At a pre-press conference for the third IAA MOBILITY in Munich (Sept. 9–14), the VDA managing director Jürgen Mindel announced a strong signal from the industry in a difficult global environment and against the backdrop of mixed figures for domestic manufacturers. Mindel regards the IAA in Munich as a success story. This is also evident in the high number of registrations from OEMs, which are a little over 30 percent above the 2023 baseline figures, including among the returnees from Korea Kia and Hyundai, a further 40 percent growth in the number of Chinese providers. Here, by the way, they look forward to the competition, Mindel says, who also views the IAA as a meeting point of West and East. The Chinese market leader BYD stands out, securing a massive presence, for example also the recently created 15 additional parking spaces in the Open Space at Königsplatz. There is generally a ten percent higher international share of exhibitors, rising to 55 percent. Forty percent of participating companies will be present for the first time, clarified IAA project manager Jan Heckmann from the VDA.
Eine Halle mehr am Summit
At the Summit, with one more hall there would also be significantly larger stands for exhibitors and premieres by tech giants such as Google, Amazon Web Services, Samsung or chip giants like Qualcomm. The electric pioneer Tesla,
of course, is missing. They feel very comfortable here, although no decision about a further stay at the Isar has yet been made, Mindel stated. This should be made soon. With the Summit, addressed to B2B and professional clientele, they want to present an intellectual center for mobility of tomorrow. The close cooperation between industry, research and society is more important than ever in view of the crisis situation, Mindel says.
Vettel als Headliner und Zugpferd
Apropos: As headliner of the fair overall, Sebastian Vettel, four-time Formula 1 world champion, could be secured, who with his expertise at the interface of high-performance technology and sustainability "should share his particular perspective on mobility" and will speak at both the Summit and in the Open Space. "His perspective from the pinnacle of motorsport to his clear commitment to climate-friendly mobility enriches the discourse," Mindel says.
Die Welt zu Gast in München
The new Mobility division head at Messe München, Christian Vorländer, sees the "world of mobility as a guest in Munich." The IAA is "a shining star in the trade fair year." The show, with half a million visitors, according to the former SPD politician who recently left the city council for the post, generated 160 million euros in additional revenue for the city. The fair should link the transport modes and primarily gather emissions-free mobility at
the Open Space, for example e-bikes, e-scooters or e-cars. The stands would, in his view, fit well into the cityscape and invite exchange, and also make new mobility tangible.
The core element is the possibility of own driving experiences, which enjoys great popularity, as 231 model registrations from providers would show, the vast majority powered electrically and not a single pure combustion engine anymore. Autonomous driving will also be made tangible by various exhibitors who demonstrate their automated systems. The highlight is the specially established operating area for Level 3 vehicles on the A94 highway.
Mobilität für ein breites Publikum
But the IAA wants more than technology; it also aims at the community, Vorländer says. There is, for example, the bicycle parcours directly in the English Garden, complemented by a City Parcours for cycling and micromobility on Ludwigstraße at Siegestor. Micro-mobility is also thematically present at the Summit, added Christine von Breitenbuch, project manager of Messe München. For public debates, the Open Space named "Citizen Lab" at Marienplatz serves, where topics such as the expansion of cycling infrastructure or the transformation to e-mobility are on the agenda. A partnership with the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the Mcube cluster also builds the bridge to science and research.
Also a Family Trail should make mobility in the city center tangible, guided by the IAA mascot
LIAA. The "IAA Kids Day" on Sunday also addresses families. The IAA Career Day, in turn, centers on training in the industry. According to Vorländer, the IAA should be an invitation to citizens and the population to experience new mobility. Thematically, the cooperation with Deutsche Bahn within the framework of the initiative "Zukunft Nah Verkehr" stands out, which should link transport modes, for example the combination of public transport and on-demand shuttles. A highlight is a mock-up of the new XXL-S-Bahn, which should make the future trains tangible up close.
Man will die Kritik aufnehmen
Christine von Breitenbuch also praised the collaboration with the City of Munich and the administration; the processes are now well established. They undertake a lot of effort for citizen dialogue in the run-up to and during the fair, which relates to the restrictions caused by the fair buildings and barriers in the city center, added IAA project manager Jan Heckmann. When asked about the protests announced again against the IAA, Mindel explained that they welcome the discussion, which is valuable and necessary in a democratic society, and accept the criticism, also with the substantive adjustments of the IAA, which now show a significantly higher share of emissions-free mobility. Vorländer referred to Citizen Lab at Marienplatz, which should enable exchange with critics. They look forward to the critical discourse and invite
