Paris, September 2025 – The jury of the EQUIP AUTO Paris 2025 International Grands Prix for Automotive Innovation, made up of 100 French and foreign journalists, has reached its verdict. Following a rigorous shortlisting process from among the 166 entries and a final phase of oral presentations by the nominees in early September, the judges designated the winning innovations of this edition that marks the 40th anniversary of the competition.
Since 1985, these Grands Prix have shone a light on the sector’s most innovative and effective innovations that bring tangible benefits both to maintenance and automotive service professionals and to users. In line with previous editions, the awards distinguish technological excellence and accompany the sustainable transformation of the industry. All these innovations will be visible at the exhibition on the stands of each of the winning companies.
The eight category winners
Bodywork, paintwork and auto glass
Company: IXELL
Award winning solution: Ixell Paint Assistant
Location: Pavilion 3, Stand n° F108
Ixell, the paint brand of the Renault Group, has teamed up with PAINT GO to launch the first Paint Assistant Robot dedicated to the Renault network. Combining Ixell’s paint expertise and the intelligent robotics of PAINT GO, this mobile and collaborative robot accurately reproduces the movements of a human paint shop technician, guaranteeing constant and flawless refinishing quality. Featuring artificial intelligence algorithms leveraging Ixell’s 50 years of experience, it adapts to working conditions, saves paint and reduces waste while improving operator comfort and safety. This scalable solution could also in the future include advanced features such as automatic flaw detection or connected process analysis. The genuinely smart Ixell Paint Assistant Robot contributes to making workshops more productive, safer and more sustainable, without ever replacing human expertise.
Lubricants, vehicle care products, washing and roadside services
Company: ELF
Award winning solution: Quartz EV3R concept
Location: Pavilion 1, Stand n° C029
TotalEnergies presents Quartz EV3R, the first high-performance engine oil made up of 100% regenerated base oil. Resulting from a high-tech purification process, this innovation helps achieve a 50% reduction in carbon footprint while delivering identical or higher performances than those of conventional engine oil. Already approved for use by Stellantis, Renault and Volkswagen, Quartz EV3R 10W-40 perfectly embodies the way that performance and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. The breakthrough is part of TotalEnergies’ 3R approach: Reduce, Reuse, Regenerate, enhancing the circularity of lubricants and limiting dependence on fossil-based raw materials. With Quartz EV3R, TotalEnergies reasserts its commitment to offering more sustainable mobility without compromising on quality or engine protection.
Original equipment
Company: DELPHI
Award winning solution: Hydrogen Injection System
Location: Pavilion 1, Stand n° F088
PHINIA unveils H2ICE, a hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine that eliminates CO2 emissions while maintaining performance, range and refuelling time (~10 mins). Thanks to its new generation injectors, combustion is clean with very low NOx emissions and an almost complete absence of carbon particles. Having already proven itself in road tests, and adopted by Alpine with the Alpenglow HY6, H2ICE can be fitted to existing engines and used in a range of economic sectors (transport, agriculture, energy production). A robust, simple and cost-efficient solution, H2ICE makes hydrogen a credible and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.
Tyres: products and solutions
Company: CAROOL
Award winning solution: ScanDrive
Location: Pavilion 3, Stand n° K021
Easy to install at the entrance of a dealership or auto centre, this innovative ramp instantly detects the condition and characteristics of tyres thanks to high-precision cameras and ground-mounted sensors. Without having to stop the vehicle, it delivers a clear report (wear, dimensions, references, make, model) to improve safety and transparency for the customer. Robust and suitable for use outdoors all year round and quick to install without any civil engineering works required, it offers professionals an efficient tool to automate checks, generate sales opportunities and improve the customer experience with quick return on investment.
Parts, equipment and components for aftersales
Company: VALEO
Award winning solution: DQ250 remanufactured dual clutch
Location: Pavilion 1, Stand n° K044
Valeo has expanded its replacement parts range with the DQ250 remanufactured dual clutch, born out of a rigorous industrial process to guarantee equivalent performance to that of a new part. This solution helps reduce repair costs while embracing a circular economy approach, preserving resources and reducing waste. Building on 45 years of expertise in remanufacturing, Valeo confirms its role as a trusted partner to garages and offers motorists a reliable, economical and eco-friendly alternative.
Garage tooling and equipment
Company: MAHA France
Award winning solution: MAIA
Location: Pavilion 1, Stand n° P034
MAHA presents MAIA (MAHA Autonomous Inspection Assistant), a robotic solution that revolutionises car maintenance by combining autonomous navigation and high-precision inspections. Capable of automatically conducting comprehensive tests – lights, running gear geometry, ADAS calibration – MAIA provides rapid, standardised and repeatable inspections, improving road safety and the efficiency and profitability of garages and test centres. Featuring modular architecture and advanced sensors (3D, radar, laser and thermal imaging), MAIA adapts to future vehicle technologies, offering a sustainable, flexible and pioneering solution for vehicle inspections.
Digital solutions & connectivity
Company: ZF AFTERMARKET
Award winning solution: ZF [pro]Manager
Location: Pavilion 1, Stand n° F034
ZF launches [pro]Manager, an all-in-one digital hub that simplifies customer relation management, from appointment booking to payment. With its online booking widget, its automatic updating and its integration with Google, WhatsApp, SMS and e-mail, it makes for smoother communications and optimises workshop schedule planning. This delivers many upsides: timesaving, higher efficiency and improved loyalty. Customers benefit from a transparent and convenient service, while workshop teams can concentrate on repairs and business development.
Energy transition, sustainability, circular economy
Company: THE FUTURE IS NEUTRAL
Award winning solution: EV remanufacturing proposition (electric engine and power electronics)
Location: Pavilion 2,2, Stand n° B098
Based at the ReFactory in Flins, THE REMAKERS (The Future Is NEUTRAL) present a European first: the remanufacturing of an entire electric vehicle powertrain, comprising the engine and the power electronics. Through a certified industrial process and systematic tests, the products offer “as good as new” quality at up to 30% less cost, while also drastically reducing the environmental footprint. By combining reused, remanufactured and new parts, this innovation paves the way for a 360° circular economy to accompany the growth of the EV market, for the benefit of both repair professionals and users.
Special CSR award
Company: DELPHI
Award winning solution: Hydrogen Injection System
Location: Pavilion 1, Stand n° F088
See description above under “Original equipment” category.
The official awards ceremony will be held on 15 October 2025 from 4.45 to 5.45 pm in the EQUIP AUTO Paris Arena, in the presence of exhibitors, visitors and many industry personalities, along with the Patron of these awards, Olga Givernet, French MP for the 3rd constituency of the Ain department, and former Minister for Energy.
“For the 40th anniversary of the International Grands Prix for Automotive Innovation, the jury distinguished innovations that perfectly reflect the leading issues of the industry today: the energy transition, the circular economy and service digitalisation. These Awards confirm the central role of EQUIP AUTO as an international showcase for automotive innovation,” said Bertrand Gay, automotive trade journalist and Chairman of the Bureau for the International Grands Prix for Automotive Innovation.
For access to the list of exhibitors registered to date, click here.
