Kretschmann and Hermann Visit the IAA

FRANKFURT AM MAIN and BERLIN, Germany--September 16, 2011:

Baden-Wuerttemberg's Top Politicians are Guests in Frankfurt

Today the state premier of Baden-Wuerttemberg, Winfried Kretschmann, and his transport minister Winfried Hermann, visited the IAA Cars 2011 and obtained information about the innovations and technological trends of the automotive manufacturers and suppliers from their home state. "Kretschmann and the IAA go well together," the premier said during his walking tour of the exhibition, that lasted nearly four hours. "What could be better for the IAA than a visit from the Green state premier? Because the automotive industry is going more and more in a green direction, that is to say, emissions-free driving."

Whereas Kretschmann is a guest at the IAA for the first time, this is Winfried Hermann's third visit to the trade fair. "I am surprised how much development there has been in environmental protection especially in recent years. Here at the IAA one sees that improvements can still be made even to almost perfect products, in the areas of fuel consumption, new materials and IT features," Baden-Wuerttemberg's minister of transport said, adding: "All the manufacturers are now taking the green path. There is real competition to be the first to arrive at sustainable mobility."

Kretschmann was received by Matthias Wissmann, President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA). The state premier's ambitious IAA programme comprised nine exhibitors from the south-west of Germany. In addition to the carmakers Audi, Daimler and Porsche, he also spoke with representatives of the suppliers Bosch, Elring Klinger, Friedrich Boysen, Mahle, Mann + Hummel and ZF. Audi has one of its most important sites in Neckarsulm.

"We need vehicles for the future," Kretschmann stressed during his walking tour. "Mobility must be made compatible with our life-support systems." The automotive industry was already going in this direction, he added. In the halls and at the stands of various exhibitors at the IAA he also met Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management at Daimler AG, Matthias Mueller, Chief Executive Officer of Porsche AG, and Franz Fehrenbach, Chairman of the Board of Management at Robert Bosch GmbH.

Kretschmann's conclusion was, "I think that with products such as these on the world's markets we have a great opportunity to protect the climate and at the same time ensure prosperity in our state." Regarding the progress by the OEMs and suppliers in reducing CO2 Kretschmann said, "I think this is precisely the right IAA for a first visit."