Frankfurt 2019: The Round-up

As the biennial Frankfurt motor show began, many people were looking to this event as a point of reference for what is happening in the European and wider automotive industry. Frankfurt has always served as a safe, home ground for German car manufacturers, and this year was no different. What was notable, however, was that electric cars have (in terms of how the VWs and Audis of this world want to present themselves) become mainstream.

Alongside the new electric Porsche Taycan, Honda e, Opel Corsa-e, Mini Electric, VW ID.3 and the Cupra Tavascan were stand displays fecund with green walls, pot plants and ‘environmental’ references. Lovely as a living wall is, perhaps the stand design language will diversify once the electric message has been communicated…

There were some notable absences this year. Nissan and Toyota had no presence, and there was no sign of Aston Martin or Ferrari either. However, Land Rover launched its New Defender, Hyundai gave us the 45 concept car and VW unveiled its crucial ID.3. Audi brought its AI family – complete with its latest concept, the off-road AI:Trail – together to give us their vision of the future of mobility. Despite the absences, there was quite a lot happening. The Frankfurt motor show has been electrified.

BMW gave its Vision iNext concept another outing, as well as the new concept Vision M Next and the Concept 4 surprise release. The Mercedes stand, while smaller than in previous years, was a masterclass in brand identity – walking through the multiple rooms and installations created dramatic spaces, with the EQS Concept carefully positioned at the heart. Seat’s Cupra stand had a floor with a lit infrastructure grid embedded within it – electric references abounded.

What the general public will make of it all remains to be seen. There were anti-SUV demonstrations in Frankfurt while the press days were underway, but we didn’t see any evidence of this in the city or around the show, although reports indicate these are on-going and gaining momentum.

Also notable this year were the Chinese manufacturers. Wey had a large space with concepts and production SUVs on show, while Byton brought its production M-Byte (its first outing in Europe) and Hongqi (FAW) built an opulent stand of lights with a blood-red floor on which to display its SUV and S9 sports car (however even CDN’s staffers, who know the brand and were looking, failed to register at first that they were Hongqi because the stand, literature and all presentations were in Mandarin…)

Overall there were some very high-profile launches at Frankfurt this year, but compared to the Shanghai show in April, the range of vehicles shown and the sudden discourse around electrification do little to change the fact that Europe’s industry is looking a little lacklustre compared to the Asian brands. Browse our mega-gallery below for more of the cars of Frankfurt :