Technology Day at IAA Mobility 2025: Key Insights and Industry Perspectives

The day began with the official opening ceremony, where Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized the strategic importance of automated driving for Germany’s technological and economic future. From there, the Technology Day program moved directly into Volkswagen Group Technology’s PowerHour, followed by a series of insightful keynotes covering batteries, platforms, charging infrastructure and intelligent energy management.

In its third edition since the relaunch, IAA MOBILITY has clearly positioned itself as an event focused on experiential learning. The concept aims to help the public view advanced technologies not as abstract risks, but as practical opportunities and support systems that can positively shape everyday mobility.

Standout Moments and Observations

The Feature Revolution
One of the most striking themes was the shift in purchasing priorities: while brands remain relevant, features and applications are increasingly becoming the decisive factors influencing customer decisions.

Eastern Innovation Momentum
The strong presence of Chinese suppliers was noteworthy. Many showcased highly accessible and consumer-focused products. XPENG’s cockpit demonstration made it clear that they are not lagging behind Western manufacturers. Their priorities, however, differ: Chinese OEMs tend to emphasize entertainment and user experience, while European manufacturers continue to anchor their solutions in safety and reliability.

Technical Insights
Several technology trends stood out throughout the day:
• Software-defined vehicles and artificial intelligence dominated discussions, while powertrain topics played a comparatively minor role.
• Innoviz Technologies presented its latest LIDAR generation, demonstrating impressive detection range and real-time data processing capabilities.
• The V2X showcase by VDA and Autobahn GmbH offered a practical look at the future potential of vehicle-to-everything communication.

Conversations with Reply at the AWS booth provided new perspectives on cloud integration and scalable architectures. Reconnecting with PIX Moving, especially against the backdrop of our recent collaboration discussions within the CADA – Chemnitz Automated Driving Alliance, reaffirmed the importance of strategic partnerships across continents.

Visits to the BMW Group, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen exhibits added further context to the overall industry landscape. Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume’s presentation was particularly memorable: his vision for the company’s future struck a compelling balance between pragmatic awareness of current challenges and a confident, optimistic outlook on innovation.

A Mature Industry Perspective

What impressed us most throughout the day was the industry’s mature approach. There is a clear and honest understanding of the challenges ahead, paired with a genuine commitment to transformation and a noticeably positive mindset regarding the innovative strength of the automotive sector.

As we continue to support our partners in their technological evolution, events like IAA Mobility reaffirm why we are passionate about this industry. The future of mobility is not a distant concept — it is being built right now, and it is taking shape in front of our eyes.