Munich motor show 2025 preview: Under German Host, China's Battle for New Energy and Intelligence in Automobiles

The 2025 Munich Motor Show (IAA MOBILITY 2025) will be held from September 9 to 14 at the Munich Exhibition Center in Germany. The theme of this year's motor show is "IT'S ALL ABOUT MOBILITY," focusing on three core areas: mobility, sustainability, and technological innovation.

As Europe's most influential automotive event, this year's Munich Motor Show will bring together more than 750 leading global exhibitors to showcase mobility solutions ranging from pure electric vehicles to hydrogen fuel cell technology, from intelligent driving to the application of sustainable materials.

At the same time, Chinese manufacturers will also showcase their best skills on the international stage, "battling" for supremacy in new energy and intelligent technology in Munich. This exhibition is not only a significant test for the internationalization of new energy and smart automotive technologies, but also a weather vane for global automotive technology trends.

Here are the key highlights of this year's Munich Auto Show that we have compiled:

1. "Host" brand's new car lineup

Mercedes-Benz all-new GLC EV

Mercedes-Benz will debut the brand-new GLC EV model, which is the first mass-produced model built on Mercedes-Benz's new MB.EA all-electric platform. Its front face features a closed grille design, and the large area of perforated luminous structure creates an electric characteristic. The new car's wheelbase is 80mm longer than the fuel version of the GLC, significantly enhancing rear passenger space and trunk volume, and it also offers an additional 128L of front trunk storage space.

Image Source: Official Mercedes-Benz

In terms of technology, the Mercedes-Benz GLC EV supports an 800V high-voltage architecture, allowing it to gain about 260 kilometers of range with a 10-minute charge, and it has a total range of over 650 kilometers. The vehicle comes standard with air suspension and offers an optional 4.5° rear-wheel steering system. A more powerful AMG version will be launched in the future.

All-new BMW iX3

BMW will globally debut the all-new iX3 at this year's auto show. As the first mass-produced model of BMW's new generation electric architecture (Neue Klasse), it marks an important milestone in the brand's electrification strategy. The new car measures 4780/1895/1635 mm in length, width, and height, with a wheelbase of 2895 mm, which is 31 mm longer than the current model, offering a more spacious interior.

Image source: BMW official.

The all-new iX3 is equipped with the sixth-generation BMW eDrive electric drive technology and an 800-volt high-voltage platform, allowing for a range increase of 300 kilometers with just a 10-minute charge. It offers three battery capacity options: 75 kWh, 90 kWh, and 105 kWh. The interior features a panoramic iDrive cockpit, including a horizon panoramic display, a 3D head-up display system, and a central control screen. For the Chinese market, the voice interaction functions will be optimized to support generative AI large language models.

Audi's new all-electric concept car

Audi will release a new all-electric concept car internally codenamed "TT Moment 2.0." This new all-electric sports car, positioned between the TT and R8, is not a continuation of the Audi TT, but it will influence the design of the next generation of the all-electric Audi TT production car.

Image source: Audi official

The new car is based on the PPE electric platform jointly developed by Porsche and Audi, featuring an 800V electrical architecture. It is expected to offer two power versions: a single-motor rear-wheel drive and a dual-motor all-wheel drive.

Volkswagen's all-new T-ROC Tange

Volkswagen will unveil the all-new T-ROC model at the Munich Motor Show. The new car features the Volkswagen family design, equipped with a continuous LED light strip and an illuminated logo. The light cluster design is similar to the ID electric series, and the rear also adopts a continuous taillight integrated with an illuminated logo.

Image source: Volkswagen official

The new car's wheelbase is 28mm longer than the old model, reaching 2631mm, and the future domestically produced version may be further extended. In terms of interior, it offers a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, a floating full LCD instrument panel, a floating central control screen, and an electronic gear shifter, equipped with the latest infotainment system.

In terms of intelligence, the Park Assist Pro parking system is introduced, supporting memory parking up to a distance of 50 meters and remote parking functions via mobile phone. It is built on the MQB Evo platform, and the European market will offer a 1.5T engine paired with a 48V mild hybrid system.

Porsche all-electric Cayenne

The all-electric Porsche Cayenne will officially debut at this year's auto show. The new car is built on an 800V high-end electric platform and aims for a WLTP range of 700 kilometers.

The image comes from spy photos of the all-electric Cayenne.

