What MotorEx does

MotorEx is Australia's largest and most prestigious automotive exhibition, operated by Out There Productions Major Events Pty Ltd (ABN 12 152 488 821) and held annually at Melbourne Showgrounds in Ascot Vale, Victoria. Founded in 2000, the two-day event (next edition 2-3 May 2026) is structured as a multi-precinct festival comprising 11+ themed worlds including Meguiar's Superstars World, All Japan World, BLAHST Real Street World, Vanz Classic World, LMCT+ Portelli World, Drift World, Dyno World, Car Builders 4x4 World, Performance World, Car Club World and Street Machine World. MotorEx serves three primary customer segments: consumer spectators purchasing tiered tickets (Weekend Pass from $50, Saturday Pass from $35, Sunday Pass from $30, After Dark Pass from $40-$45) through the Oztix platform; vehicle entrants who pay category fees via the Street Machine Shed platform to compete for $50,000+ in prizes and 100+ awards; and 120+ B2B automotive aftermarket exhibitors occupying booth space in the Performance World trade expo. Sponsorship revenue is anchored by naming rights partner Meguiar's, alongside core sponsors LMCT+, BLAHST, Shannons Insurance, Aeroflow, Haltech, VCM Performance, Street Machine, Mobil 1, Car Builders and VANZ, with media cross-promotion through Street Machine magazine.

The business runs on a capital-light, event-driven revenue model combining consumer ticket sales, entrant category fees, B2B exhibitor booth fees, and merchandise sales distributed via lifestyleaustralia.com.au. The technology stack is intentionally lean — a WordPress website, the Oztix ticketing platform, the Street Machine Shed entrant management platform, and the exppop.com exhibitor portal — with no proprietary AI, data, or platform technology. Day-to-day operations are run by a 1-10 person team led by Managing Director and COO Michel Wyden, with significant shared infrastructure across the parent company's sister-event, Street Machine Summernats. The 2026 edition showcases over $70 million in machinery and has been positioned by the organiser as the biggest MotorEx in history, with several precincts already at or near capacity.

Name

MotorEx

Legal name

Out There Productions Major Events Pty Ltd

Website

https://motorex.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

MotorEx is Australia's largest two-day automotive festival, held at Melbourne Showgrounds and operated by Out There Productions Major Events Pty Ltd, serving show car builders, automotive enthusiasts, and 120+ aftermarket exhibitors through a multi-precinct event and trade show.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Events and Exhibitions

NAICS

Racetracks (711212)

SIC

Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948)

akta.pro primary industry

Race Tracks, Circuits & Motorsport Venues (MPAKAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Motorsports Events (F1, NASCAR, Rally, Moto) (MPAGAMAD), Motorsports & Racing Experiences (THAJAFAF)

Keywords

• Automotive festival
• Car exhibition
• Performance trade show
• Motorsport event
• Custom car show

Headquarters

HQ city

Marrickville

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations

Revenue model

1. Spectator Ticket Sales: MotorEx generates primary revenue from spectator ticket sales across multiple ticket tiers including Weekend Pass ($50), Saturday Pass ($35), Sunday Pass ($30), and After Dark Only Pass ($40-$45). Kids 15 and under are admitted free with a paying adult or concession ticket.
2. Entrant and Precinct Fees: Vehicle entrants pay fees to compete in various categories and precincts. Specific fees are listed for precinct experiences such as Vanz Classic World indoor entry ($180) which includes full indoor building takeover access, entrant merchandise, wristband, and buddy pass.
3. Trader and Exhibitor Booth Fees: Automotive aftermarket companies, parts suppliers, and lifestyle brands pay to exhibit at the event's Performance World trade show. The extensive exhibitor list (50+ companies) indicates significant B2B exhibitor revenue.
4. Merchandise Sales: MotorEx merchandise is sold through an online store (lifestyleaustralia.com.au/summernats/product-category/motorex/), including branded apparel and accessories.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

MotorEx is a two-day automotive festival held annually at Melbourne Showgrounds in Victoria, Australia. The event combines spectator ticket sales, themed vehicle display precincts (worlds), competitive vehicle entry categories with $50,000+ in prizes and 100+ awards, live motorsport demonstrations, and a large B2B automotive trade expo (Performance World) with 120+ exhibitors.

