AAPEX 2025 attendees point to supply chain disruptions, tariffs, and attracting qualified employees; meanwhile, exhibitors worry about attracting customers, tariffs and market positioning

A few weeks ago, we queried reporters about the trends they are watching for at AAPEX 2025. We just got a few more responses from a handful of reporters who report for trade publications operated by Endeavor B2B.

The changes AAPEX has made to the show in 2025 helped put AAPEX on the cover of Aftermarket News in September 2025.

On a recent episode of the On Air podcast by the Auto Care Association, Jacki Lutz, Ted Hughes and Mark Bogdansky offer tips for exhibitors to get the most out of their investment at AAPEX.

Here are three trends automotive aftermarket reporters are watching for at AAPEX 2025.

Training and professional development are part of a strong business case for sending employees to tradeshows, like AAPEX 2025.

Among the good reasons to attend AAPEX 2025 is to stay ahead of the curve on trends; here are seven automotive aftermarket trends to watch.

AAPEX has extended the deadline for its all-new Student Engine Assembly Competition to September 15, 2025. The competition is a timed event where teams of vocational students will race to disassemble and reassemble a Chevy 350 engine.

While many associate the automotive aftermarket with service and repair shops, that’s often the last stop along an intricate and lengthy supply chain. That supply chain includes U.S.-based manufacturers, remanufacturers, distributors, retailers, independent repair shops, technology providers and fleet managers. 

The top reasons attendees say they come to AAPEX are to find new products and innovations (65%); find new suppliers (58%); and maintain existing relationships (54%).