Manufacturers Preview IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024 Themes

In her opening remarks, VDA President Hildegard Müller highlighted the current challenges and opportunities in the commercial vehicle, transport, and logistics sectors, emphasizing the extensive opportunities to implement sustainable mobility more consistently within the commercial vehicle industry. The focus is on developing products and innovations that drive decarbonization, CO2 reduction, and climate-neutral mobility. The goal is to contribute to the decarbonization of transport by 2050. This requires comprehensive electric charging and hydrogen refueling infrastructures, capable power grids, sufficient climate-neutral energy, better site planning, free and fair trade, international partnerships, an even stronger focus on the potentials of digitalization, and appropriate political frameworks. The IAA TRANSPORTATION is the ideal venue to discuss key issues such as sustainability, digitalization, and innovative propulsion technologies with representatives from all sectors. Müller cited the "Infrastructure Campus" as an example, aimed at demonstrating megawatt charging and hydrogen refueling, highlighting different interests between manufacturers and charging providers, and finding joint solutions.

Various manufacturers shared their visions for a sustainable future in the transport and logistics sectors during presentations at the International Press Workshop in Frankfurt/Main from June 10-11, 2024. Industry leaders, including Daimler Truck, Ford, Kia, MAN Truck & Bus, Michelin, Quantron, and Schmitz Cargobull, discussed their visions and ambitions for sustainable progress in these sectors.

Karin Rådström, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks, described the commercial vehicle industry as both part of the problem and the solution. Referring to sector decarbonization, she emphasized the importance of a dual strategy that includes both battery and hydrogen-based drives. For this to succeed, she noted, the EU needs to build approximately 400 fast-charging points for trucks and 300 hydrogen stations with 700 bar by 2030. She also announced a new service offering called “Truck Charge,” which will provide brand-independent consulting, hardware, and digital services around e-mobility in the commercial vehicle sector. The official launch is planned for IAA TRANSPORTATION in September.

Philipp Ostbomk, VP Sales B2B at Michelin Europe North, spoke about the need for sustainable tire technologies and their impact on the logistics industry. He highlighted that 90% of a tire's environmental impact occurs during the usage phase. Michelin aims to focus on durability, reducing material and energy waste, digital solutions, and intelligent technologies. The goal is to produce tires that are 40% made from sustainable or recyclable materials by 2030 and to achieve 100% sustainability by 2050. Ostbomk pointed out that tires are often replaced too early; reducing tread by just one millimeter could save 15,000 tons of raw material. Retread tires increase the lifespan to 150% and save 70% of raw materials, which also applies to new tires.

Andreas Schmitz, CEO of Europe’s leading trailer manufacturer Schmitz Cargobull, reiterated his commitment to supporting customers in the digital transformation towards sustainable transport solutions. However, he cautioned against over-regulation in the entire value chain, which could hinder transformation if costs for CO2 reduction had to be passed on to customers. Schmitz emphasized that profitability and sustainability are not contradictory, and deregulation could prevent additional cost burdens. By 2030, Schmitz Cargobull aims to reduce CO2 emissions in production by 90%.

Friedrich Baumann, Head of Sales & Customer Solutions at MAN Truck & Bus SE, gave a preview of the company’s exhibit at IAA TRANSPORTATION. He revealed that MAN will showcase its hydrogen combustion engine truck MAN hTG and a complete range of battery-electric vehicles including 4x2 and 6x4 derivatives and the new TGE. He stated that MAN is committed to offering transport solutions with up to 250 tons of weight emission-free. Baumann also emphasized the importance of expanding Megawatt charging as he believes 50,000 stations are needed just in Germany. MAN has founded the charging joint venture Milence to support this effort.

Andreas Haller, CEO and founder of Quantron, believes that the path to zero emissions can only be mastered through intelligent and strong partnerships, for example with the energy and infrastructure sectors. That’s why they have now established a joint venture called HEMTRON focusing on clean hydrogen and HRS infrastructure. While currently focusing on both battery-electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles, Haller sees significant advantages in the payload and energy benefits of hydrogen and fuel cells.

Claudia Vogt, Director at Ford Pro, Ford-Werke GmbH, announced that two years after launching the division with the E-Transit Custom, they are rapidly winning over small and medium-sized enterprises to e-mobility. Ford has created the "E-Switch-Assist" simulation tool, which allows vehicle-specific electrification suitability checks. She also referenced a study indicating that 60% of customers consider purchasing an E-van within the next five years.

Pierre-Martin Bos, Director of PBV at Kia Europe, introduced Kia's strategy for the new commercial vehicle platform "Platform Beyond Vehicle." This new platform allows flexible vehicle design tailored to various usage requirements, focusing on advanced technologies like robotics and autonomous driving. With the PBVs, Kia aims to set standards in range, spatial efficiency, connectivity, and costs. Bos announced that Kia would unveil the first "Space-Van," the PV5, at IAA TRANSPORTATION in September.

An experiential and networking tour at Klassikstadt Frankfurt offered attendees the opportunity to network and experience the latest innovations from Ford, Daimler Truck, and Quantron. During the event, Karin Rådström kicked off the European Testing Tour to demonstrate the practicality of e-mobility, sending two battery-electric long-haul trucks, the eActros 600, on a journey covering over 13,000 kilometers through more than 20 European countries. Ford showcased the Ranger MSRT and the emission-free E-Transit Custom, while Quantron introduced its hydrogen-electric QUANTRON QHM. This setting also provided a perfect backdrop for in-depth exchanges and networking among the impressive displays.