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Which of these are absolute must-sees? To help you find your way round, we’re sharing our Gateway selection with you today. We’ll definitely be attending these ten highlights. We’re sure there’s something in there for you too.
If you don’t manage to catch all your personal Automechanika highlights – don’t worry. We at Gateway will be out and about at the show with various film crews and, after Automechanika, will make recordings of many of the presentations and panels available to you on Gateway to Automotive.
Our Top Ten Highlights
Out and about on the exhibition grounds – these areas are well worth a look:
1. The Automechanika Pitlane
Where: Under the arcades of Hall 4
When: On all days of the fair
If you love action and motorsport, this 200-metre-long pit lane is the place for you. Here, visitors can expect live action with industry stars, plenty of roaring engines and exciting challenges.
2. Experience Park
Where: In front of Halls 9 and 11
When: On all days of the fair
Pure off-road thrills await in Automechanika’s new Experience Park. Experience XXL vehicles such as monster trucks, Unimogs and converted off-road caravans, along with other attractions. We’re particularly looking forward to the rollover simulator.
Editor’s tip: Plan to visit the Experience Park during your lunch break, as there’s also a networking area here serving BBQ specialities.
3. Classic Car Area
Where: Hall 11.1
When: On all days of the fair
Do you also have a soft spot for extraordinary classic and modern classic cars? In the Classic Cars Area, you can watch live restoration work and follow fascinating talks with classic car experts on the stage in Hall 11.1.
Editor’s tip: The Classic Cars Area hosts a daily Happy Hour from 4.30 pm to 5.30 pm for networking and exchanging ideas.
A deep dive into industry topics – here’s what you shouldn’t miss:
4. Panel: EU Data Act – Impact on the Automotive Market
Where: HighTech4Mobility stage in the Festhalle
When: Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 11.30 am – 12.30 pm
Speakers:
- Dr Soeren Scheider, European Commission (DG Connect)
- Franck Leveque, Senior Consultant, CLEPA
- Taco van der Leij, Moving Intelligence
- Diogo Pinto, Director General, Region 1, Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile
What it’s all about: Exactly one year after the EU Data Act came into force, representatives from the industry and the European Commission will discuss the regulation’s impact on the mobility sector. Among other things, it is intended to provide insurance companies, fleet managers, diagnostic service providers and breakdown services with fair access to data generated within vehicles, which until now has mostly been held by vehicle manufacturers. Although manufacturers are now making more data available, third-party providers remain dependent on them. The discussion, moderated by CLEPA, will address progress made, outstanding issues and the need for further regulations.
5. Panel: AI in motion – Reinventing Automotive Aftersales
Where: HighTech4Mobility stage in the Festhalle
When: Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 3.00–4.00 pm
Speakers:
- Dr Daniel Knödler, Business Development Leader, IBM
- Noriko Suzuki, IBM
- Philippe Colpron, Head of ZF Aftermarket
- Philipp Grosse Kleimann, Corporate Executive Vice President & General Manager Lifecycle and Mobility, Mahle Int. GmbH
What it’s all about: How can the aftersales business be realigned in the face of declining traditional maintenance revenue due to electromobility? Based on the IBM study “AI in motion: Reinventing automotive services and aftersales”, representatives from ZF, MAHLE and IBM will discuss how AI-supported diagnostics, predictive maintenance, intelligent parts logistics and software-based services are enabling new business models and customer relationships.
6. Aftersales Forum: Keynote speeches and expert panel
Where: Academy Stage, Hall 8.0 M78
When: Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 11.30 – 12.30
Speakers:
- Prof. Dr Stefan Reindl, Director, Institute for Automotive Economics, University of Applied Sciences for Economics and the Environment, Nürtingen-Geislingen
- Arnd Franz, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board, MAHLE Aftermarket GmbH
- Koray Yazici, Partner, Brand & Sales, Porsche Consulting
- Oliver Schieritz, Director of Quality, Customer Service & Aftersales for the DACH Region, Renault Germany
- Pascal Martens, Aftersales Department, Stellantis Germany GmbH
Moderator: Imelda Labbé, President, Association of International Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (VDIK)
7. Panel: Future of Automotive Health
Where: HighTech4Mobility stage in the Festhalle
When: Thursday, 10 September 2026, 11:00–12:00
Speakers:
- Prof. Dr. med. Dr.-Ing. Steffen Leonhardt, Chair of Medical Information Technology, RWTH Aachen University
- Univ.-Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Dipl.-Ing Thomas M. Deserno, Executive Director, Campus Braunschweig
What it’s all about: How can vehicles in the future use discreet sensor technology to record and analyse health and vital signs data? Whether it’s stress, fatigue or medical emergencies? What role do AI and medical data analysis play in enhancing safety within the vehicle?
8. Keynote and Panel by Elektroauto-News
“Electromobility in the context of robotics and AI, and how this will affect our future”
Where: Innovation4Mobility Stage, Hall 3.0 A98
When: Friday, 11 September 2026, 1.00 pm – 2.00 pm
Speakers:
- Sebastian Henßler (Editor, Elektroauto-News.net)
- Christian Walter (Walter Strategy)
- Dr.-Ing. Oliver Kemmann (Innovation consultant, organisational developer, kemmann consulting)
What it’s about: How can change be achieved in an industry whose future is still uncertain? Sebastian Henßler, Christian Walter and Dr.-Ing. Oliver Kemmann discuss which technologies and business models will shape mobility – and how companies can actively shape this transformation rather than merely reacting to it.
Editor’s tip: Here you can see the face behind the voice of our EV podcast. Sebastian Henßler is part of the Gateway editorial team and has been delighting our readers for two years now with his podcast series ‘5 Minutes with Sebastian Henßler’.
Now it’s time to celebrate – let’s head to the awards ceremonies!
9. Innovation Awards official ceremony
Where: Festhalle, Ambition-Areal
When: Tuesday, 8 September 2026, 5.00 pm – 6.00 pm
Join us live as the ten winners are announced from among 185 nominated products. From smart workshop solutions and digital services to sustainable technologies, there’s likely to be something for everyone.
Editor’s tip: On Thursday 10 September 2026, at 3.30 pm, the winners will present their products on the Innovation4Mobility stage in Hall 3. This is for anyone who’d like to take another close look at the award-winning innovations.
10. Automechanika PIONEER AWARD Ceremony
Where: Future Mobility Park, AGORA
When: Wednesday, 9 September 2026, 3.00 pm – 4.00 pm
Experience the most exciting mobility start-ups live on stage at the PIONEER AWARD 2026 – with innovative pitches and groundbreaking ideas for the mobility of tomorrow.
Editor’s top tip: Don’t miss the daily happy hour from 5.00 pm at the Agora, featuring live music and free drinks!
Automechanika Frankfurt
8–12 September 2026
Frankfurt Exhibition Centre
You can find all Automechanika Frankfurt events here:
