“Successful products for the future of mobility come from targeted cooperations. It is therefore essential that we come together here at the IZB to work together to develop innovations that will shape the automotive future. Only by focusing on continuous communication and cooperative partnerships can we successfully master the challenges of the industry,” stated Dirk Große-Loheide, Member of the Extended Executive Committee of Volkswagen AG and Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Brand responsible for Procurement, underlining the event’s key topic of “Empowering Partnerships” during the opening ceremony held at the Forum AutoVision in Wolfsburg.
In a talk with Dirk Große-Loheide, Kai Grünitz, Brand Board Member for Technical Development at Volkswagen Passenger Cars, emphasised the importance of international cooperations for the innovative strength of the industry: “Supplier companies are the driving force behind many technological innovations. That said, new technologies are also entering the world of the ‘vehicle’ product via other interfaces, too. This is why the integration of new partners and the expertise and flexibility of all parties involved are essential when it comes to successfully implementing the transformation to more sustainable and digitally networked mobility.”
Dialogue between manufacturers and suppliers
This year, the Volkswagen Group is one of the more than 843 exhibitors from all over the world at the IZB, where the Group is presenting four stands focusing on different themes. The trade fair is also welcoming ten of the world’s fifteen highest-volume automotive supplier companies, including Robert Bosch GmbH, Denso, AISIN and Continental AG. Visitors can look forward to exhibitors from the entire automotive value chain at the IZB. “More than 40 percent of the exhibitors now come from locations outside of Germany. A multitude of international corporations have also again registered for the event via their German locations. This is further evidence of the global networking within the industry. ‘We are stronger together’ is the message that I want to share with you today,” declared Thomas Krause, Spokesman of the Board of Wolfsburg AG, as he welcomed participants and gave a speech emphasising the importance of the IZB as an international platform for communication, marketing and innovations.
On the three days of the trade fair, which is taking place from 22nd to 24th October 2024, the IZB Live Stage in the Connecting Area in Hall 4 will provide a stage for discussions on the latest topics and trends in the industry. Around 30 talks, keynotes and panel discussions with representatives from the Volkswagen Group and supplier companies will focus on the main topics of the event, namely Interior & Exterior, Electronics & Connectivity, Powertrain & Battery and Metal, Car Body & Chassis. The Connecting Area will also provide an insight into several world premieres that exhibitors are presenting for the first time at this year’s IZB.
Innovations secure competitiveness
“The IZB sends out a clear signal that we are bringing the innovative strength and transformative ability of the German and Lower Saxon automotive industry to the forefront in these challenging times. By working together and sharing knowledge on all levels, we will successfully shape the transition,” emphasised Stephan Weil, Minister President of the German Federal State of Lower Saxony. Lower Saxony is being represented at the specialist trade fair in Wolfsburg by a total of around 60 exhibitors, nearly 20 of which come directly from Wolfsburg.
Against this background, Dennis Weilmann, Mayor of the City of Wolfsburg, made the most of the opportunity to address the developments currently underway in Wolfsburg as an automotive region. “The latest developments at Volkswagen and their possible impacts on the supplier industry have underlined the urgent need to improve efficiency and establish a clear market position. The IZB offers us the opportunity to discuss central issues and work together to come up with solutions that will enable us to further strengthen Wolfsburg as an important business location,” emphasised Weilmann. According to Weilmann, many of the companies attending the IZB are long-standing partners of both Volkswagen and the city of Wolfsburg.
After the opening speeches, the patrons of the trade fair, Dirk Große-Loheide, Kai Grünitz, Stephan Weil and Dennis Weilmann, came together with Thomas Krause to declare the International Suppliers Fair 2024 officially open. The event organisers are looking forward to welcoming a multitude of trade visitors from Germany and abroad over the three days of the trade fair from 22nd to 24th October 2024.