Last week the well-known German auto show IAA took place, rebranded as IAA Mobility. Instead of its decades-long venue of Frankfurt, it was in Munich. The show was much smaller than before; major international carmakers like the whole Stellantis Group and nearly all Japanese and Chinese makers were absent. Surprisingly, many automotive suppliers were present, as were a lot of electronic and software companies who have not in the past joined auto shows.
IAA Mobility was divided into two parts: a more traditional exhibition at the Messe Munich fairground located at the outer border of Munich, and an open-space exhibition downtown at the wonderful Odeonsplatz, Wittelsbacherplatz, and Königsplatz, Munich’s best living rooms. This part was great for the public to see the newest production EVs and concept cars with a view to the future. Every visitor was checked if they were Covid-negative or vaccinated before entering. You could do this online for visiting the fairground and by showing a particular phone app at the downtown places. A mask was required for all places.
Both parts, the downtown and the fairground part, were connected with a “blue lane” for the experience with electric and automated vehicles as well as electric or hydrogen operated shuttles. You could book this riding experience at both IAA Mobility locations at a row of counters like booking a rental car.
The message of the IAA Mobility was that the car industry is part of the solution for a sustainability and for a CO2-neutral future. By far the most cars on display were EVs, I guess more than 95 per cent. The high number of electronic and software companies underlined this clean tech approach. Most interesting conferences, panel discussions and presentations with CEOs and other top speakers from industry, science and politics were organised nearly round the clock in “sustainability lounges”, “mobility stages” or in “virtual summits” for people who are present and for online participants.
I personally think this was exactly the right direction the IAA has developed—from a car show to a green tech mobility summit. The two halls with (E-) bikes only were not really good fitting into the concept in my opinion.
This week, DVN publish its monthly report on the cars unveiled in IAA and also on the cars launched these last four months. Don’t miss it !