[Car Talk Forest] Did You Used to Make Toy Cars Go 'Vroom Vroom'?…These Days, Cars Don't Make Noise

2021 Seoul Mobility Show Closing, Internal Combustion Engine Cars Moved to the Back of the Exhibition
Intense Competition Among Future Mobility Including Electric, Hydrogen, and Autonomous Vehicles

On the press day of '2021 Seoul Mobility Show,' the largest domestic automobile exhibition held at KINTEX in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi Province on the 25th of last month, participants are examining Hyundai Motor's Ioniq 5 autonomous vehicle.
Photo by Kim Hyun-min, Goyang kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] The '2021 Seoul Mobility Show,' the largest automobile exhibition in Korea, concluded on the 5th after a 10-day schedule.

Starting as the Seoul Motor Show in 1995, the event changed its name to Seoul Mobility Show this year to reflect the rapidly changing trends in the automotive industry. This signifies a shift from a motor show focused on internal combustion engine vehicles to a comprehensive mobility show encompassing electric vehicles, hydrogen vehicles, autonomous vehicles, urban air mobility (UAM), robots, semiconductors, and more.

In fact, the exhibition on site was significantly different from traditional motor shows. Most notably, the transformation of automakers was striking. The gasoline and diesel cars we currently drive were moved to the back of the exhibition, while electrified vehicles such as electric and hydrogen cars filled the front. The joy of seeing the new electric vehicles dominating the show was immense.

Although there are still concerns about insufficient infrastructure, trend-sensitive drivers are rapidly switching their vehicles to electric cars. Representative electric vehicles ambitiously launched by Hyundai Motor Group, such as the Ioniq 5, EV6, and GV60, reportedly have orders so backed up that even if you place an order now, you might not receive the vehicle until next year.

Famous automakers like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, and Porsche also showcased a large number of their latest electric vehicles, each priced over 100 million KRW, at this exhibition. Despite the high prices, orders are reportedly pouring in for these models as well.

On the 25th of last month, participants are touring the Mercedes-Benz exhibition hall at the country's largest auto show, the '2021 Seoul Mobility Show,' held at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, during the press day. / Goyang - Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Beyond electric vehicles, hydrogen cars are also expected to be spotlighted in the future. Hydrogen vehicles are anticipated to become popular more quickly in commercial vehicles than in passenger cars. Due to the nature of hydrogen vehicles requiring hydrogen tanks, commercial vehicles have higher utility than passenger cars. Hyundai displayed the future-oriented large truck, the Xcient hydrogen fuel cell truck, at the Seoul Mobility Show.

Autonomous vehicles are also a form of future cars. The day when we will see autonomous vehicles driving on roads without drivers is not far off. Seoul City plans to build infrastructure by 2026 to allow autonomous vehicles to operate on all roads with two or more lanes within the city.

The future of the automotive industry witnessed at this exhibition was clear. The engine-centered internal combustion engine vehicles that we have diligently driven for the past 100 years are likely to be seen only in museums by the next generation. Children born in the future may never hear the engine sound of 'vroom vroom' when starting a car again.

This is because future mobility such as electric vehicles, hydrogen vehicles, autonomous vehicles, robotaxis, and flying cars will undoubtedly take responsibility for our transportation. Automakers are working hard every day to develop next-generation mobility solutions to not miss out on this future mobility market.