Can you briefly introduce yourself, your position, and your company?
As a leading manufacturer of light commercial vehicles, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWN) is fundamentally and sustainably reshaping the transportation of goods, people, and services. Our vehicles transport construction workers, families, adventurers, bread, packages, and surfboards. They help countless people around the world do their jobs every day, serve as mobile workshops, and bring paramedics and police officers to their destinations.
At our plants in Hanover (Germany), Poznań (Poland), Września (Poland), and Pacheco (Argentina), nearly 23,000 employees produce vehicles for both commercial and private customers. Our Transporter, Multivan, Caddy, Crafter, Amarok, and ID. Buzz delight our customers every day.
Within the Volkswagen Group, VWN also leads the charge for autonomous driving and mobility services such as Mobility-as-a-Service and Transport-as-a-Service—fields in which we are shaping the future of mobility.
Since mid-2021, I—Lars Krause—have been responsible for sales and marketing as a member of the board of management at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
What does the IAA TRANSPORTATION slogan “People and Goods On The Move” mean to you?
This slogan aligns perfectly with our brand promise: We transport success, freedom, and the future. Together with our customers, we aim to shape the mobility of tomorrow, with a focus on clean, smart, and sustainable solutions.
What are your expectations for IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024?
Trade fairs, especially IAA Transportation here in Hanover, give us the chance to connect with our customers and partners, understand their needs, and engage in meaningful exchanges. The event also offers an opportunity to network with new players who are bringing fresh solutions to the industry. IAA Transportation will once again provide an excellent platform for this in 2024.
What topic will you be presenting at IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024?
First and foremost, we’ll be celebrating the world premiere of our new Transporter, likely VWN’s most important vehicle for commercial customers. It’s completely new and will feature all drivetrain options for the first time. This will be our third major launch in 2024, following the ID. Buzz GTX and the new California based on the Multivan. We’ll also use the fair to showcase our wide portfolio, including the new California Universe, which we’ll reveal just before the event. So, a visit will definitely be worthwhile for all attendees!
What crucial topic of the future gets too little attention from the public in your opinion?
The greatest potential—and the most important future topic, in our view—is autonomous driving and the related services for mobility and transport solutions (MaaS/TaaS). This opens up enormous opportunities for our industry. We are at a critical juncture, where it will be determined who can best bring these technologies from the lab to the streets and develop the right services. We’re determined to play a key role in this space, and with MOIA in Hamburg, we’re already making great progress.
IAA TRANSPORTATION is the leading global platform for commercial vehicles, transport, and logistics. It brings together innovators from all areas of mobility. Who do you want to network with this September and why?
You can see from the exhibitors and participants at the VDA Conference how diverse and interconnected the industry already is: Besides OEMs and suppliers, I also see representatives from the energy sector and many IT providers, which is great. Only through networking can we tackle future challenges like automation, electrification, and digitalization. It’s also encouraging that policymakers will be well-represented, as it’s important to establish the right framework.
The shift in the transport and logistics sector towards sustainable solutions is significant. What is your vision for the sector in 20 years?
In 20 years, the sector will be largely electrified, emission-free, and highly automated. This will allow us to contribute to clean, safe, and efficient mobility—and in turn, to more livable cities and metropolises.