Europe's Largest Motor Show Opens... Numerous Next-Generation Electric Vehicles Debut [IAA 2025]

Held in Munich from September 9 to 14: Unprecedented Lineup
Cutting-Edge Competition in Electrification and Battery Technologies
Hyundai Motor Unveils 'Concept Three' for the First Time

'IAA Mobility 2025', considered the largest motor show in Europe, will kick off on September 8 (local time) in Munich, Germany. German automakers, including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Volkswagen Group, will unveil new vehicles and technologies.

Hyundai Motor will also participate for the first time in four years, unveiling the first small concept car under its Ioniq brand. Numerous Chinese companies, which have been making significant inroads into the European electric vehicle market, will also participate. The event will feature fierce competition in core future car technologies, including electrification, batteries, autonomous driving, and software-defined vehicles (SDVs).

EPA Yonhap News

According to industry sources on September 7, more than 1,000 companies from 45 countries around the world will participate in this year's IAA Mobility. This is an increase from the 750 companies that participated in the 2023 IAA. A wide range of companies will be present, including not only automakers but also firms in electronics, batteries, IT, and artificial intelligence (AI).

At this IAA, Hyundai Motor will unveil its small EV concept car, 'Concept THREE', accelerating its strategy to capture the European electric vehicle market. This concept car is a B-segment crossover utility vehicle (CUV), positioned in the same class as the EV3, which has become a best-selling electric vehicle in Europe. Positioned between the entry-level model Inster and the midsize SUV electric vehicle Ioniq 5, it is expected to become a key model driving Hyundai Motor's EV sales in Europe.

Kia and Genesis are also preparing their own exhibition booths and special displays. Hyundai Mobis, Hyundai Motor Group’s parts affiliate, will set up a separate booth as well.

Hyundai Motor and Kia aim to achieve electric vehicle sales of 200,000 units in Europe for the first time this year, led by affordable electric vehicles. As of July this year, cumulative EV sales have already reached 106,000 units. This represents a 46% increase compared to the same period last year, marking the fastest achievement of 100,000 EV sales in their history.

Hyundai Motor's Small EV Concept Car 'Concept Three' Teaser. Hyundai Motor

Mercedes-Benz will unveil for the first time its new model, 'The All-New GLC with EQ Technology', which will lead the next generation of electrification. 'The All-New GLC' is the first model in Mercedes-Benz’s electrified series, which redefines the brand’s design identity.

Additionally, Mercedes-Benz has revealed the 'CLA Shooting Brake' equipped with a new hybrid powertrain, the concept car 'Concept AMG GT XX' that presents the future direction of Mercedes-AMG’s high-performance electrified platform 'AMG.EA', and the camouflaged prototype of the large limousine 'The All-New Electric VLE', scheduled for release next year.

The BMW Group will present the world premiere of its first mass-produced pure electric model based on the next-generation electrification platform 'Neue Klasse', the 'BMW New iX3'. The New iX3 incorporates all of BMW’s latest technologies, including electrification, display and controls, digitalization, connectivity, and design, and is set to begin production later this year. At this event, BMW will unveil its newly applied bidirectional charging technology for the New iX3, which enables vehicle battery power to be supplied to homes (V2H) or the power grid (V2G).

Volkswagen is introducing a new electric vehicle naming strategy that inherits the heritage of its best-selling internal combustion engine models. The strategy involves sharing the names of existing models with the ID. family of electric vehicles, with the 'ID. Polo', previously known as the 'ID.2all' concept, being the first to adopt this approach. The ID. Polo will be unveiled as a prototype for the first time at this event.

Chinese automakers are also targeting the European market by unveiling new electric vehicles. BYD will showcase the Seal 6 DM-i Touring, a plug-in hybrid station wagon. While BYD is pursuing an aggressive sales strategy in Europe, its participation in this exhibition will be on a smaller scale. Changan Automobile, Ford's Chinese joint venture, will unveil a new vehicle and plans to enter markets in 10 European countries. Omoda and Jaecoo, subsidiaries of Chery Automobile, will also set up booths at the motor show. They plan to introduce a total of five electric SUVs, all of which are compact urban SUVs tailored to the characteristics of the European market.