From 9–11 December 2025, Automechanika Dubai is set to reaffirm its position as the Middle East and Africa’s largest platform for the sector. The 22nd edition of the event will feature more than 2,400 exhibitors from over 60 countries, spanning 20 halls and 17 international pavilions, all united under one roof to showcase the technologies, partnerships, and people defining the next era of sustainable mobility.
The tone for this year’s edition was established during the Automechanika Network session, held in Abu Dhabi earlier in October, where policymakers, OEMs, technology providers, and industry experts explored how electrification, digitalisation, and sustainability are transforming the global automotive value chain.
Opening the half-day event, Anan Al Amri, Section Head – Alternative & Sustainability Mobility at Abu Dhabi Mobility, challenged the audience to rethink the traditional aftermarket. “We are no longer talking about the aftermarket,” she said. “We are talking about the after future – a future where every component is designed with its second life in mind, every service is data-driven, and every kilometre leaves a smaller footprint than the one before.”
Her message underscored a growing industry belief that sustainability is now central to long-term competitiveness. A series of panels throughout the day reinforced that narrative, with discussions ranging from the role of telematics and data in creating a connected aftermarket, to the transformation of parts distribution through e-commerce platforms.
Vijay Gummadi, CEO of Autorox, highlighted the challenges of a fragmented service landscape. “The primary challenge we are facing, from a repair shop perspective, is a highly fragmented ecosystem – repair shops not connected to suppliers, car owners, insurance companies, and fleet operators,” he explained. “Because of this, the issue of trust remains the biggest barrier. We have to enhance trust by bringing connectivity to all the main players.”
Meanwhile, Steven Pickering, Co-Founder of Buyparts24, described how digitalisation in the B2B aftermarket is still in transition. “Digital will always be our North Star,” he said, “but in B2B, it is still quite ‘fidgital’ in nature – you still need the support of a salesperson, that physical push. Some customers are more advanced and free-flowing on the digital side, but we’ve realised the importance of meeting customers at different levels of adoption.”
Sustainability also took centre stage in sessions on the circular economy and the evolution of EV and ADAS technologies. Experts including Talha Marzouk of OWS Automotive Solutions and Raji Hattar, Sustainability & ESG Strategy Advisor, discussed the growing importance of remanufacturing, recycling, and resource efficiency as essential pillars of greener operations. Later in the day, a panel led by Heiko Seitz of PwC addressed the skills and infrastructure required to support the growing penetration of electric vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems across the region.
“The Automechanika Network provides the aftermarket community with a unique space for forward-looking dialogue,” said Tommy Le, Show Manager of Automechanika Dubai at Messe Frankfurt Middle East. “By hosting the 23rd edition in Abu Dhabi, we broadened the conversation to include fresh perspectives from across the industry. These discussions offer valuable insights as we build towards Automechanika Dubai this December.”
GCC Infrastructure and Fleet Growth Fuel Market Optimism
Ahead of this year’s show, Frost & Sullivan shared an optimistic outlook for the commercial vehicle segment, identifying large-scale infrastructure investment as a key driver of growth. According to Sunny Manjani, Mobility Consultant at the firm, “Dubai has earmarked US$10 billion for infrastructure spending, focusing on scaling the Emirate’s tourism economy. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has announced investments worth US$267 billion, and Qatar is advancing its Third National Development Strategy. These projects are stimulating demand across the fleet and commercial vehicle sectors.”
Manjani added that Saudi Arabia continues to lead the region’s commercial vehicle market, leveraging its logistics corridors and giga-project ecosystem. He noted that ongoing disruptions in maritime shipping have temporarily strengthened the case for road transport. “Current supply chain disruptions in maritime routes are creating short-term opportunities for road transportation in the region,” he said. “For example, goods from Europe are currently being transported from Saudi Arabia, through the UAE, and then to Asia.”
