Internationale Auto Ausstellung (IAA) 2023
From family outing to work visit
In recent years, a sad picture has emerged. At the French car shows, only the French brands are there, plus the Chinese. At the German car shows, only the German brands are there, plus the Chinese. Renault is now breaking that trend by presenting a major first at the very IAA (Internationale Auto Ausstelung) 2023.
The fifth generation of the Scenic is an electric car that combines the best of an estate and an SUV. That clever concept allows for lots of interior space while providing agility and comfort. The Scenic was by far the visitors' favourite, as the Renault stand was the busiest of the entire show.
Volkswagen Group
Most of the product news came from the Volkswagen Group, where Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche and Cupra shared a stand. Pictured on the left is the "ID.GTI Concept". This is in fact Volkswagen's upcoming compact electric car: the ID.2.
The "Tavascan" (pictured centre) will be Cupra's second model and will be positioned above the Born. In terms of both design and technology, Cupra is taking a big step forward.
The ID.7 (pictured right) is the technical successor to the Passat and promises low power consumption and a long range (over 600 km) thanks to a superior streamline.
Porsche is bringing the "Mission X" to Munich. This spectacular concept car is supposed to paint a picture of the brand's future with electric propulsion and a new interpretation of classic lines.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is focussing on its temporary showroom in the city centre. The stand in the expo building features just two cars: the all-new E-Class and the "Vision One-Eleven". This concept car is based on experimental vehicles from the 1960s and 1970s that went by the name C111. This new interpretation experiments with new lines ("bow design"), an interior prepared for self-driving functions and a new electric motor developed with partner YASA.
Vauxhall
Vauxhall is also emphasising the future. Once again, production models are on display in the city, as that is where the general public is expected. At the stand in the expo building, everything revolves around the "Experimental" (see also the panoramic photo), which will be used as a model for future Vauxhall models. This applies not only to the lines on the outside, but also to the dashboard where displays have been replaced by projectors for an even sleeker look.
BMW
At BMW, the "Neue Klasse" should lead the way for future models. After the sometimes questionable lines of the past, this Neue Klasse is a breath of fresh air. Apart from the exterior, the infotainment system has also undergone a major transformation. Moreover, by using new materials and production methods, both during use and manufacturing, CO2 emissions have been greatly reduced.
Tesla: a surprise visit
At the last minute, Tesla has built a stand, as this completely bare stand (no information desk, no staff, no decoration) features only two cars: the Model Y and the recently updated Model 3. The updated Model 3 is instantly recognisable by its sharper-drawn front end. Moreover, the interior is even more tightly finished. Truly a step forward!
China to the rescue
In addition to the manufacturers mentioned above, all renowned car manufacturers are absent. However, the Chinese make use of that space and present the models they want to conquer the European market with. Of the now more famous brands, MG is showing the "Cyberster" to the general public for the first time. With this electrically powered open sports car with gulwing doors, the brand wants to show that it is not just about budget models.
BYD (Build Your Dreams) is expanding with two models. The "Seal U" (pictured left) is the latest of these to be announced, but is in fact an existing model converted into an electric car for Europe. The "Seal" (pictured right) is actually more recent and uses the brand's latest powertrain and platform technology. European versions of the Seal will be on show for the first time at the IAA.
As Smart moves to focus on larger models, Italian-Chinese brand "XEV" fills that gap with the "Yoyo". This small city car is easy to customise with separate panels. Power for the electric drive comes from three batteries that can be charged conventionally, but can also be taken out (relatively) easily. XEV plans to place battery changing machines (the size of a beverage dispenser) at strategic locations that will allow the empty battery to be quickly swapped for a full one. The Yoyo has a top speed of 80 km/h and is therefore explicitly intended as a city car.
Even smaller (and cheaper) is "Jiayuan EV" which specialises in small vehicles with top speeds of 45 km/h ("mopeds"), 78 km/h and 100 km/h. Sitting in the "Komi" reveals that the interior space and finish quality are very decent considering its low price and small exterior dimensions. Jiayuan recently started supplying these miniatures in China. It is trying to find dealers at the IAA to enter the European market.
On a completely different level is the "Forthing" brand, which offers large and very large SUVs whose lines range from eye-pleasing to risk of eye damage. With its grotesque grille and huge dimensions, the "M6" is aimed at an audience that will find it hard to find in Europe. Besides: it is one of the few non-electric cars at the IAA, but a plug-in hybrid.
"Leapmotor" also assumes that what catches on in China will also catch on in Europe. Besides a multitude of SUVs, it also brings the compact and economical "T03", but says it will deliver it only in France for now.
From exhaust pipe to AI
The temporary showrooms in the city are intended for the general public. The stands in the show building are also meant for business visitors. Although hardly any combustion-engine cars are being introduced yet, suppliers of exhaust systems and injection systems are still at the IAA 2023. The emphasis, however, is on electric driving, with Samsung more than prominent as a battery and display supplier. There are also many small stands from manufacturers of home chargers.
Though it seems that electric driving is actually no longer a technical challenge, as the real trend is on AI, or artificial intelligence. The simplest applications use AI to determine where to place charging stations or how to charge most efficiently. The vast majority of companies are focusing on the self-driving car. This ranges from manufacturers of sensors (camera, radar, lidar), software (interpreting the information from the sensors and converting it into driving the car) and total solutions.
Thereby, it is interesting to note that different companies are opting for different solutions. "Nodar" argues that it sees so much depth with a stereo camera that other sensors are unnecessary. "DeepRoute.ai" argues that artificial intelligence can actually interpret and understand the environment, eliminating the need for detailed mapping and also enabling the system to deal with new situations. "Helmet.ai" instead builds a flexible system that promises to handle different sensors. Moreover, it only solves complex issues and leaves something as simple as autonomous highway driving to existing systems from car manufacturers themselves. "Holon" goes furthest and has a complete, 15-seater bus ready that can drive fully autonomously.
Conclusion
Once upon a time, visiting a car exhibition was a day out. It was a day to dream about exotic sports cars and gather information to buy the next family car. Since all manufacturers were gathered in one place, it was an easy way to compare cars. Such car shows are definitely a thing of the past.
In order to still be able to continue the tradition of Germany's most important car show, the IAA (Internationale Auto Ausstellung), another concept has therefore been devised. Car manufacturers are building temporary showrooms in the city centre. That way, the car show comes to the public and visits become more accessible (and free!). In the traditional exhibition building, suppliers of services and parts focus on the business customer, giving the IAA a broader offer.
Whether this new concept works remains to be seen even after a visit. Despite the new concept, the number of carmakers present is pitifully low. Moreover, they cut corners overtly with simple stands and few firsts. It is the new Chinese brands that provide news and variety and, in a way, save the show from collapse. However, if you work in the car industry and want to know about the latest technical developments and how they work, the IAA is an interesting destination.