Seven automotive shows stand out through September 2027: IZB, SEMA Show and AAPEX this autumn, Automechanika Shanghai in December, the Detroit Auto Show in January, Auto Shanghai in April and IAA Mobility in September. Choose by whether you sell to OEMs, suppliers or the aftermarket, and plan around trade days.
The automotive industry sells through long chains: OEMs buy from tier-one suppliers, who buy from tier-two suppliers, while the aftermarket moves parts through distributors, retailers and repair shops to vehicle owners. Each link has its own buyers and its own shows, which is why the same company can find one event essential and another irrelevant.
This guide groups the major automotive events between now and September 2027 by the buyers they attract, with confirmed dates, and shows how to choose among them and turn event research into conversations. If your product is connected-vehicle software or EV technology, our guide to AI and technology conferences covers the technology shows that overlap with automotive.
Confirmed facts and recommendations. Event names, dates and venues come from organiser pages and event calendars checked on October 22, 2026. Advice on how to use events is our recommendation, not a promise of results. Organisers move dates, so confirm on the official site before you book travel.
Four kinds of automotive show, and who they reach
| Type | Who exhibits | Who you meet | In this guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle and OEM shows | Vehicle makers, suppliers, technology companies | OEM purchasing and engineering, dealers, media, investors | Detroit Auto Show, Auto Shanghai, IAA Mobility |
| Aftermarket shows | Parts makers, tool and equipment suppliers, accessory brands | Distributors, retailers, repair shops, restylers | SEMA Show, AAPEX, Automechanika Shanghai |
| Supplier fairs | Tier-one and tier-two suppliers | OEM and tier-one sourcing teams | IZB |
| Technology and EV shows | Software, battery, charging and sensor companies | Engineering leads, innovation teams, fleet buyers | See our technology events guide and fleet EV guide |
Automotive events to watch, October 2026 to September 2027
Dates, venues and formats below come from organiser pages and event calendars checked on October 22, 2026. Use the filter to focus on the buyers you want to reach.
Showing all 7 events
IZB 2026
The international suppliers’ fair in Wolfsburg, listed on VisitorsList under Auto & Automotive. It starts within a week, so for most teams this edition is a research and follow-up opportunity rather than one to plan from scratch.
- Best for
- Tier-one and tier-two suppliers, component and software vendors targeting European OEM buyers
- Watch for
- Dates here come from the VisitorsList event page, so confirm them on the organiser’s site
SEMA Show 2026
The automotive specialty-equipment and aftermarket show run by the Specialty Equipment Market Association. It covers performance parts, restyling, truck and off-road, collision repair, tools and powersports, with an expanded powersports section in West Hall for 2026.
- Best for
- Aftermarket manufacturers, parts distributors, restylers and suppliers to the repair industry
- Watch for
- Scale: the 2025 show drew 131,942 attendees and 2,283 exhibitors, so a meeting plan matters
AAPEX 2026
The Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo, an annual show for the global aftermarket that runs alongside SEMA Show week.
- Best for
- Parts and service suppliers, distributors and shops buying for the aftermarket
- Watch for
- Same week as SEMA, so plan travel and meetings for both together
Automechanika Shanghai 2026
Messe Frankfurt’s aftermarket and supplier show for Asia, covering parts and components, repair and maintenance, accessories and customising, electrics and electronics, digital solutions, workshop equipment and tyres. This is the 21st edition.
- Best for
- Aftermarket and supplier firms targeting China and the wider Asia-Pacific region
- Watch for
- Scale: the 2025 edition reported 7,400+ exhibitors, so shortlist before you go
Detroit Auto Show 2027
The Detroit Auto Dealers Association’s show, back in January since 2025. Media and industry events precede the public days; the 2026 show ran January 17–25 with media and industry events on the 14th and 15th.
- Best for
- Suppliers and technology vendors selling to OEMs and dealers, and mobility and EV startups
- Watch for
- Listings for 2027 show a start on January 12 or 14, running to January 24, so confirm the industry days
Auto Shanghai 2027
China’s comprehensive auto show, held in odd-numbered years and organised by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers and the Shanghai council for trade promotion. Media days are April 23–24, trade visitor days April 25–26 and public days April 27 to May 2. The 2025 edition showed 1,366 vehicles, about 70% of them new energy vehicles.
- Best for
- OEMs and suppliers targeting China’s market, especially EV, battery and driver-assistance companies
- Watch for
- Only two trade-visitor days, so book meetings for April 25–26
IAA Mobility 2027
Organised by the VDA. The IAA Summit is the B2B format at Messe München from September 7 to 10, with a press day on September 6. The IAA Open Space, for the public, runs in central Munich from September 7 to 12.
- Best for
- OEMs, suppliers, technology and mobility companies from across Europe, the US and China
- Watch for
- Two formats: choose the B2B Summit for buyer meetings and the Open Space for public-facing activations
China’s two-show calendar. Comprehensive shows alternate: Beijing in even years and Shanghai in odd years. For 2027, Beijing hosts a specialised exhibition on new-quality automotive and future mobility from March 27 to April 5, with an auto parts hall from March 27 to 30, according to industry reporting. Browse more shows on VisitorsList’s Auto & Automotive events hub.
How to choose the right show
| Your goal | What to look for | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| Win OEM or tier-one supply contracts | Sourcing and engineering presence, supplier programmes | IZB, IAA Mobility, Auto Shanghai |
| Sell into the aftermarket channel | Distributors, retailers and shops on the buyer side | SEMA Show, AAPEX |
| Enter China and Asia-Pacific | Local OEMs and supplier networks | Automechanika Shanghai, Auto Shanghai |
| Reach North American OEMs and dealers | Industry days, mobility and EV programmes | Detroit Auto Show |
| Learn before you spend | Participant and exhibitor lists from the last edition | Any show above |
Three checks before you commit budget
- Is your buyer on the floor? Compare job titles and company types with your target accounts, not just headline attendance.
- Are trade days separate from public days? Auto Shanghai and IAA Mobility run separate trade and public formats. Plan around the trade days.
- Does the date fit your sales cycle? OEM sourcing cycles are long. A show after a programme’s supplier selection is better for relationships than for near-term contracts.
Turn event research into buyer conversations
- Map the exhibitors.List who exhibits and sponsors, and sort them into customers, competitors and partners.
- Pick the roles.Choose two or three roles per target account, such as purchasing, engineering and programme lead.
- Write a message tied to the show.Refer to a product launch, a session or the show itself, and ask for a short meeting rather than a demo.
- Follow up in two waves.Contact the people you met within two days, then write to relevant participants you missed.
Event-specific contact data can speed up the first two steps. See VisitorsList’s event data and contact lists, our explainer on what an attendee list is and how to use it, and our buying guide to automotive company contact lists.
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest automotive trade show for B2B companies?
It depends on the buyer. SEMA Show is a major aftermarket event, Auto Shanghai and IAA Mobility are major OEM and technology shows, and Automechanika Shanghai is a large aftermarket and supplier show for Asia.
Do I need to exhibit to generate leads at an automotive show?
No. You can attend sessions, arrange meetings in advance and use exhibitor and participant research to plan outreach, even without a stand.
What is the difference between SEMA Show and AAPEX?
SEMA Show covers the specialty-equipment market, including performance, restyling and off-road products. AAPEX covers the wider automotive aftermarket. They run in the same week in Las Vegas.
How early should I plan outreach before a show?
Start four to six weeks before the show, while schedules are still being built, and send a short reminder closer to the date.
Mick Underwood
Sr Team Lead – Business Development, VisitorsListWrites about trade shows, event data and B2B prospecting for the VisitorsList blog. View profile →
