Wissmann: IAA Commercial Vehicles as Platform for Digital Transformation

BERLIN, August 3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Preparations for the most important trade fair for mobility, transport and logistics running at top speed - 2,000 exhibitors - New Mobility World logistics with tangible megatrends. 

"The slogan 'Driven by ideas' points up the huge drive for innovation in the companies exhibiting at the world's most important trade show for mobility, transport and logistics. The 66 IAA Commercial Vehicles will open its doors in Hannover on September 22. There has never been more future at the IAA. Numerous models with alternative powertrains will be on display. City buses, vans and distribution trucks are increasingly using electric power. The entire sector is undergoing a 'digital transformation' - the commercial vehicles of the future will be connected, and automated driving will soon be a reality," stressed Matthias Wissmann, President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA). The VDA organizes the IAA.

Preparations for the IAA are running at top speed. "We have sold more stand space than we did at the last IAA Commercial Vehicles. Once again we have a great many exhibitors, at around 2,000. The IAA is becoming ever more international, with the proportion of foreign exhibitors way over the 50 percent mark. Most of the foreign exhibitors come from Italy, China or Turkey. This year again it is impressive to see the major truck, trailer and body manufacturers at the IAA. To add to this, there are more suppliers from all over the world than at any other automotive trade fair," Wissmann explained. The first-time exhibitors include BYD with its buses, and Toyota with light commercial vehicles.

The "New Mobility World logistics" gives the megatrend of digital transformation a news emphasis at the International Motor Show (IAA). It underscores the fact that the whole commercial vehicle, transport and logistics industry is driving forward the mobility of the future. For example, the demonstration area "New Mobility World LIVE" will showcase dynamic and interactive driving with technical innovations. At the "New Mobility World Parcours" visitors will be able to drive and experience electric commercial vehicles themselves. The themed "Guided Tours" will take participants around the trade show grounds to selected exhibitors. There will also be a large number of conferences on automation, connectivity, clean power and urbanization.
One of them is the "New Mobility World Lab16: Startups meet industry" on September 27. It will highlight innovations that make freight traffic, logistics and commercial vehicles more efficient, greener and smarter. The "Lab" will bring established companies and startups together. Compact corporate presentations, networking sessions, discussions and lectures by pioneers in the industry will provide an exciting program.
The healthy state of the commercial vehicle business is supporting the IAA," Wissmann emphasized. Last year the Western European market for heavy trucks already expanded by 14 percent. New registrations in the first half of 2016 also added 14 percent. And the van market has a similar dynamic: in the first half-year light commercial vehicles recorded a year-on-year rise of 12 percent.


The VDA organizes a wide range of activities at the IAA supporting the week of activities of the Alliance for the 'Future of Industry' instituted by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, the Federation of German Industries (BDI), the trade union IG Metall, and eleven other industrial and employers' associations and trade unions.
The 66th IAA Commercial Vehicles will be opened by Federal Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt on September 22. Online accreditation for journalists (http://www.iaa.de/en/) began on July 14, and already more journalists have registered than at this stage two years ago.

You will find information about the IAA including useful tips, opening times, admission prices, a site plan, specialist events and other activities/events at http://www.iaa.de/en/iaa-guides/visitor-information/.

Press contact:
Eckehart Rotter
Head of Press Department
Phone: +49-30-897842-120
Email: rotter@vda.de

SOURCE German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA)