MIMS Automobility Saint Petersburg Post-Release

Photo: https://photobank.yauzamedia.ru/e/mims

From 25 to 28 August, the 30th anniversary edition of MIMS Automobility Saint Petersburg 2026, the largest industry event in Russia and the CIS for automotive components, equipment and automotive aftermarket services, took place at the Expoforum Convention and Exhibition Centre in Saint Petersburg.

For the first time in the project’s history, the anniversary exhibition was held in Saint Petersburg. The new venue expanded the geographical reach of the professional audience and created additional opportunities for interaction between automotive market participants from Russia and other countries. The exhibition was attended by 38,255 professionals from various sectors of the automotive aftermarket.

MIMS Automobility Saint Petersburg 2026 brought together 1,483 companies from Russia, Belarus, Hungary, Vietnam, India, Iran, Italy, Kazakhstan, China, South Korea, Poland, Singapore, Thailand, Türkiye and Uzbekistan. Manufacturers and suppliers presented automotive spare parts and components, diagnostic and service equipment, tools, batteries, lubricants, automotive chemicals, and vehicle maintenance technologies.

National pavilions formed a major part of the exhibition’s international presence. Companies from China, Türkiye, India, South Korea and Iran presented national pavilions and held meetings with distributors, buyers and potential business partners.

The anniversary programme had a special place at the 2026 exhibition as the project celebrated its 30th anniversary. Special photo zones dedicated to the exhibition’s history were set up at the venue, while visitors were offered anniversary activities and branded souvenirs.

The exhibition also featured stands of industry media and information partners, giving visitors an opportunity to meet editorial teams and representatives of professional media that shape the automotive aftermarket agenda.

Under the Truck Competence label, many exhibitors presented spare parts and solutions for commercial vehicles alongside their product ranges for passenger cars.

This traditional exhibition section brought together more than 400 companies. To find companies presenting spare parts for commercial vehicles, use the relevant filter in the exhibition catalogue.

The business program of MIMS Automobility Saint Petersburg 2026 ran throughout all four days of the exhibition and brought together representatives of businesses, professional associations, government bodies and industry experts.

Discussions focused on the digitalization of the automotive business, the development of automotive component manufacturing, workforce development, marketplaces and e-commerce, logistics, vehicle servicing and new tools for business development.

One of the key events was the Saint Petersburg International Automotive Forum (SPIAF), dedicated to strategic issues in the development of the Russian automotive industry.

The forum addressed technological sovereignty, production localization, investment, industrial cooperation and international logistics. The program included strategic sessions, industry discussions and B2B meetings.

The program also featured a technical tour of «Avtozavod Saint Petersburg» where participants learned about production processes, component localization and the integration of Russian suppliers.

The AGORA open conference platform once again became one of the key venues for professional dialogue at the exhibition. The program brought together leading representatives of the automotive aftermarket and focused on practical issues directly affecting manufacturers, distributors, automotive service businesses and other market participants.

Key topics included the state of the automotive aftermarket, the development of the automotive components industry, market analytics and changing demand patterns, business digitalization, marketplaces, procurement and distribution, vehicle servicing, corporate fleets and the labour market.

Another focus was on the workforce challenges in the automotive industry. Representatives of major recruitment platforms, including Avito Rabota and hh.ru, took part in a dedicated HR session. Experts discussed the shortage of skilled professionals, changing employee requirements, recruitment tools and opportunities to attract young talent to the industry.

For the third time, MIMS Academy served as the practical and educational component of the exhibition. The project combined a conference program with an open practical area designed to develop and maintain the professional skills of automotive service specialists.

The business program took place in Pavilion H, while the practical area operated in the outdoor exhibition space. Participants attended master classes, technical demonstrations, professional competitions in electric vehicle diagnostics and repair, round-table discussions and sessions with industry experts.

The format enabled professionals not only to discuss vehicle repair and maintenance technologies but also to see equipment and professional techniques in action. The concept continued the development of the project first introduced at the exhibition in 2024, combining educational sessions with a demonstration area in 2026.

The MIMS Automobility Awards ceremony took place as part of MIMS Automobility Saint Petersburg 2026, recognizing the achievements of companies, brands, projects and professionals across the industry.

The awards continue to develop a professional recognition format aimed at both manufacturers of vehicle repair and maintenance products and representatives of the service sector and other automotive aftermarket segments.

The award winners were:

Person of the Year
Ilya Viktorovich Plisov

Product. Passenger Car Parts
Best Private Label
Miles

Best Russian Brand
Big Filter

Best International Brand
CTR

Product. Commercial Vehicle Parts
Best Private Label
TopCover

Best Russian Brand
StartVOLT

Best International Brand
Marshall

eCommerce
Best Online Platform for Automotive Parts Selection
Avito

The winners of the special categories presented by the Avtomarketolog community were:

Marketing in New Car Sales
Anna Ilyina, TransTechService

Marketing in Used Car Sales
Artem Vankov, CyberPulse

Automotive Service Marketing
Viktor Reshetov, KG Avtoklass Expert

Reputation Marketing
Yulia Good, Pervaya Avtokolonna

Avtomarketolog of the Year Grand Prix Winner
Viktor Reshetov, KG Avtoklass Expert

MIMS Automobility Saint Petersburg 2026 became a platform not only for established automotive industry professionals but also for students and young specialists considering the industry as a field for their professional development.

At the exhibition, they had the opportunity to meet major employers and automotive companies, explore modern technologies and equipment, and gain an understanding of in-demand professions and current labor market requirements.

This interaction continued one of the key themes of the 2026 business program: addressing the industry’s workforce needs and developing a new generation of professionals.

The 30th anniversary was an important part of MIMS Automobility Saint Petersburg 2026. Over three decades, the project has developed into a professional platform where manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, automotive service businesses and representatives of other automotive industry segments meet to find partners, discuss market developments and explore new areas of business growth.

The relocation of the anniversary exhibition to Saint Petersburg marked a new stage in the project’s development. Holding a major national industry event in the capital of Russia’s Northwestern region strengthened the presence of the professional audience from the Northwestern Federal District while maintaining the exhibition’s nationwide and international scale.