Munich auto show opens with a strong Chinese presence

The 2025 IAA Mobility show, one of the world's largest mobility trade fairs also known as the Munich auto show, started on Tuesday, with China standing out as the largest source of foreign exhibitors.

While German auto giants like Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes-Benz presenting new EV models on home soil, international exhibitors make up for more than 55 percent, up from 32 percent in 2021 when the show moved from Frankfurt.

Organizers said a total of 116 companies are from China, including EV makers BYD, Xpeng and Leapmotor, battery giant CATL and technology firms such as Zhuoyu and DeepRoute.ai.

Beyond the exhibition halls this year, car manufacturers are also displaying more than 200 vehicles in open-air venues across central Munich, integrating their showcases into the city's streets and architecture, including those from Chinese EV brands.

The World New Energy Vehicle Congress is being held in Munich alongside the auto show, returning for its second overseas edition following the success of the inaugural event at IAA MOBILITY 2023. This year's conference focuses on Sino-German cooperation in e-mobility, AI, and supply chains, with participation from company executives and association leaders.

Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, director of the Center for Automotive Research in Bochum, told Xinhua ahead of the auto show that closer ties between European and Chinese companies are not only mutually beneficial but also a vital driver of industrial transformation.

"On one side, the United States has launched tariff wars under the pretext of reducing trade deficits. These unpredictable and negative tariffs are damaging and inhibiting the global auto industry," he said.

"On the other side, companies from Europe and China are working closely together, moving toward electrification. Europe needs China, because Chinese companies are strong in digitalization and intelligent technologies, helping cars become more comfortable and smarter," he added.