Wolfsburg, 26 October 2026. The 13th International Suppliers Fair (IZB) opens its doors in Wolfsburg on Tuesday, 27 October. Until 29 October, 858 exhibitors from 36 countries will present their technologies and solutions for the automotive industry across six exhibition halls covering approximately 38,000 square metres of gross exhibition space. An additional 400 square metres of exhibition space is available outdoors. In the year of its 25th anniversary, the trade fair is held under the guiding theme “Powering Customer-Driven Innovation – Speed. Quality. Partnership.” The focus is on the challenges of the automotive industry's transformation and on how manufacturers and suppliers can bring new technologies to market readiness more quickly and cost-effectively. The IZB is organised by Wolfsburg AG.
More than 43 per cent of exhibitors come from outside Germany. China is particularly well represented, with 71 companies, followed by Italy with 47 and Türkiye with 40 exhibitors. The participants include 14 of the world's 20 leading automotive suppliers. In total, companies registered 58 innovations ahead of the event, including eleven world premieres. The IZB therefore offers insights into technological developments and the international competitive landscape of the industry.
At the opening press conference, representatives from politics and industry discussed the economic situation of the automotive sector, technological developments and the importance of international cooperation. This year's IZB is held under the patronage of Olaf Lies, Minister-President of Lower Saxony; Dennis Weilmann, Mayor of Wolfsburg; and Kai Grünitz and Karsten Schnake, members of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management.
Olaf Lies: Innovation and Collaboration Strengthen Lower Saxony as an Industrial Location
The automotive industry and its suppliers are a key economic driver for Lower Saxony. At the same time, electric mobility, digitalisation and intensifying international competition are bringing far-reaching changes for companies across the sector.
“The automotive industry and its suppliers are of outstanding importance to Lower Saxony's economic strength and innovative capacity. The sector faces major challenges, but at the same time has enormous technological potential. What matters now is that manufacturers, suppliers and research institutions pool their expertise and work together to develop new solutions. The IZB is an important international platform for this. It strengthens connections between companies and underlines the importance of Wolfsburg and the wider region for the future of mobility,” says Minister-President Olaf Lies.
Volkswagen Focuses on Faster Development Processes and Strong Partnerships
For automotive manufacturers, the ability to integrate new technologies into series production efficiently and with shorter development cycles is becoming increasingly important. Software, artificial intelligence and new vehicle architectures, in particular, are changing the requirements for collaboration with suppliers.
“The car is increasingly becoming a software-defined product. Our customers expect innovative features, the highest quality and an attractive value for money. To meet these expectations, we need to integrate technological developments into our vehicles more quickly. This requires capable partners who are involved in our development processes at an early stage. The IZB brings us together with companies that can make a decisive contribution in this regard,” says Kai Grünitz, Member of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management responsible for Technical Development.
Alongside technological capabilities, resilient supply chains and competitive costs are also key priorities. Karsten Schnake, Member of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management responsible for Procurement and a member of the Extended Group Management, with responsibility for Group Procurement, explains:
“Competitiveness is built on efficient processes, innovative technologies and close collaboration with our suppliers. We need to reduce complexity and costs while maintaining quality and our capacity for innovation. The IZB gives us the opportunity to further develop existing partnerships and discover new suppliers offering forward-looking solutions.”
New Formats Foster Technological Exchange
With new event formats, the IZB is responding to the changing needs of the industry. Exhibitors can engage directly with specialist departments of the Volkswagen Group through five Volkswagen Group Hubs. Ahead of the event, 365 proposals for solutions to specific technological challenges were submitted as part of a Call for Proposals. Topics range from interior and exterior systems to electronics and connectivity, powertrain and batteries, body structures and driving systems, as well as procurement processes and artificial intelligence.
For the first time, the trade fair is opening up specifically to cross-industry technologies through its Cross Industry Area. The focus is on medical technology, security and civil protection, urban technologies and the circular economy. Additional formats give start-ups and established companies the opportunity to present their developments and establish new contacts.
Wolfsburg Opens Up New Areas for Future Growth
The further development of the IZB forms part of Wolfsburg's long-term economic strategy. The Wolfsburg 2035+ location strategy, jointly developed by the city, Volkswagen and Wolfsburg AG, aims to leverage existing industrial expertise to develop new business areas.
“The IZB's 25 years also represent 25 years of change in our city. Wolfsburg has developed into a major location for development, production and research. Volkswagen remains at the heart of our industrial base. At the same time, we want to build on our existing expertise to access additional markets and attract new value creation to Wolfsburg. The IZB's Cross Industry Area demonstrates the opportunities that arise when different industries work together,” says Mayor Dennis Weilmann.
25 Years of IZB: From a Regional Suppliers Fair to an International Industry Meeting Place
Since its launch in 2001, the International Suppliers Fair has evolved from an event featuring 128 exhibitors into an internationally oriented trade fair for the automotive supply industry. In its anniversary year, the focus extends beyond product presentations to include direct professional exchange and collaboration on specific technological requirements.
Dr Tim Schumacher, Member of the Executive Board of Wolfsburg AG, emphasises:
“For 25 years, the IZB has been one of the leading trade fairs where companies establish contacts, strengthen partnerships, showcase technologies and initiate joint projects. Especially in view of the challenges facing the automotive industry today, a platform of this kind is essential to encourage dialogue and open up new business opportunities. With 858 exhibitors from 36 countries and its new formats, IZB 2026 once again demonstrates its ongoing commitment to evolving in response to the industry's needs.”
The IZB 2026 will take place from 27 to 29 October at the exhibition grounds in Allerpark, Wolfsburg. The fair is open to trade visitors daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The IZB is organised by Wolfsburg AG, a joint venture between the City of Wolfsburg and Volkswagen AG.
Further information: www.izb-online.com
