Switching at the IAA 2019: innovative and practical

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Article image Switching at the IAA 2019 - innovative and practical

The motto of this year's International Motor Show in Frankfurt am Main (IAA 2019) was "Driving tomorrow". But could the exhibition really deliver on the promise? We took a look around and discovered exciting innovations on "New Mobility" and fleet management.

The world's largest motor show is struggling with dwindling visitor numbers: while over 800,000 people visited the industry event in 2017, this year there were only 560,000. But has interest in automobility really declined or is attention shifting towards new topics and channels? In any case, a digital reach of half a billion users speaks for continued great interest - even if you don't necessarily want to be there.

 

WHAT VW, MERCEDES AND CO. WILL SHOW AT THE IAA 2019

The big brands were naturally very present at the IAA 2019. In one of the most impressive halls, Mercedes presented around 30 vehicles ranging from the VISION EQS concept car to sporty SUV coupés and hybrid models. Particularly sensational was the creative presentation of the new safety and comfort features of the next Mercedes model generation.

The clear highlight of the fair must also be emphasised: Volkswagen's strong presence. After the diesel scandal, the company is striving for nothing less than a 180-degree turnaround towards alternative drives and wants to become the market leader for electric mobility. The VW ID.3 could be marvelled at live on site and is already open for registration.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS AWAY FROM THE BIG MANUFACTURERS

In the coming months, however, umschalten.de will focus on innovations beyond the well-known manufacturers. Because you can get a feeling for what the drive of the future could look like in concrete terms primarily here. In short video interviews and with more detailed background information, we present start-ups, research and technology companies that deal with the core topics of umschalten.de:

- Fleet management
- Electric commercial vehicles
- Charging infrastructure

We introduce you to exciting companies such as Evum Motors GmbH, which has developed an electric van with a modular loading area. One and the same vehicle can thus be used as a pick-up, small truck or minibus. The speed of up to 70 km/h and a maximum range of 200 kilometres have already aroused considerable interest: Evum's "aCar" has also already been requested from Saxony.

For more information on the EVUM aCar, take a look at our related article!

Another innovation that may still sound like dreams of the future today comes from INTIS - Integrated Infrastructure Solutions GmbH. They are bringing the inductive charging system of the Transrapid test track onto the road and thus providing a possible solution to the range problem of e-vehicles. In an upcoming article, we will explain how exactly this technology works and how such an infrastructure could be feasible.

 

The development towards new mobility concepts is also being driven by consultancies such as MHP. The subsidiary of Porsche AG combines management and IT and develops new processes and products, for example, to prevent a traffic gridlock looming in the future. Current approaches that digitalise operational mobility concepts and deal with the question of how our current power grids can handle renewable energies are also particularly interesting. More on this in our short video interview:

The IAA is still a very special experience. Marvel at new models, talk to colleagues from the industry and experience the numerous innovations in the field of "New Mobility". The German Association of the Automotive Industry has also recognised the signs of the times and wants to reflect the process of change even more:

"The transformation of the entire industry is also changing the IAA."

VDA President Bernhard Mattes

A new IAA concept is currently being developed. Mattes: "We are moving even more intensively towards interactive formats that promote dialogue and strengthen real experiences. And we will have an even stronger digital presence. If today we restrict ourselves primarily to the exhibition grounds, tomorrow we want to bring new mobility even more strongly to the citizens in the city itself. Linked to this is the question of location. Frankfurt is still in play as a location, but there are other attractive options. We will comment on this when the decisions have been made. I am convinced: the IAA 2021 will be even more exciting, eventful and dialogue-oriented than the already very successful IAA 2019."

Of course, we at umschalten.de continue to follow the topics intensively for you and look forward with you to the companies from the IAA that we will be presenting in the near future. This guarantees that you are always informed about current trends and the practical possibilities of e-mobility for your fleet.

A contribution by Stefan Oswald

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