1. What key trends do you see currently shaping the development of your field? 

The automotive industry is in an exciting phase of change, and this is opening up great opportunities. Two key developments are currently shaping our field. The shift toward sustainable business practices on the one hand and the digital transformation on the other. While these changes may seem challenging at first glance, we believe they hold enormous potential for innovation. 

The increasing digitalization of the value chain enables new, data-based business models and strengthens the competitiveness of the entire industry. Practical examples from the Catena-X ecosystem demonstrate: The secure and standardized exchange of data between companies not only creates measurable added value, but also helps companies to meet regulatory requirements such as sustainability reporting.  

Our conviction: Collaboration is the key to successful transformation. By breaking down silos and sharing data, we can unleash its full potential. The automotive industry is still the most important industry in Germany and together we can develop it for the future. 

2. How important is the IAA MOBILITY as a platform to drive forward innovative ideas and collaborations? 

The IAA is almost as old as the automobile itself and has evolved into a central meeting point for the automotive industry. With over four decades of experience in the sector, I can confidently say that the IAA has always been a hub for innovation. With its thematic expansion, it has further strengthened its status as an international mobility summit with cross-industry relevance. 

For us as the operator of the Catena-X Dataspace and software manufacturer with a focus on the entire automotive and supplier industry, the IAA MOBILITY is an important platform for making our technological solutions visible and to directly engage with potential ecosystem participants. We are looking forward to showcasing the progress of Catena-X to individual companies as well as to politicians, who have supported our project from the very beginning. 

3. What projects will you like to showcase at the IAA MOBILITY? 

Together with the Catena-X association and partners such as T-Systems and Siemens, we will be presenting what we have created in just a few years. Catena-X has defined the rules and standards for secure and standardized data exchange, we as Cofinity-X have operationalized them and made them usable in practice. More than 45 applications and services are now available on the Cofinity-X marketplace to help companies address key challenges. Catena-X supports companies on their path to sustainability, promotes more resilient value chains and increased quality. 8 of the 10 largest suppliers are already part of the network, as are Europe's leading manufacturers. 

Visit us from September 9 to 12 in hall A3, booth 25 at the IAA Summit. We look forward to the exchange! 

4. How can the IAA MOBILITY help make sustainable technologies and approaches accessible to a wider audience? 

Thanks to its size and tradition, the IAA MOBILITY attracts leading figures from international politics, business and society. This makes it one of the most influential events in Europe. It brings together trade visitors, political decision-makers and the general public in one place to talk about innovations and brilliant ideas. That makes it unique for me. 

So where else can sustainable technologies and approaches be brought to a wider audience if not here? 

5. In what ways do you work with OEMs to accelerate the implementation of innovations in vehicles? 

BMW, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz are not only co-initiators of Catena-X, but also co-founders of Cofinity-X. Ford and other manufacturers are now also active members and multipliers of the ecosystem. Our close cooperation with these leading OEMs has helped establish Catena-X as the industry standard for secure, cross-company data exchange in the automotive industry. 

A current example of this collaboration is the new Catena-X Readiness Booster Program, which makes it easier for companies to join the ecosystem and further increases its reach and relevance.  

During the IAA MOBILITY, there will be an exclusive two-day evening event in Munich with significant support from the OEM partners. The goal is clear to help more companies onboard to Catena-X and accelerate data collaboration across the entire industry.