Pioneering products and innovations will once again be celebrated when Automechanika Johannesburg, South Africa’s premier trade fair, returns to National Exhibition Centre, Nasrec, Johannesburg between June 7 and 10.
Michael Dehn, managing director of Messe Frankfurt South Africa, the organisers of Automechanika Johannesburg, said, “We are proud to announce that entries for the 2022 Innovation Awards are now open. Manufacturers, suppliers and distributors are invited to submit automotive products they deem to be innovative and pioneering in their respective fields for scrutiny.
“Over the years the finalists and winners in the Innovation Awards have been showcased in a special exhibit at the show and have garnered huge interest from industry representatives and the public alike.
Winners have been able to successfully harness their achievements in the competition to bolster their marketing programmes and, as a result, have tasted local and international success.”
After many successful years as convenor of the Innovation Awards, industry stalwart Wynter Murdoch has handed over the reins to Liana Reiners. “The aim of the Innovation Awards is to find the best aftermarket products in South Africa from a selection of categories and utilise Automechanika Johannesburg as the platform to honour the pioneering prowess of each winning item,” she explained.
“Entries will be judged by an independent jury of highly qualified and respected automotive experts representing recognised organisations and representative bodies within the industry. Names of jury members and the organisations they represent will be made public once the panel has been finalised. 
“They will score products on a predetermined list of criteria. These include design, quality, efficiency, functionality, practicality, value for money, environmental friendliness and, of course, innovation. The cut-off date to enter is midday on Friday May 6.”
In keeping with the latest automotive trends, the categories of the 2022 competition have been streamlined.
The 10 categories are:
1. Parts
2. Accessories and customising
3. Driver assistance and safety
4. E-mobility
5. Data and connectivity
6. Diagnostics and tuning
7. Repair and maintenance
8. Original equipment products and services
9. IT and management
10. Service station and car wash equipment.
Prospective entrants must submit photographs and a detailed description of any automotive aftermarket or original equipment products they have developed, manufactured, imported, or distributed in South Africa. There is no entry fee.
Following physical evaluation, winners will be determined on the basis of the highest marks scored. Gold, silver and bronze certificates will be awarded to the top three products, while the remaining finalists will receive highly commended certificates.
Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony which will form part of the trade fair’s official opening on Tuesday June 7. Messe Frankfurt South Africa will arrange for an exhibit of all the finalist products to be highlighted in a special display at the show under an Innovation Awards banner.
How to enter:
Entrants are requested to submit by e-mail on or before midday on Friday May 6, their product motivations, along with high-resolution pictures of at least 1MB in size of the items.
Each entry must include the e-mail address and telephone number of the person responsible for the submission, along with details of the company he or she represents.
Entries must be sent to the competition’s convenor, Liana Reiners, at the following e-mail address: reinersliana@gmail.com.
Queries or requests for additional information on the Innovation Awards, contact Liana Reiners on 083 407 4600 or via e-mail at reinersliana@gmail.com.
For more information on Automechanika Johannesburg 2022, please visit our website www.automechanikasa.co.za
