Record Auto Aftermarket Expo attendance

MELBOURNE has again played host to the Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo, with the biennial event and its co-located Collision Repair Expo drawing 15,000 visitors across three days to set a new attendance record for the Southern Hemisphere's biggest automotive trade event.

Exhibiting more than 400 brands across 21,000m² of the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre with tools, workshop equipment, diagnostics, technology, parts, accessories and business solutions on display, the event served up free world-class training, live demonstrations, networking opportunities, and hands-on learning designed to help workshops, technicians, and automotive professionals stay ahead in a rapidly changing industry.

With new product launches and the latest innovations in workshop equipment, electrified drivetrain technologies, performance products, and business systems from Australia’s leading suppliers and global brands, Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association CEO Stuart Charity said Expo visitors were somewhat spoiled for choice.

“The 2026 Expo exceeded every expectation and has taken this event to another level entirely,” he said.

“There is so much to see, do and learn; from the latest tools and technology to free world-class training and networking that can help grow businesses and further careers.”

Indeed, the variety of product, skill, and ingenuity on display at this year’s Expo made judging the best in the business a more difficult task than ever before.

The Auto Aftermarket Innovation Awards Breakfast recognised the companies delivering the industry’s most innovative new products, programs and campaigns, welcoming industry guests ahead of the official opening of the Expo.

On Thursday evening the Australian Auto Aftermarket Excellence Awards Banquet brought together hundreds of industry leaders to celebrate outstanding achievement across the aftermarket.

A highlight of the industry calendar, the Awards Banquet recognised excellence across manufacturing, exports, business leadership, workplace culture, education, and community impact, while also celebrating individuals making a significant contribution to the future of the industry.

“The Awards events are always one of the most rewarding parts of the Expo because they shine a spotlight on the incredible talent, innovation and commitment across our industry,” said Mr Charity.

With several internation trainers travelling to Melbourne for the event – including diagnostic experts Steve Smith from the UK, Scott Hicks from the USA, and Keith and Liz Perkins from the USA – the Expo gave attendees the opportunity to better understand ADAS technology and calibration processes, sensor systems, and vehicle diagnostics.

Next-generation technicians were also offered the opportunity to showcase their skills at the Flying Spanners competition area where automotive apprentices raced the clock through a series of fast-paced practical challenges, with Brandon Booth from Bomaderry in NSW emerging as the 2026 winner.

Speaking with GoAuto at the Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo, FMP Group (Bendix) chief executive officer George Kyriakopoulos said winning the Most Innovative New Aftermarket Product at this year’s Expo recognised the ongoing innovation and hard work of the local Bendix team.

“We are a business that wants to continually improve things, right across the board, and this award recognises the hard work of our team – a team that works to improve our products, to make things even better than before, and to innovate wherever possible,” he said.

“It’s such a proud moment to be recognised for that. It’s a team effort, and this is team recognition … it recognises that a lot of people have been involved in getting everything that we do to where it is.

“It also means a lot for an Australian company to win this award. The innovation that Australians have, that they’ve always had, is something important, and that is reflected in the quality of our products.

“We are very proud to sit against any international competition, because we can come up with and improve on things. We’re always looking to make things better for the Australian car-buying public, and for drivers and workshop owners in general.”

Innovation in sustainability was also recognised in Melbourne, with Adelaide-based Redarc Electronics recognised with the Automotive Business Sustainability Award.

The company has received multiple Auto Aftermarket Innovation Awards over the years, with Redarc CEO Anthony Kittel telling GoAuto that sustainability was an important part of doing business.

“Our team the is dedicated to sustainability in everything that we do … and it’s something that is front of mind in every project and every product,” he explained.

“In fact, sustainability is one of our core business values, and it’s an honour to be recognised for something that is built into the ethos of everything we do.”

Away from the awards, it was the innovation and growth of familiar names in the aftermarket industry that differentiated this year’s Expo most from 2024.

Both existing and new participants at the show stepped up their presence at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre, reflecting their confidence in the industry – and their own businesses.

Schaeffler Australia was one of the many businesses to have developed its presence considerably in recent times, with the company’s Vehicle Lifetime Solutions manager (Pacific) Warren Bartlett telling GoAuto the company now offers parts for Asian-made vehicles.

“What we bring to the (after) market are repair solutions, comprehensive kits that allow workshops to do the job right the first time by offering every component required to complete a certain task,” he explained.

“The big drive for us now is launching into the Asian range of the market, and to highlight that we have solutions available for not only the European side of the market, but also for Toyota, Hyundai, and other Asian marques.

“When people think Schaeffler, they typically think European, and that’s a bit of a misconception. We have been working with our counterparts in Asia in some cases for the last 40 years … so we have a long history with many of the large Asian manufacturers.”

Importantly, Mr Bartlett explained that Schaeffler parts and repair kits are the same as supplied to the OEM, ensuring workshops and repairers can fit a genuine part, avoiding the uncertainty that is often associated with third-party parts.

“As OE suppliers, we are very well placed to supply parts and repair kits for a wide range of vehicles from most manufacturers,” he said.

