New Mobility Concepts IAA Mobility 2025: Electric and Autonomous Driving in Focus

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Munich for the third time: From September 9 to 14, 2025, the doors of the IAA Mobility will open for the third consecutive time in the Bavarian state capital. Visitors can look forward to seeing how individual mobility continues to evolve. The fact remains: The car is not just the Germans' favorite child.

In September, it’s that time again: the IAA Mobility will take place in Munich for the third time, promising to be even "bigger, more international, and more experience-oriented." "With world premieres and impressive innovations, we are demonstrating here in Munich what we are capable of," emphasizes VDA Managing Director Jürgen Mindel. "I look forward to our industry sending a confident signal of strength and forward-thinking mentality. And to us once again showing what we can achieve with this momentum, our high investments, passion, and joint effort! The IAA Mobility is the global showcase of our industry—an industry that creates growth, prosperity, and jobs with its work, in Germany and worldwide." At least in terms of technical innovations and highlights, there doesn’t appear to be any shortage, as the announced presentations suggest.

Automaker

Mercedes-Benz aims to kick off a new era of electromobility at the IAA Mobility with the world premiere of the new GLC. The vehicle, featuring EQ technology, is set to mark the beginning of the brand's largest product offensive. Additionally, the automaker will showcase a wide range of its current and future portfolio of electric and electrified vehicles. This portfolio spans compact models, performance sedans, luxury SUVs, and large luxury vans. Among the vehicles debuting in Munich are the new CLA family, available with both electric and high-tech hybrid drives, as well as the all-electric CLA Shooting Brake, the first electric Mercedes-Benz in a station wagon style. Furthermore, Mercedes-Benz will offer a sneak peek into the new era of its large luxury vans with a camouflaged prototype of the new all-electric VLE, set to launch in 2026.

Munich is always a home game for BMW, and the automaker will celebrate the world premiere of the new BMW iX3. As the first model of the Neue Klasse architecture, the vehicle introduces new technologies in the areas of electromobility, display and operating concepts, digitalization, and sustainability. Additionally, a dedicated area at the Open Space will highlight the topic of BMW Charging in connection with the brand's current electric vehicles. Another highlight: BMW will showcase bidirectional charging live for the first time – the iX3 can feed energy back into the home network or the public power grid. Furthermore, Mini will debut two John Cooper Works showcars at Lenbachplatz.

Exeed, the premium brand of Chery, is presenting the new Exlantix E05, a compact SUV with range extender technology. Under the hood, a 1.5-liter turbo engine with 115 kW serves as the range extender, combined with an electric motor and a 32.66 kWh LFP battery, which is said to enable a purely electric range of about 165 km. According to the company, the top speed is expected to reach 200 km/h. The Exlantix E05 complements the already well-known larger models Exlantix ET and Exlantix ES. The platform is based on Chery's E0X architecture, which is also used for full hybrid systems and series BEVs.

Under the name N ONE e:, Honda will introduce a fully electric Kei car for the Japanese market, expanding the N model series alongside the already established N VAN e. The car remains in the typical Kei car format (<3.4 meters in length), delivers a maximum of 63 hp (the legal limit in the Kei car segment), and is expected to achieve a range of around 270 km. Orders will begin on August 1, with the market launch scheduled for fall 2025 — initially only in Japan.

Opel is celebrating the premiere of the new Mokka GSE at the IAA. The vehicle is set to become the brand’s most powerful all-electric model to date. It is expected to deliver 207 kW (≈280 hp) and 345 Nm of torque, accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, and reach an electronically limited top speed of 200 km/h. The vehicle will feature a 54 kWh battery, providing a range of up to 336 km.

At Odeonsplatz, Volkswagen will celebrate the world premiere of an all-electric compact SUV. The concept vehicle provides a glimpse of a new member of Wolfsburg’s electric ID. family. Its production version will complete the Electric Urban Car Family of the Brand Group Core, the alliance of volume brands within the Volkswagen Group. "The IAA show car completes Volkswagen's entry-level mobility for Europe – fully electric and highly efficient. In terms of design, quality, operation, and space, the show car sets new standards in its class. It is a concrete preview of an affordable electric vehicle in the T-Cross class. The car will already hit the market next year," emphasizes Kai Grünitz, Member of the Board for Technical Development at Volkswagen.

