Technological Challenges Highlighted at Automechanika

Automechanika Frankfurt brought together 112,000 aftermarket industry visitors over five days in September to check out the latest offerings from suppliers across 80 countries. Autosphere was on the show floor as our Editor-in-Chief met with leading industry representatives to gather key insights.

First and foremost, aftermarket parts and equipment suppliers want to ensure independent shops are equipped for the future. It’s a simple goal on paper, but the reality is far more complex.

“More and more electric vehicles are reaching the end of their original factory warranty,” noted André Ramos at the Robert Bosch booth dedicated to aftermarket shop equipment. “EV owners are now facing the reality of repair costs, particularly for complex systems like high-voltage setups or regenerative braking.”

Another major takeaway is that opening markets to new Asian automakers is prompting suppliers to significantly expand their replacement parts catalogues. Even OEMs are adjusting their European market strategies by providing not only OEM parts, but also equivalent aftermarket alternatives.

Visiting the Stellantis exhibit highlighted this market shift. Beyond its EUROREPAR Car Service repair network, Stellantis supplies MOPAR OE components and mid-tier EUROREPAR options for aging vehicles, plus recycled parts sold under the SUSTAINera brand.

Streamlining the catalogue

During a press conference, Jens Willem Schüler, President of Schaeffler Vehicle Lifetime Solutions, explained that his company’s mission is to keep up with new technologies and simplify product lines for customers. The supplier has consolidated its entire catalogue for both internal combustion engine (ICE) and EV applications, and will gradually merge its sub-brands (INA, LuK, and FAG) under the unified Schaeffler brand identity over the next three years.

“We are focusing on knowledge sharing with our customers through our REPXPERT training portal while working closely with OEMs to ensure access to diagnostic data and repair procedures,” Schüler said. “Despite EV growth, the vast majority of vehicles driving today run on gas. Providing our clients with dependable replacement parts as long as these vehicles stay on the road is a top priority.”

ZF’s Aftermarket division is taking a similar approach to simplifying its product lineup. Division Head Philippe Colpron noted that product sub-brands will progressively adopt the primary brand identity. “We are facing unprecedented vehicle diversity across models, powertrains, and vehicle age,” Colpron highlighted. “Global mobility relies heavily on the support of independent repair shops. Our role is to collaborate with these partners to guarantee access to the right parts and repair information. Operating as an OE manufacturer gives us a major advantage in this regard.”

Colpron added that his division aims to empower shops to repair increasingly complex assemblies rather than defaulting to full replacements.

EV and Asian market growth

Stéphane Gendron of SKF, a manufacturer of wheel bearings, engine, steering, and suspension components, shared a similar perspective. “In today’s market, bundled replacement kits for timing chains and accessories offer practical value to repair shops. However, technicians also need to perform targeted repairs,” Gendron explained. “For instance, as electric vehicles reach the end of their OEM warranty period, we are developing replacement parts built to withstand the unique mechanical demands of EV propulsion systems, especially high rotational speeds.” Repairing an EV speed reducer gear set can cost three to ten times less than replacing the entire drive unit.

Gendron acknowledged that accurately diagnosing modern vehicles requires continuous upskilling for technicians, making hands-on training a core component of SKF’s aftermarket solutions.

Greg Snyder, Key Account Manager for North America at GSP, expressed a similar view at the supplier’s booth, emphasizing that aftermarket suppliers hold a key responsibility toward EV owners. “We need to support their choice by ensuring that our replacement parts and technical knowledge keep the total cost of EV ownership affordable.”

Snyder also noted that GSP is well-positioned for the arrival of Chinese vehicles in North America and global markets. Like several other manufacturers at the trade show, GSP produces original equipment components for Chinese automakers, facilitating a smoother transition of diagnostic and repair data to independent shops. During the visit to GSP’s booth, Tony Tang, Business Development Manager for GSP China, was also present.

With their global presence, European parts suppliers are ready to support the rollout of Chinese and Indian vehicles depending on regional demand. Snyder believes the arrival of Chinese mobility options in Canada is a logical next step, noting that their technology has already been proven in harsh winter conditions in other global markets.

Training and technology

Automechanika featured a comprehensive training curriculum, dedicating an entire hall where training centers and equipment manufacturers delivered technical instruction. Numerous suppliers also hosted hands-on technical sessions right at their booths, including suspension and steering specialist KYB.

Ryan Dickerman, Sales Director at KYB, led a workshop on active suspension systems during the show. “We have to start training technicians on these emerging technologies immediately as they arrive in independent shop bays,” Dickerman said. “It presents a real challenge for technicians, requiring advanced diagnostics, complex component replacements, and post-installation calibration or programming.”

Dickerman reinforced that while electric vehicles bring new challenges to shop bays, they also offer significant business opportunities. “In my segment, EVs are heavy and put tremendous stress on suspension systems. Technicians should systematically inspect these components during routine maintenance.”

Ultimately, whether electric or hybrid, domestic or import, high-tech vehicles still rely on core mechanical components that inevitably wear out or fail over time, just like any other vehicle on the road.