In terms of technology, the new car comes standard with a four-wheel-drive system across all models and offers three power versions. The Turbo version boasts a maximum power of over 1000 horsepower, achieving 0-100 km/h acceleration in under 3 seconds. The chassis is equipped with an intelligent air suspension and the Porsche Active Ride active suspension system, which automatically adjusts the vehicle's height according to speed and performs 13 adaptive adjustments per second to ensure driving stability. Porsche stated that the all-electric version will be sold alongside the fuel version, with deliveries of the new car expected in 2026.

Skoda Vision O Concept Car

The Škoda Vision O concept car is positioned as a pure electric station wagon, built on the Volkswagen Group's SSP electric platform and adopting a new design language called "Modern Solid." From the currently revealed body contour lines, it can be seen that it continues the style of the Octavia Combi and the Superb Combi, while incorporating characteristics of the electric era.

Image Source: Škoda Official

In addition, the vehicle's interior extensively uses environmentally friendly materials such as woven fabrics made from recycled polyester fibers, 3D-printed headrests, and plant-based microfiber. It is reported that the production version of Vision O is expected to debut in overseas markets in 2029.

2. The Breakthrough of the Chinese Auto "Legion"

The lineup of Chinese host manufacturers at the 2025 Munich Auto Show presents a clear strategic gradient layout. Nearly a hundred Chinese companies form a "group army" that will comprehensively cover core areas such as vehicle manufacturing, electric drive systems, and intelligent software and hardware. From BYD's hybrid touring cars to CATL's super factories, from XPeng's intelligent driving to Hesai's LiDAR, the Chinese automotive industry is staging a "breakthrough battle" on the central stage of the global automotive industry transformation.

BYD Seal 06DM-i Touring Edition

BYD, as a pioneer, will debut the Seal 06DM-i Touring version at this year's Munich Motor Show, marking its European premiere. This plug-in hybrid model, with a starting price of approximately 250,000 euros, caters to the European market's preference for station wagons.

Image source: BYD official

The CLTC pure electric range of 150 kilometers meets the needs of short-distance commuting in Europe, while the 1.5-liter plug-in hybrid system provides flexibility for long-distance travel energy supply. It is reported that the new car is equipped with the "Eye of the God" C driving assistance system, which has been certified by EU regulations. The system features a combination of 12 cameras and 5 millimeter-wave radars, along with algorithm models optimized specifically for Europe's complex road conditions.

Leapmotor Lafa5

Leapmotor is coming with a clear benchmark target, as its upcoming electric hatchback Lafa5 directly targets the Volkswagen ID.3. Although the official specifications have not been released, it is predicted to offer a central control screen of larger size and more comprehensive car networking features at a price 15%-20% lower than its competitors.

Image Source: Leapmotor Official

The Leapmotor Lafa5 was previously internally codenamed B05, and it is positioned as a compact hatchback, targeting the European small car market. At this year's Munich Auto Show, Leapmotor set up a large outdoor exhibition area, hinting at its ambition for the European market, aiming to establish brand awareness through large-scale test drive experiences.

All-new XPeng P7

The all-new XPeng P7, as a strategic model of the XPeng brand, will make its European debut at the Munich Motor Show. The car adopts a minimalist curved design language, integrating the headlights and sensors into the body surface, with the drag coefficient optimized to 0.198Cd.

Image source: XPENG official

At this year's Munich Motor Show, XPeng Motors will showcase five models, including the all-new XPeng P7, the 2025 XPeng G6, the 2025 XPeng G9, the XPeng X9, and the XPeng P7+. Additionally, humanoid robots, flying cars, land carrier models, and the SEPA architecture will also be unveiled. The company will introduce localized supporting products for the European market—European version home chargers, further advancing its globalization strategy.

Hongqi EHS-5 Mass Production Version

Hongqi Auto recently announced that its brand new all-electric SUV, the Hongqi EHS5 (domestic version: Hongqi Tiangong 06), will make its European debut at the 2025 Munich Motor Show, which opens on September 8. It is planned to officially launch in the Danish market in the fourth quarter, with an expected starting price of 349,999 Danish Krone (approximately 393,800 RMB).

Image source: Hongqi Official

As an important part of the Hongqi brand's deepened European strategy, this model continues the brand's latest "Tiangong" pure electric platform technology, forming a global product matrix with the Tiangong 06 sold in China. The Hongqi EHS5 targets the European mid-sized pure electric SUV market, with a design that continues the Hongqi family style, bringing "Chinese-style luxury" to the European market.

smart Elf #5 BRABUS Edition

The smart #5 BRABUS edition is built on the standard model, with BRABUS exclusive sports kit enhancing its visual impact. The red accents on the front lip and side skirts, along with the 21-inch wheels featuring red calipers, together create a performance-oriented atmosphere.