Cupra will unveil the production version of the all-electric Raval on September 7, 2025. A special highlight, however, will follow on September 8 in the IAA Open Space with a completely new, previously secret show car. Additionally, Tribe Editions will be showcased, including versions of the Formentor, Leon, Leon Sportstourer, and Terramar. Alongside these vehicles, the all-electric models Tavascan and Born will also be displayed in the Electric World Area of the Open Space.

The Turkish mobility brand Togg will celebrate the world premiere of its electric sedan T10F and the Germany debut of the SUV T10X in Munich. Additionally, visitors can learn about the digital mobility ecosystem Trumore. Under the motto Clean Energy Solutions, the company will also showcase the battery company Siro as well as Trugo, an ultra-fast charging network in Turkey.

The Chinese automaker Xpeng is showcasing its own AI-Tech-Tree technology platform in Munich, which combines entire vehicle models and service systems under the motto "AI Transforms the World." The automaker will present the European premiere of the new Xpeng P7. Another example of the company's AI capabilities is the humanoid robot Iron, which will be demonstrated in action in Munich. Additionally, the Chinese manufacturer is bringing the new G6 SUV coupe and the new G9 to the Bavarian capital. The company's appearance will be rounded off by the all-electric X9 van and the P7+, an AI-driven smart sedan.

Supplier

The supplier industry also has several highlights to showcase. Aumovio, Continental's soon-to-be independent automotive division (as of September 18, 2025), is presenting its scalable, modular Xelve system in Munich, which includes hardware and software and is specifically developed for Level 2 to Level 4 functions. The system can be flexibly adapted to various vehicle types—from volume to premium vehicles. With Xelve, manufacturers can bring assisted and automated driving functions to production more quickly. Depending on the system configuration, the focus is on highly precise, automated parking functions (Xelve Park), a driving experience with human-like AI-assisted decision-making (Xelve Drive), and a fallback solution for Level 4 automated driving (Xelve Pilot).

Under the motto "Efficiency³," Mahle is focusing on new developments in its three strategic fields. First, a new range extender with a continuous nominal output of 85 kW. Second, a thermal management module making its world premiere, designed to ensure that every component of the drive and storage system is optimally tempered at all times and under all climatic conditions while also maintaining a comfortable climate in the vehicle interior. And as a European premiere, a bionic radial fan for vehicle air conditioning systems will be presented, which enhances efficiency while significantly reducing noise levels.

One of the topics Valeo is focusing on is vehicle lighting. This not only ensures perfect visibility on the road but also personalizes the driving experience. Controlled by software, it adapts in real-time to the surroundings, enhances safety, and creates visual interactions inside and outside the vehicle. At the trade fair, the French company is showcasing innovations in high-resolution, adaptive, and expressive lighting, which aim not only to improve visibility but also to leverage the vehicle systems' capabilities for individualization and communication.

The supplier promises to "redefine" night driving with its Adaptive-Driving-Beam technologies by providing precise, adaptive lighting that enhances both safety and comfort. By individually controlling thousands of light points, these systems create glare-free high beams that dynamically block out oncoming or preceding vehicles while still ensuring maximum illumination of the road.

In addition, HD lighting solutions can project information directly onto the roadway: lane guidance, navigation cues, warning symbols, or dynamic pedestrian warnings. This creates a new visual interface between the vehicle and its surroundings, helping the driver recognize dangers and navigate more safely.

The US company Gentex, together with its German division, is presenting new applications that emerge when glass is combined with digital technology. It's about vision and how to maintain clarity in critical traffic situations despite bright lights, as well as rethinking traditional equipment elements by combining cameras with new glass technology. Dimmable sunroof, digital sun visor, unobstructed view through the digitized rearview mirror. Gentex has built a demo car in which all these features can be experienced firsthand.

