The milestone 10th edition of Automechanika Johannesburg attracted 307 exhibitors and facilitated 2 959 business-matchmaking meetings, connecting buyers and suppliers from across the continent and beyond.
The event was held from 28 to 30 October at the Gallagher Convention Centre.
International visitors from 34 countries attended the event, including key African markets such as Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Kenya and Nigeria, as well as global markets, including Germany, the United Kingdom, China, India and the United Arab Emirates.
The event opened with the Q4 CEO Breakfast on day one, where sustainability, compliance and global competitiveness emerged as critical themes that set the tone for three days of collaboration and innovation.
The breakfast featured keynote addresses from Sthembiso Dlamini (Acting CEO, Gauteng Growth and Development Agency - GGDA), Andile Africa (Chief Executive Officer, AIDC), Andrew Marsh (Technical Director, AutoBody Bible), Kudzayi Mazukana (Head of Sustainability Business and Commercial Banking, Nedbank), and Duncan Mutengwa (Acting CEO, NRCS).
Sthembiso positioned the automotive aftermarket as a cornerstone of inclusive economic growth, emphasising programmes such as Township Economic Revitalisation that help small businesses formalise, scale and connect to industrial networks.
Andile addressed the intersection of geopolitical disruption and technological transformation, urging the industry to focus on the electrification of public transport, last-mile delivery and circular production.
Andrew provided a global perspective on regulatory challenges and the critical skills gap facing the independent aftermarket, stressing that education and training must become massive focal points on electrification. According to Marsh, incoming NEVs are increasingly designed with completely new technology, including additional high-voltage circuits in EVs that mechanics must be made aware of.
Kudzayi presented the business case for sustainability, highlighting that energy-efficiency projects in the sector already show three to four-year paybacks and 10 to 15% profit savings while Duncan outlined the evolving regulatory landscape, positioning compliance as a strategic competitive advantage rather than a burden.
Michael Dehn, Managing Director of Messe Frankfurt South Africa, noted that the Automechanika brand has served as a navigation system for the aftermarket industry around the world for 54 years, providing an essential platform where stakeholders can determine which roads to avoid and which to take in an increasingly complex economic and business landscape.
Beyond the CEO Breakfast, day one featured an insightful Township Development Panel Discussion hosted by the City of Johannesburg and an RMI car door wrapping competition.
Day two included the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Conference, Right to Repair Talk, the MasterDrive Fleet Safety Awards, the Bearings International Rotake Competition and a live spray-painting demonstration. The event concluded on day three with the Collision Repairers Association (CRA) Conference.
The diverse programme addressed emerging trends, including electrification and digitalisation, circular economy models such as remanufacturing and recycling, regional integration through the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework and innovative ecosystems driven by public-private partnerships.
"This milestone event has demonstrated the vital role Automechanika Johannesburg plays as Africa's leading automotive aftermarket platform,” Michale said on the trade fair’s success.
“The energy, innovation and collaboration we witnessed over these three days all reinforce our commitment to connecting the industry and driving it forward. We invite all stakeholders to join us next year as we continue to navigate the future of mobility together."
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I have bad reflexes. I was once run over by a car being pushed by two guys
Woody Allen
SVI Engineering, specialist manufacturer of armoured products in South Africa, has released a series of Transformer-inspired videos via its social media channels, highlighting how the company leverages its extensive expertise in the military and security fields to deliver civilian protection.
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