Melbourne motor show to return in 2025

Australia is primed for its first traditional motor show in more than a decade, with the all-new Melbourne Motor Show set to return in April 2025.

More than 40,000 people are expected to descend on the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre across the weekend of April 5-6 next year for the born-again automotive exhibition.

The 2025 Melbourne Motor Show will be formally announced barely a month after the demise of the historic Geneva International Motor Show – one of the crowning jewels of the fragmenting international motor show calendar.

While the resurgent Melbourne show won’t draw the same sort of crowds or global attention as big-name international auto exhibitions in Detroit, Paris, Shanghai and Tokyo (at least to begin with), event director Craig Phinn said it will adopt a more modern, immersive format rather than the conventional new product-focussed approach traditionally taken at auto shows in Beijing, Los Angeles, New York and, previously, Geneva and Frankfurt.

“The 2025 Melbourne Motor Show is based on the SEMA or Tokyo Auto Salon model where the experience and entertainment of automotive lovers, or even those vaguely interested, is front of mind,” he told carsales.

“OEM and dealer level displays blend with the aftermarket and car culture. For example, in 2025 every brand must bring a heritage vehicle or renowned aftermarket build to display on their stands.

“Melbourne Motor Show 2025 reignites the physical auto show and allows automotive businesses to meet, compete and be face to face with 40,000 of the Australian car- and bike-loving public.”

So far no auto brands have been confirmed for the 2025 MMS, however dozens are expected to attend the reincarnated event with carsales understanding Phinn and his team to have at least nine meetings with OEMs scheduled within the next two weeks alone.

While car-makers will take centre stage, the 20,000 square metres of exhibition space will be occupied by a mix of big-name and lesser-known auto industry players, including but not limited to OEMs, motorcycles, aftermarket specialists and accessory suppliers, motorsport organisations, merchandise sellers, exotic, classic and modified car collections and more.

Organisers are planning to have roughly 120 individual exhibits available for show-goers to peruse at their leisure.

The expectation is for the new Melbourne motor show to serve as the local launch pad for several high-profile model releases or Australian debuts, potentially including the Y63 Nissan Patrol, Alfa Romeo Junior, BMW X3, Cadillac Optiq, Cupra Terramar, Dacia Duster, Hyundai IONIQ 9, Isuzu D-MAX EV, new-generation Toyota HiLux and a huge number of key Chinese models.

As mentioned above, event organisers are in the midst of discussions with various brands so this list of possible headliners is purely speculative and based on the approximate launch times of said models – see our New Car Calendar for what’s heading Down Under and when.

Australia’s last international motor show was held in Sydney in 2012, following the cancellation of the 2013 Melbourne show and the 2014 Sydney show.

Since then various automotive exhibitions have been held Down Under, including the Australian Motoring Festival at the Melbourne showgrounds from 2015, the AAAA’s Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo from 2021, various 4x4, caravan and outdoor living shows and Melbourne’s Motorclassica, which was cancelled in 2023 and will be replaced by Motors & Masterpieces at Melbourne showgrounds on November 22-24.

The 2025 Melbourne Motor Show website, social media channels and promotional activities will go live within the next week or so.

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