Automotive Engineering Events in Austria

Graz Systems & Vision Forum: Beyond Mobility and Into Intelligent Systems

The Graz Systems & Vision Forum (GSVF) is entering a new chapter by expanding its traditional mobility focus into a much broader discussion about intelligent, interconnected, and resilient technologies. Starting in 2026, the event evolves from the Graz Smart Vehicle Forum into the Graz Systems & Vision Forum under the theme “Beyond Mobility.” The updated format extends established expertise in smart vehicles, system integration, and virtual validation toward fields including defense, health technology, and AI-driven ecosystems. 

This change reflects an important development in modern engineering. Technologies originally created for vehicles increasingly have applications far beyond transportation. Software, artificial intelligence, data-driven systems, digital models, and advanced validation methods can support many types of complex infrastructure. The new GSVF format creates a space to examine these connections and ask how knowledge developed in one sector can contribute to progress in another.

The forum is particularly relevant because today's intelligent systems rarely operate in isolation. Vehicles, medical technologies, industrial platforms, communication networks, and security systems increasingly depend on combinations of hardware, software, sensors, data, and AI. Making these systems useful is only part of the challenge; they must also be reliable, secure, sustainable, and capable of operating in environments where failure can have serious consequences.

From smart vehicles to software-defined mobility

One of the key themes of the expanded forum is software-defined mobility. The concept represents a significant change in how transportation systems are developed and operated. Instead of treating a vehicle primarily as a fixed physical product, software-defined approaches emphasize software, data, connectivity, and continuous improvement. Vehicles and other complex mobility systems can increasingly be updated, adapted, and enhanced throughout their operational lives.

This transition creates new engineering requirements. Development teams need to manage increasingly complex software architectures while ensuring that systems continue to meet demanding standards for safety, security, performance, and reliability. Testing and validation become essential because changes made in one part of a highly interconnected system can have unexpected consequences elsewhere.

The GSVF's history provides a strong foundation for these discussions. Earlier editions focused on system integration and virtual vehicle validation, reflecting the industry's movement toward increasingly complex vehicle functions and development processes. Topics such as model-based systems engineering, engineering automation, cloud and edge architectures, machine learning, data analytics, and virtual validation were already part of the forum's technical scope. 

The new format builds on that foundation rather than abandoning it. Instead, it asks a broader question: where else can these capabilities be applied, and what can other industries learn from the experience of mobility engineering?

Cross-sector technology transfer becomes a central theme

The move “Beyond Mobility” recognizes that many technological challenges are shared across sectors. A system designed to manage complex interactions in transportation may offer useful concepts for medical technology or defense applications. Similarly, methods developed for secure and reliable software systems can potentially contribute to other mission-critical environments.

The forum therefore encourages participants to consider both the opportunities and the limits of technology transfer. Moving a solution from one sector to another is rarely a matter of copying it directly. Different industries have different regulations, safety requirements, operating conditions, ethical considerations, and expectations. Successful transfer requires adaptation and a careful understanding of the environment in which a technology will be used.

Among the questions highlighted by the new forum format are how technologies and insights from mobility can be transferred effectively into health and defense, where genuine dual-use potential exists, and where clear boundaries may be necessary. These questions place technical innovation alongside responsibility and governance. 

Several principles are particularly important in this cross-sector approach:

Transfer knowledge, not assumptions: Technologies should be adapted to the requirements of their new application.
Consider safety from the beginning: Mission-critical systems need rigorous approaches to reliability, validation, and risk management.
Identify genuine dual-use opportunities: Civilian technologies may offer valuable capabilities in other sectors, but their potential consequences must also be assessed.
Protect security and trust: Connected intelligent systems need appropriate cybersecurity and data protection measures.
Build interdisciplinary partnerships: Progress often depends on cooperation between researchers, engineers, companies, and public institutions.

This broader perspective gives the forum a role beyond conventional mobility research. It becomes a meeting point for professionals interested in how intelligent systems can support society across multiple domains.

Defense and security in an era of intelligent technologies

Defense and security form one of the newly emphasized areas of the Graz Systems & Vision Forum. The increasing sophistication of artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, sensing technologies, communications, and data processing has created new possibilities for security applications. At the same time, these technologies introduce complex questions about reliability, cybersecurity, responsible use, and the boundaries between civilian and defense applications.

