From boardroom to show floor: Automechanika Johannesburg 2026 is where South Africa's automotive conversation turns into business

After industry leaders set the agenda in Cape Town, the aftermarket meets in Johannesburg from 27 to 29 October 2026 to make it happen.

Investment, policy and affordability dominated the discussion when automotive, investment and economic leaders gathered in Cape Town for Messe Frankfurt South Africa's latest Automechanika CEO Breakfast. In four weeks, the industry gets the chance to act on it.

Automechanika Johannesburg takes place at Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, from 27 to 29 October. It brings together the automotive aftermarket and the service and repair sectors to explore the technologies, business connections and ideas currently shaping mobility.

Hosted at the Nedbank Clocktower Building at the V&A Waterfront, the breakfast delivered a clear shared message: South Africa can secure a competitive, sustainable automotive future only by aligning policy, investment, regional value chains and consumer realities.

Marc Dunnink, Head: FDI at the Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau, set out the Western Cape's case as an automotive and green-economy investment destination, highlighting its supplier base, renewable-energy potential, trade infrastructure and research capability. "Cape Town and the Western Cape offer investors a connected ecosystem that helps businesses enter the market, identify sites and talent, navigate regulation, access incentives and build links into value chains," said Dunnink. "We must use those strengths to grow the green economy that will service, move and power the future of automotive."

Bobby Ramagwede, CEO of the Automobile Association South Africa, called for decisive reform, warning that uneven incentives and policy shortcomings risk weakening local production, investment and consumer affordability. "Government and manufacturers must create fair incentives for every OEM, support sustainable local production and build levies and taxes on imported vehicles that make sense," he said.

Chrystal Huntley, Specialist Economist at Nedbank, placed those choices in a changing consumer environment. Consumers entered 2026 supported by lower inflation, interest-rate cuts, stronger disposable income and employment growth, but rising oil prices, inflationary risks and tighter financing conditions are now likely to constrain discretionary spending and shift demand towards essentials and more affordable choices. "Businesses need to respond to a consumer who is becoming more cautious," said Huntley. "Higher fuel costs and tighter financing conditions will reshape spending patterns, so the sector must deliver accessible mobility and real value."

The discussion showed that resilience requires more than responding to immediate headwinds. It calls for policy certainty that encourages investment, infrastructure and skills that enable the energy transition, and products and services that remain relevant to consumers, with regions, OEMs, suppliers, aftermarket businesses, financial institutions and public-sector decision-makers all playing a part.

"We brought leaders together in Cape Town because the automotive sector needs to connect the realities of policy, investment and consumer demand," said Michael Dehn, Managing Director of Messe Frankfurt South Africa. "Automechanika Johannesburg gives the industry the next opportunity to turn that conversation into partnerships, practical solutions and momentum."

On the show floor, visitors can expect:

Automechanika's Business Matchmaking Platform hosted by @Espresso Meet-up— connecting you with the right suppliers, distributors, and partners based on what your business actually needs.
Visitors and Exhibitors from over 44 countries.
Events, conferences and forums. 
Register now: https://tinyurl.com/AMJ2026

Manufacturers, distributors, workshop professionals, service providers, investors and other industry stakeholders are invited to attend, engage with the issues raised in Cape Town and help strengthen the sector's path forward.

 

For more information about exhibiting Automechanika Johannesburg 2026, please visit www.automechanikasa.co.za or contact Tracy Gounden at [email protected]

Links to websites:

https://automechanika.za.messefrankfurt.com/johannesburg/en.html

Background information on Messe Frankfurt

www.messefrankfurt.com/background-information 

Sustainability at Messe Frankfurt

www.messefrankfurt.com/sustainability-information