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Aftermarket Forum
New aftermarket world – Future perspectives in an uncertain market environment
After a pandemic-related break since 2019, the Cologne Aftersales Forum returns in September 2025 for its 21st edition. As one of the most respected events in the European automotive aftermarket, the forum has always stood for thought leadership, strategic dialogue, and valuable business connections. In 2025, Wolk & Nikolic and BBE Automotive are joining forces to continue this long-standing tradition and provide a refreshed format that meets the current challenges and opportunities of the aftermarket.
It’s rare when a true game-changer appears out of nowhere and reshapes the markets. The Independent Aftermarket appears to have managed to ride the storm out with more success than other sectors of the economy. But it was changed in the process. It’s a high time to look for some answers:
- It is just yet another crisis like in 2008 or are we all facing something of a new kind?
- What are the lessons learned from 2020
- What emergent trends and technologies we have observed across the globe?
Globalization is nothing new to the automotive world. But among the Aftermarket the globalization is gaining more and more attention due to the consolidation among the distributors and the more intense activities of the international trade groups.
How do the coming changes will affect the market and future business policies?
Do you want to follow the trends or are you willing to be the one who shapes them?
Alternative drives and their impact on the Automotive Aftermarket Supply Chain. Services, spare parts, oils, and many other products are the pillars of today’s automotive aftermarket. The increased introduction of vehicles with alternative drive technology results in the fact that some of these products thus lose the future of market volume and revenue opportunities for market participants.
Do vehicles driven by electric, hydrogen, or hybrid engines lead to higher spare parts prices, but sinking sales volumes and if so how do market participants adapt to these changes?
The sale of OE parts to independent workshops is increasingly important in the after-sales business for manufacturers, dealers, and workshops and thus offers a very interesting and innovative business field. Also, the increasing complexity of technology such as diagnostic and calibration work on today’s passenger cars means that more and more independent workshops are taking over OE parts to repair vehicles.
