MOTORTEC 2025: Record Participation at the Leading Trade Fair for the Automotive Aftermarket in Southern Europe

MOTORTEC 2025, the leading trade fair for the automotive aftermarket in Southern Europe, organised by IFEMA MADRID, is gearing up for a standout 17th edition from 23 to 26 April, with record-breaking figures that reaffirm its vital role in promoting the industry. The event will be attended by more than 650 exhibiting companies—47% more than at the last edition in 2022—and will have a total surface area of 100,000m² gross, distributed over 6 of the Exhibition Centre's halls. It is also worth highlighting the strong loyalty of companies to their top commercial showcase, with 85% of exhibitors returning for another edition.

There was also a strong presence of international companies, reflecting the growing global scope of the event. Specifically, 255 foreign companies will be taking part, a 211% increase compared to 2022. These companies come from 28 different countries, marking a 47% rise from the previous edition, and have secured a total of 6,322.5 m² of exhibition space—more than double that of the last event (+128%).

In terms of the most represented sectors, the most important are Spare Parts and Components, followed by Workshop Equipment, Repair and Maintenance, Service Stations and Car Washes, Accessories, Tyres, Batteries and Commercial Vehicles.

On the other hand, the expectation aroused by this new edition of MOTORTEC 2025 means that around 65,000 professionals from the sector are expected to attend, including 33,000 workshops, mechanics and managers.

International outlook

As regards the high participation of foreign companies, particular attention goes to certain key markets for the sector, such as Asia, Morocco, Poland and Portugal. Moreover, the new, fourth edition of MOTORTEC Chile will be held from 26 to 28 June at the Espacio Riesco Exhibition Centre in Santiago de Chile, bringing the successful format of the flagship Spanish trade fair to the Latin American region.

The Innovation Gallery: a showcase for innovation in the sector

MOTORTEC 2025 will once again be highlighting the innovative potential of the industry with a renewed Innovation Gallery, which features a record number of 33 participating companies and a total of 42 products. Promoted with the backing of SERNAUTO, this initiative has established itself as a key reference point for the presentation of technological advances applied to the automotive aftermarket. The selected solutions, focused on efficiency, sustainability and digitalisation, will be on display from 23 to 26 April in a specially designated area. Award winners will be announced on 23 April at 18:30 in the Auditorium of Pavilion 7.

A space for analysis and debate

MOTORTEC will not only be a showcase for products and services, but also a hub for knowledge, featuring a comprehensive programme of conferences and round tables, with the active participation of the sector's leading associations:

• 1st FAGENAUTO Official Services Meeting: Under the theme “Efficient and Profitable,” the Federation of Associations of Automotive Agents and Official Services (FAGENAUTO) hosts its inaugural gathering of official workshops. The initiative has a twofold goal: to shine light on the contributions to the sector and to society of the more than 1,200 companies that make up the group, and to reflect on both the short and medium-term challenges facing official agents and services and on the role they are called upon to play in the era of the new sustainable mobility.

• 1st Iberian Automotive Aftermarket Convention: a flagship gathering for aftermarket professionals, companies, and thought leaders from Spain and Portugal. This new forum aims to encourage the exchange of ideas, strategies, and best practices in the vehicle after-sales space. During the convention, relevant topics such as digitalisation, sustainability, customer service and new technologies in the sector will be discussed. The sector's leading associations from Spain and Portugal will take part, including CETRAA, CONEPA, ANECRA, ACAP and ARAN.

• Conference: "Service Stations, Horizon 2030". Organised by MADIC Group, this session will take place on 24 April at 10:30 AM in Pavilion 8. It will include José Manuel Prieto Barrio, Undersecretary General for Industrial Quality and Safety of the Ministry of Industry and Tourism; Rosa Sánchez, Director of Bequinor; Marceliano Herrero Sinovas, engineer; Olarizu Olabarria, Director of MOEVE; Arturo Pérez de Lucía, Director of the Association of Entrepreneurs for the Development and Promotion of Electric Mobility; and Daniel Pérez Gutiérrez, CEO of Zunder. To conclude the day, a round table debate will be held, where representatives of the most recognised associations in the service station sector in Spain will analyse the current situation and the 2030 challenge to which service stations must adapt. The protagonists will be Javier de Antonio, recently appointed president of CEEES, Víctor García Nebreda, secretary general of AEVECAR, and Manuel Jiménez Perona, president of AESAE.

