Auto Aftermarket Expo fast-tracks opportunities for Australian exporters

The 2026 Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo (AAAE) created new export opportunities for Australian businesses, connecting local manufacturers with international buyers from across Southeast Asia through a targeted inbound trade mission.

Held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the initiative brought together procurement decision-makers from Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia with Australian automotive aftermarket suppliers.

The program was delivered by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) in partnership with Austrade through the Accessing New Markets Initiative (ANMI).

The Australian automotive industry is a major economic driver, valued at over $55 billion. While original equipment manufacturing has closed, the sector continues to thrive through aftermarket sales, specialty conversions, and growing electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure.

Australian-designed and -manufactured automotive aftermarket products alone generate over $1 billion in export revenue annually. The main export markets include the United States, Europe, New Zealand, and the Middle East.

Connecting Australian businesses and international buyers

The inbound buyers mission included tailored business matching, factory visits, guided expo tours and direct engagement with more than 400 Australian aftermarket brands. These activities provided Australian companies with the opportunity to showcase their capability, innovation and export readiness to key regional markets.

This year’s expo attracted 15,000 attendees over three days, setting a new attendance record and reinforcing its position as the automotive industry’s premier trade event in the Southern Hemisphere. Packed aisles, busy exhibitor stands and strong engagement from automotive professionals from across Australia and overseas created constant activity across the show floor, creating an ideal backdrop for export conversations.

The Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo brought together local manufacturers with international buyers from across Southeast Asia and other markets.

AAAA CEO, Stuart Charity, said that bringing in targeted buyers and aligning with key events like the AAAE is the perfect way to showcase the industry’s export potential.

‘Australian exporters have faced turbulent global conditions over the last 12 months,’ he notes. ‘ANMI has provided structure and support to pursue otherwise untapped export opportunities.

‘The AAAA is already seeing results from ANMI, with our inbound buyer mission to the AAAE delivering real commercial outcomes for Australian manufacturers.

‘In the current global trade environment, face-to-face relationships matter more than ever,’ adds Charity. ‘Australian automotive aftermarket manufacturers have world-class products and capability, and this program gives them the platform to showcase it.

‘Government–industry partnerships like this are vital to growing our sector’s long-term export capability in times of global uncertainty.’

Turning connections into commercial outcomes

For international buyers, the expo was an opportunity to delve into the depth and quality of Australia’s aftermarket sector, an opportunity that many said would have taken months of individual visits to replicate.

‘Participating in the Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo and the associated industry visits provided an outstanding opportunity to better understand the capability, innovation and professionalism of Australian automotive businesses,’ says a representative from Banteng Mas. ‘We were highly impressed by the quality of the companies we met and have already identified several strong commercial opportunities, with many more discussions expected to continue following the program.’

‘We would like to sincerely thank the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association and Austrade for their support of this important program,’ says MercuryPM Managing Director Ben Bartlett. ‘MercuryPM is extremely proud to have played a role in delivering the inward buyer program and helping create meaningful connections between Australian suppliers and international buyers across the ASEAN region.’

The inbound buyer mission was well received by local manufacturers and exporters.

The inbound buyer mission forms part of AAAA’s broader export diversification program as a Trade Diversification Network member.

Powered by ANMI, this mission and future planned activities will enhance the Australian automotive aftermarket industry’s trade resilience by opening pathways into priority markets.