5 takeaways from the 2025 Singapore Motor Show
13 Jan 2025|4,797 views
Taking place over three floors (and one conference room) of the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre from 9 to 12 Jan, the 2025 edition of the Singapore Motor Show was evidently a larger affair than in preceding years.
Here are 5 takeaways from our time there:
1. The Chinese aren't coming, they are here
Chinese brands have been dominating the local automotive conversation in recent years - that's no surprise to anyone.
But this year's Motor Show puts it in stark relief - of the 28 car brands exhibiting this year, 10 are of direct Chinese origin, while another 4 are now under Chinese ownership.
In effect, half of the brands on display have Chinese roots. That is very indicative of the might of the Chinese automotive industry - a trend that's likely not going to wane.
2. Few big, showy presentations
Typically, brands want to use this opportunity to showcase a flashy concept car or preview a big-name model that's yet to come - to cast an eye towards the future beyond the current model lineup. Think about the Volkswagen I.D. Buzz from two years ago, or last year's Mercedes-Benz Concept EQG and Polestar roadster concept. Bold, flashy, attention-grabbing. And yet, there was little of this year. Even many of the product presentations were quite muted - not much in the way of fanfare and spectacle.
There were no concept cars this year. The only real flashy attention-grabber was the Yangwang U9 - an all-electric Koenigsegg-approximating sports car with the ability to "dance"; that, as of now, there are no plans for a right-hand drive model. So basically a car that likely will never actually come to Singapore. Every other car you saw at the show? Available to buy now, or soon-to-be.
With a grand total of zero concept cars on show, the focus of this year's Motor Show is on cars that consumers can buy - driving home the sales-focus of the event
Beyond that, the only other 'big' premiere was a preview of the smart #5, marking its first appearance outside of China and its official launch event in Australia.
The focus is clear, then - on cars that consumers can buy (and sooner, rather than later). Indeed, some of the more notable introductions, such as the BYD Sealion 7, BMW 1 Series and Nissan Qashqai, are all models that aim for mainstream appeal. Unsurprising, considering that the Singapore Motor Show is primarily a sales-driven expo. Most of the not-for-sale preview cars will also eventually be homologated and offered for sale in Singapore this year.
3. BYD and BMW - Going big
By far the two biggest booths at this year's motor show was the BYD and BMW booth - BYD occupying the largest space at the motor show, while BMW having a two-floor setup unique at this year's show.
BYD is notable: The brand currently offers 6 models (and 1 DENZA D9), so it's far from the widest lineup, and yet it occupied the most square footage at the motor show. This is indicative of the brand's aggressive strategy, and also the success that it has found in the previous year.
BMW, too, went big, creating a mezzanine floor dedicated to its customers. This elevated (literally) offering is indicative of the brand's push towards a more upmarket customer experience.
This year's Motor Show felt like a quieter affair, likely not helped by the unyielding rain throughout the weekend
4. Not quite so rowdy
Every year, the motor show is open to public in the afternoon after the media preview, and that typically brings a flood of visitors.
This year, it was notably more quiet during that first afternoon session. It's perhaps reflective of the current car market - with high COE premiums, people are not rushing to find new car deals. It probably didn't help that the Motor Show took place immediately after the first COE bidding of the year, which saw Cat B premiums go up by $12k.
And yet, high COE premiums are also indicative of strong existing customer demand - which tells us that Motor Show or not, there's still a strong pool of buyers.
5. Electric galore
And of course, it will come as no surprise that many of the new cars launched or previewed are electric. Even those that aren't have some element of electrification - hybrids, mild-hybrids and plug-in hybrids. In total, over 70% of the models displayed are electric and hybrid models.
In fact, the only car presented that's strictly combustion-only is the facelifted GR Yaris - a small volume hyper-niche enthusiast car. (We're not counting models like the 5 Series 530i and MINI Cooper Convertible that effectively have electric twins, the updated MG HS that will have a hybrid variant coming, nor the STI package editions of the WRX and BRZ as they are pretty old models now.)
This continues a trend we've been seeing over the past few years - and like it or not, its a trend thats likely to continue into the future. Electrification is fully upon us.
