CLEPA Innovation Awards spotlight breakthrough automotive tech

• CLEPA convened industry and policymakers as Europe’s automotive industry faces a pivotal moment, with global competition, market uncertainty, supply chain disruptions, and strict EU regulations challenging suppliers. 
• Ahead of the Commission’s ‘Automotive Package’ on 10 December, CLEPA President Matthias Zink emphasised embracing diverse technologies and creating conditions for stronger growth, in an event attended by 200+ participants from the European institutions, industry, and academia. 

The tenth edition of the CLEPA Innovation Awards highlighted cutting-edge digital and green technologies from across Europe’s automotive supply base. Twelve Top Innovators were awarded for their contributions, and the programme featured discussions with senior EU policymakers on the direction of future mobility. 

The event began with a keynote address by Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, who welcomed the advances made in recent years by Europe’s automotive industry.  

At the same time, automotive suppliers are facing rising challenges including disrupted supply chains and restrictive EU regulations. With the Commission’s unveiling of the ‘Automotive Package’ on 10 December, CLEPA President Matthias Zink emphasised the importance of embracing diverse technologies while fostering stronger growth for European businesses: 

“Europe’s climate ambitions hinge on innovation – automotive suppliers are the driving force behind the green transition. To succeed, we must fully put technology neutrality intro practice. Industry needs the freedom to steer with the most effective technologies. This requires more than corporate investments into R&D, supply chains and production, it demands true collaboration with policymakers. Europe must match the industry’s drive with policies that unlock real progress and competitiveness”. 

Mr Zink was joined for a panel discussion by Susana Solís Pérez, Member of the European Parliament (EPP, Spain) as well as Margriet Van Schijndel-de Nooij, Programme Director Responsible Mobility, Eindhoven University of Technology, and Elmar Pritsch, Partner, Software-defined Vehicle, Deloitte. CLEPA’s Secretary General Benjamin Krieger moderated the session, which explored key steps to enable innovation and ensure a resilient, forward-looking automotive ecosystem in Europe. 

Explore this year’s top innovations, and other materials here.

Top Innovators 2025 

Digital 

AUMOVIO – Deviceless Access Concept 

ZF – Software Brake Resistor for Commercial BEVs 

FORVIA HELLA – FlatLight 

Murata Electronics Europe – UltraSonic Clearing Device 

PlaxidityX – vDome 

STRADVISION – AI 3D Perception Network 

Green 

ORANO PROJETS – HIPERMAG 

THE REMAKERS – Remanufacturing of Power Electronics for EVs 

MANN+HUMMEL – MANN FILTER: Naturally Better 

MATERI’ACT – FORVIA – Breakthrough Compound for End-of-Life Vehicles 

Dukosi – Contactless Cell Monitoring System DKCMS 

WeavInsight – PulseCharge