VDA - Verband der Automobilindustrie e.V.
"Stars of the Year 2013" awards presented at the "Evening of the Commercial Vehicle Press"
Wissmann: This IAA with its record number of premieres stands for a new quality
Hanover/Berlin (ots)
"This 64th IAA Commercial Vehicles stands for a new quality. Altogether 533 innovations, including 354 world premieres, underscore the innovative force within the industry. The figures are higher than ever before. The media interest in the world's most important leading exhibition for mobility, transport and logistics is impressive. Over 2,000 journalists from more than 50 countries are reporting from the IAA in Hanover", announced Matthias Wissmann, President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), on the "Evening of the Commercial Vehicle Press" before more than 600 international representatives of the commercial vehicle industry and the media.
On the two Press Days (18/19 September) alone more than 80 press conferences take place at the IAA before the opening event follows on 20 September with German Federal Minister of Transport Peter Ramsauer. "It can be stated already today that the mood at this IAA is good, despite some uncertainties surrounding the economy. The commercial vehicle industry is on track for growth around the world. Weaknesses in individual markets can be balanced out by other regions. This industry believes in innovation. With the coming Euro VI Standard, which the new heavy vehicles on show at the IAA satisfy already today, the classic pollutant emissions will be reduced to almost zero. This will finally turn lorries and trucks into 'Mr Clean'. Now we need to cut consumption levels, and with them the CO2 emissions, further by means of lightweight construction, aerodynamics, optimised diesel engines and the use of alternative drives. This is an exciting competition with above all one prime goal - to be able to offer customers the best and most efficient vehicle", stressed Wissmann. The innovations at the IAA embrace all segments - from light vans to heavy goods vehicles, from regular service buses to long-distance coaches, from the trailer and body manufacturers to the many suppliers in the chain.
The VDA President pointed out that the number of exhibitors at this IAA was 9 percent higher than the already high level at the IAA in 2010. The exhibition floor space had also grown by 11 percent and totalled 260,000 square metres.
At the "Evening of the Commercial Vehicle Press" three of the most coveted international awards in the commercial vehicle sector were presented for the fifth time - after 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010: the "Truck of the Year", the "Bus of the Year" and the "Van of the Year". The members of the respective juries are renowned commercial vehicle journalists and editors-in-chief from all over Europe, who thoroughly check the products in a number of tests. The "International Truck of the Year 2013" award was won by Iveco Stralis Hi-Way. The "International Bus of the Year 2013" is the Mercedes-Benz Citaro Euro 6. And the winner of the "International Van of the Year 2013" is the Ford Transit Custom.
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Original content of: VDA - Verband der Automobilindustrie e.V., transmitted by news aktuell