1968-74, studies in Law, Economics and Political Sciences, universities of Tuebingen and Bonn; 1976-2007, directly elected member, German Parliament; 1983-93, Economic Policy Spokesman, CDU-CSU Parliamentary Group; Federal Minister for Research and Technology; 1993-98, Federal Minister of Transport; 2002-07, Chairman, Committee of European Affairs, German Parliament; since 1999, Senior International Counsel, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr; since 2007, President, Verband der Automobilindustrie VDA (German Association of the Automotive Industry).