The supplier Innerio is reversing the China acquisition trend and turning the tables. The Austrian family-owned company is acquiring the European division of a Chinese tech giant to strategically position itself in the automotive market with thermal management technologies. Thermal management is a key technology for increasing the range of EVs, extending the lifespan of ICEs, and ensuring the durability of smart electronics—essential for the software-defined vehicle. Above all, it integrates specification, development, and delivery processes inspired by Chinese models into German engineering culture, reducing process timelines from months to just weeks or days while maintaining the same level of stability. This is also made possible by a new digital twin that comprehensively and individually assesses the cooling and thermal needs of vehicles, engines, and electronics, as the company will showcase at the IAA Mobility.

The BASF subsidiary trinamiX is showcasing new developments in vehicle safety and health protection in the Bavarian capital. The centerpiece is an Invisible Biometric Sensing Display, which monitors vital signs such as pulse contactlessly using NIR technology and laser projection — including AI-driven detection of stress points or medical emergencies. This is complemented by a highly precise, non-invasive blood alcohol measurement.

At the same time, the company, together with Witte Automotive, is bringing a concept vehicle with an integrated facial authentication solution in the B-pillar, featuring an innovative access system, to Munich: The face authentication in the B-pillar area of a concept vehicle replaces door handles, allowing the doors to open automatically when an authorized person approaches the vehicle.

Software

Modern vehicles are rapidly transforming into complex, software-driven systems. As traditional, distributed E/E architectures reach their limits, the industry is transitioning to zonal architectures with powerful zone controllers and high-speed Ethernet connectivity. This new approach reduces wiring complexity and hardware costs, centralizes data processing, and enables seamless over-the-air updates as well as the rapid deployment of new features. By decoupling hardware and software, true application portability becomes possible—making vehicles future-proof for continuous innovation. Bosch subsidiary ETAS is bringing its Vehicle Software Platform Suite to Munich, specifically designed to support this transition. It offers comprehensive runtime components, development tools, and a starter kit to enhance development efficiency and ensure optimal application performance. With stable APIs that abstract application functionality from underlying software, hardware, and operating systems, the suite provides standardized access to all relevant vehicle signals and supports the portability of applications across different model series.

Lidar

The Chinese company Hesai will showcase lidar technologies for autonomous driving. It is presenting the ETX lidar, designed specifically for Level 3 autonomy. This lidar is installed behind the windshield, featuring a 32 mm optical window thanks to Photon Vector technology. When integrated behind the glass, it aims to improve aerodynamics while ensuring high sensor performance. This integration is being advanced in collaboration with windshield manufacturers AGC and Saint Gobain. Additionally, Hesai is showcasing the FTX, a solid-state lidar.

MicroVision aims to free automakers from the lidar cost trap. Instead of a complex, energy-intensive lidar, the combination of standardized, simpler lidars reduces costs for the same functionality, including long-range detection. The game-changer is the manufacturer’s Tri-Lidar architecture. This closes the gap between sensor technology and the complex system integration within the vehicle. By lowering lidar costs right from the start, the German-American development team offers a successful alternative to the high-priced lidar solutions.

Start-ups

The Munich start-up DeepDrive will introduce a newly developed dual rotor radial flow generator, specifically designed for range extender applications in electric vehicles. This technology combines an inner and outer rotor within a single motor, resulting in increased energy density, a more compact design, reduced material costs, and high efficiency, especially in partial load conditions. The MG 250 model is designed to be so compact that it can be directly coupled to the crankshaft of a combustion engine.

The Wolfsburg start-up Cubos aims to turn EVs into power storage units. At the IAA, it is showcasing the bidirectional wallbox BC11 and its new innovation, SolarLink. With this, any EV can become a mobile storage unit for solar power. The unique feature: to charge an EV with its own solar power, SolarLink eliminates the need for a home storage unit or a wallbox—only an EV and a PV system with a hybrid inverter are required. This reduces the operating costs of EVs and opens up new revenue streams through energy feed-back into the grid.

This is just a small preview of the highlights that will be on display in Munich from September 9 to 14, 2025. (se)