Mobility Innovation Summit - Event premiere in Berlin

On March 25 and 26, 2025, the VDA hosted the Mobility Innovation Summit at the Congress Center (bcc) at Berlin's Alexanderplatz. The first edition of this important industry meeting for representatives from the automotive industry, politics, business, science, and society is the further developed event concept of the VDA Technical Congress, which has been successfully held 25 times. The name "Mobility Innovation Summit" combines the previous elements of the Technical Congress with an increased focus on innovations that go beyond technical aspects.

The two-day summit provided an important platform for face-to-face meetings and intensive discussions on the diverse current approaches and methods that the industry is resolutely driving forward. Around 400 decision-makers, specialists, and executives participated.

"The companies in the German automotive industry have just demonstrated once again that they are the driving force behind this country's innovation," VDA President Hildegard Müller said in her welcoming address, referring to current figures from the German Patent and Trademark Office. But while automotive companies are demonstrating their competitiveness, not least through their innovative strength and massive investments in research and development, the economic situation in Germany is becoming more difficult day by day, Müller continued. The reason for this is the lack of international competitiveness of Germany as a location, which can no longer be ignored.

On the subject of competitiveness, Hildegard Müller specifically commented:

Among the guests was Kerstin Jorna, Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs at the European Commission.

What measures can Brussels take to support the German automotive industry's investments in the transformation in order to strengthen competitiveness in Germany and across Europe? Kerstin Jorna focused on this question in her speech, providing an overview of the steps already being taken by policymakers and what concrete plans are in place. She particularly emphasized the importance of the European Single Market for increasing the competitiveness of EU business locations. However, the multitude of national and international regulations too often hampers companies' innovative capacity. The goal must be to develop European and allied markets into leading markets and to identify and leverage from synergies.

The MINS was distinguished by its lively exchange, numerous networking opportunities, and personal discussions with experts during the program items and the festive evening event. In total, around 50 speakers contributed significantly to the program's content with their keynotes, specialist presentations, and panel discussions.

The presentations and panel discussions focused on the industry's key future topics. Among other things, the experts discussed how software-defined vehicles (SDVs) can be further developed through innovation and efficiency, and how data-driven management can enable new business models. A comprehensive overview of the MINS's special topics can be found in the daily program.

The concept of the Software-Defined Vehicle, widely discussed at MINS, is leading to a paradigm shift in the automotive industry by fundamentally changing how vehicles are developed, manufactured, and used. But what makes SDV so interesting? And how exactly can software change the automobile to this extent?

We spoke to Georges Massing, Vice President MB.OS Automated Driving & Integration E/E at Mercedes-Benz AG, about these questions at the MINS. Read the interview:

The leading role of the German automotive industry in the field of automated driving and the question of how this leading position can be further expanded were also discussed in detail.

An expert in the field of automated driving is Prof. Dr.-Ing. Axel Hahn, Director of the Institute of Systems Engineering for Future Mobility at the German Aerospace Center (DLR). What are the drivers of the development of automated driving, and where does the technology reach its limits? Read Axel Hahn's assessment in this interview:

The stage is set for a diverse range of individual business ideas: Startups Augmented Industries, Compredict, Eco2grow, and Peregrine Technologies provided further interesting insights by presenting their current projects, platforms, or technologies for tomorrow's mobility on their own stage and in the exhibition area. They thus provide new perspectives and exciting food for thought for collaboration opportunities with other industry representatives. Combining new ideas from startups with the long-standing experience of established companies holds great potential. Collaborations of this kind can help bring future-oriented solutions to the road or rail even faster.

Many thanks for the inspiring contributions to the following startups:

In the exhibition area, other companies also presented their latest developments and offered the opportunity for intensive discussions at their booths. We would like to express our sincere thanks to our exhibitors Blicki e.V., Caresoft Global Technologies, CMS LTF Limited (also a MINS partner), Cofinity-X, Deloitte GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft (also a MINS partner), DXC Technology Company (also a MINS partner), ENX Association (also a MINS partner), Interim Aid GmbH, Mehr Achtung, OneTrust, Siemens (also a MINS partner), VDA Normenausschuss Auto und Mobilität, Qualitäts Management Center (QMC), VDI Verein Deutscher Ingenieure e.V. and WE Tower (see the following photo gallery) for the pleasant and successful collaboration at the VDA Mobility Innovation Summit. We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to our other partners Michelin Reifenwerke and Qualcomm, as well as our media partners.

And we are already looking forward to the next issue and the personal exchange next year.