A former state secretary with the German health ministry succeeds a former state secretary for the chancellor – albeit not politically but in a lobby group. Hildegard Müller, who became a member of the German parliament in 2002 and worked closely with Chancellor Angela Merkel between 2005 and 2008, stepped down from her post as chair of the German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW) at the end of January this year.
Seldom before was it evident just how big the gap between theory and practice can get than it was at the 66th International Motor Show (IAA). Indeed, in the run up to the IAA 2015, the show organizers, the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) had said clearly and repeatedly that electric mobility would be a key topic again at this year’s event. In reality, things were very different, however: neither fuel cells nor battery powered vehicles proved to be a major topic at any of the auto manufacturers. Of those present, only Toyota made a clear focus on hybrid vehicles, presenting the new Mirai