The Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) will expand its student competition at the 2026 show, with nine teams from seven high schools and technical colleges competing in a timed engine teardown and rebuild challenge in Las Vegas.
The competition, now in its second year, has grown significantly from its inaugural event in 2025, when three teams participated. This year’s event will feature nine teams, including an all-female team, competing to fully disassemble and reassemble a small-block V8 engine in front of a live audience.
According to AAPEX, the expansion is part of a broader effort to raise awareness of automotive careers and address the industry’s ongoing technician shortage. The organization cited data from the TechForce Foundation showing the United States produced fewer than half of the 241,842 automotive technicians needed last year and could face a shortage of 1.2 million technicians over the next five years.
“This is a national stage for these students as AAPEX is a ‘homecoming’ of sorts for the $599.7 billion U.S. automotive aftermarket,” said Bernard Tansey, owner of independent repair shop Euro Clinic and organizer of the competition.
The event will be held Nov. 4 during AAPEX 2026. Preliminary rounds will begin at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., with the four fastest teams advancing to the final round at 4 p.m. The winning team will receive prizes valued at more than US$5,000.
AAPEX said the competition attracted hundreds of spectators during its debut year, prompting organizers to add stadium-style seating and large-screen displays for the 2026 event.
