Kretschmann and Hermann visit the IAA / Baden-Württemberg's top politicians are guests in Frankfurt

Frankfurt am Main/Berlin (ots) - Today the state premier of
Baden-Württemberg, 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-Württemberg'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 Müller, 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."

Contact:
Eckehart Rotter
VDA - Press Department
Tel.: +49 30 897842-120
Email: rotter@vda.de