First automotive event of the year 2025, if we except the CES in Las Vegas (from January 7 to 10) whose main theme is above all technology and digital, the Brussels motor show will exhibit 63 brands out of 56,000 m2. For comparison, the 2024 Paris World Cup, which took place from October 14 to 20, covered 70,000 m2 plus an exterior surface area of 15,000 m2.
But the main difference between the two events is the number of participating manufacturers. They will come in significantly greater numbers to Brussels than to Paris. Indeed, besides Quiévrain, it is quicker to count those absent: Land Rover and Jaguar, Nissan, Polestar, Volvo and the prestigious firms Ferrari, Maserati, McLaren and Rolls-Royce than those present.
The election of the Car of the Year 2025
As a preamble to this 101st edition whose theme will be “ find your engine to drive your life », just before opening to the public, during the day reserved for the press, Friday January 10, the election for the European Car of the Year 2025 will take place. Among the 7 finalists: Alfa Romeo Junior, Citroën ë -C3/C3, Cupra Terramar, Dacia Duster, Hyundai Inster, Kia EV3 and the Alpine A290/Renault 5 duo will stand out as the successor to the Renault Scénic E-Tech. For the record and for the first time in its history this prestigious election took place in 2023 at the Brussels Motor Show, the winner at the time was the Jeep Avenger crowned Car of the Year 2024.
The news of the Brussels show will be the first world appearances of the Mercedes CLA (albeit still under carefully studied camouflage), the DS N°8 and the electric Mazda 6. Three sedans that will counter the hegemony of SUVs.
The Italians show themselves
The Italians from the Stellantis group, Abarth 600e and Fiat Grande Panda will make their very first public appearance. The sports SUV unveiled barely a month ago and the versatile city car, technical cousin of the Citroën C3 presented with great fanfare during Fiat’s 125th anniversary last July in Turin, have not yet had the opportunity to take pride of place on the stand of their respective brands.
Same logic for the Lancia Ypsilon whose official presentation already dates back to February 2024 but which the brand prefers to exhibit at shows having no link with the automobile targeting more furniture and furnishings.
This will finally be the opportunity to approach the city dweller almost a year after her revelation, it’s about time! To try to make amends, the brand will add the services of the Ypsilon Rally4 HF competition version.
We told you about it above in the list of contenders for the title of European Car of the Year 2025, the Cupra Terramar will also be visible at the Brussels motor show.
Chinese brands will also be present in large numbers, Leapmotor including the T03 city car and the C10 SUV, Omoda, Jaecoo, BYD, MG as well as Hongqi.
- Abarth 600
- Cupra Terramar
- Fiat Grande Panda
- Lancia Ypsilon
- Leapmotor T03 and C10
