Amongst the more than 97,000 attendees was an Australian delegation led by the AAAA

The 30th edition of Autopromotec – a biennial international exhibition of automotive equipment and aftermarket products which was held in Bologna, Italy, across May 21-24 – recently concluded with record numbers.
Organisers state the 2025 edition was one which not only confirmed the centrality of the event for the sector but also strengthened its role as a global reference hub for innovation, training and sustainability.
Across the four days, 97,348 attendees were registered, with a 17 percent share of foreign professional operators from 130 countries (131 with Italy), testifying to the event’s increasingly international vocation.
Autopromotec also stood out for the highest average daily attendance of professional operators at European level, with 24,337 average attendees per day over the four days of the fair. The average daily attendance of the 2025 edition also surpassed that of 2019, another record edition of the exhibition.
There were 1692 companies participating in this 30th edition, of which 61 brands were represented, with a 45 percent share of foreigners from 46 countries, Italy included.
Amongst these visiting participants was a delegation led by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA).
“The AAAA is proud to have led a delegation of Australian businesses to Bologna, Itay for the 30th edition of Autopromotec – one of the largest automotive aftermarket trade shows in Europe,” AAAA National Membership and Marketing Manager, Nigel Bishop, said.
“Despite its long history as a leading international trade show, Autopromotec was largely unknown in Australia until relatively recently.
“The show’s international delegation program, supported by the Italian Trade Agency, has been providing opportunities for AAAA members to travel and visit the show since 2017.
“The success of this program is evidenced by the greatly increased awareness and high demand for delegate positions, with Autopromotec now firmly positioned as an international trade show of choice; particularly for businesses involved in workshop equipment, digital tools and diagnostics.”
The Australian delegates were supported by a team of representatives from the Italian Trade Agency, who facilitated B2B meetings in a dedicated area within the show.
International guests were also treated to a thoughtfully curated social program, which included an on-site welcome party and an exclusive off-site cocktail party at the newly opened Museum of the History of Bologna – a highlight of which was the display of incredibly well-preserved Roman chariot ruts in a section of cobbled road.
Autopromotec also set the stage for the Global Automotive Right to Repair Roundtable, an event facilitated by the AAAA.
“Right to Repair is a global movement, and the roundtable in Bologna at Autopromotec brought together industry leaders from around the world to align on strategy and share insights,” AAAA Chief Executive Officer, Stuart Charity, said.
“It is a powerful reminder of how much we can achieve when we align internationally.
“We’re proud to ensure Australia’s independent repairers have a strong voice in shaping the future of fair data access.”
The automotive aftermarket is truly a globally connected industry.
“With many AAAA members having developed deep relationships with suppliers and distributors from all over the world, it is astounding that Autopromotec flew under the radar here in Australia for so long!” Nigel said.
“Programs like this highlight the fact that there are still so many new opportunities to be discovered by exploring further afield.
“We are so very thankful to the teams at Autopromotec and the Italian Trade Agency for investing in the international delegate program, and for once again inviting AAAA members to explore this outstanding trade show. Keep any eye out for the next opportunity to visit Autopromotec in 2027!”
Amongst the delegates were Vascar Auto Director, Basil Papageorge; Italian Automotive Spares Company Director, Domenic Fragale; JAX Tyres & Auto Chief Franchising Operations Officer, April Harwood; and Mobile Tyre Shop Chief Executive Officer, Travis Osborne.
“Autopromotec 2025 exceeded my expectations as a highly professional and well-organised international event,” said Basil.
“The scale of the expo, the diversity and professionalism of exhibitors, and the evident focus on emerging technologies made it a truly valuable experience for me. The event struck a good balance between showcasing cutting-edge solutions and enabling meaningful, business-focused conversations.
“The chance to connect face-to-face with key decision-makers and explore potential collaborations that would be difficult to initiate remotely was a major advantage. The hospitality and networking opportunities outside the trade floor also made the experience memorable and productive.
“Being part of the AAAA delegation was an outstanding experience. It was great to meet fellow Australian automotive colleagues and participate in the show with them, including members from AAAA. There was a sense of shared learning, professional support, and national representation that made the experience both practical and inspiring.
“For any AAAA member looking to expand their global supply chain, build partnerships, or stay ahead of trends in the automotive aftermarket, opportunities like Autopromotec are invaluable. The exposure to international markets, the chance to validate ideas and products in person, and the support provided through the AAAA network make it a highly worthwhile investment.