In terms of intelligence, the vehicle is equipped with a 25.6-inch AR-HUD, a 13-inch OLED dual screen, and an AMD V2000 chip. The powertrain is its core highlight, featuring front and rear dual motors with a combined torque of up to 710 Nm, allowing for a 0-100 km/h acceleration in just 3.8 seconds. Under the support of an 800V high-voltage platform, it achieves a CLTC range of 660 kilometers.

Furthermore, the breakthrough in the luxury market is jointly accomplished by Polestar and Avatr. Polestar, a brand under the Geely Group, will release the high-performance electric luxury touring car Polestar 5, which features bonded aluminum chassis technology that reduces weight by 30% compared to traditional welding techniques. The range is expected to exceed 700 kilometers. Meanwhile, Avatr, a brand jointly created by Changan and Huawei, has not announced specific models for the exhibition, but the setup of an outdoor exhibition area suggests that it will showcase the latest intelligent cockpit system. The integration of Huawei's HarmonyOS ecosystem with localized European applications is highly anticipated.

3. Chinese car companies coordinate the entire industrial chain to go abroad.

The current Munich Auto Show showcased several technological breakthroughs in the automotive industry's electrification field. Currently, the 800V high-voltage platform has become the mainstream configuration in the Chinese market, and German manufacturers are quickly following suit.

Several models, including the all-new BMW iX3, Mercedes GLC EV, Audi AI:RACE, and the all-electric Porsche Cayenne, have adopted the 800V architecture, significantly reducing charging time, and generally completing the main charging process within 10-15 minutes.

At the same time, solid-state battery technology has made substantive progress. The Audi AI:RACE concept car uses innovative lightweight solid-state batteries, achieving a lower vehicle weight and a longer driving range.

In the numerous new energy intelligent vehicle technologies, the presence of Chinese companies is ubiquitous, showing a rhythm of coordinated overseas expansion across the entire industry chain.

Chinese manufacturers in the chip sector also have a prestigious lineup at the exhibition. Black Sesame Technologies will release its latest A2000 chip, which supports multi-sensor fusion while offering a computing power of 200 TOPS. Additionally, it will be the first time they showcase their "Safety Smart Base" solution overseas. The Safety Smart Base, centered around the Wudang C1200 family of cross-domain fusion chips, provides automotive companies with a new solution that balances safety and cost in cabin-driving integration.

Image Source: Black Sesame Technologies Official

Hesai Technology's AT128 LiDAR has received an order from BMW, and its 128-line high resolution increases the detection range to 200 meters in rainy and foggy weather. Meanwhile, Momenta will showcase its cooperation with Uber, with the jointly developed autonomous taxi system having completed 100,000 kilometers of road testing in Munich, and is planned to be commercially operational by 2026.

CATL will showcase its new battery produced at its European factory, which features a 20% increase in energy density while also improving charging speed by 50%. More strategically, its production capacity in Europe has reached full capacity, equivalent to one-third of the total demand for electric vehicle batteries in Europe by 2024. This localized production capacity layout allows it to effectively circumvent trade barriers and respond to customers' immediate needs.

The "second tier of battery manufacturers," consisting of CALB, EVE Energy, and Gotion High-Tech, is equally noteworthy. CALB's 15GWh factory in Hungary has begun trial production, and its flagship lithium manganese iron phosphate battery has reduced costs by 10%. Gotion High-Tech's 20GWh factory in Germany focuses on energy storage and the cascade utilization of automotive batteries, showcasing a differentiated competitive approach. The collective appearance of these four major battery giants indicates that Chinese battery companies have evolved from mere suppliers to providers of energy ecosystem solutions.

Overall, although the "host" German brands had the home advantage at this year's Munich Motor Show, the Chinese automotive "troop" also held significant weight. They are no longer mere "visitors" as they once were, but rather important participants in the global automotive industry's transformation.

From the ecological layout of nearly a hundred participating enterprises, it can be seen that the globalization of China's automotive industry has entered a new stage. Most of the overseas companies no longer rely on the export of a single product, but instead build a complete value system through the coordinated export of entire vehicle brands, core components, and software solutions.

When BYD's hybrid technology, CATL's battery standards, Black Sesame's chip solutions, and Hesai's lidar are all showcased at the Munich Exhibition Center, it represents not just a collection of products but a comprehensive new energy vehicle solution. This system capability gives Chinese brands greater resilience in the face of trade and technological barriers, making the restructuring of the global industrial landscape possible.

European consumers are reevaluating Chinese cars. With the release of localized production capacity and the export of technical standards, the market share of Chinese cars in Europe is expected to achieve a breakthrough, transitioning from a marginal role to a mainstream force.