GPQI at IAA Mobility 2021

Global Project Quality Infrastructure (GPQI) presented its activities at the IAA Mobility from 7 to 12 September. Visitors got to know the project's work and its portfolio. They could also get in touch directly with the GPQI team at the booth. Companies could find out how they can actively contribute their needs to GPQI's policy and technical dialogues.

Involved in person on site or virtually

On 10 September, Project Director Johannes Braun presented GPQI in a live event. Interested parties could follow the event on site or virtually via livestream. He underlined the importance of exchanges with key trading partners worldwide in order to reduce technical barriers to trade and harmonise QI internationally.

He also presented the International Digital Dialogues, that are closely linked to GPQI. Also commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi), the project facilitates bilateral policy dialogues with Brazil and India on digitalisation issues. Companies from Germany and the partner countries can participate actively in the dialogues. The collaborative topics range from internet governance and emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and Industrie 4.0, to digital business models for small and medium-sized enterprises.

As part of the Indo-German Digital Dialogue, an expert forum recently took place between VDA and the Indian software association NASSCOM (National Association of Software and Service Companies) on digitalisation in the automotive industry.

Stakeholder’s perspectives on the cooperation within GPQI

The presentation of both projects was followed by an interview with high-ranking experts from the automotive sector. Angela Mans, Head of Foreign Trade, Commerce and Customs at the VDA, and Tilmann Tillmann, Managing Director of the VDA Quality Management Centre in Beijing, shared their perspectives on the cooperation within GPQI. Afterwards, the audience addressed their questions directly to the two experts.

Strategic priorities for cooperation activities with Mexico

Angela Mans reflected on the cooperation with Mexico. She discussed the role of emerging countries in the automotive industry and gave insights into the work of the bilateral working group. Its four strategic focuses are: 1) charging infrastructure and battery safety and disposal; 2) public transport and heavy-duty vehicles; 3) personal and fleet vehicles for passenger transport; and 4) micro-mobility. The objective of the working group is to enhance the competitiveness of the industry, the protection of users and to promote innovation. Therefore, it develops recommendations for standards, technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures and their implementation in Mexico. To this end, four white papers are currently being prepared.

Electromobility and automotive safety in China

Tilmann Tillmann gave an insight into GPQI’s activities in China. GPQI has established various sub-working groups with a focus on electromobility and automotive safety. Tilmann Tillmann described the way in which experts from German companies and Chinese regulatory authorities worked together in the vehicle safety sub-working group in order to develop a guideline for the notification process for vehicle recalls. The guideline was adopted by the Chinese authorities and published by VDA as a global association standard.

IAA Mobility: New venue, new concept

This year for the first time the IAA Mobility took place in Munich with a new concept. The motto was "What will move us next". In addition to the exhibition booths, visitors were able to experience the IAA at an Open Space in the centre of Munich and online. The exhibition focused on the presentation and discussion of innovative mobility solutions and ideas for a climate-neutral future.