30-04-2025
Automechanika Riyadh 2025 Wraps Up Its Seventh Edition in Style
The seventh edition of Automechanika Riyadh 2025 recently concluded at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, under the patronage of the Saudi Ministry of Investment. Held from April 28 to 30, the event brought together representatives from 34 countries and over 39 Saudi companies—affirming its growing international appeal and its status as the leading regional platform in the vehicle services sector.
The opening ceremony was led by Mr. Ajlan bin Saad Al-Ajlan, Second Vice Chairman of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce, who toured several exhibitor booths. The number of exhibitors surpassed 450 this year—a 32% increase from the previous edition—and included a notable presence of new Saudi companies, reflecting the local market's rapid growth and rising confidence in the show.
Remarkable Growth in Scale and Attendance
This year, the exhibition grew significantly, with a 70% increase in floor space compared to the 2024 edition, occupying five halls in total. Over three days, the event welcomed more than 15,000 visitors and showcased the latest products and services in areas such as spare parts, electronic systems, oils, tires, vehicle care, diagnostics, and maintenance.
The show attracted a wide range of industry players, including wholesalers, distributors, importers, exporters, garage owners, workshop technicians, and service center professionals.
Automechanika Academy: A Knowledge Hub for Innovation and Localization
Running alongside the exhibition, the Automechanika Riyadh Academy launched under the theme 'Localization and Innovation in Vehicle Services.' Now a core component of the event, the Academy gathered experts and industry leaders to discuss the latest trends, challenges, and developments in the automotive service sector.
The Academy offered an intensive knowledge program featuring over 50 sessions and workshops focused on critical topics such as localization, innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable supply chains.
Several sessions also spotlighted the Kingdom's efforts to boost its automotive industry—most notably through the King Salman Automotive Manufacturing City, which plays a strategic role in achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
Conference sessions further explored the massive transformation underway in Saudi Arabia's automotive sector, fueled by Vision 2030 ambitions. With over 63% of the population under the age of 30, discussions emphasized the importance of cultivating a new generation of skilled talent in electric mobility, smart transportation, and AI-driven diagnostics.
These themes formed the heart of the Automechanika Academy Conference, where experts underscored the need to proactively develop a local workforce ready to lead the Kingdom's mobility future.
The event also hosted strategic meetings with key players in the vehicle services sector to develop a roadmap that strengthens Saudi Arabia's and the region's position as a global automotive hub.
According to data from Statista , Saudi Arabia accounts for around 50% of car sales in the Middle East, with over 600,000 new vehicles sold annually. The Kingdom aims to scale up domestic production to 700,000 vehicles annually in the coming years as part of its ambitious industrial strategy.
Vision 2030 supports several major projects aimed at localizing 40% of the automotive value chain, including the Lucid Motors plant in King Abdullah Economic City and the launch of the Ceer brand. Regional Players Reinventing the Industry
Regionally, countries such as Morocco and the UAE are also playing key roles in reshaping the industry. Morocco currently produces over 700,000 vehicles annually for export and is targeting 1 million vehicles per year by 2025. Meanwhile, the UAE has emerged as a key hub for aftermarket services and vehicle re-exports. Captured by Lights In Motion Strong Organizational Praise and Expanding Global Presence
Bilal Al-Barmawi, CEO of 1st Arabia for Exhibitions and Conferences, stated that the 2025 edition reflects the sector's accelerating growth and reinforces efforts toward localization and innovation. Ali Hefny, Exhibition Director at Messe Frankfurt Middle East, highlighted this year's unprecedented diversity of exhibitors and conference content.
The global nature of the show was further elevated by the presence of seven official country pavilions from Singapore, South Korea, China, Turkey, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Thailand, alongside newly introduced zones for exhibitors from Italy and India.
Automechanika Riyadh serves as the Saudi edition of the world-renowned Automechanika series, recognized as the largest global trade exhibition dedicated exclusively to the automotive aftermarket industry.
