AUTOMECHANIKA DUBAI SHOW REPORT
Automechanika Dubai 2025, the largest international trade show for the automotive aftermarket industry in the Middle East and Africa, concluded late last year at Dubai World Trade Centre, following its most globally diverse and influential edition to date.
Welcoming 50 408 visitors from 162 countries, denoting a visitor increase of 6.4%, the record numbers reflect strong year-on-year growth, reinforcing Dubai’s strategic role as a global gateway for the automotive aftermarket. The top visiting countries included Saudi Arabia, Iran, India, China, and Iraq.
With over 2 273 exhibitors representing 63 countries showcased across 20 halls, this year’s edition highlighted the innovation, transformation, and commercial momentum shaping the future of mobility. In total, Automechanika Dubai welcomed 192 speakers, up from 120 last year, who delivered 102 sessions, underscoring the event’s position as a leading knowledge platform.
The three-day event, officially opened by H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Dubai Ports and Borders Security Council, welcomed industry leaders, policymakers, OEMs, distributors, and innovators to explore the sector’s most pressing opportunities and challenges. The exhibition hosted an expanded programme of conferences and technical sessions, including the Automechanika Academy, Innovation4Mobility, AfriConnections, Modern Workshop, Pitstop Challenge, LABX Conference, Fleet FWD, and Region Focus – Made in GCC.
H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), underscored the importance of a borderless aftermarket economy and noted that, when fully integrated under the AfCFTA, it will support thousands of SMEs, generate skilled jobs, and increase Africa’s competitiveness in the global automotive aftermarket.
As part of the AfriConnections conference, Themba Khumalo, Principal Advisor to the Secretary General, AfCFTA, further underscored the body’s transformative impact on reducing trade barriers and fostering an integrated market.
The milestone fifth edition of the Automechanika Dubai Awards also took place. It celebrated rising talent, women leaders, service excellence, and innovation shaping the region’s automotive aftermarket, as well as global best practices and regional excellence across 15 categories. Retired Major General Mohammed Alzafeen Almuhairi received the Special Recognition Award, honouring his extraordinary contributions to road safety, accident reconstruction, and traffic engineering in the UAE.
Looking ahead, Automechanika Dubai is preparing for a pivotal new chapter as it relocates to the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) at Expo City in 2026. This strategic move reflects growing exhibitor and visitor demand and aligns with the ambitions of Dubai’s D33 Agenda, which positions mobility as a key pillar of economic growth.
With exhibition capacity set to increase from 120 000 sqm to 180 000 sqm by 2031, DEC will enable further expansion of product sections, international pavilions, and next-generation mobility showcases, supported by modern, flexible architecture designed for seamless large-scale events.
In addition to the new venue, new dates, 10–12 November, further enhance long-term planning for global participants. The expanded capacity at DEC will support the continued growth of Automechanika Dubai’s flagship knowledge and feature programmes, cementing its position as the region’s definitive platform for aftermarket innovation, insight and industry advancement.