• 6th Meeting of Plural Aftermarket Workshop Networks, a forum for reflection on the evolution of workshop networks in Spain and Portugal. In this edition, three unpublished studies on the current situation of the sector will be presented, as well as two round tables with leading experts.

Boosting the Commercial Vehicle Sector

For its 17th edition, MOTORTEC 2025 has prepared a specific initiative for the commercial vehicle after-sales sector that takes the form of an exclusive exhibition area of around 5,000m², to house more than 70 companies that will showcase their product and service solutions to help both workshops and truck and bus fleets to improve their efficiency and profitability, and to explore new business opportunities together.

Confirmed activities include:

• 3rd Meeting of Commercial Vehicle Companies and Educational Centres: Organised by the Association of Future Professionals (AFUPRO).

• 4th Commercial Vehicle Workshop Congress: A networking opportunity exploring maintenance trends and the future of mobility for goods and passengers.

• Truck & Bus Garage Awards: Honouring transport fleets that demonstrate exemplary vehicle maintenance.

• MOTORTRUCK: Best Industrial Vehicle Mechanic Competition, in partnership with Bosch Mobility Aftermarket. This competition will put mechanics’ technical skills to the test, championing excellence in training and professionalism across the sector.

• Commercial Vehicle Professional Futures Competition: Organised by AFUPRO, this event will shine a spotlight on students and emerging talent, offering a platform to showcase their skills and knowledge in a dynamic, hands-on environment.

A key space for the tyre industry

The tyre sector will be widely represented at MOTORTEC 2025 thanks to the participation of the National Association of Tyre Distributors and Importers. This year, the industry faces important challenges following the entry into force of the European Union's Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which will impact the management of end-of-life tyres (ELTs) and the recycling industry in Spain and Europe. UTT (Used Tyre Treatment) will address the effects of this new regulation at the fair.

Awards and competitions to recognise excellence in the sector

MOTORTEC 2025 will host more than ten competitions rewarding excellence and talent in the aftermarket industry. These include:

• The Vehicle Damage Assessment Competition and Headlight Repair Competition, organised by CESVIMAP, MAPFRE’s Road Safety and Research Centre.

• The MVP Workshop, hosted by La Comunidad del Taller.

• The Best High-Voltage Electric Vehicle Mechanic Competition, hosted by CARSMAROBE.

• The Young Automotive Technicians Competition, organised by the COMFORP Foundation (Commitment to Vocational Training).

• MOTORTRUCK: Best Industrial Vehicle Mechanic Competition, in partnership with Bosch Mobility Aftermarket.

• Industrial Vehicle Professional Futures Competition, organised by AFUPRO.

In addition, this edition of MOTORTEC will feature four innovative zones designed to offer unique experiences for all attendees, known as the Fun Zones:

• MOTORTEC Grand Prix: A Virtual Reality simulator competition.

• MOTORTEC Racing: A special showcase of Formula 1 and MotoGP vehicles, in collaboration with the RECALVI

• MOTORTEC Retro: A curated collection of vintage classics, in partnership with

• CMC: CAR MODIFIED CONTEST: A unique exhibition of customised, tuned and transformed vehicles.

A growing sector despite challenges

The aftermarket continues to expand. According to data from ANCERA, the National Association of Automotive Equipment, Spare Parts, Tyres and Accessories Dealers, it closed 2024 with a 7% growth compared to the same period of the previous year and forecasts a 4% increase in 2025. Stable inflation and the diversification of the car fleet have boosted activity, although challenges such as profitability, digitalisation and rising labour costs remain.

The commercial vehicle aftermarket, represented by AERVI, recorded 5% growth in 2024 and estimates 3% growth in 2025, reflecting the resilience of the sector in an increasingly competitive and regulated environment. 

The MOTORTEC Passport: an initiative to enhance the trade fair experience

To enhance the professional visitor experience, the Fair is now launching the MOTORTEC Passport, which aims to shine a light on the 20 participating manufacturers and help visitors optimise their time and presence at the event.