Taking place over three floors (and one conference room) of the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre from 9 to 12 Jan, the 2025 edition of the Singapore Motor Show was evidently a larger affair than in preceding years.
Here are 5 takeaways from our time there:
1. The Chinese aren't coming, they are here
Chinese brands have been dominating the local automotive conversation in recent years - that's no surprise to anyone.
But this year's Motor Show puts it in stark relief - of the 28 car brands exhibiting this year, 10 are of direct Chinese origin, while another 4 are now under Chinese ownership.
In effect, half of the brands on display have Chinese roots. That is very indicative of the might of the Chinese automotive industry - a trend that's likely not going to wane.
2. Few big, showy presentations
Typically, brands want to use this opportunity to showcase a flashy concept car or preview a big-name model that's yet to come - to cast an eye towards the future beyond the current model lineup. Think about the Volkswagen I.D. Buzz from two years ago, or last year's Mercedes-Benz Concept EQG and Polestar roadster concept. Bold, flashy, attention-grabbing. And yet, there was little of this year. Even many of the product presentations were quite muted - not much in the way of fanfare and spectacle.
There were no concept cars this year. The only real flashy attention-grabber was the Yangwang U9 - an all-electric Koenigsegg-approximating sports car with the ability to "dance"; that, as of now, there are no plans for a right-hand drive model. So basically a car that likely will never actually come to Singapore. Every other car you saw at the show? Available to buy now, or soon-to-be.
With a grand total of zero concept cars on show, the focus of this year's Motor Show is on cars that consumers can buy - driving home the sales-focus of the event
Beyond that, the only other 'big' premiere was a preview of the smart #5, marking its first appearance outside of China and its official launch event in Australia.
The focus is clear, then - on cars that consumers can buy (and sooner, rather than later). Indeed, some of the more notable introductions, such as the BYD Sealion 7, BMW 1 Series and Nissan Qashqai, are all models that aim for mainstream appeal. Unsurprising, considering that the Singapore Motor Show is primarily a sales-driven expo. Most of the not-for-sale preview cars will also eventually be homologated and offered for sale in Singapore this year.
3. BYD and BMW - Going big
By far the two biggest booths at this year's motor show was the BYD and BMW booth - BYD occupying the largest space at the motor show, while BMW having a two-floor setup unique at this year's show.
BYD is notable: The brand currently offers 6 models (and 1 DENZA D9), so it's far from the widest lineup, and yet it occupied the most square footage at the motor show. This is indicative of the brand's aggressive strategy, and also the success that it has found in the previous year.
BMW, too, went big, creating a mezzanine floor dedicated to its customers. This elevated (literally) offering is indicative of the brand's push towards a more upmarket customer experience.
This year's Motor Show felt like a quieter affair, likely not helped by the unyielding rain throughout the weekend
4. Not quite so rowdy
Every year, the motor show is open to public in the afternoon after the media preview, and that typically brings a flood of visitors.
This year, it was notably more quiet during that first afternoon session. It's perhaps reflective of the current car market - with high COE premiums, people are not rushing to find new car deals. It probably didn't help that the Motor Show took place immediately after the first COE bidding of the year, which saw Cat B premiums go up by $12k.
And yet, high COE premiums are also indicative of strong existing customer demand - which tells us that Motor Show or not, there's still a strong pool of buyers.
5. Electric galore
And of course, it will come as no surprise that many of the new cars launched or previewed are electric. Even those that aren't have some element of electrification - hybrids, mild-hybrids and plug-in hybrids. In total, over 70% of the models displayed are electric and hybrid models.
In fact, the only car presented that's strictly combustion-only is the facelifted GR Yaris - a small volume hyper-niche enthusiast car. (We're not counting models like the 5 Series 530i and MINI Cooper Convertible that effectively have electric twins, the updated MG HS that will have a hybrid variant coming, nor the STI package editions of the WRX and BRZ as they are pretty old models now.)
This continues a trend we've been seeing over the past few years - and like it or not, its a trend thats likely to continue into the future. Electrification is fully upon us.
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