This year’s summer meeting of the Association of International Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (VDIK) gave a first foretaste of the IAA Transportation. Under the motto “Nutzis go electric”, members of the association showed what is already possible today in the field of alternative drive systems for commercial vehicles. In addition to electric tractor units from Renault and Scania, a battery-electric Volvo truck with a box body and a Toyota van were also on show at the summer meeting.
With DAF, Renault Trucks, Scania and Volvo Trucks, the VDIK represents a significant part of the German market for heavy commercial vehicles, while other member companies also offer innovative vehicles in the small van segment. The international vehicle manufacturers have contributed a great deal to the development of alternative drive systems in recent decades – for example, they brought the first hybrid vehicle and the first battery-electric vehicle to Germany in the passenger car sector.
“Due to the strong increase in delivery traffic in cities and over long distances, it is important to expand CO2-neutral drive concepts, especially for trucks and vans. There is a lot of momentum in the further development of alternative drive systems in the commercial vehicle segment. I am therefore particularly pleased to be hosting this special summer meeting in Berlin as the new VDIK President,” said VDIK President André Schmidt in his welcoming address.
In his keynote speech, Dr. Hendrik Haßheider, Head of the Climate-friendly Commercial Vehicles and Infrastructure Division at the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Affairs (BMDV), spoke about the successes already achieved in the transformation of the commercial vehicle sector. He praised the good cooperation with truck manufacturers and their innovative achievements. He also referred to the further challenges, particularly in the area of charging infrastructure, for which significantly higher requirements apply than for passenger cars.
The guests, mainly representatives from politics, administration and mobility industry associations, were able to see for themselves how quiet and comfortable CO2-neutral freight transport can be during the rides offered through the southwest of Berlin. The VDIK Summer Meeting takes place every year at the end of the parliamentary summer break on the last Thursday in August.
Toyota Germany Managing Director André Schmidt has taken over as Vice President of the VDIK from Michael Lohscheller, who is moving to Polestar as Global CEO on October 1. Schmidt will lead the VDIK through the transition phase and, together with the Executive Board, will begin the search for a new full-time President. The aim is to find a candidate in the foreseeable future who will drive forward the association’s goals and continue on its current course.
Please find attached two press photos for free use. Source: VDIK
VDIK Summer Meeting: Dr. Hendrik Haßheider(BMDV), Alexander Jess (VDIK) and André Schmidt (Toyota) (from left to right)
VDIK Summer Meeting: Alexander Jess (VDIK), Dr. Hendrik Haßheider(BMDV) and André Schmidt (Toyota) (from left to right)