The forum provides an opportunity to examine these subjects from a technological and systems perspective. Civilian research can sometimes produce capabilities that have applications in defense, while technologies developed for demanding security environments may eventually find useful applications elsewhere. Understanding these relationships requires dialogue between specialists who may traditionally work in separate communities.

This is particularly relevant to Europe, where resilience and technological capability are increasingly viewed as interconnected priorities. A secure technological ecosystem requires not only advanced tools but also the ability to develop, validate, maintain, and protect them. Research institutions and industrial partners therefore have an important role in building capabilities that are both innovative and dependable.

Health-Tech brings intelligent systems into medicine

Health-Tech is another important part of the expanded GSVF. Medical technology is becoming increasingly dependent on sophisticated digital systems, artificial intelligence, advanced sensing, data analysis, and reliable software. These developments can support diagnosis, monitoring, medical devices, and other areas in which technology interacts directly with human health.

However, health applications also demonstrate why system reliability matters. A software error or incorrect interpretation of data can have consequences that are very different from those associated with an ordinary consumer application. Technologies used in medical environments therefore require careful validation, appropriate risk assessment, and a strong understanding of the conditions in which they operate.

The connection with mobility research is especially interesting here. Techniques for modeling complex systems, testing software virtually, analyzing data, and validating interconnected components can potentially provide useful foundations for medical applications. The challenge is to adapt these approaches to healthcare requirements while respecting clinical, regulatory, and ethical considerations.

AI-driven ecosystems for a resilient future

Artificial intelligence provides a thread connecting many of the forum's themes. AI is increasingly becoming part of complex systems rather than functioning as a standalone technology. It can influence how vehicles operate, how infrastructure is managed, how medical information is analyzed, and how security systems respond to changing conditions.

The GSVF places this development within the broader idea of AI-driven ecosystems. The objective is not simply to create systems that are intelligent, but to develop ecosystems that are sustainable, secure, and capable of responding to future challenges. That requires attention to the relationships between technology, people, infrastructure, data, energy use, and environmental impact.

An intelligent system that performs well but cannot be trusted, secured, maintained, or operated sustainably is unlikely to provide lasting value. The future therefore depends on balancing several objectives at once. The forum's “Beyond Mobility” approach encourages participants to explore precisely these connections.

Looking beyond mobility toward intelligent, secure systems

The Graz Systems & Vision Forum's transformation is ultimately about recognizing that mobility is only one part of a much larger technological landscape. The engineering challenges first encountered in increasingly complex vehicles software integration, virtual validation, data management, AI, system reliability, and cybersecurity are now relevant to many other fields.

By expanding into defense and security, health technology, and AI-driven ecosystems, the forum creates a broader platform for examining these shared challenges. Its “Beyond Mobility” theme encourages participants to consider not only what technologies can do, but also where they should be applied, how they should be validated, and what conditions are necessary for them to remain trustworthy.

The event is therefore well positioned to become a meeting place for professionals working at the intersection of software, artificial intelligence, systems engineering, and mission-critical applications. Its new direction reflects a world in which technological boundaries are becoming less rigid and interdisciplinary cooperation is increasingly necessary.

The future of intelligent systems will not be defined by one industry alone. Advances in mobility can influence healthcare and defense, while developments in those fields can contribute ideas to transportation and other civilian applications. The important task is to create responsible pathways for this exchange.

That is the opportunity presented by the Graz Systems & Vision Forum. By moving “Beyond Mobility,” the event opens the door to a wider conversation about how software-defined technologies, artificial intelligence, advanced systems engineering, and cross-sector innovation can contribute to a future that is smarter, more sustainable, and more secure.

Classic Expo Salzburg: Where Vintage Cars Tell Their Stories

The Classic Expo Salzburg has become a landmark event for anyone passionate about historic automobiles. Since its founding in 2005, it has grown into an annual gathering that celebrates the elegance, craftsmanship, and lasting appeal of vintage vehicles. Held every October at the Salzburg Exhibition Center, the fair brings together collectors, restorers, dealers, and enthusiasts who share a deep appreciation for automotive history.

