Earlier this year, a record number of international visitors and exhibitors, including those from the U.S., attended the 30th edition of Autopromotec. The biennial international exhibition of automotive equipment and aftermarket products was held in May at the BolognaFiere in Bologna, Italy.
More than 97,000 people from 130 countries registered for the four-day event. Show organizers shared that 83% of attendees were from Italy. The remaining 17% were from abroad, with strong representation from Europe, Asia and the Americas.
International visitors included representatives from the following segments of the aftermarket industry: car equipment manufacturers/distributors, tire dealers, parts manufacturers/distributors, mechatronics (an interdisciplinary field that blends mechanical, electrical and computer engineering), car care products manufacturers/distributors, car washes, body shops, associations and others.
There were 1,692 exhibitors from 46 countries representing 61 brands focused on diagnostic equipment, parts, tires, lubricants, equipment and tools, car wash and car care products and service station equipment.
Technological innovation, data access, sustainability and “Made in Italy” were the central themes of the 2025 event. In addition to various industry presentations, live demos and technical workshops were held.
Renzo Servadei, Autopromotec’s CEO, said Autopromotec 2025 ended with extraordinary results.
As part of Autopromotec, 858 targeted business meetings were held, where buyers worldwide were invited to participate.
“The numbers speak for themselves, but what makes us most proud is the quality of our dialogue with operators and their willingness to look to the future together,” said Servadei. “Autopromotec is not just an exhibition showcase, but a strategic engine for the evolution of the sector, capable of driving change and anticipating future challenges.”
Show organizers said the success of Autopromotec was made possible due to the joint efforts of Autopromotec, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and the Italian Trade Agency (ITA-Agenzia ICE), the agency for foreign promotion and internationalization of Italian companies. As part of the event, 858 targeted business meetings were held, where buyers worldwide were invited to participate. This involved 146 representatives of at least 110 Italian exhibiting companies.
Autobody News correspondent Stacey Phillips Ronak was onsite during the event and spoke with local and international companies about what they were showcasing.
3M Offers Smartphone “Passport” Experience
3M integrated NFC technology into its booth this year to create a more interactive experience for show attendees. Visitors had the opportunity to pre-register and received a “passport” upon arrival at the 3M booth. The passport linked an attendee’s smartphone to their booth experience, taking them on a journey through each display area.
3M integrated NFC technology into its booth this year to create a more interactive experience for show attendees. Pictured are Cesare Valtolina, left, and Jason Scharton, right.
“As they completed a demonstration session at each of the display stations, visitors received a unique code that helped them earn free gifts and access to special promotions,” explained Jason Scharton, 3M’s global industry relations leader. “It really helped guide people through the booth and encouraged engagement.”
Scharton said at the central core, the company is celebrating its 100th anniversary of masking tape. “Our legacy of breakthrough innovation began in 1925 with the creation of Scotch Masking Tape, specifically to help auto body painters of the time to achieve two-tone paint jobs,” noted Scharton. “Today, Scotch Brand is a trusted global partner across nearly every industry, offering an extensive portfolio of more than 600 adhesives, sealants and fillers.”
There were five main stations around the perimeter of 3M’s booth. Surface Preparation is where the 3M Clean Sanding System, Blue Abrasives and Flexible Foam Abrasive Sheets were demonstrated. Body displayed a vehicle body-in-white to demonstrate a wide range of repair processes, from structural and non-structural bonding to seam sealing techniques for matching OEM-applied textures. At Paint Application, visitors were able to spray with the 3M Performance Spray Gun, and Paint Finishing demonstrated Random Orbital Polishing. The Personal Safety area featured the Versaflo PAPR system for painters and preppers.
AkzoNobel’s Holistic Approach Toward Sustainability
During Autopromotec, AkzoNobel shared information about its Acoat selected program and the AkzoNobel Sustainable Repair Network. Both business programs were created to support customers on their journey to become more sustainable and efficient in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
AkzoNobel showcased its one-stop application waterborne basecoat technology, virtual reality training and Q&A talks from the company’s technical experts.
“These programs help to deliver the products, services and tools to make a measurable difference to a body shop’s goal to reduce its carbon footprint,” explained Lucy Cater, AkzoNobel’s global marketing communications manager for Automotive and Vehicle Refinishes.
Cater noted AkzoNobel’s focus on taking a holistic approach towards sustainability.
“It starts by rethinking every step of the repair process from start to refinish,” she said. The company’s Productivity Drive 2025 Roadshow truck was on display, featuring the company’s latest innovations. This included its one-stop application waterborne basecoat technology, Sikkens Autowave Optima, virtual reality training and Q&A talks from the company’s technical experts.
Cater said that coatings can help body shops reduce CO2e emissions in the repair process.
“With Sikkens Autowave Optima, body shops can help reduce energy consumption by 60% and save up to 50% on process time in the spray booth,” she noted. “This will help body shops reduce emissions long-term and become more sustainable whilst remaining profitable.”
She said that using Optima alongside AkzoNobel’s digital color tools reduces paint waste and leads to a first-time right color match.
