IAA Mobility
IAA Mobility is a major international trade fair for mobility, transport, and automotive innovation, held in Munich, Germany. It is organised by the Verband der Automobilindustrie (VDA), the German automotive industry association, and has been one of Europe’s most important events for the automotive sector for decades.
History and development
The fair originated as the Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA), first held in Berlin in 1897. From 1951 to 2019 it took place in Frankfurt am Main and became one of the world’s largest car shows. Since 2021 the event has been held in Munich under the name IAA Mobility, with a broader focus on sustainable and digital transport solutions. The fair is staged every two years in September, in odd-numbered years.
From Frankfurt to Munich
The move from Frankfurt was driven by falling visitor numbers and a shift in political and industry priorities. Munich was chosen for its innovation profile, strong regional support, and ability to host the new Open Space concept in the city centre. The change underlined a strategic repositioning from a traditional car exhibition to a cross-modal mobility event.
Concept and features
IAA Mobility now covers not only passenger cars but also rail, cycling, micromobility, digital mobility services, and urban transport solutions. The event combines exhibition halls with city-centre venues, and its conferences address topics such as electrification, hydrogen, digitalisation, and smart city planning.
European and global relevance
The fair functions as a showcase for the European transport sector’s transition toward decarbonisation and digitalisation. It highlights policy priorities such as the EU Green Deal, CO₂ reduction targets, and modal shift strategies. IAA Mobility attracts policymakers, manufacturers, suppliers, and technology firms from across the globe.
Contemporary significance
Recent editions have positioned IAA Mobility as a bridge between traditional carmaking and new mobility sectors. The presence of rail operators, bike manufacturers, and digital service providers underlines its cross-modal character, aligning the event closely with EU transport and climate goals.