VDIK

The Association of International Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (VDIK) represents international passenger car and commercial vehicle manufacturers in Germany. Founded in 1952, we bring together more than 50 brands from 14 countries, connecting global automotive expertise with the German market.

Our members offer vehicles across market segments, price categories and powertrain technologies. Their German distribution organisations and approximately 12,000 dealer and service locations employ more than 100,000 people. International manufacturers also invest in development, logistics and training facilities and are important customers of German automotive suppliers.

From Berlin, we represent our members’ shared interests towards policymakers, public institutions and the media. We combine this advocacy with market intelligence, specialist support and professional exchange, helping members navigate the changes shaping their business in Germany.

VDIK combines leadership from member companies with a professional executive team and specialist working groups.

President Imelda Labbé, Vice-President Jens Schulz and the other Board members guide the association’s activities and determine its positions. The General Assembly enables member companies to participate in VDIK’s governance and elect its leadership.

Managing Director Alexander Jess heads the Berlin team, whose expertise covers economics and statistics, technology and aftersales, mobility, environment and energy, policy and communications, public affairs, and finance and human resources.

Specialist working groups connect this expertise with members’ operational experience. They provide a forum for discussing industry developments and contributing to the association’s work.

FENATRAN (Transport Motor Show), Latest was on 2014

Working together for affordable and sustainable mobility in Germany.

VDIK is committed to making mobility affordable, sustainable and increasingly digital. We aim to take a pioneering role in shaping this future, drawing on our members’ international experience and capacity for innovation.

The transformation must deliver practical benefits for people and businesses. We support progress towards climate neutrality, with electric mobility playing a central role, while remaining open to all technologies that can contribute. Solutions must reflect the different needs of customers, vehicle segments and transport applications.

We give equal consideration to the needs of our members, society and the environment. Through dialogue with policymakers and industry partners, we work towards reliable conditions that combine economic viability, accessible mobility and environmental progress.

Our international membership shapes our culture. We value different perspectives, encourage active participation and build our positions through respectful dialogue and professional expertise.

Cooperation extends beyond our membership. We work closely with the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) in particular, and with the German Federation for Motor Trades and Repairs (ZDK). By bringing together the perspectives of manufacturers, dealers and service businesses, we advance common positions wherever our interests align.

Integrity and fair competition underpin our work. VDIK is committed to strict compliance with all applicable competition and antitrust rules. Association activities must respect each member’s commercial independence and must never facilitate anti-competitive coordination or the unlawful exchange of competitively sensitive information. Our competition compliance guidelines provide the framework for responsible cooperation.

We approach change with technological openness and a practical mindset. Reliable information, clear arguments and a willingness to understand different needs guide our dialogue with members, policymakers and the public.

Membership gives international vehicle manufacturers a collective voice, access to specialist knowledge and a professional network in Germany. It offers practical support for today’s business and opportunities to shape the conditions for tomorrow.

Strengthen your voice in policymaking

VDIK monitors political developments, contributes to consultations and represents members’ shared interests towards public institutions. Members can help shape our priorities and bring their operational experience into the policy debate. Close cooperation with the VDA in particular, and with the ZDK, strengthens advocacy on shared industry priorities while preserving VDIK’s distinct voice for international manufacturers.

Make informed business decisions

Our market intelligence, economic analyses and forecasts help members understand demand and assess developments in the German automotive market. By combining data with specialist interpretation, we provide a sound basis for business planning and preparation for changing market conditions.

Access specialist support

VDIK helps members understand developments in vehicle approval, technical requirements, environmental regulation and aftersales. Our experts provide a practical point of contact for questions about the German market, helping companies identify relevant requirements and assess their business implications.

Exchange expertise and build connections

Working groups and professional events bring together specialists from member companies. Members can deepen their understanding of emerging issues, contribute experience and build professional relationships within a framework that respects competition rules and commercial independence.

Support greater recognition of international manufacturers

Through media relations and stakeholder engagement, VDIK highlights international manufacturers’ contribution to Germany’s economy, customer choice and innovation. This collective communication helps ensure that their role and concerns are understood in public debate.

Help shape the automotive transformation

Members contribute directly to VDIK’s work on affordable, sustainable and digital mobility. Their practical knowledge informs our proposals and helps connect policy ambitions with the needs of businesses and customers.

Extraordinary and Supporting Membership

Alongside regular membership, VDIK offers extraordinary membership and supporting membership, providing additional ways to contribute to the association’s work.

Extraordinary membership enables organisations such as international manufacturers’ European research, development and technical operations to contribute their expertise and engage on technical and regulatory matters relevant to their activities.

Supporting membership connects companies and organisations from the wider automotive sector with VDIK’s network. It offers opportunities to participate in professional exchanges and events, present their activities and support the association’s work for the automotive industry.

Contact office@vdik.de to discuss the appropriate membership category, eligibility and available benefits for your organisation.