Technical Review Middle East visited Hanover for the 66th annual IAA Commercial Vehicle Show 2016
The show ran from the 22- 29 September and featured the biggest names in the commercial vehicle market. With world leading brands such as Volkswagen, Continental, Mercedes Benz, Ford, Hyundai and Michelin attending the event, it is not a surprise that the world?s technical press and component exhibitors were also there in full force.
There was an additional expansion of LNG technology as LIQVIS and Volvo, as well as others unveiled new products to drive the alternative fuel technology. In addition, urban security was another on-trend as ZF and WABCO look to increase the safety of Heavy Goods Vehicles and their other road users, drivers and pedestrians safety.
Globally recognised brands continue to export their latest exports to the Middle East, however, there are a number of challenges for the Middle East with the dropping of the oil price. Many of the small and medium sized businesses that are not currently active in the Middle East market are struggling to justify taking the risk as the investment in new technology has slowed right down due to slower economy. However, this will not be the case for ever, and the larger, more established companies are continuing to move new innovations to the region and they will continue to play a big part in the developments of the economies in the Middle East, particular in Iran with the lifting of the trade restrictions.
In the closing statement by Matthias Wissman, president of the association of the automotive industry (VDA), he claimed that the ?world's leading fair [is] even more international?. In comparison to previous years, the shows length had decreased to seven days from nine, but actually had an overall larger attendance. With 332 world premiers, the show branched across many of the large trends including digitisation, electric mobility and urban logistics.
The IAA 2016 show covered many products, innovations and market insights which are of interest to the Middle East market, and Technical Review Middle East shall cover many of these over the coming weeks, with exclusive access to interviews with dealers, product releases and new press material insights.
