Chancellor Friedrich Merz today officially opened the third edition of IAA MOBILITY in Munich together with VDA President Hildegard Müller, Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder and Munich's Lord Mayor Dieter Reiter. 748 exhibitors from 37 countries, a record share of international companies at 57 percent, over 500 speakers and more than 350 world premieres and novelties underscore the global relevance and appeal of IAA MOBILITY. In connection with the opening it was also announced that the fair will remain on the Isar for three more editions, contracts to be signed soon.
“In times of dynamic, economic and political challenges, our industry at IAA MOBILITY demonstrates impressively what it is capable of: With world premieres, innovation power and determination, the companies demonstrate their strength and their willingness to actively shape the future of climate-neutral and digital mobility. The IAA MOBILITY is the showcase of this strength – a signal of courage, solidarity and the power to master change successfully. We don't talk, we shape. We show that the German automotive industry tackles the challenges and exports mobility solutions worldwide,” says Hildegard Müller, President of the Association of the Automotive Industry.
She reiterated, fundamentally, the VDA's commitment to the Paris climate targets. The industry has accepted the challenge; the companies of the German automotive industry have done their tasks, invested, delivered innovations. Müller sees domestic manufacturers worldwide in a leading position regarding future technologies and even says: "We are innovation masters, we are the European champions of e-mobility, we are engines of prosperity and growth.” She also discreetly admitted that the world
is in a race with regard to location and competitiveness, while Europe and Germany are doing too little to create future-proof regulatory frameworks.
"If the automotive industry here at home is to remain a success story for prosperity, growth, employment – for the people and for the climate – then politics in Berlin and Brussels must deliver now," she handed responsibility to policymakers.
Increase competitiveness
Specifically, Müller called for Germany's position in the numerous competitiveness rankings to be brought back to the top. The principle of excessive regulation must finally be overcome, as well as the approach of relying on bans and unilateral determinations of technological options:
„Flexibilization and technological options for action are indispensable. Whoever does not analyze the realities and acts flexibly accordingly will fail to achieve their goals“, Müller says.
Looking at the necessary reforms in Berlin and Brussels, she further explained that "favorable energy prices, a competitive tax and levy system, a massive reduction of bureaucracy, as well as a maximum push to conclude trade agreements, as well as raw material and energy partnerships must now be political prioritys."
Political opening by Merz, Söder and Reiter
Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) made clear in his speech that the world should no longer look at Germany with suspicion but with admiration, and that the IAA also offers a stage for this, because it provides "an impressive overview of the innovative power of the automotive and supplier industries in Germany and worldwide." With its dense network of major manufacturers and countless suppliers, Germany has the best prerequisites to remain
Auto Nation No. 1 in the future as well, Merz believes. He also announced another Auto Summit in the Chancellery, which is to take place in the coming weeks.
Shaping change rather than chasing it
One intends to shape the transformation, not chase it, and to seize the opportunities of the transformation. The goal remains that, for example, battery cell production in Germany is industrial and on a large scale. The shift to e-mobility is of course being pursued, but more flexibility in Europe is needed. He said climate protection should be achieved through technology-open solutions, without proposing concrete solutions. The aim is also for Germany to become a leading market for automated driving; he said we are technologically in the lead here. The limitation of key elements such as rare earths and critical raw materials for e-mobility by China is seen with "considerable concern," Merz said. More autarky must be developed here.
Ambivalent: Promote e-mobility, postpone phase-out of combustion engines
Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) declared: “Auto is coming home!" He described IAA MOBILITY and Bavaria as a perfect match. In his view, Germany needs again a clear commitment to the car. It is the central lifeline of the economy. "This includes stopping the EU ban on combustion engines, a technology push for electromobility and autonomous driving, as well as lower industrial electricity prices and the expansion of charging infrastructure," Söder repeated. The IAA is the showcase of the German automotive industry to the world and must send a signal: "Germany is hungry for the car and Germany is
a car market of the future.
Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Messe München, Munich's Lord Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD) added that Munich links tradition and innovation – and that is exactly what the IAA MOBILITY demonstrates. Mobility is one of the central challenges of our time. With this fair, a strong signal is being sent for sustainable, intelligent and accessible mobility of the future, Reiter says.
Trade fair with a high share of China
The IAA MOBILITY 2025 has a record share of 57 percent foreign exhibitors, more international than ever, and the fact that more than 40 percent of all exhibitors are attending for the first time underscores its global appeal and future viability, according to organizer VDA. Exhibitors from 37 nations present their mobility products in Munich. Especially strongly represented are companies from China (116 exhibitors), South Korea (58), Austria (24), Italy (24) and the USA (24). Almost 3,500 accredited journalists from 37 countries underscore the global relevance of the IAA.
The exhibitors would embrace the concept with increasing enthusiasm. The Open Space is gaining popularity and has grown as a central crowd magnet by more than a quarter. Also on the exhibition grounds more halls were used for exhibitors than in 2023. The Experience concept – to try out and experience as much mobility of the future as possible – is also seen as a success. The interactive experience for visitors will be strengthened by a significantly expanded range of test drives, which with a 27 percent increase makes the vehicles of the future directly tangible.
