The automotive aftermarket trade show for Southern Africa
Africa Trade Show brings the automotive aftermarket into one practical buying and comparison event in Johannesburg. Parts distributors, workshops and fitment centres come to see product ranges, watch live demos and speak to suppliers covering day to day workshop needs.
One show built around the aftermarket
Africa Trade Show is organised for the working side of the motor trade. Instead of spreading product categories across separate events, we put brakes, filters, batteries, tyres and body shop equipment under one roof so buyers can compare ranges in one visit. That matters for distributors planning stock lines, workshop owners reviewing service parts, and fitment centres looking at products they use every week.
The show is based in Johannesburg, which makes it practical for local trade visitors and accessible for buyers travelling in from across Southern Africa. The focus stays on the aftermarket rather than new vehicle retail. Visitors come to discuss supply, fitment, serviceability, training support and what suits local conditions such as stop start traffic, long haul use, dust, heat and coastal humidity.
- Brake, filter, battery and tyre product displays
- Live workshop demo areas for hands on presentations
- A dedicated body shop hall for repair and finishing suppliers
- Trade focused discussions for distributors, workshops and fitment centres
Where to start
Exhibit
Compare stand options for parts, tyres, batteries and workshop equipment suppliers exhibiting at the show.
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Visit the show
Practical guidance for buyers planning a focused visit across parts, demo and body shop areas.
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Live workshop demos
Real vehicle demonstrations covering brakes, suspension, diagnostics, batteries and workshop fitting practice.
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Body shop hall
A focused hall for panel-beating, repair and spray booth suppliers serving the aftermarket trade.
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Guides
Practical notes for exhibitors and visitors, from stand planning to live demos and buyer walk-throughs.
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What visitors can expect on the floor
The main exhibition floor is arranged around core aftermarket categories. Buyers can move from service parts and wear items through to workshop support products without wasting half a day crossing between unrelated halls. That makes it easier to compare options, shortlist suppliers and decide where a follow up meeting is needed.
On the parts side, visitors can review braking lines, filtration ranges, battery products and tyre related offerings in one trip. Alongside that, there are live areas where exhibitors explain installation points, maintenance checks and common workshop faults. In the body shop section, suppliers of panel-beating and spray booth related equipment present solutions aimed at repairers and finishing operations. It is a practical layout, not a spectator event.
- Parts ranges for everyday service and repair work
- Demonstrations that show how products are fitted or used
- Conversations around stocking, turnover and workshop demand
- Body repair and spray finishing suppliers in a dedicated hall
Who the show suits
This event is organised for trade visitors who make buying decisions or influence them. Parts distributors attend to assess new lines, compare category coverage and speak to potential supply partners face to face. Independent workshops and workshop groups visit to review parts they install daily, look at diagnostic or fitting support and ask direct technical questions. Fitment centres come with a similar focus, especially where batteries, tyres and related workshop processes are part of their daily turnover.
It also suits body repair businesses wanting to compare panel repair and finishing equipment in one dedicated area. For visitors coming from outside Johannesburg, the value is in being able to cover multiple categories in one journey rather than arranging separate supplier visits across different provinces. That saves time and travel cost and gives teams a clearer view of what is available in the market.
How exhibiting with us usually works
For exhibitors, the process starts with an enquiry through our contact page. We discuss the type of products being presented, the audience you want to reach and whether a standard stand, a category specific position or a live demo format is the right fit. A battery or tyre supplier may want to be placed in a related zone, while a body shop equipment company may be better suited to the dedicated hall.
Once the brief is clear, we guide the exhibitor through stand planning, demo requirements and visitor engagement points. If a supplier intends running a technical presentation, we look at what equipment is needed, how the area should flow and what safety controls are required. Moving vehicles, lifting gear, compressed air and spray related kit all need sensible planning and municipal rules can affect how some activities are presented.
Before the show opens, exhibitors finalise their display, product messaging and staff roles. During the event, the aim is straightforward: meet relevant trade buyers, explain the range clearly and set up proper follow up after the show. We keep the process practical, because most exhibitors want useful conversations rather than foot traffic for its own sake.
Johannesburg base, Southern African reach
We organise the show from Johannesburg and that gives it a natural hub for road, air and freight access. Many distributors and workshop groups already route people through Johannesburg for sourcing and supplier meetings, so the city works well as a meeting point. At the same time, the visitor profile is not only local. Buyers travel in from across Southern Africa to compare ranges and meet suppliers in person.
The regional angle matters. Product decisions can differ between inland and coastal markets, between urban stop start use and longer distance fleet patterns, and between dry dusty conditions and high moisture environments. A brake line that sells well in one area may need a different conversation in another. Tyre and battery choices also vary by application and region, so face to face discussion helps buyers make better calls.
- Organised from Johannesburg for easy access
- Suitable for Gauteng based trade visitors and regional buyers
- Useful for comparing products across different operating conditions
- Built for Southern African aftermarket decision makers
Why live workshop demos matter
One of the most useful parts of the show is the live demo programme. Static displays have their place, but many trade visitors want to see how a product is fitted, tested or explained to technicians before they commit time to a new supplier. A brake or suspension presentation can show access, workflow and service points far better than a brochure can. Diagnostics and battery sessions are also valuable because buyers often need clarity on test procedures, support tools and workshop practicality.
Live demos also help exhibitors speak to real workshop conditions. Power cuts, limited bay space, turnaround pressure and variable technician experience all affect what works on the floor. A good demonstration deals with those realities rather than only listing features. Visitors usually leave with a clearer idea of whether a product suits high volume fitment, specialist repair work or mixed workshop use. That is often where the best follow up starts, after a good question and a straight answer.
Questions we get asked
Who should visit Africa Trade Show?
The show is organised for parts distributors, workshops, fitment centres and body repair businesses looking to compare aftermarket products and speak to suppliers directly.
Can suppliers run demonstrations on their stands?
Yes. Live demonstrations are part of the show format, provided the activity suits the event layout and any safety or municipal requirements for that equipment are met.
How do we ask about exhibiting or visiting?
Please use the enquiry form on our contact page and tell us whether you are interested in exhibiting, attending as a trade visitor or taking part in a live demo.
Book a stand or register to visit
Send a note through our contact form saying whether you supply parts or equipment, or run a workshop, distributor or fitment centre, and our team will reply with the next steps.
Open the contact form