2,064 exhibitors from 45 countries to join the show
The 65th IAA Commercial Vehicles will be officially opened in Hannover by the Federal Minister of Transport, Alexander Dobrindt, on September 25. For the press, the show begins two days ahead, for a host of interesting new unveilings and launches during the press days. Of course, the build-up to the show would have already raised the organizers to the ‘exhibition operating temperature’ quite a while ago as the preparations for the world’s largest and most important trade fair for mobility, transport and logistics, whose slogan is ‘Driving the future’ are in full swing.
The developments in Hannover are very good indicators which are applicable to the exhibition space, the number of exhibitors and the international character that is special to IAA. So the conditions are right for expanding the position of IAA as the world’s largest and most significant trade fair for mobility surrounding commercial vehicles. In terms of technology, this is underlined by the many world premieres that will be on display at IAA. The total figure will not be certain until just before the event. The secret will be revealed on September 23 and posted on the Internet the previous day. At present, the show is receiving more response from exhibitors every day, and some major manufacturers and suppliers are still to update their plans for the mega event.
For the upcoming edition of IAA, the climate of innovation is roughly as strong as it was two years ago. So far, the exhibitors have indicated that they will be unveiling more than 300 world premieres. Another criterion of success is the number of exhibitors. The target set by VDA, the organizing force, was to get close to the very high level from 2012 – with 1,904 exhibitors, which has already been crossed.
The number of exhibitors is now 2,064, which is eight per cent higher than the final figure in 2012, and is still expected to rise modestly if, as in previous years, more exhibitors register for IAA shortly before it opens. This puts the show within striking distance of its absolute record from 2008. However, then IAA was taking place against the background of a six-year boom in the commercial vehicle industry, whereas the industry is not in the same comfortable starting position today.
It is true that the German commercial vehicle market has expanded this year, but that is mostly due to the ongoing effects of introducing Euro VI. Western Europe is only shifting laterally. The US market, by contrast, is developing well. European manufacturers of trailers and bodies are also currently recording solid figures, so the bottom line is. This means the conditions are right for a successful IAA, although there are no grounds for wild jubilation.
So it is all the more welcome that the 65th IAA Commercial Vehicles is enjoying the second highest participation rate since it became a separate IAA Commercial Vehicles – that is, for the last 22 years.