From the first steps inside the exhibition halls, attendees quickly sense that this is more than a trade show. Every vehicle tells a story, every detail matters, and conversations often lead to new discoveries. It is a place where nostalgia meets expertise, and where the past is preserved with care and passion.

A Diverse Showcase of Classic Cars and Specialized Services

One of the hallmarks of the Expo is the variety of exhibits. Visitors can explore a full spectrum of vintage automobiles, from meticulously restored classic cars to rare accessories and specialized services. Exhibitors include dealers, restoration experts, and suppliers offering niche products such as historical travel luggage and authentic spare parts. This ensures that both seasoned collectors and newcomers find inspiration and value.

The fair also balances tradition and innovation. While some exhibitors highlight time-tested restoration techniques, others showcase modern tools and technologies that enhance maintenance and longevity. This combination creates a dynamic environment where heritage and progress coexist naturally.

Highlights and Experiences That Bring History to Life

The Classic Expo offers more than static displays; it provides an immersive experience with a carefully curated supporting program. Key attractions include:

• Special exhibitions on unique historical themes
• Showcases of rare and iconic vintage car models
• Interactive discussions with restoration experts
• Demonstrations of preservation and maintenance techniques
• Networking opportunities with collectors and enthusiasts

These elements transform the event into a living archive of automotive history, encouraging engagement and knowledge sharing among participants.

Knowledge Exchange and Restoration Expertise

The Expo serves as an important platform for sharing expertise. Visitors gain insights into the art and science of vintage car care, including:

• Authentic restoration methods that preserve historical accuracy
• Modern tools and materials for improved durability
• Best practices for long-term maintenance and storage
• Trends in the vintage car market and collector preferences

Such interactions often lead to lasting professional and personal connections, fostering a community united by a passion for classic vehicles.

A Venue Designed for Inspiration and Connection

The Salzburg Exhibition Center provides a modern and accessible setting ideal for an event of this scale. Its spacious halls allow for well-organized displays, ensuring each vehicle receives proper attention. Technical facilities support interactive demonstrations, and the overall atmosphere encourages attendees to explore at their own pace.

Its convenient location makes it easy for both international exhibitors and local visitors to attend, enhancing the Expo’s appeal as a global gathering.

Conclusion: A Celebration of Automotive Heritage

Classic Expo Salzburg is more than an exhibition it is a celebration of history, craftsmanship, and passion. By uniting a diverse community of enthusiasts and experts, it preserves the legacy of vintage automobiles while embracing innovations that keep them running.

Whether you are a dedicated collector, a restoration professional, or simply an admirer of classic cars, the Expo offers an unforgettable experience where the past is actively experienced and shared with future generations.

A&W-Tag: Where Austria’s Automotive Industry Meets to Shape the Future

The A&W-Tag is an established meeting point for Austria’s automotive industry, combining expert presentations, open discussions, business networking, and direct contact with important companies and partners. Held against the historic backdrop of Vienna’s Hofburg Palace, the event offers a distinctive setting for professionals who want to understand where the automotive market is heading and how businesses can respond to a rapidly changing environment.

For several years, the Hofburg has provided the setting for this industry gathering, creating an interesting contrast between historic surroundings and a sector undergoing constant technological and commercial transformation. Dealerships, manufacturers, suppliers, industry representatives, and other professionals come together to exchange ideas and examine the challenges shaping the automotive business.

The agenda reflects the practical concerns of today's market. Among the key subjects are the changing requirements of car dealerships when introducing new vehicle brands, the importance of building lasting customer loyalty, and ways to protect profitability while market conditions continue to evolve. These questions are closely connected. Introducing a new brand can create opportunities for growth, but it can also require investment in personnel, facilities, marketing, training, and customer relationships. At the same time, maintaining loyal customers is becoming increasingly important as competition grows and purchasing behavior changes.

New brands are changing the dealership landscape

The automotive retail environment is becoming more diverse. New brands are entering established markets, manufacturers are adopting different sales models, and customers have access to more information than ever before. For dealerships, this creates opportunities to expand their portfolios but also raises questions about how a new brand should be introduced successfully.

