IAA Mobility 2021: Focus on eMobility, Sustainability, Automated and Connected Driving
Exhibitions of Continental, EKPO, Plastic Omnium, ZF, and Schaeffler
2021/09/30
- Summary
- Continental: server based architecture, sustainable GreenConcept tire, Ambienc3 concept car
- EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies: fuel cell stack modules
- Plastic Omnium: hydrogen systems and vessels, Smart Face and Smart TailGate, HBPO new generation front-end module for EVs
- Schaeffler: 3-in 1 eAxle, 800 Volt electronics, Space Drive 3 add-on, rolling chassis, hydrogen technology
- ZF: modular eDrive Kit, ZF ProAI
Summary
IAA Mobility 2021 venue |
The IAA ("Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung") has a long history of 123 years. In the past 70 years it was held biannually in Frankfurt and grew to one of the largest motor shows worldwide. As the number of visitors decreased in the past years, the organizer VDA (Association of the German Automotive Industry) decided to develop a completely new concept for the IAA in a new city, Munich.
A reason for the decreasing number of visitors is the overall disruption within the whole automotive sector. Up to now the IAA was a rather traditional motor show, where OEMs and suppliers presented their latest products and technologies.
From this year, the VDA wanted the IAA to become a mobility platform with focus not only on innovative new cars, but also on many other mobility solutions such as bikes, e-scooters and further intelligent public transport means. Accordingly, the theme of this year's event was "What will move us next". Thus, solutions towards a more sustainable world were at the center stage.
From September 6th until September 12th (6th and 7th were dedicated to press and media) the city of Munich was the place where technology companies, mobility service providers, public transport and start-ups could meet and debate.
The new IAA Mobility was held both at the exhibition grounds as well as directly in the city of Munich. The 'Summit' was the place, where OEMs, suppliers, service providers and start-ups exhibited their latest products, technologies and concepts. On the second day press members and trade visitors had the opportunity to participate in lectures on the future of mobility held by international decision-makers and opinion leaders of the industry. At several squares in Munich city, the so called 'Open Space', people had the opportunity to exchange ideas about mobility concepts of the future and to experience latest technologies. In the 'Blue Lane' visitors could enjoy test drives and rides between the city and the trade fair.
The IAA Mobility 2021 hosted about 744 exhibitors and 936 speakers from 32 countries. The show attracted over 400,000 visitors from 95 countries - which are 160,000 less than in 2019. However, considering the shorter period of only one week compared to two weeks in 2019, the number is quite high. Two third of the visitors were under the age of 40.
The next IAA MOBILITY will be held in Munich from September 5 to 10, 2023.
At the IAA Mobility the role of suppliers increased compared to the past.
Previous events in Frankfurt were mainly a b2c trade shows, where car makers occupied the halls with their shiny vehicles and shows and suppliers were more likely to be found hidden away on the second floor and played a minor role. That was different in Munich. Here, the suppliers were now also represented in the halls. The number of suppliers even exceeded the number of OEMs by far.
This report concentrates on a selection of suppliers - with their solutions and innovation for eMobility, sustainability and automated and connected driving.
Especially for suppliers the transformation towards electromobility is very challenging, as many of them were specialized in technologies related to internal combustion engines up to now. Besides new technologies for BEVs, also many hydrogen solutions were on display.
IAA Mobility 2021 reports:
IAA Mobility 2021: Strengthening of Mercedes EQ series, moving from EV-first to EV-only plan (Sep.2021)
IAA Mobility 2021: Great Wall Motor launches ORA and WEY brand NEVs in EU (Sep. 2021)
Related reports:
MarkLines Online Exhibition 2021: Electrification Components (1) (Sep.2021)
The Second Digital Revolution (Aug.2021)
Analysis Report: EV/HV Drive Motors (European Market) (Aug. 2021)
EV battery and inverter technologies, fast charging, and battery recycling (Jul. 2021)
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