The 4th edition of Automechanika Dubai Awards is a prestigious event that celebrates excellence and innovation in the automotive aftermarket and services industry.
There are 13 diverse range of award categories which will recognize outstanding achievements, highlighting advancements and showcase the industry's evolution and commitment to innovation that drive positive change in the automotive aftermarket sector.
Entries are evaluated by a panel of regional and international industry experts, emphasizing criteria such as sustainable development, technological advancements, and industry transformation. The Automechanika Dubai Awards aim to honor and celebrate the remarkable contributions of individuals and organizations that are shaping the future of the automotive aftermarket industry.
Key dates
Hear from past participants
Winning the prestigious Automechanika awards in 2021 and 2023 has had a tremendously positive impact on our business. It has helped to solidify our reputation as the go-to destination for European and German car repair and maintenance in Dubai.
AWARD CATEGORIES
SERVICE EXCELLENCE
Excellence in Service Awards
The purpose of this award is to recognize the best among the best in the Middle East region performing beyond market averages, demonstrating best industry practice, a sustainable business model, efficiency, working to the highest quality standards, technical excellence and delivering high standards of customer care. These include knowledge and experience with the kind of repairs needed, the use of high-quality parts and materials, a warranty or guarantee on their work, good customer service and communication, positive feedback from the community, and the right certifications. Please note that submission should be based for a single outlet.
The categories to be awarded are:
- Body Shop of the Year (Passenger Cars)
- Workshop of the Year (Passenger Cars)
- Service Provider of the Year (Commercial Vehicles)
- Car Care Specialist of the Year
- Mobile Services Provider of the Year
Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
- Experience and Expertise (10%): While selecting an entity for car repair and fixes, experience and skills of the technicians play a key role. How frequently technicians are trained, their skills brushed up, and assessed is an imperative aspect of service quality.
- Customer Service (10%): Are you ensuring that your customers are having a quality experience? Are you providing unique and personalized service? Are you tracking, recording, and taking necessary action on customer complaints, feedback, and suggestions?
- Guarantees and Warranties (10%): Any reputable company will guarantee their work. In order to ensure a high-quality job, the company should offer some form of warranty.
- Complete Service (10%): The service provider should offer a complete service to you. For example, they should be able to process your insurance claim and provide accurate estimates for the repairs and jobs.
- Diagnostics and Tools (10%): The center has to be equipped with a wide variety of tools and resources to perform various diagnostic, maintenance, and repair jobs.
- Certifications and Standards (10%): Is the center certified by relevant authorities for their procedures, policies, and equipment? Are the technicians certified and hold relevant qualifications to carry out the jobs? Do they regularly conduct audits to identify gaps?
- General Administration (5%): Does the center have processes in place for inventory management, job processing, workflow management, and customer relations management, and other general administration? How well is the data captured, stored, and managed?
- HR and Employee Wellbeing (5%): Does the center have employee development and happiness as a part of their procedures? Do they believe in Work/Life Balance?
- Performance Beyond Market Averages (10%): Demonstrate performance metrics that exceed industry benchmarks include evidence of growth, profitability, and market share expansion.
- Best Industry Practices (10%): Adoption and implementation of leading practices, including innovative approaches to service delivery and business operations.
- Sustainable Business Model (5%): Integration of environmentally friendly practices ensures long-term viability and resilience in the face of economic challenges.
- Efficiency (5%): Showcase optimal resource utilization leading to cost-effectiveness is achieved through streamlined processes and minimized wastage.
Mobile Services Provider of the Year
- Innovation and Technology: Provide (15%): Provide innovative use of technology and mobile solutions to enhance service delivery and customer experience.
- Service Quality (15%): Commitment to delivering high-quality mobile services, including reliability, responsiveness, and effectiveness in meeting customer needs.
- Range of Services (15%): Demonstrate the breadth and depth of services offered, including the diversity of mobile solutions available and their suitability for different customer requirements.
- Accessibility and Availability (10%): Provide coverage area, service hours, and response times.
- Industry Recognition (10%): Specify awards, certifications, and partnerships.
- Sustainability and Social Responsibility (10%): Are you committed to sustainable practices and social responsibility initiatives, such as reducing environmental impact, promoting digital inclusion, and supporting community development.
- Growth and Market Impact (10%): Provide the stats on growth trajectory and market impact, including market share, revenue growth, and expansion into new markets or segments.
- Compliance and Security (5%): Adhering to regulatory requirements and industry standards, as well as measures taken to ensure the security and privacy of customer data and transactions.
- Value Proposition (10%): How is your mobile services pricing, affordability, and the overall cost-effectiveness compared to competitors.
