Organized in cooperation with Messe Frankfurt Istanbul and Hannover Fairs Turkey, Automechanika Istanbul brought together industry leaders by highlighting its 25-year journey. The "25th Anniversary Sector Meeting," where the past, present, and future of the automotive aftermarket were discussed, hosted a comprehensive panel guiding the direction of the sector.
The "Best" of the Industry on the Same Stage: Innovation, Deep Roots, and Speed
Moderated by Hande Berktan, the panel titled "A Quarter-Century Journey: The Story of Transformation with Automechanika Istanbul" appeared before the audience with a unique setup representing different dynamics of the sector.
In the panel; Selim Aydınoğlıoğlu, General Manager of Turkey & Azerbaijan at ZF Aftermarket, the world's largest spare parts manufacturer, represented "global scale and industrial power"; Aytuğ Sakallıoğlu, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Lucas Elektrik, one of the fair's longest-standing exhibitors, represented "deep-rooted history and loyalty"; and legendary rally pilot Volkan Işık represented "speed, passion, and the emotional aspect of motorsports," addressing the sector from different perspectives.
The speakers shared the transformation of the Turkish automotive industry from local production to a global export giant and the strategic role of Automechanika Istanbul in this process, blending it with their own experiences. Volkan Işık's examples from the world of motorsports revealed that the spare parts sector is not just a mechanical business, but also a great arena of passion and performance.
Frankfurt 2026 Vision: "Artificial Intelligence, Transformation, and Young Talent"
Taking the stage at the event, Michael Johannes, Vice President of Mobility & Logistics at Messe Frankfurt and Automechanika Brand Manager, shared the vision of Automechanika Frankfurt 2026, the sector's main meeting point globally.
Johannes stated that the fair, which will open its doors in Germany on September 8-12, 2026, is built on "Sustainability," "Artificial Intelligence," "Digitalization," and "New Mobility Concepts." The award-winning "AMBITION" event format aimed especially at Gen Z, the "HighTech4Mobility" forum focusing on software-defined vehicle technologies, and the classic vehicle exhibition are among the highlights of the fair.
In his speech, Michael Johannes used the expressions, "Automechanika Frankfurt 2026 will bring together all the critical trends transforming the industry under one roof, from digitalization and sustainability to AI and the circular economy. While Frankfurt remains the global hub for innovation with 4,500 expected exhibitors from over 80 countries, we are placing the future world of mobility and young talent at our core with new formats such as HighTech4Mobility and AMBITION."
A Sustainable Aftermarket and the Circular Economy
One of the key topics highlighted by the speakers during the panel was the major transformation of the automotive aftermarket and the sustainability and remanufacturing vision at its core. The emphasis on the critical role that the circular economy and the efficient use of resources will play in the future of the industry aligns perfectly with Automechanika Istanbul's goals in this field. In line with this global vision, Automechanika Istanbul is entering into a strategic partnership with APRA (Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association), the global authority on automotive parts remanufacturing. Through this partnership, which will pioneer the green transformation of the industry, the aim is to reintegrate end-of-life parts into the economy, reduce the carbon footprint, and further strengthen the circular economy within the aftermarket.
A Strong Bridge from Past to Future
Bringing together industry doyens, members of the press, and the business world, the invitation proved once again that Automechanika Istanbul's 25-year legacy is not just a celebration, but also a door opening to future technologies and new business models. Combining the experience of the past with the vision of the future, the event signaled that the sector will continue to have a major say in global competition in the coming quarter-century.
19 – 22 May 2026, Istanbul TUYAP Fair and Congress Center
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Background information on Messe Frankfurt
www.messefrankfurt.com/background-information
Sustainability at Messe Frankfurt
www.messefrankfurt.com/sustainability-information