Christchurch Company Hubco Automotive Limited has been selected to appear in the “Green Directory” of the prestigious Automechanika expo in Frankfurt, Germany.
The expo is one of the largest automotive trade fairs in the world for the aftermarket and original equipment markets, and it launched its Green Directory as a way of distinguishing emissions-reduced and environmentally innovative automotive products at the event.
As well as providing focus for visitors and trade attendees, the Green Directory has also received media attention in Germany’s automotive trade newspaper Automobilwoche ahead of the September expo.
Hubco’s aerodynamic Whispbar™ roof rack, was among 73 products from 55 companies that applied to be profiled in the directory - and was one of only 25 chosen. Marketed as "the world’s quietest roof rack", Whispbar’s wing shaped blade reduces drag and therefore fuel consumption.
Hubco’s chief operating officer Chris Angove says the Automechanika recognition is a huge boost as the company seeks to promote the Whispbar™ in Europe.
“This recognition of our product at such a prestigious event is a real buzz for the company, especially as we prepare to launch it into the European Market,” he says.
Angove says that given current fuel costs and with the emphasis changing to smaller more fuel efficient vehicles, the demand for roof carrying solutions will grow – putting their product in the right place at the right time.
“We believe the reaction at the show will be huge, especially given that we will be able to demonstrate it in the wind tunnel that we have built for the stand. The visitors will be quietly ‘blown away’ by the offering,” he says.
The Whispbar is also one of 152 products that entered the expo’s Innovation Award. It will exhibit alongside the awards’ six winners during the expo, giving Hubco further opportunity to showcase its product.
Hubco shares the same parent company as phil&teds who have also received product design recognition in Germany. phil&teds has been nominated for the fourth year in a row for the Kind + Jugend Innovation Award which will be judged in September.
www.hubco.co.nz