Alliance provided specialist vehicle and restoration content. The 2026 report also described AMBITION, a career-orientation format for young people, and practical workshops on glass repair and AI-supported robotic painting.

These examples establish what took place at the previous edition only. The organiser has announced the next fair dates, but the full 2028 programme has not been confirmed in the information currently published. Check the programme when released and select sessions or demonstrations that connect directly to your product, repair or service questions.

Networking at Automechanika Frankfurt

Useful business conversations start with a specific context. Prepare a concise introduction to your role, the products or services you work with, the customers you serve and the question you want to resolve. If you are a buyer, explain the application and requirements rather than asking only for a catalogue. If you are an exhibitor, ask what information the visitor needs to assess fit and agree a realistic next action.

After each conversation, record the contact, product, application, evidence promised and follow-up owner. Separate immediate evaluation from longer-term market intelligence. Do not treat a badge scan or a brief discussion as a confirmed business opportunity; assess fit, documentation and commercial terms afterwards.

Travelling to Automechanika Frankfurt

The organiser describes the Frankfurt exhibition grounds as accessible by air, rail and road and provides a separate arrival-and-stay information area. Check the current visitor guidance for routes, parking, entrances and any event-specific arrangements before setting out. Confirm details close to the fair, as transport and access information may change between editions. No particular route, shuttle or parking condition is assumed here.

One day or several days?

One day may suit visitors with a short, fixed list of suppliers or a single priority product group. Choose the most important meetings in advance and allow time for follow-up notes.

Two or three days may be more practical when you need to compare multiple product groups, meet several suppliers or combine sourcing with technical programme content. Keep each day focused on a theme such as parts, workshop systems or digital services.

More of the five-day fair may be useful for exhibitors, broad-category buyers or professionals whose objectives span several areas. Decide how much time the confirmed programme and your own requirements justify; the number of days alone does not determine value.

Automechanika Frankfurt for a live project

If you are evaluating parts, diagnostics, workshop equipment or digital service systems for a current project, bring the application details you can share: vehicle types, system versions, repair tasks, operating conditions, required documentation and decision timetable. For a workshop investment, record installation constraints, staff training needs and service expectations. For a parts range, prepare the target vehicle coverage and catalogue requirements. For software, note integration points, data access and cybersecurity questions. Avoid sharing confidential customer or vehicle data at a stand unless you have an appropriate basis and safeguards.

After Automechanika Frankfurt: turn notes into decisions

Within a few days, sort contacts into three groups: immediate technical or commercial follow-up, promising options requiring further evaluation, and useful market information with no immediate purchasing action. Send each supplier a concise summary of the product, application and documents or quotation needed. Compare responses against the same criteria used at the fair.

For workshop products, verify compatibility, training, installation and support. For parts, check application data, quality evidence, warranty and supply terms. For digital products, confirm integration, data handling, security and ongoing service conditions. Keep decisions, unresolved questions and next steps in one record. The event can inform evaluation; suitability and commercial outcomes depend on your own verification and negotiations.

Who should consider exhibiting?

The event’s documented product categories and 2026 final report indicate relevance for companies serving the automotive aftermarket, workshops, retail and automotive industry. Potentially relevant exhibitors include manufacturers and distributors of parts and components; suppliers of workshop, diagnostic and repair equipment; companies in vehicle electronics and digital services; providers of body-and-paint, car-wash, care and detailing products; and businesses in tyres, wheels, accessories and customisation.

Before exhibiting, define which product groups and professional buyers matter, what demonstrations or technical evidence you can provide, and what a successful conversation should establish. Plan staffing, product information and follow-up responsibilities around that objective. The organiser’s exhibitor information is the authoritative place to check participation terms and current deadlines; no price or deadline is stated here.

Automechanika Frankfurt visitor checklist

Before the fair

• Set a sourcing, workshop, technology or market-research objective.
• List priority product groups and suppliers; check the current organiser directory when available.
• Prepare vehicle, repair, catalogue, integration or technical requirements relevant to your goal.
• Write supplier questions and decide what evidence you need to review.
• Check the confirmed programme, visitor access information and day-specific opening hours.
• Plan appointments and navigation using the organiser’s current app and hall information.

During the fair

• Compare products against consistent technical and commercial criteria.
• Record company, application, evidence, open questions, contact and next action.
• Keep time for demonstrations and conversations that address your priorities.
• Distinguish confirmed product details from claims that still need checking.
• Review notes at the end of each day and update the next day’s plan.

After the fair

• Prioritise contacts by decision urgency and relevance.
• Request the specifications, catalogue data, quotations or integration details needed for evaluation.
• Check compatibility, approvals where applicable, service support and commercial terms.
• Record a decision, remaining risk and owner for each follow-up.

Is Automechanika Frankfurt worth visiting?

The fair is most relevant to professionals who can connect its wide automotive aftermarket range to a concrete task: sourcing parts, comparing workshop systems, evaluating diagnostic or digital solutions, presenting products or understanding service-sector change. Its breadth can support cross-category comparison, but it also makes preparation important. Visitors without a priority list may spend time on products that do not fit their work. Use the confirmed 2028 catalogue and programme to judge whether the available exhibitors and sessions match your objectives.

Automechanika Frankfurt 2028 at a glance

The 2028 dates and daily opening hours are announced by the organiser. The scale figures and programme examples above refer to the completed 2026 edition; they should not be read as forecasts for 2028.

Make your Automechanika Frankfurt visit count

Choose the products, suppliers or technologies that matter to your work, compare them with clear criteria, and leave with specific questions and next steps. Discover. Compare. Evaluate. Follow up.

Automotive aftermarket opportunities in Germany

Market size and demand

Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority recorded 49.1 million passenger cars in the national vehicle stock on 1 January 2024. This large installed fleet is relevant context for parts, maintenance and repair, but it is not a measure of aftermarket spending or demand for any individual product. Germany’s Federal Statistical Office also reported that motor vehicles and parts thereof accounted for 16.2 per cent of German exports in 2025; that broad trade category includes vehicles and parts and does not isolate aftermarket components.

Market drivers and commercial opportunities

The registered vehicle stock provides a basis for ongoing maintenance and repair activity, while Germany’s position in motor-vehicle and parts exports shows the wider importance of automotive supply chains. Neither indicator proves demand, profitability or an unmet supply gap for a specific product. Companies may investigate opportunities in replacement components, workshop and diagnostic equipment, body-and-paint products, tyres and digital aftermarket services by matching their offer to defined vehicle applications and customer requirements. Competition, product fit, distribution access and technical qualification remain important barriers to assess.

Regulations and market-entry conditions

Regulation (EU) 2028/858 establishes a framework for approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and, within its scope, systems, components and separate technical units. It does not mean that every aftermarket part follows the same approval route. Suppliers and buyers should confirm product classification, applicable approval requirements and evidence for the specific component and intended use.

What this means for exhibitors

Parts, workshop-system and technology exhibitors may use the fair to explore how their products fit Germany’s established vehicle and supply-chain context, and to discuss applications, documentation and distribution requirements with relevant professionals. The national fleet and export indicators do not guarantee buyer access or sales, and product-level demand was not verified.

What this means for visitors

Visitors may compare suppliers and ask how replacement parts, repair equipment or digital services fit their vehicle mix, technical requirements and applicable approvals. Germany’s fleet data provides context for the scale of the service environment, not a substitute for checking a product’s compatibility, evidence or commercial terms.