IAA 2024: A Major Event for the Commercial Vehicles Sector

IAA 2024: Showcasing the Future of Transport

Hannover (dpa) - As the IAA 2024 commences today, the international commercial vehicle sector gathers in Hannover, facing significant challenges within the automotive industry. With rampant buyer reluctance affecting business, manufacturers are compelled to invest heavily in new technologies and alternative drives.

Key Innovations and Industry Participation

Organizers report that technological innovations, electric and hydrogen propulsion systems will be the clear focus of IAA 2024. VDA President Hildegard Müller stated, “We want to show that we have already developed and are producing products for climate-neutral and digital mobility.” The emphasis now lies on delivering a significant number of these vehicles to the market.

• More Exhibitors Than Ever: Over 1,650 exhibitors from 41 countries have registered, surpassing the 1,400 exhibitors of two years ago.
• Distinguished Guests: The event will be opened officially by Federal Minister of Transport Volker Wissing and Lower Saxony Prime Minister Stephan Weil, with Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck expected to visit.

Highlighted Innovations

Notable manufacturers including Daimler, MAN, Scania, Volkswagen, and others are set to present 145 world and trade premieres. VW will showcase the new generation of its transporters, including a revealing of a new electric all-wheel-drive pick-up by Chinese manufacturer Maxus.

Protests and Industry Challenges

A protest is anticipated held by the anti-globalization network Attac, advocating for a climate-just transformation in freight transport. They criticize the “disproportionately increased freight transport” and the “profit maximization at the expense of people and nature.”

The IAA 2024 is celebrated as the world’s leading trade fair for the commercial vehicle sector, held biannually in Hannover since 1992, alternating with IAA Mobility for passenger vehicles in Munich. Recently, the commercial vehicle market has cooled, with less than 23,000 new vehicles registered in August, marking a 37% decrease year-on-year amidst uncertain economic forecasts.