“Driving the Future”. This is the slogan of the 65th IAA Commercial Vehicles, which will be held in Hannover from 25 September to 2 October 2014. “The IAA slogan underlines two strategic tasks for commercial vehicles: the drive for innovation of the entire industry – which is of course preparing for the future – and the special contribution this industry makes to transport and logistics in a growing global economy. Efficient freight transport is necessary for growth, prosperity and employment – and this applies to emerging economies just as it does to industrialised countries. Especially in the age of the Internet, there are now more and more vans alongside heavy trucks, delivering goods to customers. Furthermore, buses have been shown to be the most CO2-friendly way to travel. This leading trade fair for mobility, transport and logistics focuses on technical innovations. The slogan fits like a glove – particularly also regarding the IAA’s new key visual,” said Matthias Wissmann, President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), as the image was unveiled.
The key visual for the 65th IAA Commercial Vehicles links technology and design. The topics of efficiency, capability and future viability are combined with design, aerodynamics and connectivity. The IAA poster depicts a heavy truck, a van and a bus seen from the front – they are “rolling out the future.” Following in the tradition of previous IAA motifs, the background is coloured blue, drawing particular attention to the great efficiency and environmental compatibility of commercial vehicles. Strong, clear lines symbolise a road (or a data highway) and create a link with logistics and connectivity. “At the same time, the symbiosis between the vehicle’s technology and computer technology shows that the concept of commercial vehicles, as we know them, will change,” Wissmann explained.
“Over recent years the progress in bringing down CO2 emissions from commercial vehicles has been impressive. The new Euro VI exhaust standard, which came into force for all new trucks on 1 January 2014, reduces emissions of classical pollutants and particulates so much that they can hardly be measured anymore,” Wissmann declared.
German road freight transport covered 453.4 billion tonne kilometres in 2013. “Trucks shoulder 73 per cent of all freight transport in Germany. They are important not only because they are efficient, but also because they can deliver goods right up to people’s front doors, or to any supermarket, ready for unloading. This flexibility makes trucks stand out against other modes of transport,” the VDA president said. He pointed out that a large number of world premieres would be on display at the IAA in Hannover.
The potential latent in commercial vehicles is also demonstrated by buses. They have been shown to be the most environmentally friendly means of transport. Their high capacity utilisation results in the lowest consumption values per passenger per kilometre, and thus the lowest CO2 emissions too. “Buses are an essential element on the path towards climate-friendly mobility. Since the deregulation of scheduled routes for coaches, the range of services on offer has expanded far more than was expected. Today in Germany over 200 connections are already available. This means that now all major German cities and a large number of smaller towns are on the network. The deregulation of buses has considerably expanded many passengers’ mobility options – while simultaneously being kind to their wallets,” Wissmann said.
The 65th IAA Commercial Vehicles will be held on the trade fair grounds in Hannover from 25 September to 2 October 2014. It will be preceded by two Press Days (23 and 24 September 2014).
Note for editorial offices: the current key visual can be downloaded from the Internet at: http://www.iaa.de/presse/.
