Electric mobility and connected cars are the main focuses of the innovations on display at this year’s International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt am Main.

German manufacturers and suppliers are constantly setting new international standards and trends, noted the Chancellor. But Europe does not exist in isolation. It must face up to global competition. The EU must not place impose greater burdens on manufacturers than those faced by their competitors on other continents.

Electric vehicles gain ground

"Our target is still to see one million electric vehicles on German roads by 2020," underscored the Chancellor. "We are delighted to see that more and more marketable models are now being produced."

German manufacturers alone will have 16 standard electric-powered models on the market by the end of this year. "The incentive and the goal is to achieve mobility that is safer and better for the environment, while offering higher performance," said the Chancellor.

Until 22 September a total of 1098 exhibitors from 35 countries will be showing their latest products at the 2013 International Motor Show (IAA). Manufacturers and suppliers are presenting 159 products for the first time anywhere in the world. As of Saturday the IAA will open its doors to the general public.
Since you can never start too early, children too will be able to take their place behind the wheel at the International Motor Show. They can take their first driving test in scaled down electric vehicles.

Online in your car

The second innovative thrust of the International Motor Show is connected cars. This development is set to usher in major changes in the years to come. Cards will become mobile communication platforms.

The breakneck speed of developments in information and communication technologies will allow us to connect a wide variety of sources of information in and about vehicles, explained the Chancellor. "I believe that this will bring hitherto undreamt-of practical applications This year’s International Motor Show gives us a hint of things to come, and shows us how driving is set to change."

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Driving set to become safer

The Chancellor gave some specific examples. "In future it will be easier to find the closest car park and manage traffic flows more efficiently, and road safety will be further improved. Automatic functions will be there to help drivers in critical situations."

To put it in a nutshell, networking will improve safety for all road users – and make driving more comfortable.

Connecting with IT opens up huge new market opportunities

"Traditionally Germany is particularly strong in the classical branches of industry. If we can link these strengths with the opportunities offered by the IT industry, we can take the standards we are used to into the digital era." This offers new paths for growth, stated Angela Merkel.

The resulting opportunities are vast – the industry’s professional association (VDA) forecasts 36 percent growth per annum. It expects to see 210 million connected cars on the roads around the globe by 2016 – four times as many as today.

The International Motor Show (IAA) is the world’s leading exhibition of its sort. It is also the only motor show anywhere in the world that showcases not only manufacturers but also suppliers, and thus the entire supply chain for the automotive industry. It is organised by the VDA, the German Association of the Automotive Industry. The high level of public interest led to the show being split in the early 1990s into commercial vehicles and private vehicles. Since then in years ending with an odd number the International Motor Show for private cars has been held in Frankfurt, alternating with the commercial vehicles show, which is held in even years in Hannover.