Buyers and trade professionals from the Gulf, Africa and Asia will be within reach of UK firms at Automechanika Dubai, which runs on 10 to 12 November 2026.
London, UK: Suppliers of UK automotive aftermarket products stand to gain better access to the six Gulf states through the UK-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) deal, a free trade agreement. Negotiators from the UK and the GCC wrapped up talks in May 2026, and the agreement enters into force once both sides complete ratification. When it is fully implemented, tariffs will disappear on around 93% of UK exports to the GCC. The UK government puts annual duty savings at around £580 million across current UK exports.
Rising demand in the region adds to the appeal for aftermarket firms. Ken Research values the GCC automotive aftermarket at USD 12 billion in 2025, with a forecast of USD 16 billion by 2031.
Automechanika Dubai lets UK companies scout the market and form relationships before the agreement takes effect. Its 23rd edition takes place from 10 to 12 November 2026 at Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC), in Expo City Dubai. Under one roof, UK exhibitors and visitors will find Gulf distributors, importers and workshop groups from every part of the region. Dubai’s position as a re-export gateway carries that reach on towards key CIS markets, Africa and Asia. In 2025, attendees arrived from 161 countries, while exhibitors came from 63 countries.
Automechanika Dubai is organised by Messe Frankfurt Middle East, with government backing from the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MOEI) and the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The show’s Host City Partner is Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
Portfolio Director, Mobility & Logistics at Messe Frankfurt Middle East, Chris Lee, said: “After more than two decades at Dubai World Trade Centre, moving to Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai feels like the right next step for Automechanika Dubai. The market is changing quickly, and the show needs the space and flexibility to keep changing with it.”
“What we are seeing across the region is a more varied aftermarket,” explained Tommy Le, the Show Manager at Automechanika Dubai. “Conventional vehicles remain a major part of the market, but hybrid, electric and connected vehicles are changing the products, skills and technical knowledge the industry needs. Automechanika Dubai 2026 will bring that evolving mix together, giving businesses the opportunity to understand where the market is heading and build the relationships they need as the show moves to Dubai Exhibition Centre for the first time.”
Organisers expect more than 1,200 exhibitors in 2026, representing over 50 participating countries. Hanon Systems, Hella, Meyle, Al Mokamel and AUMOVIO are among the companies on the list. The show is divided into 11 product sections that run through the value chain of the automotive aftermarket: parts and components, electrics and electronics, tyres and wheels, batteries and technology, diagnostics and repair, vehicle care and detailing, and digital solutions and services.
Visitors on the exhibition floor will encounter at least 20 content-led features and activations: specialist conferences, practical training sessions, awards, live demonstrations, competitions, interactive experiences, and new launches. The conference programme exists to help automotive professionals get to grips with market developments and gear up for evolving customer, vehicle and workshop needs.
Aimed at buyers, fleet operators, workshop professionals, distributors, suppliers and manufacturers, this year’s edition will mirror the wider mix of vehicles, technologies and business models now shaping the aftermarket in the Middle East and Africa. UK suppliers will find distributors, buyers and partners at the show from the GCC and beyond. As the UK-GCC agreement edges closer to taking effect, contacts made there could underpin later trade across the Gulf. For more information, click here.