Eligible Participants: Mobile Service providers Only
PEOPLE
Special Recognition Award
Recognizing long-term excellence in any role within the aftermarket industry, the Special Recognition Award is the ceremony’s flagship award, for individuals whose careers have spanned at least 20 years with documented accomplishments and accolades. Celebrating longevity and achievements during distinguished careers, the award acknowledges the recipient’s sustained achievements within the automotive aftermarket industry.
The winner will have demonstrated outstanding excellence contributing to the significant growth and development of the industry within a leadership role, inspired others in the industry, and forged enduring relationships across multiple areas of the automotive aftermarket.
Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
- A record as an industry leader who leverages leadership skills, technological innovations, digital tools, trends, and resiliency best practices to pave the way for innovative and successful project execution.
- A record of accomplishment in promoting, developing, and educating professionals to build and sustain teams and work cultures that are diverse, welcoming, and inclusive.
- A record of contributions to expanding the automotive industry’s narrative and telling the stories of the roles, opportunities, breadth, and values of the profession.
- A record of engagement with other industry groups or owners and owner organizations.
- Positive influence to the industry
Women in Automotive Aftermarket
This award is presented to a woman who is a leader, mentor, and role model who has made significant and outstanding contributions to the automotive aftermarket industry. This outstanding candidate should also demonstrate role model behaviors, leadership and commitment towards the advancement of women in the industry. She will also be considered as a rising star in the region and beyond.
Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
- Leadership (25%): Has demonstrated excellent leadership skills within their company, community and/or volunteer activities. Leading by example.
- Inspiration & Impact (20%): Has had a visible and/or tangible impact on fellow employees, whether subordinates or others within their company, through actions or activities.
- Developing Others (20%): Has been dedicated to mentoring within or outside of her company, provided support for rising professionals, and been actively engaged in career coaching.
- Presence (20%): Possesses visibility within their organization or field, demonstrates high integrity in actions and words, and portrays an image of strength and confidence that inspires.
- Diversity, Inclusion, Equity (15%): Nominee actively fosters a diverse and inclusive environment in all that they do.
Eligible Participants: Women leader in Senior Managerial role & above
PRODUCTS
Product of the Year
The product of the year award is open to OEM companies who have the most innovative and cutting-edge automotive aftermarket products and solutions. We are looking for the very best products that will stand out for the future of the automotive aftermarket industry. Your submission will be judged along the following key points:
- Innovation (40%): product, equipment, process or solution which are distinct and can have a measurable impact on the economic viability, efficiency, performance and practicality
- Sustainability (30%): impact on the environment in reducing Net Zero emissions attributed to the automotive industry. Overall, the product should have a positive social and environmental impact.
- Safety (30%): the product enhances safety configurations in terms of performance and usability
Winners will be selected based on a variety of factors that include superiority of innovation, technical achievement, quality and workmanship, consumer appeal and marketability and more. The product / solution should be currently sold and marketed in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Eligible Entrants: OEM companies
Digital Product of the Year
The Digital Product of the Year award will recognize digital innovation that most successfully will maximize the value for its users – be it individuals or organizations. The key areas that this product will improve are efficiency, productivity and performance.
Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
- Innovation (30%): proposes new solutions for enhancing the performance or experience or solves a unique problem for its users
- Impact (25%): has demonstrated evidence of positive impact on the users
- Scalability (20%): the product can be easily adapted to existing business systems or the product’s business model is scalable
- Sustainability (25%): it should be able to maintain its operations and outcomes
Eligible Participants: Technology service providers, OEM’s, Distributors, service centers
TRANSFORMATION
Digitalization Project of the Year
Digitalization is defined as an application of technology that changes or enhances processes, customer experience and value. The Digital Product of the Year Award will recognize the importance of digitalization within the automotive aftermarket industry and honour the achievements of organizations that have successfully digitalized one or multiple areas of their business through the application of disruptive technologies.
Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
- Business transformation (30%): the entry will outline how the business has transformed through the adoption of digital processes or technology.
- Innovation (30%): Originality of the project and its approach
- Application of Technology (25%): there should be a showcase of demonstrable and measureable benefits through this project.
- User friendliness (15%): How easy is it to adapt and use this technology
Eligible Participants: Technology service providers, OEM’s, Distributors, service centers
Start-up of the Year
This award will unearth a whole set of innovative, disruptive new business and entrepreneur that continue to make people sit up and pay attention to the start – up market. The product or innovation will unearth some of the finest ideas that have been brewing in the industry. The start-up should not be more than 3 years old into operations.
Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
- Team (35%): Investors invest in ‘people’. A team that is capable of achieving what it sets out to do.
- Market Validation of the Product (35%): What is the problem that you are solving?
- Business Model (30%): How do you intend to make money? The model should be scalable – it must be global in scope, or at least regional for starters.
Eligible Participants: Start-ups Only
How to enter
Nomination and Judging Process
Step 1: Please click on enter now button on the top of the webpage to begin with your submissions.
