Companies present aftermarket innovations at Automechanika Frankfurt

13 September 2018

The automotive aftermarket has descended on Messe Frankfurt in Germany for Automechanika, the biggest show in Europe for the sector.

Valeo has presented its latest automotive innovations. The company has invested nearly €1.9 million in research and development for its aftermarket business in 2017, and now believes it is at the epicentre of three revolutions that are redefining the mobility landscape: electrification, autonomous vehicles and digital mobility. 

At this year’s Automechanika, Valeo is debuting its most comprehensive range of transmission systems ever. This range showcases the group’s clutch expertise and the contributions made possible by Valeo’s acquisition in October 2017 of industry specialist FTE Automotive (namely their active actuator technology used in automatic transmissions).

UFI Filters have unveiled a new engine air filtration technology, UFI Multitube. This patented system stands out for its tubular structure, which replaces the traditional panel filter; ensuring increased filtration performance and greater engine power in a reduced space.

UFI Multitube introduces a cutting-edge technology into the original equipment market, firstly for Porsche GT2RS and soon for other high-volume applications, both Italian and international. The technology is set to spread rapidly throughout the OEM market, followed by the aftermarket.

Brake manufacturer Brembo has launched its XTRA brake pads, developed to maximise the company’s range of drilled and slotted discs. The company believes these new pads are the ideal solution for enthusiast car drivers who enjoy sports driving without compromising on comfort and duration during the daily road use.

The new XTRA brake pads are manufactured by Brembo using the BRM X L01 material. It is made from more than 30 different components that have been developed by its advanced research laboratory. Compared to the compound used for the standard pads that are equivalent to the original, this new solution features a high friction coefficient that reflects more decisive and stable braking, both at low as well as high temperatures.

Visitors to the Delphi Technologies stand at Automechnika have been the first to see its newly designed aftermarket packaging. Featuring its new logo in a wallpaper print, as well as a retail box based on the current design, the upgraded packaging is part of an extensive rebranding exercise which will see the company transition from its red oval logo to a single, common identity for both OE and aftermarket businesses.

′We’re delighted with the outcome,’ said Neil Fryer, vice president, global marketing, product and strategy, Delphi Technologies Aftermarket. ′The new packaging is clean, fresh and modern, and reflects both our new brand identity and product quality. There’s also a strong nod to our current packaging, with retail boxes for our key product programmes featuring a product image and other familiar design elements for greater recognition. This is key as we transition the equity from the old brand to the new.’

Finally, TecAlliance has presented its highlights for the automotive aftermarket at Automechanika. ′With our innovations, we are concentrating even more on optimising the processes of parts manufacturers, traders and workshops and strengthening the collaboration among them,’ emphasises JÜrgen Buchert, Managing Director of TecAlliance, at Automechanika. ′Our aim is to develop practical and innovative solutions for the digital automotive aftermarket to make day-to-day business easier for our customers. We also want to help them gain access to new target groups and markets.’

One of TecAlliance’s most important innovations is the new version of the TecDoc Catalogue, one of the most comprehensive and leading automotive aftermarket catalogues in the world. The new Version 3.0 is even more user-friendly and intuitive than ever before, enabling faster and more precise searches.