Regarding the company’s virtual reality (VR) training, Cater shared that it is a much safer, more cost-effective and more sustainable training method, helping paint technicians perfect their technique and gain confidence in a controlled and immersive environment.
During the show, the company hosted a dedicated workshop in the Innovation Village to support local schools and future talent of the automotive industry. The session provided an introduction to the world of automotive refinishing and the different roles within the industry. Cater said that AkzoNobel shared its initiatives as a global leader in OEM-approved coatings technology for the vehicle repair industry.
Montenovo Education with ADAS Calibration Flyers
Montenovo Srl showcased several new products the company has designed in the field of car repair and in collaboration with its diagnostics partner, the latest tools for calibrating advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). Established in the late 1990s, the company specializes in providing tools and equipment for body shops in Italy and neighboring countries. This includes window repair and replacement products. Since 2018, it has also offered equipment and training for ADAS calibration.
Montenovo provided attendees with flyers titled “Don’t lose steps on your calibration path” to help educate body shops on the steps required for ADAS calibration.
During the fair, the company provided attendees with flyers titled “Don’t lose steps on your calibration path” to help educate body shops on the steps required for ADAS calibration. The flyer included all the steps and precautions that need to be taken in the event of a repair following an accident involving the front of the car, from the moment it enters the body shop until it is returned to the customer.
“Drivers have no clue about the importance of these systems on their cars,” said Alessandro Montenovo, manager for the marketing and strategic growth of the company. “You need to calibrate these systems. It’s very, very critical for all road users.”
Montenovo said that if technicians are not focused on what they are doing and don’t properly calibrate the vehicle’s systems, something serious and unexpected can occur.
As a result, he said that as a market leader in Italy, the company offers educational webinars, visits body shops and works with vendors to share knowledge about ADAS calibration.
“In the past, you could unplug something and plug it back in and it was okay,” explained Montenovo. “Now, with all the electronic technical parts in the body of the car, you need to analyze what’s happening and do a calibration.”
Snap-on Total Shop Solutions Focuses on New Offerings for Industry
Snap-on® Total Shop Solutions (TSS™) introduced new vehicle service and repair solutions at the show.
Snap-on® Total Shop Solutions (TSS™) introduced new vehicle service and repair solutions at the show.
“Autopromotec was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the wide array of innovative equipment solutions that Snap-on TSS is known for,” noted Mariana Montovaneli, director of marketing for Snap-on TSS. She said the team shared the company’s latest offerings with attendees so they could see how Snap-on TSS products can help increase productivity, enhance efficiency and grow their businesses.
The booth featured a variety of Snap-on TSS products, including the Hofmann® monty® 3300-26 tyre changer, the John Bean® V4400 Wireless Drive-Through Alignment System, the Car-O-Liner® BenchRack™ Versa and the Ecotechnics® ECO2 R744.
Montovaneli said the Snap-on TSS stand also displayed innovative products from other TSS brands, including Blackhawk®, Cartec®, JOSAM® and SUN®. Many products offered hands-on demonstrations, including the award-winning John Bean Tru-Point™ advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) calibration system. It now features several new procedures — among them the TGT-05 and BKT-16 locator targets, honored last year with an Automechanika Innovation Award in the Workshop and Service Solutions category.
Telwin Smart Repair “Intelligent Approach” to Meet EV Demand
Telwin’s booth included the company’s latest advancements in welding, repair, charging and starting solutions. This included a focus on the company’s Smart Repair “intelligent approach” to automotive repairs. Products included a lithium battery-powered battery puller for steel sheet straightening, the T-Raction 250 compressed air pull tower, steel and aluminum repair stations, modular trolleys, a revamped Drive Pro lithium starter and battery managers.
Telwin introduced its new North America direction and showcased its focus on the company’s Smart Repair “intelligent approach.”
Based in Italy, Telwin was established in 1963 and focuses on the manufacturing of welding machines, cutting systems, battery chargers and starters. The company is present in more than 100 countries on five continents, including the U.S. and Canada.
Tim Morgan, area manager of North America, said the company is focused on offering products and technologies to improve body shop productivity and efficiency, while meeting the demands of electric mobility. It is also working to strengthen its presence in the U.S. and Canada, with an expanded distribution network.
Telwin offers a wide range of welding equipment — MIG/MAG, spot welders and TIG for both automotive and industrial markets, as well as products for the electric vehicle (EV) segment.
“In the U.S and Canada, there’s a surge for body shops to come up with some type of EV charging when they get a car,” said Morgan. “As more EVs end up on the road, every shop will need some charging and monitor equipment to maintain EVs electrical systems.”
Team members shared information about the Telwin Academy, a structured training program to help customers succeed in a constantly evolving market. The company’s courses, workshops, open houses and demonstrations are focused on increasing knowledge about welding, plasma cutting, charting and starting.
The next Autopromotec show is scheduled for May 26-29, 2027. For more information, visit the website.
Photo gallery of exhibitors from the show floor: