Climate activists are calling for demonstrators to join anti-car protests during the car show, known as the IAA, which is due to take place from September 12-22.
Neumann-Cosel accused car makers of failing to help reduce emissions because they are still pushing gas-guzzling SUVs that are more profitable than smaller cars."Do we really want to go to a quarter of people and say you have to give up your car?" Mattes asked when environmentalists suggested that more radical policies were needed.
"The car industry has always fought against tougher policies. We would be happy if that changed but actions are more important than words."