Dhaka Auto Series of Exhibitions 2026: A familiar name reimagined by a changing mobility landscape
The rebranded Auto Series integrated five concurrent exhibitions through the different halls and plazas of ICCB: the Dhaka Motor Show, Dhaka Bike Show, Dhaka Auto Parts Show, Dhaka Commercial Automotive Show and the Electric Vehicle Bangladesh Expo
The 19th yearly iteration of Dhaka Motorshow returned to Dhaka this April, only this time under a different rebranded spin. What enthusiasts and industry insiders have long known as the Dhaka Motor Show has now been rebranded into a broader, more ubiquitous platform: the 19th Dhaka Auto Series of Exhibitions 2026.
Held from the weekend of April 23 to 25 at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB), the three day event ushered in a new platform for electric cars side by side with traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, as the general public gained a more hands on experience on the still very much vague landscape of electric cars and Chinese marques who are still stamping their first impressions on the average Bangladeshi audience of late.
Organised by CEMS Global, the exhibition retains its legacy as the country's longest running automotive event, while expanding its scope to reflect a rapidly diversifying industry. For nearly two decades, the Dhaka Motor Show has been the flagship gathering for new car launches, distributor showcases and networking with a side of tuner car enthusiasts banding together. In 2026, that legacy continues, just under a wider umbrella albeit with a lesser grip on the enthusiast crowd.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The rebranded Auto Series integrated five concurrent exhibitions through the different halls and plazas of ICCB: the Dhaka Motor Show, Dhaka Bike Show, Dhaka Auto Parts Show, Dhaka Commercial Automotive Show and the Electric Vehicle Bangladesh Expo.
This conglomeration reflects a deliberate shift from a car centric exhibition to a comprehensive mobility ecosystem, one that acknowledges the growing importance of electric two wheelers, a new world of electric commercial transport and electric mobility solutions.
Visitors were no longer limited to browsing passenger vehicles. Instead, they encountered a cross section of the entire automotive value chain, from electrified heavy duty commercial trucks and logistics solutions to EV technologies and aftermarket name brand parts (like KYB and Exedy) to the general masses.
This year's edition brought together more than 70 companies from over 10 countries, spread across approximately 200 booths. Global automotive brands such as Mitsubishi, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, MG, headlined the passenger vehicle segment while Chinese and regional players like Changan, GAC, Chery and Deepal further highlighted the increasingly competitive EV share of Bangladesh's Chinese EV segment.
On the two wheeler side, brands including CF Moto, Longjia and Vimoto demonstrate the continued growth of Bangladesh's motorcycle culture particularly among urban consumers.
Commercial vehicle manufacturers such as Foton and Forland also feature prominently, underscoring the country's expanding logistics and infrastructure needs. Meanwhile, the EV segment, still vacant but rapidly evolving, offered a glimpse into a future brought by MEV.
The expansion into multiple segments mirrors deeper structural changes in Bangladesh's automotive landscape. Rising incomes, urbanisation, and a growing middle class have sustained demand for personal vehicles, even amid high import duties and the ongoing fuel crisis.
But perhaps most notably, the inclusion of the Electric Vehicle Bangladesh Expo signals an industry at the cusp of transformation. While EV adoption remains limited, the presence of international exhibitors and emerging charging stations nationwide suggests that Bangladesh is positioning itself for an electrified future, a sentiment shared by even the stanchest of petrolheads again, being frustrated by the global fuel pinch.
Like its predecessor, the Dhaka Motor Show, the Auto Series still remains as much a business platform as it is a public spectacle. The event offered opportunities for distributors, importers, and manufacturers to forge partnerships, gauge EV consumer interest, and introduce new models to the market. Toyota Officially launched themselves in our market after a quiet yet independent breakup from Navana.
Historically, the Dhaka Motor Show has served as a launchpad for new vehicles and a barometer for consumer trends. The 2026 edition continues this role. The new RAV4 gripped its four wheels on our tarmac at the same time as its global release.
By bringing these elements under one roof, the Auto Series positions itself as a more relevant and future facing event encapsulating the word mobility. Yet, for many visitors, the essence remains unchanged. The excitement of seeing new models, the curiosity around emerging technologies, and the energy of a crowded exhibition hall continue to define the experience.
As Bangladesh's automotive sector matures, events like the Dhaka Auto Series will play an increasingly important role in shaping its direction. They offer a snapshot of where the industry stands and where it is headed.
The 19th edition, in its reimagined form, suggests that the journey is no longer just about horsepower and design. It is about connectivity, sustainability, and the broader concept of mobility.
And while the name may have changed, the heartbeat of the show remains very much intact for the general enthusiast.
