A launchpad for success

Innovation is all about forward thinking. It starts with a new idea and culminates in its successful implementation. It could be a new way of doing things or a new product, but the end goal is to add value to the market, the industry, and all relevant stakeholders. And this, in a nutshell, is what the Automechanika Innovation Awards are all about. Moreover, it provides creators, manufacturers, importers or distributors of innovative new products an exclusive platform to showcase their concepts to the world.

The 2022 event attracted more than 5 000 visitors from across the African continent and beyond to the stands of close to 2 000 exhibitors. One of the highlights was the exclusive stand showcasing the finalists in the Innovation Awards, which garnered huge interest from industry representatives and the public alike. With visitor registration now open for Automechanika Johannesburg 2023, which will be held from 5 – 7 September 2023 at Nasrec, all those seeking exposure and recognition for their new and innovative products are encouraged to enter the competition. In the past, winners have been able to successfully harness their achievements to bolster their marketing programmes and – as a result – have tasted local and international success.

“Automechanika Johannesburg serves as a gateway for the growing African automotive aftermarket, targeting visitors from sub-Saharan Africa, and is respected as the largest event of its type on the African continent. There is no better way to gain industry and consumer recognition than by taking part in a highly respected competition that aims to award the best of the best in terms of innovation and forward thinking,” Tracy Gounden, Business Development and Portfolio Director of Messe Frankfurt South Africa, the organiser of Automechanika Johannesburg, explains. “After the immense interest shown and the high standard of entries received for last year’s Awards, we expect a record number of entries for 2023.”

Entries will be judged by a group of hand-picked jury members that will be tasked with identifying the most innovative and pioneering automotive products that are manufactured, supplied or distributed in South Africa. They will score each entry on a predetermined list of criteria that covers the design, quality, efficiency, functionality, practicality, value for money, environmental friendliness and – of course – innovation of the product.

Organisations represented on the panel of judges include the Retail Motor Industry (RMI) and its associations, the Motor Industry Ombudsman of South Africa (MIOSA), the National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM), the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA), the Motor Industry Bargaining Council (MIBCO), members of the media, and the sponsors of the event.

In keeping with the latest automotive trends, both in South Africa and abroad, the 10 categories for the 2023 competition are:

1. Parts
2. Accessories & Customising
3. Driver Assistance & Safety
4. E-mobility
5. Data & Connectivity
6. Diagnostics & Tuning
7. Repair & Maintenance
8. Original Equipment Products & Services
9. IT & Management
10. Service Station & Car Wash equipment

In order to be considered for the award, prospective entrants must submit photographs and a detailed description of any automotive aftermarket or original equipment product they have developed, manufactured, imported, or distributed in South Africa. Entries opened at the beginning of May and the cut-off date to enter is midday on Friday, 18 August 2023. There is no entry fee.