European Taxi Trade Fair 2026 in Cologne: 93 exhibitors, industry policy, and a BYD as the grand prize

When the Koelnmesse opens its doors on November 6 and 7, Hall 1 will be filled to the last available booth space. The European Taxi Trade Fair 2026 continues its growth trajectory and is increasingly developing into the central industry meeting point for the taxi and rental car sector in Europe.

93 exhibitors have confirmed their participation. More than a quarter of them are traveling from abroad. Thus the fair is growing again: after 70 exhibitors in 2022 and 80 companies in 2024, the event now reaches a new all-time high. For the North Rhine Professional Association for Passenger Transport - Taxi and Rental Cars (FPN), this is a signal that the industry, despite economic and political challenges, continues to rely on exchange, innovation and personal encounters. The focus is on vehicles, digital solutions, taximeter and communication systems, insurance offers as well as services around commercial passenger transport. A particular draw is likely to be the INTAX Taxi Oasis again. There the manufacturers BYD, Dacia, Hyundai, Kia, Renault and XPeng present their current taxi models. Right next to it, Toyota also showcases its vehicles relevant to taxi use.

Discussion Forum

The exhibition alone does not define the character of the trade fair. Traditionally, the European Taxi Fair also positions itself as a forum for political discussions and strategic debates about the future of the industry. Accordingly, the program in the Crystal Hall is prominently filled. For the opening, FPN chairman Markus Gossmann, Cologne's Mayor Dr. Ralf Heinen, as well as North Rhine-Westphalia's Transport Minister Oliver Krischer will speak. Subsequently follows one of the currently most controversial topics in the industry: the consequences of the PBefG amendment.

Under the heading „Stand of the Passenger Transport Law three years after PBefG amendment“, the Berlin transport politician Tino Schopf, Member of the Bundestag Michael Donth, lawyer Thomas Grätz and Thomas Kroker from Taxi München eG discuss enforcement deficits in monitoring hire-car traffic, fixed-price corridors for taxis and minimum charges for rental cars. That the industry has long since moved beyond traditional transport services is shown by the second specialist panel. There it focuses on the role of the taxi as part of a connected public transport system. Representatives from transport associations, companies and mobility projects discuss experiences with on-demand services and public-transport taxi concepts from North Rhine-Westphalia.

Inclusion in Focus

Another topic concerns the further development of inclusive transport services. Together with representatives of the Sozialverband Deutschland, there is discussion about how taxis and rental cars can contribute even more to the mobility of people with disabilities in the future. The European perspective is also on the agenda. Participants from Luxembourg, Belgium and Germany are addressing how the interests of the taxi and rental-car industry can be more effectively represented at the EU level.

The second day of the trade fair is primarily focused on propulsion technologies. This is not only about battery-electric vehicles and the expansion of charging infrastructure. Also discussed are alternative fuels such as e-fuels, HVO100 and hydrogen, as well as their possible role for existing vehicle fleets.

Propulsion Technologies

Thus the fair addresses a debate that is currently occupying many entrepreneurs: Which technology is best suited under the respective regional conditions for commercial passenger transport? There will hardly be any one-size-fits-all recipes coming from the podiums. But the discussions promise practical insights. In addition to politics and technology, the event also offers space for the history of the industry. In the hall, historical taxi vehicles will be on display again. In addition, the organizers announce a “Taxi film star,” whose identity has not yet been revealed.