Adding a new marque is not simply a matter of displaying another range of vehicles. Dealers may need to adapt their facilities, train employees, understand new product technologies, develop marketing strategies, and communicate a brand's identity to local customers. The experience must also remain consistent with the expectations of the manufacturer while fitting the realities of the individual dealership.

These changes can be especially significant as electric vehicles, digital services, connected technologies, and new approaches to vehicle distribution reshape the traditional automotive business. Customers may expect a more digital purchasing process, faster access to information, and greater transparency about pricing and vehicle specifications.

At A&W-Tag, these developments can be considered from the perspective of professionals who deal with them in practice. Discussions around new brands can help participants understand what dealerships need to prepare for and which aspects of the customer experience should receive particular attention.

Several areas can influence the successful introduction of a new automotive brand:

Brand positioning: Dealers need to understand what distinguishes a new marque and how it should be presented to customers.
Employee expertise: Sales and service teams require appropriate product knowledge and training.
Infrastructure: Showrooms, workshops, charging facilities, and digital systems may need to be adapted.
Customer experience: The new brand should provide a coherent experience before, during, and after the purchase.
Marketing: Local communication needs to create awareness while remaining consistent with the manufacturer's strategy.
Financial planning: New investments must be balanced against realistic sales and service opportunities.

The ability to address these areas effectively can determine whether a new brand becomes a successful addition to a dealership or creates unnecessary complexity.

Customer loyalty remains a decisive advantage

While new brands and products attract attention, customer loyalty remains one of the most valuable assets for automotive businesses. A customer who returns for servicing, purchases another vehicle, recommends a dealership to others, or continues to use additional services can contribute significantly to long-term profitability.

Building loyalty, however, has become more challenging. Customers can compare prices, specifications, reviews, and alternatives online before they ever visit a dealership. Their relationship with a retailer is therefore influenced by far more than the vehicle itself.

The quality of communication, transparency of the purchasing process, service experience, and ability to respond to individual needs can all affect whether customers remain loyal. Dealerships need to understand that the relationship continues after the vehicle is delivered. Maintenance, repairs, digital communication, accessories, financing, and future vehicle purchases all form part of the wider customer journey.

This makes customer retention a strategic issue rather than simply a sales objective. In a competitive market, maintaining an existing relationship can be just as important as finding a new buyer.

From a one-time purchase to a long-term relationship

The traditional image of automotive retail centers on the moment when a customer purchases a vehicle. Modern dealership strategies increasingly need to look beyond that transaction. A vehicle may remain with a customer for several years, creating numerous opportunities for interaction.

Service departments, digital platforms, customer events, personalized communication, and maintenance programmes can all contribute to a stronger relationship. The challenge is to make these interactions useful rather than intrusive. Customers are more likely to remain loyal when they feel that a dealership understands their needs and provides genuine value.

The A&W-Tag discussions around loyalty are therefore particularly relevant to the current market. As vehicle technology and purchasing processes change, the human relationship between customer and dealership remains an important differentiator.

Maintaining profitability in a changing automotive market

Profitability is another central concern for automotive businesses. Dealers operate in an environment affected by vehicle prices, financing conditions, energy costs, labor expenses, changing technologies, inventory requirements, and fluctuations in consumer demand. At the same time, businesses must continue investing in facilities, digital tools, employee training, and customer experience.

The challenge is finding a sustainable balance. Cutting costs too aggressively can affect service quality and customer satisfaction, while excessive investment can place pressure on margins. Successful dealerships need to understand where investment can create long-term value and where spending can be optimized.

The transition toward electric mobility illustrates this challenge. New drivetrains require different technical expertise and workshop capabilities, while charging infrastructure and software are becoming more important parts of the customer experience. Dealers must adapt without losing sight of the commercial fundamentals that keep the business healthy.

Profitability can therefore depend on several interconnected factors:

Maintaining a balanced and attractive vehicle portfolio.
Developing profitable after-sales and service operations.
Building strong customer retention and repeat business.
Managing inventory and operating costs carefully.
Investing selectively in technology and infrastructure.
Training employees to work effectively with new vehicle technologies.
Adapting business models as manufacturers and customers change.

These priorities demonstrate why strategic discussions are valuable for the automotive sector. Market conditions can change quickly, and businesses need to be able to adjust without losing their long-term direction.

Expert voices provide insight into industry developments

A&W-Tag also benefits from a programme featuring experienced voices from the automotive and business environment. Among the distinguished speakers are Wolfgang Wurm, Oliver Zeisberger, Klaus Zellmer, Hansjörg Mayr, and Burkhard Weller. Their participation brings different perspectives to discussions about the sector's current challenges and future direction.

Expert presentations can provide more than predictions about market trends. They can help participants understand how industry developments affect real business decisions. Questions concerning dealership strategy, customer relationships, brand development, profitability, and technological change can be considered through the experience of people who have worked with these issues directly.

The opportunity to hear different perspectives is especially valuable in a sector where there is rarely one simple answer. A manufacturer may view a market change differently from a dealership owner, while a communications expert or industry analyst may highlight factors that are less visible from an operational perspective. Bringing these viewpoints together can lead to more productive discussions.

The speakers also contribute to the event's networking value. Professional gatherings become more useful when presentations lead naturally into conversations among attendees, allowing ideas from the stage to be examined from different practical perspectives.

Exhibitors add a practical dimension

Alongside lectures and discussions, A&W-Tag gives attendees an opportunity to interact with numerous exhibitors and industry partners. This practical element complements the strategic content of the programme.

Exhibition areas allow professionals to discover products, services, technologies, and business solutions that can support automotive operations. For dealership representatives, direct conversations with suppliers can provide information about tools and services that may improve efficiency, customer communication, workshop processes, or sales operations.

Exhibitors also benefit from access to a concentrated audience of industry professionals. Instead of reaching potential partners through general advertising, companies can discuss their offerings directly with people who understand the specific challenges of automotive retail.

This combination of knowledge and practical solutions makes the event more than a traditional conference. Participants can listen to industry analysis, discuss strategic questions, and then explore technologies or services that may help address those challenges.

Networking at the Hofburg

One of the defining features of A&W-Tag is its setting at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna. The historic location provides an impressive environment for an event focused on the future of one of Europe's most rapidly changing industries.

Networking is a central part of the experience. Automotive professionals can reconnect with existing contacts, meet new business partners, exchange market information, and discuss common challenges. Some conversations may lead to immediate business opportunities, while others simply provide useful perspectives that influence future decisions.

Face-to-face interaction remains particularly valuable in an industry where relationships play an important role. A short conversation during an event can provide information that might otherwise require weeks of correspondence. It can also create a level of familiarity that makes future cooperation easier.

Preparing dealerships for the next phase of automotive retail

The automotive industry is undergoing a transformation that extends beyond the introduction of new vehicle technologies. Changes in customer expectations, distribution models, brand portfolios, digital sales channels, and economic conditions are redefining the role of dealerships.

The questions discussed at A&W-Tag reflect this broader transformation. How should a dealership respond when a new brand enters its market? How can customer loyalty be strengthened when consumers have more choice? Which investments will generate sustainable returns? How can businesses remain profitable while adapting to technological and structural change?

There are no universal answers, but professional exchange can help companies develop better strategies. The value of an event like A&W-Tag lies in bringing people together to compare experiences and examine these questions collectively.

For Austria's automotive sector, maintaining competitiveness will require a combination of adaptability and commercial discipline. Dealers need to be prepared for new technologies and brands while preserving the fundamentals that have always supported successful retail: trust, service quality, customer relationships, and sound financial management.

A&W-Tag provides a setting in which these themes can be discussed openly. Its combination of high-level speakers, exhibitors, industry partners, presentations, and networking makes it a significant meeting point for professionals who want to stay informed about the direction of automotive retail.

Ultimately, the future of the dealership will be shaped by its ability to adapt without losing sight of the customer. New brands may expand the range of opportunities, technology may transform the purchasing process, and market conditions may continue to fluctuate. Yet the businesses that can combine innovation with strong relationships and sustainable profitability will be best positioned to succeed.

Against the historic backdrop of Vienna's Hofburg, A&W-Tag brings the industry's current challenges and future possibilities into one conversation. It is an opportunity not only to hear about change but to discuss what that change means in practice and how Austria's automotive businesses can turn uncertainty into new opportunities.