Mr Bartlett said it was also important to consider how replacing a like-for-like component could extend the life of a vehicle, saving not only cost to the customer, but also to the environment.

“By offering the component itself, say for example a mechatronics unit, we are able to extend the life of a unit, like a transmission, that would otherwise be replaced, or lead to the car itself scrapped,” he explained.

“These are the kinds of things we look at. We are now even able to offer kits that extend the life of EVs, which have previously been quite challenging – and that’s a great opportunity. We have a lot of those things going on in the background.

“We want to stop cars going to landfill unnecessarily. With the right components and OE repairs, there is no reason we can’t keep them on the road for as long as we can.”

And when it comes to keeping cars on the road, it is the next generation of mechanics and technicians that will be responsible for just that.

The automotive apprentices participating in this year’s Flying Spanners competition showed their talents in diagnostic and repairs, skills that will see some of the finest move on to compete at the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai later this year.

Speaking with GoAuto at the Flying Spanners stand, TAFE New South Wales head teacher of automotive trades Kirk Trease said learnings made in competition placed students in the right frame of mind to deal with real-world challenges.

“There are a lot of challenges here that will stress people, both mentally and physically, which is a good representation of what technicians encounter in a modern workshop,” he said.

“Today, your average technician needs to be able to research documentation, the source data, and to also possess the technical skills that allow them to implement that information into a vehicle.

“That’s why competitions like this are a great lead up to the realities of the real-world – and to the range of skills required to compete in something like the WorldSkills Competition.”

Only the best of the best will represent Australia on the global stage, with candidates often progressing to become highly skilled technicians in their elected field.

“With the WorldSkills Competition coming up in Shanghai later this year, we are expecting our apprentices to really step up. They are competing against the best, and they are all there for a reason,” he explained.

“There is a lot of preparation involved. This event is literally like the Olympics for automotive apprentices; they get to represent their country on the world stage.

“It’s a very steep learning curve, especially with diagnostics, EVs, and ADAS becoming a critical part of what they do.

“But the younger generation certainly has the capacity to understand all of that, and they understand that this is a trade that doesn’t just require you to be physically fit, but one that requires you to be mentally articulate.

“These young ladies and gentlemen have grown up with this kind of technology, they live in this environment, and they’re very well placed to understand and excel in this field. It’s a great career path.”

For young people at the Awards Banquet, the event also provided an opportunity to be inspired by outstanding individuals and organisations whose contribution and leadership within the industry were celebrated.

John Blanchard Junior from CoolDrive Auto Parts received the prestigious Outstanding Service to Industry Award, while Doug Steindl from Zeder Corporation was recognised with the Kim Aunger Young Achiever Award.

Chelsea Lawson was awarded the Women at the Wheel Award, and Clint Flower received the Automotive Education Excellence Award.

Stuart Charity was also honoured by his peers for his 20 years’ service to the industry, as the CEO of the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association.

Three respected industry leaders were also inducted into the AAAA Hall of Fame in recognition of their outstanding long-term contribution to the automotive aftermarket industry.

Steve Broad, Shayne Quaile and Allan Gray OAM were acknowledged for their dedication, leadership and lasting impact on the industry over many years.

“The show floor was buzzing for three straight days, exhibitors invested in spectacular displays, and the level of engagement, networking and business activity was exceptional,” said Mr Charity.

“The Expo brings the industry together like nothing else – connecting workshop owners, technicians, collision repairers, manufacturers, suppliers and industry leaders face-to-face to share ideas and invest in the future of the industry.”

2026 Australian Auto Aftermarket Excellence Awards:

Outstanding Service to Industry: John Blanchard Junior, CoolDrive Auto Parts

Kim Aunger Young Achiever Award: Doug Steindl, Zeder Corporation

AAAA Hall of Fame Inductee: Steve Broad

AAAA Hall of Fame Inductee: Shayne Quaile

AAAA Hall of Fame Inductee: Allan Gray OAM

Women at the Wheel Award: Chelsea Lawson

Automotive Education Excellence Award: Clint Flower

Terry Mahoney Excellence in Marketing Award: Don Kyatt Group

Excellence in Manufacturing Award: Redarc Electronics

Excellence in Export Award: Don Kyatt Group

Excellence in Employee Engagement & Wellbeing Award: Zeder Corporation

Excellence in Repair & Service Chain Award: JAX Tyres & Auto

2026 Australian Auto Aftermarket Innovation Awards:

Most Innovative New Aftermarket Product Four Wheel Drive: Cruisemaster

Most Innovative New Aftermarket Product General Parts & Accessories: BWI

Most Innovative New Aftermarket Product Electrical: FMP Group

Most Innovative New Aftermarket Product Performance: Valvoline

Most Innovative New Servicing Product Tools & Equipment: Logicar

Automotive Business Sustainability Award: Redarc Electronics

Most Innovative Community Impact Program: Fulcrum Suspensions

Most Innovative Marketing Campaign: Repco

Most Innovative E-commerce Solution: Zeder Corporation

2026 Auto Aftermarket Expo Stand Awards:

Best Stand 36 Square Metres and Under: Podium

Best Stand Over 36 Square Metres: CoolDrive Auto Parts