INA PAACE Automechanika Mexico set for largest‑ever edition

INA PAACE Automechanika Mexico is preparing for its biggest and most ambitious show to date in 2026, marking a decade of strategic collaboration between Messe Frankfurt, Industria Nacional de Autopartes and MEMA.

The event will run July 8-10 at Centro Banamex in Mexico City, with organizers expanding the exhibition footprint to more than 34,000 square metres, the largest in the show’s history. More than 700 exhibitors are expected, with over 85 per cent of floor space already sold, reflecting sustained growth in the Mexican and Latin American automotive aftermarket.

Organizers said the expanded show will better reflect evolving market demands with the introduction of new dedicated categories, including heavy duty, last‑mile delivery, vehicle customization, and tire repair and service. The additions are designed to engage a broader range of professionals across the automotive value chain.

The 2026 edition will also feature several high‑profile attractions and programs. A new Automechanika Innovation 4 Mobility Award will support growing repair shops in Mexico, with the winning workshop receiving more than US$30,000 in professional equipment. The award will be hosted by custom builder Gustavo Cardelas in the Innovation 4 Mobility zone, with a jury of industry experts contributing part of the prize.

Returning by popular demand, one attendee will have the chance to win a Porsche 356 1957 replica built by Cardelas, an exhibit that drew large crowds at the 2025 show. A World Cup viewing lounge will also be introduced, offering a sports bar‑style environment for attendees to watch quarterfinal matches while networking.

Live demonstrations will include a full vehicle restoration carried out over the three days of the show by MH Customs, led by celebrity builder Mauricio Hernández. Educational programming will expand further through the Automechanika Academy, which will again offer free technical training to all attendees. The 2025 edition attracted more than 13,000 technicians and workshop owners across more than 120 seminars, and organizers expect an even larger turnout in 2026.

The show will also welcome Effi Muñiz, star of the Discovery series Mexicánicos: Estado de México, who will display one of his signature custom builds and meet attendees. The NASCAR Mexico Series will be represented through the Tame Racing team, giving visitors a chance to see a competition race car up close and meet drivers.

INA PAACE Automechanika Mexico will be preceded by the International Aftermarket Summit on July 7 and 8, bringing industry leaders together to discuss trends, challenges and innovation. The Automechanika Industry Night will return as the event’s flagship networking gathering.

“2026 marks a milestone for INA PAACE Automechanika Mexico,” said Bridget Ferris, vice‑president of mobility and logistics at Messe Frankfurt North America. “After 10 years of successful collaboration with INA and MEMA, we are delivering the most ambitious edition yet — bigger, more innovative, and packed with unique experiences that reflect the future of the aftermarket industry.”

Francisco N. González Díaz, executive president of Industria Nacional de Autopartes, said the anniversary also reinforces Mexico’s role in the regional aftermarket. He said the record growth in exhibitors and floor space underscores the strength of the Mexican aftermarket as a logistics and service hub for Latin America.