Concept cars grab spotlight at Frankfurt Motor Show 2017

The BMW i vision dynamics Concept is pictured at the International Motor Show IAA in Frankfurt, Germany, Sept 13, 2017. [Photo/IC]

The 67th International Motor Show (IAA) kicks off Thursday in Frankfurt, Germany, with nearly 1,000 companies across the world showing their new models, cutting-edge technologies and innovations.

The 11-day event's theme "Future now" shows importance of the megatrends of connected and automated driving, electric mobility and the urban mobility concepts of tomorrow.

At the one of the largest automobile exhibitions in the world, 228 new products were launched and 363 innovations were unveiled, hitting a record high. And visitors could more than just look at various new cars, they could also test drive them, including freeway driving and Frankfurt's inner city.

Concept cars are the highlights of the event. Their new and radical designs are meant to present a new styling or technology in the industry and help car makers measure customers' reaction, and they may or may not finally be put into mass production.