An automotive trade fair exhibitor list is a strong source for parts and accessory manufacturers looking for distributors, wholesalers and importers. It is not a route into vehicle manufacturers' purchasing teams, though. This guide separates OE supply from the aftermarket, then covers the leading fairs, a working plan and upcoming automotive fairs.
Our directory currently holds 11 upcoming automotive trade fairs with confirmed dates, 1 of them with a ready exhibitor list. The table below is generated from live data and shows fairs with a ready list first. The full calendar by date is on the automotive trade fairs page.
What is the difference between OE supply and the aftermarket?
The same part can be sold into two markets with different buyers, processes and fairs. Picking the right companies from a list starts with this distinction.
- OEM
- The vehicle manufacturer. Buys parts for series production.
- Tier 1
- Supplies modules and systems directly to the OEM and selects its own tier 2 suppliers.
- OE supply
- Parts made for the vehicle manufacturer's production line, under the OEM's approval process.
- Aftermarket
- Everything after the vehicle is sold: replacement parts, workshop equipment, accessories and maintenance products.
- Parts distributor
- Supplies workshops and retailers in the aftermarket. Both exhibits at and visits trade fairs.
| Question | OE supply chain / aftermarket |
|---|---|
| Who buys? | OEM and tier 1 purchasing / distributors, wholesalers, importers, workshop chains |
| How long does it take? | Project based, with long approval and sampling / shorter cycles, catalogue based |
| What do they ask for? | IATF 16949 quality management, approval files such as PPAP / range coverage, catalogue data, stock |
| Who exhibits? | Tier 1 and tier 2 suppliers / parts makers, brands, distributors |
Which automotive trade fairs matter most?
The details below come from the organisers' websites; dates appear only in the live table and on the fair pages.
| Trade fair | Location, cycle and focus |
|---|---|
| Automechanika Frankfurt | Frankfurt, Messe Frankfurt. Every two years; automotive service industry and aftermarket, trade visitors only. The Automechanika brand also runs in cities such as Istanbul, Dubai and Shanghai. |
| SEMA Show | Las Vegas, every year in early November. Accessories, performance and specialty equipment; a trade event. |
| AAPEX | Las Vegas, the same week as SEMA Show. Aftermarket trade show co-produced by the Auto Care Association and MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers. |
For the European and Middle Eastern aftermarket, the Automechanika family sets the pace; for North America, the SEMA and AAPEX week does. Before targeting the US, check that your range and catalogue data match the vehicles on American roads.
Which upcoming automotive fairs have a ready exhibitor list?
| Trade fair | Dates | Location | Exhibitor list |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRI Show - Performance Racing Industry Trade Show 2026 | 10–12 December 2026 | Indianapolis, United States | Ready, 1,031 companies |
| Gönen 14. Tarım Hayvancılık Gıda Sanayi ve Otomotiv Fuarı | 5–8 November 2026 | Balikesir, Türkiye | Not yet |
| Automechanika Dubai | 10–12 November 2026 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Not yet |
| Automechanika Shanghai | 2–5 December 2026 | Shanghai, China | Not yet |
| Kırklareli 6. Tarım Hayvancılık Gıda Sanayi ve Otomotiv Fuarı | 3–6 December 2026 | Kirklareli, Türkiye | Not yet |
| AUTO EXPO Motor Show | 4–9 February 2027 | New Delhi, India | Not yet |
| Bharat Mobilitiy Global Expo - AUTO EXPO Components - Automotive Components, Technology and Services Show | 4–9 February 2027 | New Delhi, India | Not yet |
| Automechanika Baku | 3–5 March 2027 | Baku, Azerbaijan | Not yet |
| FREIZEITMESSE mit Vergnügungspark, AUTO & BIKE, CLASSIC CARS & BIKES, Intervino | 2–4 April 2027 | Klagenfurt, Austria | Not yet |
| Automechanika Kuala Lumpur | 8–10 April 2027 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Not yet |
| Automechanika Birmingham | 8–10 June 2027 | Birmingham, United Kingdom | Not yet |
See all of them in the automotive trade fair calendar, and every fair with a ready list under exhibitor lists.
Which companies should you pick from the list?
- Aftermarket manufacturers: distributors, wholesalers and importers are the main targets. Set aside makers of the same product, but makers of complementary parts (brake pads and discs, for example) may be open to shared distribution.
- OE suppliers: tier 1 companies look for tier 2 partners. Mention your quality certification and, as far as you may share it, the programmes you supply.
- Workshop equipment and chemicals: target distributors and companies that serve workshop chains; training and after-sales support are strong arguments.
- Approvals: some parts, such as lighting, mirrors and replacement brake linings, need type approval in the market of sale, shown in Europe by the E mark. Leave markets where you lack the approval for later.
How do you tie the list to the fair timetable?
- Six to eight weeks before: open the list in your account and group companies by country and product range.
- Three to four weeks before: request meetings; distributors' diaries fill early at large fairs. See our meeting request templates.
- Fair week: bring your catalogue, price list and cross-reference numbers.
- Afterwards: within a week, send the references and terms you discussed. Our guide on following up after a trade fair covers the details. Even if you cannot attend, the list shows the active distributors in the sector.
These time frames are rough practical guidance, not measured figures.
In Expomatik the list is opened in your account and campaigns go to each company's general business address. Opens are not tracked; replies are the measure. The price of a list is shown before you open it; current prices are on Pricing.
What should a first message to a parts distributor look like?
Example message
Subject: Before Automechanika: E-marked brake pads for European vehicles
Hello, could you forward this to your purchasing or product manager? We manufacture brake pads for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles; our products carry the E mark and our catalogue data is ready. We are looking for parts distributors in your market. Would you have 20 minutes at the fair? We can send our cross-reference list beforehand if that helps.
Kind regards, name, company, phone
The product in the example is a placeholder; use your own facts. Never claim an approval you do not hold or a stock commitment you cannot meet.
What are the legal points to check?
Rules for marketing emails depend on the recipient's country: the UK allows emails to corporate addresses with a clear sender and an opt-out, while Germany requires prior consent even for businesses. Read Is It Legal to Email Trade Fair Exhibitors? for the details, and How to Find International B2B Customers for other channels. This article is general information, not legal advice.
To preview what a list contains, create a free account.
Frequently asked questions
- Can an automotive fair exhibitor list reach car manufacturers?
- Usually not. Vehicle manufacturers select suppliers through long approval processes and do not exhibit at aftermarket fairs. The list is better suited to reaching tier 1 suppliers, which source from tier 2 companies, and aftermarket buyers such as parts distributors.
- Who exhibits at Automechanika Frankfurt?
- Messe Frankfurt describes Automechanika Frankfurt as the international trade fair for the automotive service industry. Exhibitors include parts and accessory manufacturers, workshop equipment makers, distributors and software providers.
- What is the difference between SEMA Show and AAPEX?
- Both take place in Las Vegas in the same week each November. SEMA Show focuses on accessories, performance and specialty equipment; AAPEX, co-produced by the Auto Care Association and MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, covers the wider aftermarket for parts and service.
- Who receives an email sent from Expomatik?
- Campaigns go to each company's general business address. There is no targeting of named decision makers, so ask for the message to be forwarded and give concrete details such as part numbers or vehicle coverage.