Final Report of the 35th TECHNO-CLASSICA ESSEN 2025

·         The original remains the role model: TECHNO-CLASSICA ESSEN is attractive and market-leading

·         Automobile passion across all generations

·         More and more collectors and trade visitors from 46 nations - 2,700 classic cars in all eight halls

Essen, April 14, 2025

With over 1,250 exhibitors, more than 200 club presentations and around 30 official stands of the market's leading trading companies, the 35th edition of Techno-Classica once again made the Ruhr metropolis the barometer of the classic car scene and the capital of the classic car universe for five days. The most renowned classic car dealers, protagonists of the international classic car and automobile scene and enthusiasts presented the entire spectrum of the classic car world in the Essen exhibition halls. Guests were able to admire over 2,700 collectors' and enthusiasts' vehicles on display - and purchase around 2,000 of them directly on site, which more than 500 buyers took advantage of.

“The last Techno-Classica in Essen proved to be a barometer for a slight trend reversal towards more sales,” says SIHA project manager Michel Franssen. “One had the feeling that the announced customs pause by the US government alone made some purchasing decisions easier - the dealerships are very satisfied.”

The huge range on offer in the eight exhibition halls and the two outdoor areas included the right classic car for every taste and budget - from affordable young timers such as a Mercedes SLK, FIAT Barchetta or VW Golf 2, Triumph Spitfire or a Citroen for a few thousand euros, to the Riley Imp from 1937 for 100,000 euros, to the unrestored Peugeot from 1903 and Lamborghini, Spyker, Maserati or Ferrari in the double-digit million euros range.

A special exhibition was dedicated to the stars of the 1930s under the motto “Inspiring Greatness” around the SIHA pavilion in Hall 5, where Techno-Classica was also opened in the presence of numerous celebrities, the NRW Transport Minister Oliver Krischer and the President of the FIVA World Federation, Tiddo Bresters.

Collector cars on the rise

At its last appearance in Essen, Techno-Classica once again lived up to its claim of being the “world fair for vintage cars, classic and prestige automobiles, motor sports, motorbikes, spare parts, restoration and world club meeting’”: For exhibitors from more than 30 nations, it was the international platform for good business - this applies not only to the vehicle trade, but also to the other exhibition areas such as accessories, art, automobilia, model cars and literature. On Thursday evening, the large number of “Sold” signs on the vehicles in all price categories, with more than 150 confirmed sales, demonstrated the stability of the leading trade fair Techno-Classica as a stimulus for the worldwide desire to buy, and sometimes also to invest capital.

Solid vehicles are in demand

Nick Aaldering, Managing Director of the Dutch trade professional “Gallery Aaldering”, had already sold the first treasures from his range of 30 classic cars on the Saturday of the fair: “Buyers are cautious and are looking for value stability - but realistic offers are finding determined buyers,” said Aaldering, analysing the situation.

Frank Wilke, Managing Director of Classic-Analytics for the evaluation of classic vehicles in Germany, confirms: "There is no other trade fair of this importance in Germany, especially in terms of variety and quality. The classic car market has retained its stability, has remained predictable and has largely consolidated at a high level."

Best of Show is a FIAT 8 V Coupé from 1953

A 14-member international jury selected the world's best automobile from more than 150 renowned Concours d'Élégance participants - a responsible task: a perfectly restored FIAT 8V Coupé with factory bodywork at the stand of the renowned specialist Rudger Houtkamp from the Netherlands in Hall 5 was chosen as the “Best of Show 2025” by the experts and journalists.

Classic car clubs and all “scene representatives“ on site

In addition to trade and industry presentations, the appearances of international classic car clubs have traditionally been among the main attractions of the classic world fair: more than 200 classic car and brand clubs presented themselves and their services on lovingly designed stands - often with scenes from the history of the car recreated in a stage-like manner.

For the clubs, the classic world fair is more than just an infotainment show - the German classic car association DEUVET is also very satisfied with the fair: "We are pleased with the growing interest in the political work for historic mobility. It's great that so many classic cars from all decades are being sold, because the vehicles of yesterday are on the roads of tomorrow."

Stability of the classic car business

The stable number of visitors and the positive business performance of the trade at the 35th Techno-Classica showed that SIHA, as the organizer, succeeds in attracting all relevant interest groups to its trade fair. At the weekend, the average age of visitors to Techno-Classica was well under 50 - young couples and families, friends and colleagues strolled with great interest through the halls, where a huge variety of genuine rarities and more than 200 pre-war cars were on display.

S.I.H.A. representative Michel Franssen:

"Techno-Classica involves a global classic car community with a high level of commitment from exhibitors representing the crème de la crème of the automotive world. Techno-Classica continues to be both a ‘Tribute to the Past’ and a ‘Tribute to the Future’ - it connects yesterday - today - tomorrow. It will launch a new era of classic car trade fairs at a different location in 2026."