“The biggest takeaway was clarity around international market opportunities and the confidence to move forward with a new product line in Australia. I left with confirmed supplier relationships, a deeper understanding of competitive positioning, and several new ideas for product expansion and differentiation. The trip also reinvigorated my strategic thinking about the business and affirmed the importance of staying globally connected.
“I think the AAAA’s role in facilitating these types of experiences cannot be understated. Their leadership, coordination, and presence on the ground made all the difference. The team did a great job, were exceptionally hospitable, and it was a pleasure being there with them – thank you AAAA.”
For Domenic, it was his second time as part of the visiting AAAA delegation to the event.
“My impression of the event has always been great. It is a massive event, it shows by the amount of national and international visitors they get. The scale of the event is on another level, and it is worth attending to experience range of products that are available within the industry,” Domenic said.
“Meeting the other Australian delegates and also other international guests was a real highlight for me, as I find it very beneficial in assisting in networking and making connections within the automotive industry.
“Being part of the AAAA delegation the second time round was just as exciting as my previous visit. I find being part of the delegation does open the door to meet new people within other sectors of the automotive industry and form new relationships within Australia. The added benefit is the Autopromotec events that are held during the expo allow you to network with people within the international industry which can lead to new business opportunities back home.
“I would highly recommend other AAAA members to try and take advantage of future opportunities. We are generally stuck in our day to day lives within our own little bubble that it is a great opportunity to meet new people within the industry that may view things in a different perspective.”
April was quick to praise the Italian Trade Agency and the AAAA following her trip to Autopromotec.
“Autopromotec Expo is a must visit for any workshop owner considering further investment or exploring an expansion of their business,” April said.
“The target audience is genuinely catering to all streams of the automotive aftermarket with large halls to satisfy repair and servicing, tyres, paint, panel and more all the way through to car wash. Attendees are definitely delivered all corners of the market in one location by all the major leading brands and manufacturers of equipment (in particular).
“Visiting the show as part of the AAAA delegation was terrific – personally it gave me an opportunity to meet new Aussie business owners that I otherwise wouldn’t have crossed paths with, plus reconnect with others that I hadn’t seen in some time. There was plenty of sharing about one another’s businesses, highlights of the expo features and general camaraderie enabled by the trip.
“I would highly recommend this opportunity to others in future – the Italian Trade Agency provides a format that facilitates meetings with potential partners of the future, or connection with companies that you may already be dealing with. In addition to these one-to-one meetings, the trade show is adjacent which allows these suppliers to showcase in person their range.
“The Autopromotec Expo definitely gave me an eye-widening insight into the pipeline of technology that will soon be filtering into our industry – getting this first-hand exposure was my key highlight and take away.”
Travis was another who placed great value in the one-on-one meeting opportunities while lauding the sheer scale and importance of the Autopromotec event.
“Autopromotec is undoubtedly the world’s premier auto parts expo. With over 1600 exhibitors it showcased the latest products from both local Italian and international manufacturers and the sheer scale of the show gave us the opportunity to discover and compare a wide range of new products, many which are yet to reach the Australian market,” Travis said.
“The highlight of the trip was the opportunity for “one-on-one” introductions with new suppliers, many of which I wasn’t aware of prior to the show. Since meeting only a few weeks ago, we have already made several purchases with these new suppliers.
“The AAAA were fantastic hosts and gave us the opportunity to not only network with the international manufacturers but with each other. The AAAA were both generous with their time and went out of their way to ensure we got the most from our experience.
“I would highly recommend that AAAA members take up any opportunity to experience Autopromotec, as it gives you the opportunity to squeeze what would be months of research into a four-day event.
“As a business that prides itself on being at the forefront of our industry, it is imperative that we stay abreast with the latest technology and international best practise. Autopromotec gave us a global insight to the latest products and introductions to leading suppliers, and I want to thank Stuart and Nigel for their hospitality and generosity with their time in making it a highly memorable trip.”
Autopromotec – which has now achieved ISO 20121 certification following the 2025 show – will return to the BolognaFiere exhibition centre from 26 to 29 May 2027.
“The numbers speak for themselves: we are a reference point for the sector at international level, but what makes us most proud is the quality of our dialogue with operators and their willingness to look to the future together,” Autopromotec Chief Executive Officer, Renzo Servadei, said.
“The ISO 20121 certification is an important step towards a new and more conscious way of doing trade fairs.
“The results achieved by Autopromotec 2025 are not the result of chance, but concrete evidence of the value and know-how of the whole automotive aftermarket supply chain.
“Autopromotec is not just an exhibition showcase, but a strategic engine for the evolution of the sector, capable of driving change and anticipating future challenges.”

For more information on Autopromotec, visit www.autopromotec.it

To register your interest for 2027 Autopromotec, email nbishop@aaaa.com.au