Today, a modern vehicle is hardly ever created by a single company. The complexity of new vehicle platforms, software architectures and assistance systems requires manufacturers, suppliers, engineering service providers and software partners to work together from the earliest development phases. Competition has long since ceased to be between individual companies; it now takes place between development networks.
The International Suppliers Fair (IZB) 2024 in Wolfsburg reflected precisely this shift. Under the overarching theme “Empowering Partnerships”, Volkswagen placed collaboration between manufacturers and the supplier industry centre stage. For the first time, alongside Group Procurement, Volkswagen Group Technical Development also assumed patronage. This made one thing clear: the success of future vehicle generations no longer depends solely on the performance of individual companies, but on the quality of their collaboration.
New Roles in Vehicle Development
This development is also transforming the automotive supplier industry. Alongside traditional component manufacturers, engineering service providers, software companies and specialists in integration, testing and validation are now among the key partners in vehicle development. They do not supply physical components, but development services, technology expertise and know-how.
Manufacturers are increasingly transferring responsibility for complete functional scopes, systems or subprojects to their development partners. What is needed are companies that not only supply components but assume development responsibility – from the initial idea through validation.
Collaboration Starts Before the Fair
IZB 2026 demonstrates how consistently Volkswagen is taking this approach forward. With the current Call for Proposals for the Volkswagen Group Hubs, the Volkswagen Group is inviting companies to submit their innovations before the fair. Together with experts from Technical Development and Procurement, selected technologies are discussed and further developed. Collaboration therefore begins not on the exhibition grounds, but months in advance.
IZB as a Platform for Development Networks
The International Suppliers Fair in Wolfsburg is now far more than a product showcase for the supplier industry. It brings together manufacturers, suppliers, engineering service providers, software companies and technology partners to jointly develop the mobility of tomorrow.
This is where the networks that will develop the next generation of vehicles take shape. Anyone who wants to help develop tomorrow’s mobility needs the right partners – and can find them at IZB.
Road to IZB 2026
With its editorial series “Road to IZB 2026” on OEM&Lieferant, Wolfsburg AG, the organiser of IZB, tracks the key developments in the international automotive and supplier industry in the run-up to the next International Suppliers Fair in Wolfsburg.
At IZB from 27 to 29 October 2026, these topics will not only be discussed but taken forward in collaboration with leading players from across the international automotive industry. Once again, Wolfsburg will become a meeting point for manufacturers, suppliers, technology companies, start-ups and research institutions – and a place where new ideas, partnerships and solutions for tomorrow’s mobility take shape.
The focus is on future technologies, market trends, and the people, companies and innovations shaping the industry’s transformation.
For more information about IZB 2026 and opportunities to participate, visit: www.izb-online.com
Text/Foto: Wolfsburg AG / IZB