Product overview

Meguiar's MotorEx is a two-day automotive festival held at Melbourne Showgrounds in Melbourne, Australia. The event features multiple themed precincts/worlds including All Japan World, BLAHST Real Street World, Dyno World, Drift World, Car Builders 4x4 World, Performance World, Car Club World, Superstars World, Street Machine World, Portelli World, and VANZ Classic World. The festival offers spectator tickets (Weekend, Saturday, Sunday, and After Dark passes) and vehicle entry categories spanning Auto Expo, Superstars, 4X4s, Drifting, E-sports, Exotics, Street Elite, JDM, Muscle Cars, Euro, Real Street, Unveils, Race Cars, and Stunt Shows. The event also features a large trade expo and includes over $50,000 in prizes and 100+ awards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Vanz Classic World: All-Ford panel van celebration featuring Australian iconic eras of custom car culture
• LMCT+ Portelli World
• Street Machine World
• Superstars World
• Car Club World
• Performance World
• Car Builders 4x4 World
• Drift World
• Dyno World
• BLAHST Real Street World
• All Japan World
• MotorEx After Dark
• Custom World

Products and services

• Meguiar's MotorEx Festival Australia's largest two-day automotive festival held at Melbourne Showgrounds, featuring show cars, drifting, cruising, live music, themed precincts, and a large trade expo with over $70 million in displayed machinery. Targeted at automotive enthusiasts across Australia.
• MotorEx Spectator Tickets Spectator ticket products for MotorEx including Weekend Pass (from $50), Saturday Pass (from $35), Sunday Pass (from $30), and After Dark Pass (from $40), with kids 15 and under free with adult or concession ticket.
• MotorEx Vehicle Entry Categories Vehicle entry categories including Auto Expo, Superstar Showcars, 4X4s, Drifting, E-sports, Exotics, Street Elite, JDM, Muscle Cars, Euro, Real Street, Unveils, Race Cars, and Stunt Shows, with over $50,000 in prizes and 100+ awards.
• Performance World Trade Expo Australia's largest automotive trade show component featuring over 120 exhibitors, including performance parts manufacturers, aftermarket suppliers, and automotive service brands. Exhibitors pay for booth space to reach a concentrated enthusiast audience.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $70 million in machinery on display across the event
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Meguiar'sflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerMeguiar's is the Naming Rights Sponsor of MotorEx (Meguiar's MotorEx). Since 1901, Meguiar's has earned the trust of millions of consumers and professional detailers by producing premium surface and car care products. The naming rights partnership positions Meguiar's at the centre of Australia's premier automotive celebration.
• BLAHSTcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBLAHST is the Naming Rights Sponsor of BLAHST Real Street World for 2026. Known for wall-mounted retractable pressure washers and 'always-ready' cleaning systems, BLAHST supports the builders, detailers and enthusiasts who demand the best car care at MotorEx.
• LMCT+coreGTM or Marketing PartnerLMCT+ is Australia's number one shopping tool and rewards club with over 1,500 businesses and discounts Australia-wide. Sponsors LMCT+ Portelli World and LMCT+ Main Stage at MotorEx, providing exclusive member benefits and event access.
• Shannons InsurancecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerShannons Insurance is a sponsor specialising in cover for motoring enthusiasts, offering policies for classic and modified vehicles, restorations in progress, and daily drivers. Shannons supports over 1,200 events annually across Australia.
• Aeroflow Performance ProductscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAeroflow Performance Products is a sponsor that designs and manufactures close to 11,000 high-performance automotive components including fittings, hoses, fuel systems, and filters. Serving street, drag, JDM, motorsport and marine markets globally since 2010.
• HaltechcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHaltech is a sponsor and global leader in automotive engine management systems and performance electronics, designed and built in Australia since 1986. Trusted globally by racers and enthusiasts for over 35 years.
• VCM PerformancecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerVCM Performance is an Australian-owned and operated family business, sponsor and exhibitor specialising in online retail and wholesale distribution of high-quality automotive performance parts including induction systems, valvetrain components, and supercharger products.
• Street MachineflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerStreet Machine is Australia's biggest-selling modified car magazine (since 1981) and a core sponsor and media partner. The Street Machine Shed platform (shed.streetmachine.com.au) manages entrant entries for MotorEx and other events.
• Mobil 1coreGTM or Marketing PartnerMobil 1 is the world's leading synthetic motor oil brand and sponsor, chosen as factory fill by more auto manufacturers than any other motor oil brand. Powers the Performance World precinct at MotorEx.
• OzWheelsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOzWheels celebrates Australian car culture through diecast models and real-world builds. Founded by Jesse Marios, the brand brings legends of Australian street and strip to life in 1:64 scale, showcasing iconic vehicles and burnout machines.
• KOKAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKOKA is an automotive, fashion and lifestyle brand inspired by Japan, described as 'not just a store - a culture.' Hosts the KOKA's JDM Live Showcase at the LMCT+ Main Stage during After Dark.
• Car BuilderscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCar Builders sponsors Car Builders 4x4 World and supplies quality thermal and acoustic build materials and advice to motor enthusiasts since 2009. Their combined experience in automotive design and hands-on building supports both the event and the enthusiast community.
• VANZcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerVANZ (Vanz Classic World) celebrates Australia's most iconic era of custom car culture with an all-Ford panel van showcase. Fills an entire building and outdoor precinct at MotorEx 2026 with a full Ford panel van celebration.
• Gee UpminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGee Up is an Aussie-born vodka RTD with added electrolytes, sponsoring the Gee-Up Bar within LMCT+ Portelli World at MotorEx, serving cold beverages to attendees.
• Flip Side EnergyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFlip Side Energy is an Aussie-made natural energy drink, exhibiting at MotorEx as part of the sponsor and exhibitor ecosystem.
• Out There Productions Major Events Pty LtdflagshipOthersOut There Productions Major Events Pty Ltd (ABN 12 152 488 821) is the legal entity that organises and operates MotorEx. It also runs other major Australian automotive events including Street Machine Summernats.
• OztixcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOztix is the primary ticketing platform for MotorEx, distributing event tickets (Weekend Pass, Saturday Pass, Sunday Pass, After Dark Only) through its online outlet at outthereproductions.oztix.com.au.
• Hot Wheels (Matt Mingay)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerHot Wheels Stunts with Matt Mingay's crew performs six adrenaline-pumping stunt shows across the MotorEx weekend, featuring wild tricks, tyre smoke and precision driving. The Hot Wheels Kids Zone provides racing, play tables and interactive games for children.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Street Machine Summernats: Australia's largest street machine festival held every January in Canberra, operated by the same parent entity Out There Productions. It is the most direct comparison as both are flagship custom car festivals with strong enthusiast, exhibitor, and sponsor overlap under one producer.
• Detroit Autorama: Long-running North American custom car show featuring hot rods, street machines, and customs with extensive awards program. Comparable in its strong show-car and custom-build judging focus and prize/award-driven entrant proposition.
• Tokyo Auto Salon: Japan's premier custom and tuning car showcase with strong JDM and aftermarket exhibitor focus. Directly comparable in its curated precincts, JDM culture orientation (a key MotorEx segment via All Japan World), and enthusiast ticketing model.
• Goodwood Festival of Speed: Annual motorsport and automotive culture event held in the UK featuring concours, hill climbs, and major OEM participation. Comparable as a prestige ticketed enthusiast festival combining motorsport, manufacturer presence, and lifestyle.
• Hot Rod Power Tour: Annual week-long US road tour for muscle car and street machine enthusiasts with manufacturer activations. Comparable for its muscle/street-machine enthusiast base and aftermarket brand activations overlapping with MotorEx's Real Street and Street Machine worlds.
• Salon Privé: UK luxury motoring event blending concours d'elegance, supercar displays, and VIP hospitality. Comparable to MotorEx in combining prestige show car judging, brand activations (Portelli World parallels), and curated themed precincts.
• World of Wheels (Autorama): Multi-city indoor custom car and hot rod show tour across North America. Comparable as a touring enthusiast car show series with judging categories and an aftermarket exhibitor mix aimed at hobbyists.

Broad incumbents

• SEMA Show: The Specialty Equipment Market Association's annual automotive aftermarket trade show in Las Vegas. It is comparable as the global benchmark for B2B automotive performance exhibitions with a similar exhibitor-driven revenue model and 100K+ attendee footprint.
• Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction: US-based prestige classic and custom car auction/event combining vehicle display, enthusiast attendance, and major sponsor activations. Comparable as a high-prestige US-based enthusiast event with premium automotive positioning and brand sponsorship.

Regional players

• Australian National Motor Show (retired brand, revived as events): Historic Australian auto show tradition targeting mainstream consumers rather than enthusiasts. It is comparable as a domestic Australian automotive showcase but serves a broader OEM-focused audience rather than MotorEx's aftermarket/enthusiast niche.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/meguiarsmotorex

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MotorEx