Mercedes-Benz Trucks, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Tesla, Hyundai, GM and more

At IAA TRANSPORTATION, the commercial vehicle industry is demonstrating its full innovative power and providing comprehensive information on the milestones of its ambitious climate goals. Starting in 2039, Daimler Trucks intends to only sell CO2-neutral vehicles in North America, Europe, and Japan. According to the company, the Group's production in Europe has been CO2-neutral since 2022. Production facilities in the United States, India, and Japan will follow by 2025. As of 2039, Daimler Trucks aims to achieve CO2-neutral production in all plants and business units worldwide. Traton, the parent company of MAN and Scania, states that about half of its new sales will be zero-emission vehicles by 2030. Iveco Group plans to reach zero emissions by 2040. Volvo Group aims for every second vehicle sold to be electric by 2030, for both Volvo Trucks and Renault Trucks. By 2040, both brands will sell only 100 percent local emission-free commercial vehicles. 

Successful marketing coup: In its advertising campaign for the new VW Transporter, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is relying on Jason Statham, who rose to fame in the "Transporter" film series. In the action-packed movies, Statham plays the "Transporter", a former elite soldier who gets hired as a courier driver. The new VW Transporter celebrated its world premiere at IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024. The vehicle has been completely redesigned and is the 7th generation of the successful series. Volkswagen emphasizes that every feature has been raised to a new level: the new Transporter starts with more space, higher payload, increased towing capacity and improved economy. In addition, state-of-the-art assistance systems ensure greater safety. 

Dan Priestley, a manager at Tesla, detailed the company's plans to bring the Semi to Europe during his presentation at the IAA TRANSPORTATION in Hannover. The all-electric truck will be adapted to European regulations and market needs, and will debut in Europe in 2026. The production capacity of the factory in Nevada, which is still under construction, will have to be expanded to more than 50,000 vehicles per year by 2026. The Tesla manager made it clear that the launch will come, but it will be delayed. The Tesla Semi will be available for pre-order in 2019. Priestley emphasized that the Tesla Semi has already achieved a range of 800 kilometers per charge in test runs in North America. Priestley also stressed that the Tesla Semi has been tested in extreme conditions, from steep climbs in California to freezing temperatures in Alaska. These tests would prove that the Semi is also suitable for demanding European routes. Test drives are still possible until Sunday (September 22) in Hall 11.

General Motors (GM) and Hyundai Motor Company have signed an agreement to explore future cooperation in key strategic areas. To reduce costs and increase competitiveness, the two companies will combine resources and expertise in development, production or procurement where possible. Possible collaborations will focus on the joint development and production of passenger and commercial vehicles, internal combustion engines, and clean energy, electric and hydrogen technologies. The two global leaders will also explore joint procurement opportunities in areas such as battery raw materials, steel and other areas. The framework agreement was signed by Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Euisun Chung and GM CEO Mary Barra. Barra said a partnership between the two companies has the potential to make vehicle development more efficient by driving greater scale and supporting disciplined capital allocation. 

Leoni shareholder Stefan Pierer is selling 50.1 percent of the renowned cable expert to the Chinese electronics supplier Luxshare. Leoni wants to strengthen its competitiveness by entering into a strategic partnership. Luxshare will also support Leoni in expanding its portfolio, technological capabilities and production. According to Pierer, Luxshare is the perfect partner to ensure Leoni's long-term success. In a further transaction, a recently founded joint venture of the Luxshare Group will take over the entire Automotive Cable Solutions (ACS) division of Leoni. However, the sale is still subject to review by the antitrust authorities. Luxshare was founded in Shenzhen in 2004 and also produces parts for Apple, among others. The expertise of the two companies in the fields of connectors and electronics will enable Leoni to offer more integrated solutions in the future. Modular wiring harnesses are increasingly being used in the automotive industry, especially in electric cars. 

Folding bike manufacturer Gocycle combines futuristic design with the latest technology. With the support of a crowdfunding campaign, the company plans to develop new models such as cargo and non-electric folding bikes, as well as compact non-folding bikes. British designer Richard Thorpe, who previously designed sports cars for McLaren, is responsible for the look of the Gocycle e-bikes. Thorpe is the designer and founder of Gocycle and said of the move: "Since 2020, the bike industry has been in turmoil and unfortunately many bike companies have not survived. At the beginning of 2024, we had to wave the white flag and restructure our company in order to be ready for the market recovery that industry experts expect in 2025". Gocycle's compact e-bikes are extremely light, weighing between 14 and 17 kilograms depending on the model. They can be folded to a handy size in an instant, making them ideal for commuters who use public transportation for part of their commute.