Frost & Sullivan forecasts that the UAE’s GDP will grow to 5.8% in 2025, driven by a robust non-oil economy, while Saudi Arabia’s non-oil sectors – including tourism, technology, infrastructure, and renewables – are expected to deliver 4.8% growth. Both trajectories are set to stimulate the commercial vehicle and aftermarket sectors as fleets expand and equipment cycles accelerate.
Reflecting the rapid transformation of the industry, this year’s Automechanika Dubai will introduce a number of new features and focus areas designed to mirror the evolving priorities of regional businesses. Among the highlights is the launch of a dedicated Commercial Vehicles vertical, targeting the mining, construction, and agricultural industries. This new segment acknowledges the importance of heavy transport and specialised vehicles in driving economic diversification across the GCC.
A Road Safety Day will also debut, offering a platform for showcasing advances in vehicle and driver safety, while a new Connectivity and Autonomous Driving zone will bring together innovations in ADAS, telematics, and intelligent diagnostics.
Returning highlights include the Automechanika Academy, Innovation4Mobility, and a renewed focus on sustainability, electrification, training, and digitalisation – the six core pillars upon which the event has built its reputation. Tommy Le noted that, “Automechanika Dubai is the largest international trade show for the automotive aftermarket industry in the MEA region. This year we are excited to introduce a brand-new Commercial Vehicles vertical and new features such as Road Safety Day and a GCC manufacturing focus. We look forward to welcoming the industry back to Dubai as we continue driving growth in the automotive aftermarket.”
Running alongside the exhibition, the Automechanika Dubai Awards return for their fifth edition on 10 December, celebrating the people, products, and companies leading the transformation of the regional aftermarket. Two new categories have been introduced this year – Rising Star in Automotive Aftermarket and Distributor of the Year – reflecting the industry’s changing dynamics and focus on talent development.
The Rising Star category will recognise young professionals under 30 who are driving innovation and impact within the GCC. Finalists include Nehla Sunil Azeez of Zeez International Group, Mohammed Faraz of Al Mana Automotive Group, Klevisa Toska, CEO of Northstar Shine Car Care, and George Varkey, Owner of TunerStop.com. “The Rising Star category shines a spotlight on the next generation of professionals shaping the future of the automotive aftermarket,” said Tommy Le. “These are individuals bringing fresh ideas, digital-first thinking and new energy into an industry that thrives on transformation and innovation.”
Under the Service Excellence umbrella, the new Distributor of the Year award will recognise independent aftermarket distributors that have demonstrated exceptional performance, innovation, and service quality. Shortlisted companies include Eurodiesel Services, Al Muqarram Auto Parts, Central Motors & Equipment (Al Fahim Group), Al Shirawi Enterprises Group, and DJ Auto Parts.
Beyond these new honours, the Awards continue to highlight achievements across product innovation, sustainability, and leadership. The Innovative Product of the Year and Sustainability Product of the Year categories will once again showcase advancements in efficiency, materials, and circularity, while the Women in Automotive Aftermarket segment celebrates leaders who are reshaping the industry’s diversity and inclusion agenda.
Ghanim Mohammad Al Falasi, Senior Vice President at Dubai Silicon Oasis, summed up the importance of the initiative: “Serving as a judge is both an honour and a responsibility. Every finalist has invested immense effort, and the competition reflects the significant progress this industry has made. All participants are winners in their own right for their contribution to the growth of the automotive aftermarket.”
With sustainability, electrification, innovation, and safety as its defining pillars, Automechanika Dubai 2025 promises to be more than a trade show – it is a reflection of how the UAE and wider region are redefining mobility. As fleets modernise, supply chains localise, and new technologies reshape service models, the event will once again provide an essential meeting ground for collaboration and growth.
“Automechanika Dubai is more than a marketplace,” concluded Tommy Le. “It’s a mirror of how the region is reshaping its future on the road – faster, smarter, and more sustainable than ever before.”