Step 2: Select ALL the categories that you wish to submit your nominations for. It is better to select all your interested categories from the very beginning for an easier nomination process.
Step 3: Click on the “Enter Now” button and provide your contact details. You will then receive an email with a link to submit your nomination.
Step 4: Click the link you received on email which will direct to the questionnaire forms for each category.
Entry Submission Hints & Tips
- Allocate time to write your entry forms, share the tasks with colleagues, so no rush is involved when drafting your responses. Ensure to submit your submissions before the deadline – 30 August 2024
- Answer all questions
- Adhere to the word limit: Your answers should be succinct, well phrased and provide the most important information to prove why you should win the award.
- Provide concise answers: Carefully read every question to have a good understanding of how you should respond. Always proofread and spell-check your answers before submitting.
- Provide evidence: Provide evidence to support your submission by including facts and figures to back up your statements. Upload supporting documents/videos to your online entry.
Step 5: You can also save your drafts, fill them as you go and review them before final submission. Please note that the nomination deadline is 30 August 2024
Step 6: Once entries are submitted you will receive a notification from awards team if your entry has been accepted considering the category criteria for further judging process.
Step 7: The submitted entries will be assigned to judges as per their expertise and the evaluation & scoring process will take place during September 2024 and the shortlisted finalists will be announced in October 2024.
Step 8: Winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on 11 December 2024 at Dubai World Trade Centre.
Why enter?
- Recognize and celebrate the hard work, dedication, commitment and achievements of you and your colleagues by submitting your entries
- Being shortlisted at the awards can improve your brand awareness and promote your business amongst your existing and prospective customers
- Nominating for the awards enables you to benefit from the Automechanika Dubai’s network and a strong PR and marketing activity for the awards promoting all categories and nominees.
- A win, making a shortlist, or being nominated is a strong endorsement by the industry for your business, thus becoming a positive way of differentiating yourself from your competitors
- Entry into the awards will build trust and credibility and can play a key part in a potential new customer's decision to choose you.
- The awards evening offers plenty of opportunities to meet and network with the leading industry players and discuss new opportunities.
Meet our independent panel of judges
Abdulla Rashed Obaid AlDahail Almheiri
Strategies and Organizational Excellence Office Manager, Strategies and Organizational Excellence Office Dubai Government Workshop
Alan Whaley
Founder and Chairman, AMENA Professional FZ-LLC
Graham Threlfall
Global Key Account Manager – Vehicle Refinishes, AkzoNobel
Dr. Maya Ben Dror
Mobility Expert
Michel Malik
CEO, BodyShop News International
Dr. Nima Mehrdadi
Vice President Aftermarket Middle East, Africa, CA & India Managing Director Hella Middle East FZE/LLC
Nasir Saif Sultan AlSeeri
Head of VIP Vehicles Maintenance Section – Mechanical Engineering Department, Dubai Government Workshop
Nisreen Akhtar
Managing Director, Startec Lubricants
Subhashree Ramarathnam
Associate Director, Frost & Sullivan
Tufan Baysal
Director, Middle East/Africa/Eurasia Aftermarket EMEA, Niterra
Vishal Pandey
Partner, Automotive & Mobility Practice Glasgow Research & Consulting
Zuhri Yusof
Automotive Industry Expert, CoMo - Contigo Mobility
Frequently asked questions
Is there a fee to register or submit the nominations?
Registration and nominations are complimentary.
Which award category to enter?
The entrant should select award category based on below specified parameters:
- Relevance: Entrants should choose categories that align closely with their accomplishments, expertise, and contributions within the industry.
- Impact: Consider the impact of the work or initiatives. Categories are tailored to recognize specific types of impact, such as innovation, sustainability, or community engagement.
- Eligibility: Ensure that the submission meet the eligibility criteria under each award category. This may include participation restrictions, industry focus, or time frames for the activities being nominated.
- Excellence: Categories often seek to honor excellence in various aspects of the industry, such as product quality, service delivery, or leadership.
- Innovation: Categories may also highlight innovation and creativity in addressing challenges or introducing new solutions within the industry.
For further clarity, please email Udita Mehta at udita.mehta@uae.messfrankfurt.com or call contact here at +971 52 685 6246.
Which language will be accepted?
Entries must be written in English.
Can I enter more than one category?
You can enter submissions in multiple categories, however, only 1 submission per award category.
Can I edit my entry?
Entries can be edited online until the submission deadline.
When and where the award ceremony is taking place?
Automechanika Dubai Awards 2024 will be taking place on 11 December 2024 at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
Can I know in the advance if I am the winner?
Award winners will be announced only on the day of the ceremony, to maintain fairness, suspense, and excitement, preserving the integrity of the awards process.