Whether cars, commercial vehicles, ships or aircraft, the global mobility industry is
currently changing faster than ever. On the one hand, traditional manufacturers are facing
major challenges with new technologies, while on the other, young companies are bringing
a breath of fresh air to drive systems, fuels and global cooperation. Over 300 experts from
all over the world will present the latest developments and technology trends for motor
vehicles, aviation, aerospace and shipping at the 46th International Motor Symposium from
14 to 16 May 2025 at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna.
Registrations are open from 15 January 2025 (wiener-motorensymposium.at/anmeldung/).
‘Is there more than one solution on the road to Net Zero?’ – This question will be addressed at the
opening of the symposium by Matias Giannini, CEO of Horse Powertrain (London), a new
manufacturer of compact drive units. He heads a joint venture founded by Geely (China),
Renault (France) and Aramco (Saudi Arabia) with the aim of supplying powertrains consisting of
combustion engines and compact hybrid drive systems in modular design, for a wide range of
vehicles and manufacturers.
Also speaking at plenary sessions will be: Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of fuel
injection systems manufacturer PHINIA (USA); Todd Anderson; VW Board Member Kai Grünitz;
Holger Klein, CEO of ZF Group (Friedrichshafen); Bosch Managing Director Markus Heyn;
Torsten Eder, Vice President Electrified Drive Systems Mercedes Benz (Stuttgart) and MAN
Trucks & Bus Board Member for Research and Development, Frederik Zohm (Munich). ‘We are
delighted to be able to welcome experts and decision-makers with a wealth of knowledge and
experience from both OEMs and the supplier industry to Vienna,’ said Professor Bernhard
Geringer, Chairman of the Board of the Austrian Association for Automotive Technology (ÖVK)
and organiser of the Motor Symposium.
‘Car manufacturers around the world are currently moving away from developing their own
engines and powertrains. Ready-made, compact drive units from companies such as Horse
Powertrain are therefore becoming increasingly important,’ explained Geringer, referring to one
of the many trends that will be discussed at the Motor Symposium 2025, adding: ’The range
extender (REEV), for example, was a big topic for electric vehicles 10 years ago, but then
disappeared from the scene. Now, however, we are seeing the REEV on the rise again in the EV
market.
Commercial vehicles: The race is not yet decided
Drive systems for lorries and buses, ranging from electric solutions for local distribution
transport and urban buses, to large combustion engines for long-distance transport will be given
significant space on the programme for the Vienna 2025 conference. For example, the US engine
manufacturer Cummins will be presenting a 6.7-litre hydrogen engine with direct injection, while
Volvo will be presenting the concept of a 17-litre hydrogen combustion engine with low-pressure
direct injection for heavy commercial vehicles. MAN will be presenting a V12 engine with a
displacement of 30 litres, which is intended to achieve the ‘balancing act between sustainability,
economy and customer benefits’ . The mega-engine is likely to be used more in the railway and
marine sectors rather than for commercial vehicles.
A ‘robust fuel cell vehicle for the mining and construction site environment’ as well as various
options for using liquid hydrogen as a storage option for rail vehicles will also be presented
during the three-day conference.
Innovations in powersport drives
This year’s conference will be the most wide-ranging yet. The conference will not only look
at large-volume drive systems for ocean-going vessels, construction and rail vehicles.
Lightweight, fast and yet environmentally- friendly engines for powersports equipment such as
skidoos or jet skis or side-by-side off road vehicles are also on the agenda. Here, the Austrian-
Canadian company BRP-Rotax will provide insights into its new electric and hybrid drive
concepts.
Powerhouses also at Lamborghini and Porsche
A panel will be dedicated to sustainable fuels, for example, self-igniting piston aircraft engines,
and new concepts in the sports car sector will be presented. Among other high-profile
manufacturers, Lamborghini will show its high-revving biturbo V8 hybrid engine and Porsche, its
hybridisation of the 911 and a new six-cylinder boxer engine.
Further information
The entire programme for the 46th International Vienna Motor Symposium can be found here:
https://wiener-motorensymposium.at/en/programme/technical-programme
Registrations for the symposium can be made online from 15 January 2025 at:
https://wiener-motorensymposium.at/anmeldung/
