The automotive industry is currently facing a massive upheaval like almost no other sector: increasing digitalisation, climate change and artificial intelligence are challenging manufacturers, workshops and dealerships and making new technological developments more important than ever. The innovative spirit with which the industry is facing up to this challenge is also evident in the applications for the Automechanika Frankfurt Innovation Awards. A total of 153 new technological solutions were submitted – divided into nine categories. This includes two new categories this year: E-Mobility & Innovative Drive Technologies and AI & Digitalisation, which accounted for around 20 per cent of submissions. There were only more applications for the Workshop & Service Solutions and Parts & Technology Solutions categories, which received more than half of all entries. The remaining entries were spread across the other categories of Data & Connectivity, Body & Paint, Car Wash & Care, Accessories & Customizing and Commercial Vehicles.
In order to do justice to the high number of applications, two independent reviewers were appointed. Consultant Dr Gerhard Angerer, who has been involved in the Automechanika Innovation Awards for many years, is now supported by Alexander Wottge, Project Manager at ifa (Institut für Automobilwirtschaft). Both have already intensively analysed the submitted products and compiled a shortlist of the best innovations. This will now be used by the 17-member international jury to prepare for the jury meeting in mid-July. This is when they will decide which products qualify for the prestigious awards.
You can see which companies are taking part in this year’s Innovation Awards here:
The international jury consists of these experts:
- Hartmut Abeln, CEO, TÜV Nord Mobility
- Okan Altan, Automotive Journalist, Fast & Bold / CarsNews.TV
- Ben Brucato, Vice President Membership & Engagement, MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers
- Juan E. Cantarella, General Manager, Association of Argentine Autoparts Manufacturers (AFAC)
- Stuart Charity, CEO, Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA)
- Francisco Nicolas Gonzalez Diaz, Executive President, Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association INA
- Dr. Axel Glanz, Managing Director, Innovationen Institut
- Edwin Grabowski, Publisher, Carwashinfo
- Detlef Peter Grün, Federal Guild Master and Vice President of the German Association of the Automotive Trade (ZDK)
- Wolfgang Michel, Editor-in-chief, kfz-betrieb and Gebrauchtwagen-Praxis
- Jason Moseley, CEO, International Bodyshop Industry Symposium (IBIS)
- Jakkie Olivier, Board Member (Non-Executive Director), Retail Motor Industry Association (RMI)
- Prof. Dr. Stefan Reindl, CEO of the Insitute for the Autmotive Industry (IfA)
- Burkhard Riering, Publisher and Editor-in-chief, Automobilwoche
- Frank Schlehuber, Senior Consultant Market Affairs, European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA)
- Prof. Dr.-Ing. Axel Schumacher, University of Wuppertal Chair for Optimization of Mechanical Structures
- Wang Xia, Chairman, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Automotive Industry Branch