Celebrating innovations: Nominees and Finalists for the Innovation Awards have been chosen

04 agosto 2022

Submissions for Automechanika Frankfurt’s Innovation Awards clearly illustrate the aftermarket’s trend towards smart digital solutions. A 14-member international panel – for the first time including experts from Australia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK and the USA – met on 21 July to determine which of the 133 submissions from 99 companies were most deserving.

The independent panel has now selected the best products and assigned them to three award classes: ‘Nominee’ for innovative products and solutions, ‘Finalist’ for outstanding technological innovations, and ‘Winner’ for the top product in each category.

The panel ended up selecting 96 'Nominees’ and 35 ‘Finalists’. The companies chosen as the winners of the coveted Innovation Awards will not be announced until the awards ceremony at Automechanika, which is taking place on 13 September at 5:00 p.m. in “Harmonie” hall in the Congress Center.

“The sheer scope of this year’s submissions is impressive, ranging from rescue systems for vehicles with battery fires and radar-supported turning assistance systems for trucks all the way to highly complex laser scanners able to measure entire vehicles in a matter of minutes. The digitalisation trend has also continued to accelerate, with approx. one third of submissions coming from this area. Forward-looking topics like new mobility, alternative drive systems and sustainability were also prominent in the submissions received,” according to Dr. Gerhard Angerer, an expert assessor who helped evaluate the submissions.

Companies from the automotive aftermarket were able to submit their innovations in the following categories: Electromobility, Data & Connectivity, Workshop & Service Solutions, Parts & Technology Solutions, Body & Paint, Car Wash & Care, Accessories & Customizing, and Commercial Vehicles. We can also look forward to hearing the winner of the Green Award. Dr. Angerer has recommended five of the finalists as candidates for this sustainability award, which will also be presented during the awards ceremony at Automechanika Frankfurt.

This year marked the first time that the panel of representatives from associations, industry, retailers, academia and the media has been expanded to include international aftermarket experts. The products submitted were evaluated based on the following criteria: degree of innovation and excellence of the solution, cost effectiveness, user benefit, functionality and user-friendliness, market potential and relevance to the aftermarket, quality, durability and safety, as well as their contributions to sustainability, energy efficiency, climate protection, environmental protection and resource conservation.

The jury is comprised of the following industry experts:

Hartmut Abeln, Managing Director, TÜV Nord
Okan Altan, Motoring Journalist, Automotive Informatics
Ben Brucato, Vice President of Engagement, Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA)
Stuart Charity, CEO, Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA)
Dr. Axel Glanz, Managing Director, Innovationen Institut
Edwin Grabowski, Publisher, Car Wash Info
Detlef Peter Grün, Vice President, Zentralverband Deutsches Kraftfahrzeuggewerbe (ZDK)
Wolfgang Michel, Editor-in-Chief, kfz-betrieb
Jason Moseley, CEO, International Bodyshop Industry Symposium (IBIS)
Jakkie Olivier, CEO, Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI)
Prof. Dr. Stefan Reindl, Institute Director, Institut für Automobilwirtschaft (IfA)
Burkhard Riering, Editor-in-Chief, Automobilwoche
Frank Schlehuber, Senior Consultant Market Affairs, European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA)
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Axel Schumacher, Chair of the Institute for the Optimization of Mechanical Structures, Bergische Universität Wuppertal

A list of all companies awarded as nominees and finalists can be found in the Automechanika exhibitor search.

Here you will find the product images of the finalists.

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