Reading time: 4 minutes
In conversations and while walking through the halls, one thing becomes immediately clear: Automechanika Shanghai is one of the most important international hubs for the automotive industry. Finding partners, securing the supply chain, creating innovations collaboratively – that’s what this fair is all about.
Ms Li Zhang, Chairperson of China National Machinery Industry International Co. Ltd, noted in her opening remarks: “China is now one of the key players in automotive sales, production, and in the development of new sustainable drives, and global interest in our industry continues to grow.” This is evident in the rising participation numbers: this year, 10 percent more companies are exhibiting in Shanghai than last year. Many vehicle manufacturers are also represented, including Chery Holding, GAC Aion, Li Auto, Qingling Motors, and Tesla. (Insert Tesla image)
The 15 pavilions with exhibitors from around the world, alongside the presence of major production hubs from across China, also make the fair a global platform for trade, knowledge exchange, collaboration, marketing, and training. Four days are hardly enough. That is why the CEO Summit took place already on 25 November, one day before the fair opened.
CEO Summit – A Gathering of Industry Leaders
Even before the first official day of the fair and before the bustle in the halls began, the CEOs of leading exhibitors met for the International Automotive Industry Conference 2025 at the InterContinental Hotel adjacent to the fairgrounds. Through keynotes and panel discussions, they exchanged experiences and best practices.
Franz Werner Woeckl, responsible for Global Business Development at Geely Auto, emphasized the importance of international collaboration: “One of my Chinese colleagues once told me – if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Geely provides the technology, partners build their automotive products on that basis, and customers benefit from a more affordable vehicle — a triple win for all involved.
This was echoed by Imelda Labbé, President of the VDIK (Association of International Motor Vehicle Manufacturers), in her concluding remarks: “The recipe for success in every cooperation in particular between manufacturers and suppliers is a joint mutual and genuine interest in customer requirements and in an obsession to really deliver in every market the very best of what customers want.”
Other topics discussed during the afternoon included infrastructure for electric vehicles, autonomous driving, securing the supply chain, and—time and again—the user experience in and with the car.
“If you want to go fast, you have to go alone, but if you want to go far you have to go together.”
More Than 90 Parallel Events
The fair is not only broad in terms of topics – it offers numerous conferences, forums, and interactive workshops on sustainability, technological transformation, and global cooperation.
At the Vehicle Electrification and Intelligent Vehicle Innovation Conference 2025 on 26 November, topics included low-altitude mobility, eVTOLs, and intelligent robots. The New Energy Vehicle Technology and Development Forum, held the same day, brought together engineers and experts from AVATR, Dongfeng, SAIC Volkswagen, and many others. Agenda topics included fiber-optic communication, safety systems, and energy storage systems.
A major attraction at the fair is also the Innovation4Mobility Zone in Hall 5.1, aimed at fostering idea exchange across the entire supply chain. In more than 30 presentations and panels, experts from Dell, Siemens, Taylor’s University, and others are discussing topics ranging from vehicle manufacturing and R&D to sustainability, new energy, AI, and digital upgrades through 29 November.
The Green Repair Area in Hall 6.2, on the other hand, takes a more hands-on approach: workshops focus on the maintenance and diagnostics of vehicles with alternative powertrains. The Customising × Tech Area (Hall 8.2) is dedicated to automotive culture. There, the Autown Drift Team, Pegasus, and the Hanwei Racing Team compete in the simulator competition “Racing Master 2.0.” Visitors can also get involved themselves at the Red Bull Pit Stop Challenge, where time is measured – who can change the most tires in the shortest time?
There is also plenty to see: supercars, off-road vehicles, drift cars, electric caravans, and much more.
New Talent Wanted
In a rapidly changing sector like the automotive industry, ongoing training and a steady flow of skilled young professionals are essential. With its Talent Development Series, Automechanika Shanghai offers a comprehensive training program. Gen Z participants are addressed with the Elite Pathway Programme, which includes both industry-specific expertise and networking opportunities with senior management from leading automotive companies.
On 27 November, the “Automotive Aftermarket Summit” will take place, featuring speakers such as Lang Xuehong (China Automobile Dealers Association) and Paulo Mutuc (Frost & Sullivan), who will address technological innovations and growth strategies.
Facts & Figures
Date: 26–29 November 2025
Location: National Exhibition and Convention Center, Shanghai
