eXponentia, the service concept of Gates, SKF, Tenneco, TRW and Valeo, takes the Grands Prix Award for Automotive Innovation in the category ˜Services'' at the Equip Auto trade show in Paris. The ceremony was held on Monday October 15 at the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center and attended by the leading companies in the automotive replacement business.

The international Grands Prix Awards for Automotive Innovation are an initiative of the organisers of the EQUIP AUTO trade show in cooperation with the international trade press. The winners are selected by a jury of 82 journalists from 28 countries. Their aim is to select and reward the most innovative concepts, products and services presented by the exhibitors at EQUIP AUTO. In the category ''Service'' the Gold Trophy has been awarded to eXponentia; Bosch received the Silver Trophy in that same category. Other categories were Engineering & Technology, Spare Parts & Aftermarket and Garage Equipment.

eXponentia is the service concept of the joined partnership Gates, SKF, Tenneco, TRW and Valeo. These 5 partners have combined their strengths to provide the independent aftermarket with technical know-how and support. The aim is to offer the mechanics of today a set of tools to improve their capabilities and competitive position in the market. By offering a range of training courses on vehicle systems and including the expertise of the five partners, eXponentia helps the independent aftermarket businesses to understand complex technologies and receive in-depth training to help them cope with sophisticated automotive systems on the road today. The advantage of the eXponentia trainings is that the technical information and expertise come directly from the source, i.e. OE component suppliers who are all leaders in their respective businesses. What is more, the courses are not seen as product training but conceived as training on complete systems.

eXponentia is already successful in a number of European countries including the UK, Italy, Poland, France and more recently Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. All markets have shown to be highly receptive for this initiative and give positive feedback.