IAA return to Frankfurt? City is fighting for the mobility fair!

IAA return to Frankfurt? City is fighting for the mobility fair!

The question that many in the automotive industry employs: does the IAA come back to Frankfurt? After the important mobility fair moved from the main metropolis to Munich in 2019, there are now signs of a possible fresh start in Frankfurt. It seems as if the city wants to position itself as a hotspot of the mobility landscape, in the interests of politics and business that agree: Frankfurt is the ideal location for an automotive and mobility fair.

The IAA, which is considered one of the largest automotive trade fairs worldwide, found most of its events in Frankfurt in its more than 125-year history. From 1939 to 2019, the city was the linchpin for automotive enthusiasts and trade visitors. Even if the IAA in Munich has so far been behind the Frankfurt numbers - 400,000 in 2021 and around 500,000 in 2023 - the call for a return will be louder. The FAZ 560,000 was a warning signal in 2019.

Mobility portfolio in Frankfurt

But Frankfurt has in the meantime not left anything to establish itself as a leading location for the automotive industry. The city not only offers a comprehensive mobility portfolio with trade fairs such as the Automechanika and Eurobike, but also has a high proportion of international manufacturers and suppliers. The major car sales and constant investments in showrooms make it clear that the city is very popular. In addition, Frankfurt is described as a "best connected city", which fits perfectly with the plans for the new IAA concept, which is also intended to include exhibitions in the city center in addition to the exhibition center.

A look back shows that the IAA has not always made positive headlines in the past. The exhaust gas scandal and protests during the fair ensured a battered image, which was also felt by the then city tour under Mayor Peter Feldmann. Critical comments on the automotive industry could also have damaged Frankfurt opportunities in the tender for the IAA. But has the situation changed? Rounds between the VDA and Frankfurt representatives show that one is seriously thinking about returning.

The interest of politics

Prime Minister Boris Rhein and Mayor Mike Josef are convinced: A return of the IAA to Frankfurt would not only do the city, but also breathe new life into the entire industry. The discussions about possible locations such as Opernplatz, Roßmarkt or the Mainuferstrasse show that the city is actively working on a comeback.

Overall, the developments in Frankfurt show that the city is ready to reinvent itself and to set a strong signal for the future of the automotive world. The IAA could offer the chance to put the many facets of modern mobility - from cyclists, scooters to innovative vehicle concepts - in the foreground and thus change the image of the automotive fair.

After all: Looking back, the IAA has already experienced many exciting twists, and the history of the fair is far from over. Who knows - maybe we can celebrate a return of the IAA into the lively backdrop of Frankfurt in the future. Wikipedia still offers many interesting details on the history of the IAA.