Shanghai, May 2026. The 21st edition of Automechanika Shanghai will continue to champion the transformation of the automotive industry. Held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) from 2 to 5 December 2026, the show will occupy the entire venue, including 390,000 sqm across 16 halls and mezzanine floor to host an anticipated 7,600 exhibitors. In line with the latest global and domestic automotive trends, the show will comprehensively highlight three core themes: technological innovation, product evolution, and service enhancement. By integrating the extensive exhibition platform with a highly impactful conference programme, Automechanika Shanghai 2026 offers comprehensive resources for the automotive industry and its ever-growing ecosystem.
With approximately 100 conferences, workshops and forums running across the four-day show, the programme bridges themes across the show floor through a mix of interactive demonstrations and global industry dialogues. These sessions will feature insights from market leaders, experts, and legislators on the trends shaping the future automotive industry.
Some highlights include the International Automotive Industry Conference – CEO Summit, a series of technical seminars focusing on autonomous driving, intelligent cockpits, battery technologies, and semiconductors, as well as the Global Collective, a conference designed to promote global investment, facilitate international cooperation, and advance business globalisation.
Automechanika Shanghai also offers a range of matchmaking sessions within the likes of the Automotive Supply-Demand Matching Series fostering strategic partnerships among OEMs, parts suppliers, and automotive technology companies. In fact, the fair offers opportunities to connect year-round in China maintaining consistent momentum across the entire supply chain.
Technologies and innovations take centre stage
The fair will offer participants a preview of next-generation automotive technologies and innovations shaping the sector. Reflecting this, nearly half of exhibitors at Automechanika Shanghai will present new energy-related products and services. The New Energy & Connectivity sector is set to expand by 20 percent to accommodate displays of electric powertrains, autonomous driving, embodied AI, charging and battery swapping infrastructures, intelligent chassis, and thermal management systems. Hybrid, fuel cell, and hydrogen solutions to elevate vehicle performance, safety, and user experiences will also be on display.
Moreover, upgrades across parts and components, electrical and electronic systems, accessories and customising, diagnostics and repair, body and paint, as well as tyres and wheels will be prominently showcased. Advanced components, smart tyres, lightweight wheels, advanced maintenance and inspection for new energy vehicles, infotainment electronics, and high-performance upgrades reflect significant advancements in automotive technology for both passenger cars and commercial vehicles.
Responding to the expanding scope of the automotive sector, “Automotive +” launches as a defining theme for 2026, woven through both the exhibition and fringe events.The principal centres around how vehicles can collaborate with emerging technologies and more to create an intelligent mobility infrastructure. With Innovation4Mobility serving as the key platform for this concept, focus will be placed on how fields such as AI, new energy solutions, hardware-software integration, and robotics are coming together, exploring what this means for the next generation of vehicles.
As technologies evolve and accelerate the value chain, the need for standardisation and certification rises in parallel, making global alignment essential for all players. Automechanika Shanghai continues to work closer with testing and certification bodies to shine a light on industry standards. The aim is to facilitate product safety, reliability, and alignment to meet wider global market requirements, enabling manufacturers to benchmark standards, learn from peers, and accelerate development.
Driving sustainability across the industry and the fairground
A major driver behind these advancements is the global push for sustainability and environmental protection. This has spurred government initiatives and a broader shift towards a green future, including efforts to reduce carbon emission and leverage digitalisation to improve ICE efficiency. Automechanika Shanghai will support and advance this movement through its expanded product showcase, designated zones, and themed fringe events.
For instance, remanufacturing will play a key role in the industry’s shift towards circular economy practices, supporting wider efforts to reduce waste and expand reuse solutions. In response to challenges such as the projected retirement of 14 million EV batteries by 2040[1], and with the aim of driving a sustainable future, the Remanufacturing Zone has expanded its coverage of NEV components such as power batteries, electric motors, electronic control systems, air conditioning compressors, and thermal management units. The zone is also set to focus on innovative recycling solutions for fuel engine vehicle parts. The inclusion demonstrates maturing remanufacturing processes with inspections and certifications that further boost the awareness of the segment in the industry.
Sustainable practices also extend to talent development and cultural aspects, points that Automechanika Shanghai bring attention to throughout the fairground. For example, the Elite Pathway Programme supports young professionals through executive dialogues, lectures, and academic exchanges, while new energy vehicle-oriented workshops delve into developing skillsets in aftermarket services. Enthusiasts and professionals alike can also engage with activities themed around motorsports, automotive lifestyle, and advanced high-performance customisation.
Automechanika Shanghai is organised by Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co Ltd and the China National Machinery Industry International Co Ltd (Sinomachint). Please contact Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd on +852 2802 7728, visit www.automechanika-shanghai.com or email auto@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com for further enquiries.
[1] Lithium-ion battery recycling: a perspective on key challenges and opportunities, November 2025, https://qr.messefrankfurt.com/e81bc. Retrieved: April 2026
