IAA TRANSPORTATION 2026: Commercial vehicle industry showcases innovative product lineup and puts pressure on policymakers to act

From September 15 to 20, 2026, companies from the commercial vehicle, transport, and logistics industries presented innovative solutions for the future of road freight transport at IAA TRANSPORTATION in Hanover. With 1,589 exhibitors from 46 countries, this year’s IAA TRANSPORTATION set a new record for international participation. The number of countries represented increased again compared with the 2024 event. Among international exhibitors, companies from China, Turkey, and Italy had a particularly strong presence this year.

In total, more than 150 world premieres and additional new products were presented at IAA TRANSPORTATION. More than 113,000 industry professionals visited Hannover on weekdays this year, a slight increase compared with IAA 2024. International attendees accounted for a record 40 percent of trade visitors, up from 34 percent in 2024. The Netherlands, China, and Poland were the most strongly represented countries among international trade visitors. These figures underscore the growing interest in IAA TRANSPORTATION and its importance as the international meeting place for the commercial vehicle, transport, and logistics industries. Overall, more than 140,000 visitors came to Hanover this year.

Industry takes responsibility and delivers

Hildegard Müller, President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), says: "IAA TRANSPORTATION 2026 demonstrated that the industry is taking responsibility and delivering solutions for climate-neutral, digital road freight transport. The potential for climate action is enormous, particularly in heavy-duty transport. Our companies have committed to innovation and investment. At IAA TRANSPORTATION, they demonstrated that they are global leaders across all technological options and continue to lead the way.

Now Berlin and Brussels must deliver. Successfully scaling up alternative powertrains requires vehicles, infrastructure, and competitive energy prices to work together. Yet particularly when it comes to energy prices and the necessary infrastructure, there is a wide gap between stated ambitions and what is needed. Infrastructure deployment must accelerate significantly. Charging infrastructure and hydrogen refueling stations require ambitious measures, and creating the conditions needed to build them must be a priority. Brussels must also face the realities, base its decisions on data and facts, and eliminate financial penalties once and for all. The principle is clear: No penalties for policy failures. Manufacturers and suppliers must not bear the cost of policymakers failing to put the necessary conditions, such as electricity grid expansion, in place on time. CO₂ targets must be linked to measurable progress in infrastructure deployment and to actual market developments for zero-emission vehicles."

VDA President Müller also thanked everyone who contributed to the success of IAA TRANSPORTATION. Her thanks went to exhibitors, partners, service providers, emergency personnel, staff on site, and event partner Deutsche Messe AG.

Visitor satisfaction and trade visitors

This year’s event achieved a high visitor satisfaction rating of 92 percent. The share of decision-makers attending IAA TRANSPORTATION also increased: 77 percent of trade visitors influence purchasing and procurement decisions at their companies, compared with 71 percent in 2024. More than half of trade visitors, 52 percent, plan to invest in commercial vehicles within the next six to 12 months, while another 17 percent are considering doing so. In addition, 88 percent would return in 2028, and nine out of 10 trade visitors would recommend the event to their colleagues.

IAA TRANSPORTATION 2026 attracts strong international media presence and extensive coverage

IAA TRANSPORTATION 2026 attracted extensive media coverage. Nearly 1,400 journalists from 50 countries attended to report on the latest developments and innovations in the commercial vehicle industry. Half of the journalists came from outside Germany. Exhibitors held more than 110 press conferences in total. International media accounted for a large share of the coverage, with reports appearing in 125 countries overall. Coverage of IAA TRANSPORTATION 2026 was particularly extensive in the United States, China, Turkey, and Germany. International reporting accounted for approximately 85 percent of total coverage.

Test Drives set new records

The Test Drives were once again a particular highlight of IAA TRANSPORTATION. This year, visitors could try out 84 vehicles from 17 renowned exhibitors. Compared with 2024, when 60 vehicles were available, the selection grew by 40 percent to a new record. A new hall concept also enabled MAN Truck & Bus and Volvo Trucks to offer visitors test drives directly from their spacious booths. A total of 8,500 test drives took place during the event, an increase of 32.5 percent compared with 2024. This strong demand underscores the keen interest among industry professionals and the public in new technologies and gives visitors firsthand experience of the transformation of road freight transport.

Drivers and Family Weekend celebrates World Children’s Day and delights visitors of all ages

The Drivers and Family Weekend on September 19 and 20, 2026, offered a varied experience for the whole family at IAA TRANSPORTATION, coinciding with World Children’s Day. The program for drivers, truck enthusiasts, and children combined entertainment and hands-on activities with engaging insights into the world of commercial vehicles. Above all, the Drivers and Family Weekend recognized the professional drivers whose daily work keeps the economy and logistics moving in Germany and across Europe.

IAA TRANSPORTATION concludes successfully

IAA TRANSPORTATION 2026 has concluded successfully, once again underscoring its importance as the leading platform for logistics, commercial vehicles, and the transport sector. The event focused on innovative technologies, new vehicle concepts, and forward-looking solutions for the transport and logistics industry. Milence’s demonstration of MCS fast charging attracted particularly strong interest among industry professionals and journalists. It impressively demonstrated how vehicles from Daimler Truck, MAN Truck & Bus, and Scania can be charged to 80 percent or fully charged during legally required driver rest periods of 30 to 45 minutes. IAA TRANSPORTATION provided a comprehensive overview of current developments and highlighted the pace at which the industry is working to transform road freight transport.

Jürgen Mindel, Managing Director of the VDA, said: "Every IAA TRANSPORTATION is a spectacular showcase of innovation, demonstrating how our industry embraces and masters change with passion and excellence. We are already looking forward to the next IAA TRANSPORTATION in 2028."

The next IAA TRANSPORTATION will take place in Hanover from September 19 to 24, 2028. Press Day will be Monday, September 18, 2028.

Press photos from IAA TRANSPORTATION 2026 are available here.