"Stars of the Year 2013" awards presented at the "Evening of the Commercial Vehicle Press" / Wissmann: This IAA with its record number of premieres stands for a new quality

Hanover/Berlin (ots) - "This 64th IAA Commercial Vehicles stands
for a new quality. Altogether 533 innovations, including 354 world
premieres, underscore the innovative force within the industry. The
figures are higher than ever before. The media interest in the
world's most important leading exhibition for mobility, transport
and logistics is impressive. Over 2,000 journalists from more than 50
countries are reporting from the IAA in Hanover", announced Matthias
Wissmann, President of the German Association of the Automotive
Industry (VDA), on the "Evening of the Commercial Vehicle Press"
before more than 600 international representatives of the commercial
vehicle industry and the media.

On the two Press Days (18/19 September) alone more than 80 press
conferences take place at the IAA before the opening event follows on
20 September with German Federal Minister of Transport Peter
Ramsauer. "It can be stated already today that the mood at this IAA
is good, despite some uncertainties surrounding the economy. The
commercial vehicle industry is on track for growth around the world.
Weaknesses in individual markets can be balanced out by other
regions. This industry believes in innovation. With the coming Euro
VI Standard, which the new heavy vehicles on show at the IAA satisfy
already today, the classic pollutant emissions will be reduced to
almost zero. This will finally turn lorries and trucks into 'Mr
Clean'. Now we need to cut consumption levels, and with them the CO2
emissions, further by means of lightweight construction,
aerodynamics, optimised diesel engines and the use of alternative
drives. This is an exciting competition with above all one prime goal
- to be able to offer customers the best and most efficient vehicle",
stressed Wissmann. The innovations at the IAA embrace all segments -
from light vans to heavy goods vehicles, from regular service buses
to long-distance coaches, from the trailer and body manufacturers to
the many suppliers in the chain.

The VDA President pointed out that the number of exhibitors at
this IAA was 9 percent higher than the already high level at the IAA
in 2010. The exhibition floor space had also grown by 11 percent and
totalled 260,000 square metres.

At the "Evening of the Commercial Vehicle Press" three of the
most coveted international awards in the commercial vehicle sector
were presented for the fifth time - after 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010:
the "Truck of the Year", the "Bus of the Year" and the "Van of the
Year". The members of the respective juries are renowned commercial
vehicle journalists and editors-in-chief from all over Europe, who
thoroughly check the products in a number of tests. The
"International Truck of the Year 2013" award was won by Iveco Stralis
Hi-Way. The "International Bus of the Year 2013" is the Mercedes-Benz
Citaro Euro 6. And the winner of the "International Van of the Year
2013" is the Ford Transit Custom.

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Behrenstraße 35
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Tel +49 30 897842-121
Fax +49 30 897842-603
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