FRANKFURT, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- Germany's International Motor Show (IAA) 2019 opened officially on Thursday in Frankfurt, with a discussion of the future of mobility from industry representatives and government leaders.
In her speech at the opening ceremony, German Chancellor Angela Merkel emphasized cooperation between the government and the industry in the face of profound changes in individual mobility. The 2030 emission goals will be an enormous challenge for all, she said.
A change in the energy industry will be needed in parallel to the changing landscape of auto industry, so that cars can be truly environmentally friendly, using electricity generated from the renewables, Merkel said.
More infrastructure, including charging grids and 5G coverage on roads, will be needed, and issues concerning legal underpinnings and data protection will have to be discussed, she said.
Merkel said during her recent trip to China that she was impressed by the dynamics of the industry there. Germany can make more of an effort in this regard, she added.
In addition, Bernhard Mattes, president of the German Association of the Automotive Industry, Hesse's Minister-President Volker Bouffier and John Krafcik, CEO of the self-driving technology company Waymo also spoke at the event.
The IAA 2019 will be open to the general public from Sept. 14 and last until Sept. 22.
