Automechanika Dubai takes off with over 1,300 exhibitors from 50 countries

Inayat-ur-Rahman, Business Editor

Dubai: Automechanika Dubai opened at Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC), Expo City Dubai, on Tuesday, bringing manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, workshop professionals, fleet operators and buyers together for three days of sourcing, networking, and knowledge exchange. With more than 1,300 exhibitors from over 50 participating countries across 11 product sections, the opening day combines international sourcing opportunities with discussions on the technologies reshaping the automotive aftermarket.

Messe Frankfurt Middle East organises the show with government support from the UAE Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure (MOEI), the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Customs. The Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism (DET) is its Destination Partner.

Eng. Mohamed Ebrahim Hassan Al Mansoori, Undersecretary for Infrastructure and Transportation Affairs at MOEI, opened Innovation4Mobility with a keynote session. His address covered how policy, infrastructure and cross-sector collaboration are advancing sustainable mobility and regional connectivity across the UAE.

His Excellency said: “Infrastructure is the foundation of economic growth, national competitiveness and resilience. The UAE’s long-term investment in transport networks has positioned the country as a global trade and logistics hub, supporting business growth and quality of life.

“As vehicle technologies evolve, we must continue to develop our networks and think differently about the future of mobility. Artificial intelligence and data analysis will help us predict challenges, strengthen preparedness and improve efficiency. Working with our partners, we are shaping a future in which mobility and logistics are more efficient, resilient and responsive to changing needs.”

The opening-day programme reflects a changing regional market. Glasgow Research and Consulting forecasts that the Middle East and Africa automotive aftermarket will reach US$87 billion by 2034, growing at a compound annual growth rate of up to 7%. Conventional vehicles still account for a substantial share of the regional fleet, while hybrid, electric and connected vehicles are changing requirements for parts, diagnostics, workshop equipment and technical skills.

Participating companies include Platinum Sponsor Al Mokamel, Hella, Meyle and Hanon Systems, while Uzbekistan and Sri Lanka join the international pavilions for the first time.

Chris Lee, Portfolio Director, Mobility & Logistics, Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “Expanding vehicle numbers and fleets, alongside rising repair and maintenance requirements, are creating opportunities across the regional aftermarket. The opening day at DEC brings that opportunity into focus, connecting businesses with international suppliers and giving them the chance to explore new supply relationships. From the show floor to the conference sessions, visitors can see how suppliers across different markets are responding to changing vehicle technologies and servicing requirements.”

Tommy Le, Show Manager, Automechanika Dubai, said: “The first morning at DEC has brought workshop owners, distributors and fleet operators onto the same floor as the suppliers working on these changes. The conference programme gives them practical detail, from high-voltage servicing to battery demand, and the show floor lets them act on it. This combination reflects an evolving market, where changing vehicle technologies are creating new demands for products, services and technical skills. As these needs develop, future editions of Automechanika Dubai will continue to bring the industry together to explore emerging opportunities and prepare for what comes next.”

Sebastian Thrun, the AI and robotics pioneer and co-founder of Google X and Udacity, followed with a headline session, “Future of Mobility: Smart, Connected, Safe?”. Guenther Steiner, CEO of the Red Bull KTM Tech3 MotoGP team and former Haas Formula 1 Team principal, takes the same stage this afternoon. His session draws on his operational experience of the trends shaping the automotive, fleet and mobility sectors.

Digital platforms are on the agenda at Aftermarket Central, where Ziyad Gaba of Daimler Truck Middle East Africa and Sajed Sbeih of General Motors Africa and Middle East are among the speakers. Market intelligence provider ECDB estimates that the UAE vehicle-parts e-commerce market generated US$112 million in revenue in 2025.

Preparing workshops for changing vehicle technologies

Modern Workshop runs through the day with sessions on EV and hybrid servicing, ADAS calibration and software-defined vehicles. LABX opened with Prashant Bhatt of ENOC on fluids for hydrogen, e-fuels and other energy systems. At Innovation4Mobility, François E. Guichard of the UN Economic Commission for Europe and Hamza Guirrou of the International Road Transport Union addressed the regulation of autonomous mobility across borders, ahead of a panel with Kearney, LODD Autonomous, WeRide and K2.

The exhibition is open until 18:00 each day. For more information, click here.

Automechanika Dubai is the largest international automotive aftermarket trade show in the Middle East taking place at the Dubai Exhibition Centre between 10 – 12 November 2026. Automechanika Dubai acts as the central trading link for markets that are difficult to reach, connecting the wider Middle East, Africa, Asia and key CIS countries.

The Messe Frankfurt Group is the world’s largest trade fair, congress and event organiser with its own exhibition grounds. With a workforce of some 2,700* people at its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main and in 29 subsidiaries, it organises events around the world. Group sales in financial year 2025 were more than € 766* million. We serve our customers’ business interests efficiently within the framework of our Fairs & Events, Locations and Services business fields. One of Messe Frankfurt’s key strengths is its powerful and closely knit global sales network, which covers around 180 countries in all regions of the world. Our comprehensive range of services – both onsite and online – ensures that customers worldwide enjoy consistently high quality and flexibility when planning, organising and running their events. We are using our digital expertise to develop new business models. The wide range of services includes renting exhibition grounds, trade fair construction and marketing, personnel and food services.

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