Automechanika Frankfurt, leading international trade fair for the automotive aftermarket, and the Association of International Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (VDIK) have agreed a new alliance to raise the profile of the branded aftermarket. Their goal is to promote dialogue between automotive manufacturers and suppliers as we approach the next Automechanika in Frankfurt in September 2026. This will be done via numerous special formats in which the industry’s key topics are communicated to a trade audience in the run-up to the trade fair. The themes will be explored from the perspectives of manufacturers, branded service providers and major retail groups.
VDIK President Imelda Labbé: “Automechanika and VDIK’s partnership unites the full expertise of the branded aftermarket. This means that the know-how of the international automotive brands in aftersales is being combined with the presence of Automechanika – the world’s leading trade fair and platform for innovations in the automotive service industry – at 15 locations around the globe. We are delighted for this chance to present the fascinating issues and challenges currently facing the industry in attractive event formats and discuss these with automotive aftermarket experts.”
Michael Johannes, Vice President of Messe Frankfurt and Brand Manager Automechanika: “We welcome this partnership with VDIK because we see synergies and shared interests in so many areas of relevance to our customers and to members of the VDIK. Automechanika is a platform for innovations along the entire value chain and industry players worldwide orient their production cycles to the dates of the flagship fair in Frankfurt.”
Now VDIK is joining with Automechanika Frankfurt to launch a series of events featuring prominent speakers, panellists and media members entitled “Road to Automechanika”. The content of these formats will be enriched by the know-how of the international motor vehicle manufacturers in the VDIK and other experts associated with this organisation. The focus will be on such topics as the aftermarket strategies pursued by new players, vehicle data, business opportunities for automotive manufacturers and service providers, accident repair management, fleet services in future, and important measures for the mobility transition. The event series will be supplemented with an array of attractive prizes related to connectivity, aftersales services and workshop tests that are sure to appeal to trade visitors.
To this end, the VDIK has introduced the possibility of sponsored association memberships that allow organisations and companies to support the VDIK’s efforts on behalf of the automotive industry while also benefiting from the collaboration with Automechanika. They will be able to take part in the professional dialogue and VDIK events while presenting their own organisations and utilising the association’s network.
The VDIK serves as the voice of international motor vehicle manufacturers in Berlin and represents their interests in the political sphere and public arena. The association raises the profile of international motor vehicle manufacturers in the media, helping its members and partners to reach a larger audience in Germany.
