MOTORTEC 2025 initiative is designed to promote the economic sustainability of workshops

The 17th MOTORTEC, the leading trade fair for the automotive industry and the aftermarket in southern Europe, will take place from 23 to 26 April 2025. This is an unmissable event for vehicle repair and maintenance professionals, who will have the opportunity to catch up on the latest innovations for the workshop world. The event is organised by IFEMA MADRID. This is a further demonstration of our commitment to the sustainability of this business sector.

The organisers of MOTORTEC 2025 have forecast that more than 33,000 workshop professionals will attend the event, exceeding the figures for the last few editions and confirming the show as the industry benchmark for this type of business. Furthermore, a Commission will be established, comprising the sector's principal associations, manufacturers, distributors and workshop networks. Its objective will be to collaborate to attract as many Spanish and Portuguese professionals as possible.

The show provides an unparalleled opportunity for industry professionals to gain insight into the technological transformation and the drive towards digitalisation currently underway in the sector. For those seeking to remain up to date, a visit to MOTORTEC 2025 is an essential undertaking. A visit is particularly important given the significant changes that have occurred in the sector since the last event was held three years ago.

The lack of profitability in the Spanish workshops sector is a significant barrier to investment in the personnel, knowledge and tools required for many businesses to adapt to the new mobility phenomena. Aware of the current state of the sector, as evidenced in numerous reports from leading workshop businesses, MOTORTEC 2025 has developed a range of product and service solutions, networking opportunities and knowledge-sharing events to enhance the efficiency and profitability of workshops. This will enable us to succeed in the new social paradigm of sustainability, ensuring our economic sustainability in the long term.

The vehicle repair sector is expected to close 2024 with a slight increase in activity, a slightly higher turnover and minimal improvement in profitability. The data available to MOTORTEC indicates that the situation is somewhat more challenging in bodywork repairs and tyre replacement than in mechanics, and that the same is true for car workshops compared to commercial vehicle workshops. 

In light of the increased workload and sales figures, it is evident that workshop owners are not achieving an adequate return on their investment, as indicated by the figures provided by consultancy firms and associations in the sector. The reasons for this are manifold. Firstly, there is the growing regulatory pressure and its associated costs. Secondly, there is the rise in personnel costs due to the shortage of talent available in the market. Thirdly, there is the erosion of margins due to the negotiating power of the increasingly important fleet customer. Finally, there are the investments needed to avoid losing competitiveness in future assets such as digitalisation and all kinds of resources to repair the connected, automated and electrified car.

In order to meet the challenges facing the sector, MOTORTEC will once again offer the most comprehensive display of workshop equipment, spare parts and services for vehicle repair and maintenance professionals, bringing together the tools needed to adapt to the new needs of the market.

The MOTORTEC event provides an invaluable opportunity for attendees to gain insight into the latest products and services on offer. It offers a unique chance to participate in live presentations, exchange experiences with other professionals and engage in discussions and analysis across a range of areas. In just a few days, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of the future direction of the automotive aftermarket industry. One of the key advantages of commercial spaces like this is the ability to engage directly with people, which is something that cannot be replicated through any other channel.

Knowledge Forum

It should also be noted that MOTORTEC 2025 will be the edition with the most space allocated to a broad agenda of activities, training and talent. This will include new competitions and mechanic contests, which will cover all propulsion technologies, as well as spaces with immersive experiences, didactic classrooms and exhibitions of classic and racing cars, including Formula 1 and Moto GP.

Some of the activities of particular interest to garages include competitions such as the Best High Voltage Electric Vehicle Mechanic, organised by Carsmarobe; the Workshop MVP, organised by Autopos; the Young Automotive Technicians Competition, organised by Comforp; the Future Commercial Vehicle Professionals Competition - Afupro- and the MOTORTRUCK (Truck Challenge) for the Best Commercial Vehicle Mechanic.

The programme also includes the Industrial Vehicle Auditorium (workshops, conferences and meetings of workshops and fleets VI), the EESS (meeting of workshop networks), and other activities.

The MOTORTEC experience is not limited to the days the Fair is held in person. It extends over time, 365 days a year, through the LIVE CONNECT platform. This allows the aftermarket community to be interconnected all year round, thus facilitating the profitability of participation in the Fair for professional visitors and exhibitor companies alike.