The Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA) enjoyed another successful Automechanika Johannesburg 2026.

MIWA's SpannerTorque Pavilion provided a valuable platform for industry networking, supplier engagement and new business connectionswith positive feedback from participating suppliers setting the stage for an even bigger event next year.

The pavilion brought together leading automotive suppliers and industry partners in a shared space, creating opportunities for meaningful engagement with workshop owners, industry stakeholders and visitors. The open, collaborative formatencouraged interaction, facilitated new business connections and provided a platform for showcasing products, services and the expertise available across the automotive aftermarket.

Pieter Niemand, National Director of MIWA, a proud association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), says the response from participating suppliers and visitors was particularly encouraging.

"Automechanika provided an excellent opportunity to bring our industry together, strengthen existing relationships and establish new connections. We are particularly pleased with the feedback from our SpannerTorque partners. The supplierswe engaged with at the close of the event were overwhelmingly positive, with all confirming their intention to participate again next year.

"This is a strong endorsement of the pavilion concept and the value of creating a professional, collaborative platform where suppliers, workshops and the broader industry can connect," says Niemand.

High-profile engagement and industry collaboration

A significant highlight on the opening day was a visit to the SpannerTorque Pavilion by Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, John Steenhuisen, who took the time to visit the participating suppliers and engage with them abouttheir businesses and the broader automotive aftermarket.

The Deputy Minister also participated in a roundtable discussion with representatives from the RMI's affiliated associations, facilitated by RMI Chief Operating Officer Henk Ferreira. The discussion provided an opportunity for industryrepresentatives to share perspectives on the operating environment and explore practical areas of collaboration between government and the automotive aftermarket.

MIWA welcomed the opportunity to participate in this engagement, which reinforced the importance of ongoing dialogue between government and industry in supporting business sustainability, skills development, consumer protection and economicgrowth.

Ferreira also spent considerable time at the SpannerTorque Pavilion, engaging with suppliers, facilitating networking and hosting industry meetings in the pavilion's dedicated boardroom.

Sharing expertise beyond South Africa

The event also provided an opportunity for MIWA to engage with international industry representatives, including the Motor Industry Association of Zimbabwe (MIAZ).

Discussions focused on opportunities to strengthen and reshape the association in line with international industry standards, particularly in areas such as hybrid and electric vehicle compliance and independent workshop readiness.

MIWA expressed its willingness to share its experience, expertise and resources to support MIAZ in this process. “This engagement reflects the value of regional cooperation and the importance of preparing independent workshops for the changingdemands of vehicle technology,” says Niemand.

Beyond the business and networking opportunities, the pavilion also offered visitors something different, with the Backdraft Cobra build attracting considerable interest.

Visitors had the opportunity to watch the vehicle being built from the ground up, providing a practical and engaging demonstration of automotive craftsmanship and technical expertise.

Niemand says the success of this year's event provides a positive foundation for the future of SpannerTorque and its role in bringing the automotive aftermarket together.

"Automechanika is about much more than showcasing products. It is about building relationships, sharing knowledge and creating opportunities for businesses across our industry to grow together. The feedback from our partners confirms thatthe SpannerTorque Pavilion is delivering on that objective.

"We would like to thank all our exhibitors, partners, visitors and the organising team for their contribution. We are particularly grateful to our suppliers for their support and commitment to the pavilion. We look forward to building onthis momentum and welcoming everyone back in 2027."