A Year of Innovations
This year, the Automechanika Frankfurt Innovation Awards 2024 have seen an all-time high in participation with more than 150 products competing in various categories. Since its launch, never before have so many applications been received, reflecting the innovative spirit and adaptability of the automotive industry.
Top Categories
The number of entries was particularly high in the categories of Workshop Solutions, Innovative Parts, Electromobility and Artificial Intelligence. An international jury will meet in mid-July in Frankfurt to select this year's winners.
Challenges and Opportunities
The automotive industry is facing major challenges such as increasing digitalisation, climate change and artificial intelligence. These factors are driving manufacturers, workshops and dealers to develop new technological solutions. The high number of nominations for the awards underlines the importance of innovation in the sector.
New Categories
This year, two new categories have been added: Electric Mobility and Innovative Propulsion Technologies, and Artificial Intelligence and Digitalisation. These two categories account for around 20% of the submissions, showing a significant focus on the future of the automotive industry.
Evaluation process
To deal with the high number of applications, two independent reviewers have been appointed. Consultant Dr. Gerhard Angerer and Alexander Wottge, project manager at the Institut für Automobilwirtschaft (IfA), have compiled a shortlist of the best innovations. This list will be used by the international jury to decide the winners.
Composition of the International Jury
The jury is made up of 17 leading experts in the sector, including:
- Hartmut Abeln, CEO of TÜV Nord Mobility.
- Okan Altan, automotive journalist at Fast & Bold / CarsNews.TV.
- Ben Brucato, Vice President of Membership and Engagement, MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers.
- Juan E. Cantarella, General Manager of the Argentine Association of Auto Parts Manufacturers (AFAC).
- Stuart Charity, Chief Executive of the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA).
- Francisco Nicolás González Díaz, Executive President of the Association of Automotive Spare Parts Manufacturers INA.
- Dr. Axel Glanz, General Director of Innovationen Institut.
- Edwin Grabowski, editor of Carwashinfo.
- Detlef Peter Grün, Federal Trade Master and Vice President of the German Automotive Industry Association (ZDK).
- Wolfgang Michel, editor-in-chief of kfz-betrieb and Gebrauchtwagen-Praxis.
- Jason Moseley, Executive Director of the International Bodyshop Industry Symposium (IBIS).
- Jakkie Olivier, board member of the Retail Motor Industry Association (RMI).
- Prof. Dr. Stefan Reindl, Managing Director of the Institute of the Automotive Industry (IfA).
- Burkhard Riering, publisher and editor-in-chief of Automobilwoche.
- Frank Schlehuber, Senior Market Affairs Consultant at the European Automotive Suppliers Association (CLEPA).
- Prof. Dr.-Ing. Axel Schumacher, Chair of Mechanical Structure Optimization, University of Wuppertal.
- Wang Xia, Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Auto Industry Branch.
