Status: 12.09.2021 4:37 p.m.
Despite criticism, protests and a decline in visitors: The industry association VDA speaks of a great success for the IAA Mobility in Munich. The new concept of the fair paid off.
The automotive industry association VDA and Messe München are satisfied: on the last day of the IAA Mobility, the organizers drew a very positive conclusion. A total of more than 400,000 participants were counted.
This is a significant decrease compared to the last IAA in Frankfurt 2019 – at that time the VDA reported around 560,000 visitors – but the current event in Munich was significantly shorter than the IAA in Frankfurt, and it is still Corona. Trade fair boss Klaus Dittrich speaks of a very emotional moment after a year and a half of stagnation, finally to organize a big trade fair again. He has received a lot of positive feedback from the hotel industry, gastronomy and taxi drivers.
Many bicycle manufacturers also showed their latest products at the IAA in Munich, such as here at the Flyer stand.
Image: dpa
A similar concept is also conceivable at other trade fairs
Dittrich cites the changed IAA Mobility concept as one of the reasons for the positive feedback. On the one hand, the trade fair was expanded: in addition to the car manufacturers, numerous bicycle manufacturers also showed their latest products. On the other hand, the fair took place not only in the halls, but also in places in the city center. Many people said that there was finally life in the city again, said Dittrich.
The fair management in Munich is thinking about holding other events not only in halls but also in places in the city, such as environmental or sporting goods fairs. A piece of trade fair history has been written with the new concept, according to Dittrich. VDA President Hildegard Müller said they had taken a bold step and had been rewarded by the visitors.
Numerous protest actions on the sidelines of the fair
However, as expected, there were also demonstrations, clashes between the police and activists and traffic obstructions, among other things due to abseiling actions on motorway bridges near trade fairs. Thousands of people demonstrated on Saturday during a rally by bike, and there was also a protest camp on Theresienwiese.
The President of the VDA, Hildegard Müller, said that peaceful protests and demonstrations are part of a democracy. But wherever people are held under joint liability, through abseiling or violence, there is a red line to be drawn for all democrats. Climate protection activists should also draw a very clear line here.
Critics accuse the auto industry of “greenwashing”
The opponents of the IAA accuse the auto industry of doing too little to protect the climate. They are also bothered by the fact that the trade fair is being organized by the VDA alone. This is how the state manager of the General German Bicycle Club ADFC in Bavaria, Petra Husemann-Roew, sees it. She criticized that you focus too much on the individual vehicle. Rather, one should ask oneself what needs to be changed. You also have to take some space away from the car in order to achieve a traffic turnaround. The ADFC is in favor of expanding cycle paths and local public transport.
Next IAA Mobility 2023
Maybe it will be discussed at the next IAA Mobility. The next mobility fair is scheduled to take place in Munich again at the beginning of September 2023. It is very likely that it will be accompanied by protests again. At least that’s what the opponents have already announced.
Organizers draw positive conclusions from the IAA Mobility
Gabriel Wirth, BR, September 12, 2021 4:12 p.m.