There have never been as many submissions for the Automechanika Innovation Awards as this year. With a total of 185 entries, participation has reached a record high, clearly demonstrating the innovative strength of the industry. Over the past few weeks, an international jury of experts from the automotive sector – drawn from Australia, Europe, South Africa, Turkey, and North and South America – has thoroughly assessed and evaluated the submitted products. Following in-depth discussions, they decided on 21 July at the jury meeting in Frankfurt which companies would be nominated for their particularly innovative products. The decision of the jury was based on independent expert reports by consultant Dr Gerhard Angerer and Dr Andreas Schlegel, Managing Director of the Fraunhofer autoMOBILproduktion Alliance. 

The criteria used by the assessors and the jury to evaluate entries are: innovative achievement and excellence of the solution; cost-effectiveness; user benefits; functionality and ease of use; market potential and relevance to the after-sales market; quality, durability and safety; as well as sustainability, energy efficiency, climate protection, environmental protection and the conservation of resources.

“Alongside the ongoing digitalisation, artificial intelligence and the circular economy are increasingly becoming the key drivers of innovation in the sector,” said Dr Gerhard Angerer. Dr Andreas Schlegel added: “This year’s entries show that innovation in the automotive aftermarket now extends far beyond new products. Data, software, artificial intelligence and sustainable solutions are increasingly merging to form holistic system innovations.”

Who will be the winners of the Innovation Awards will only be announced at Automechanika Frankfurt. The selected companies will receive their awards at a gala ceremony on 8 September at 5 pm on the AMBITION stage in the Festhalle (hall 2). The awards will be presented in the categories ‘Sustainable Drive Solutions’, ‘Data, Connectivity & Cybersecurity’, ‘Smart Workshop & Service Solutions’, ‘Advanced Parts & Vehicle Technologies’, ‘Body & Paint’, ‘Car Care, Cleaning & Detailing’, ‘Smart Accessories & Lifestyle’, ‘Commercial Vehicle & Fleet Innovation’, and ‘AI Solutions & Digitalisation’. ‘Circular Economy & Remanufacturing’ has been added as a new category. In addition, the jury will select one product from all the entries that is demonstrably particularly sustainable and present it with the Green Award.

All nominated products and the winners will be showcased from 9 September in a special exhibition in the Innovation4Mobility area in Hall 3.0. On 10 September at 3.30 pm, the winners will also present their products in person on the adjacent stage.