Automechanika Istanbul, one of the world’s leading automotive aftermarket trade fairs, celebrated its quarter-century milestone with a special gathering at Divan Kuruçeşme, bringing together some of the industry’s most innovative, long-established, and dynamic representatives. The event also featured the launch of Automechanika Frankfurt 2026, which will take place on September 8–12, 2026.
Organized through the collaboration of Messe Frankfurt Istanbul and Hannover Fairs Turkey, Automechanika Istanbul highlighted its 25-year journey by bringing together key industry leaders. The “25th Anniversary Industry Gathering,” where the past, present, and future of the automotive aftermarket were discussed, hosted a comprehensive panel featuring some of the sector’s most influential figures.
The Industry’s Finest on One Stage: Innovation, Heritage, and Speed
Moderated by Hande Berktan, the panel titled “A Quarter-Century Journey: The Story of Transformation with Automechanika Istanbul” presented a unique perspective by bringing together representatives of different industry dynamics.
Among the panelists were Selim Aydınlıoğlu, Country Manager of Türkiye & Azerbaijan at ZF Aftermarket, representing the company’s global scale and industrial strength; Aytuğ Sakallıoğlu, Chairman of the Board of Lucas Elektrik and one of the fair’s longest-standing exhibitors, representing heritage and loyalty; and legendary rally driver Volkan Işık, representing speed, passion, and the emotional side of motorsports.
The speakers shared their experiences on how the Turkish automotive industry evolved from local manufacturing into a global export powerhouse and highlighted Automechanika Istanbul’s strategic role in that transformation. Volkan Işık’s examples from the world of motorsports demonstrated that the aftermarket industry is not only a mechanical business but also an arena driven by passion and performance.
Frankfurt 2026 Vision: Artificial Intelligence, Transformation, and Young Talent
Michael Johannes, Vice President Mobility & Logistics at Messe Frankfurt and Brand Manager of Automechanika, presented the vision for Automechanika Frankfurt 2026, the industry’s leading global meeting point.
Johannes stated that the exhibition, which will open its doors in Germany on September 8–12, 2026, will focus on sustainability, artificial intelligence, digitalization, and new mobility concepts. Among the event’s key highlights will be the award-winning “AMBITION” format designed for Generation Z, the “HighTech4Mobility” forum focusing on software-defined vehicle technologies, and a classic vehicle exhibition.
In his speech, Johannes commented:
“Automechanika Frankfurt 2026 will bring together all the critical trends transforming the industry—from digitalization and sustainability to artificial intelligence and the circular economy—under one roof. With 4,500 exhibitors expected from more than 80 countries, Frankfurt will continue to serve as a global hub of innovation, while new formats such as HighTech4Mobility and AMBITION will place the future of mobility and young talent at the center of attention.”
Strong Collaboration for a Sustainable Future: APRA and the Circular Economy
Sustainability was another major topic of the event. Particular attention was given to the strategic collaboration with APRA (Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association), the global authority on automotive parts remanufacturing. Through this partnership, the organizations aim to return end-of-life components to the economy, reduce carbon emissions, and strengthen the circular economy. Through its cooperation with APRA, Automechanika Istanbul will continue to support the industry’s green transformation.
A Strong Bridge Between the Past and the Future
Bringing together industry veterans, members of the press, and business leaders, the event demonstrated that Automechanika Istanbul’s 25-year legacy is not only a celebration of past achievements but also a gateway to future technologies and emerging business models. By combining the experience of the past with a vision for the future, the gathering sent a clear message that the automotive aftermarket industry will continue to play a significant role in global competition throughout the next quarter century.
