Buyers and industry professionals from the Gulf, Africa and Asia will meet UK businesses at Automechanika Dubai, held from 10 to 12 November 2026.
London, UK: UK automotive aftermarket suppliers are set to gain stronger access to the six Gulf states through the UK-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) free trade agreement. Negotiations between the UK and the GCC concluded in May 2026, and the deal enters into force once both sides complete ratification. When it is fully implemented, around 93% of UK exports to the GCC will no longer face tariffs. The UK government puts annual duty savings across current UK exports at around £580 million.
Regional demand for aftermarket products is growing at the same time. Ken Research values the GCC automotive aftermarket at USD 12 billion in 2025, with a forecast of USD 16 billion by 2031.
Automechanika Dubai offers UK companies a chance to scout the market and form contacts before the agreement takes effect. Its 23rd edition is staged at Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC), Expo City Dubai, from 10 to 12 November 2026. UK exhibitors and visitors can meet workshop groups, importers and distributors from throughout the Gulf all in one place. Because Dubai works as a re-export gateway, that reach stretches into Africa, Asia and key CIS markets. Last year, the 2025 edition drew visitors from 161 countries and exhibitors from 63 countries.
The show is organised by Messe Frankfurt Middle East, with government backing from the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MOEI). The Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) in Dubai serves as Host City Partner.
Speaking for Messe Frankfurt Middle East, Portfolio Director, Mobility & Logistics Chris Lee said: “After more than two decades at Dubai World Trade Centre, moving to Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai feels like the right next step for Automechanika Dubai. The market is changing quickly, and the show needs the space and flexibility to keep changing with it.”
“What we are seeing across the region is a more varied aftermarket,” explained Tommy Le, Show Manager for Automechanika Dubai. “Conventional vehicles remain a major part of the market, but hybrid, electric and connected vehicles are changing the products, skills and technical knowledge the industry needs. Automechanika Dubai 2026 will bring that evolving mix together, giving businesses the opportunity to understand where the market is heading and build the relationships they need as the show moves to Dubai Exhibition Centre for the first time.”
Organisers expect more than 1,200 exhibitors from over 50 participating countries in 2026, among them Hanon Systems, Meyle, Hella, AUMOVIO and Al Mokamel. Spanning 11 product sections along the automotive aftermarket value chain, the exhibition covers parts and components, electrics and electronics, tyres and wheels, batteries and technology, diagnostics and repair, vehicle care and detailing, and digital solutions and services.
At least 20 content-led features and activations will appear on the show floor: specialist conferences, practical training sessions, awards, live demonstrations, competitions, interactive experiences, and new launches. The conference programme aims to help automotive professionals follow market developments and get ready for shifting customer, vehicle and workshop requirements.
Buyers, fleet operators, workshop professionals, distributors, suppliers and manufacturers are all expected, and this year’s edition will mirror the wider blend of vehicle types, technologies and business models now shaping the aftermarket in the Middle East and Africa. UK suppliers can use the show to meet buyers, distributors and partners throughout the GCC and beyond. As the UK-GCC agreement edges toward entry into force, such relationships could help underpin later trade throughout the Gulf. For more information, click here.
