A LANDMARK YEAR FOR CONSTRUCTION INNOVATION

2025 marked a record-breaking year for the world’s largest construction show, with over 600,000 attendees and 3,601 exhibitors. This year’s focus was clear: sustainability, digitalisation, and forward-thinking innovation. Awesome Earthmovers spent the whole week at the show, exploring new releases, catching up with industry leaders, and soaking in the sheer scale and spectacle of this global construction powerhouse.

bauma

APRIL 7-13, 2025, MUNICH

Electrification and Innovation Take Centre Stage

Electrification was the main event this year, with manufacturers showcasing bold visions for a cleaner, smarter future.

Case Construction Equipment unveiled the Impact Concept, a cab-less, fully electric compact wheel loader, operated remotely via advanced perception systems. It points toward a future without drivers.

Hitachi introduced LANDCROS One, a concept machine with three AI-driven modes: Manual (with AI assist), Autonomous, and fully Remote – allowing round-the-clock operation from anywhere in the world.

Quimo, a German start-up, showcased a two-wheel excavator prototype designed for small-site accessibility – a niche but innovative solution.

Caterpillar Turns 100

Celebrating a mighty centenary, Caterpillar presented the D6 XE dozer in anniversary grey, powered by XE Drive for improved torque and fuel efficiency. New machines debuted at the show included the 966XE Wheel Loader, AP555 Paver, and the massive 395 Front Shovel Excavator.

Komatsu’s Beast of Bauma

Komatsu launched over 30 new machines, including the PC220LCi-12 hydraulic excavator with an 18% fuel usage reduction. But the star attraction was the PC7000-11E, a 700-tonne electric excavator with a 44m³ bucket and 34ft height, the biggest machine in Munich for sure. Utilising Komatsu’s long-standing partnership with Williams F1, 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve even gave the PC7000 a spin

Kobelco Demonstrates Remote Tech

Kobelco debuted its 7-tonne electric excavator and showcased K-DIVE – remote control tech that operated excavators in Denmark and Japan live from the Munich show floor.

Develon Makes Its Bauma Debut

In its first Bauma, Develon unveiled its Next Generation “-9” Smart Crawler Excavators, including the DX230LC-9 and DX260LC-9, building on a legacy dating back to the 1980s.

LiuGong Unveils World Firsts

LiuGong introduced the 4280DE, the world’s first fully electric surface grader. Meanwhile, Dressta’s new TD-16N Dozer debuted with a rear access platform and 360-degree cabin visibility.

Bobcat Showcases Compact Power

Bobcat launched the R2 Series Mini Excavators, led by the 9-tonne E88. They also displayed the RogueX autonomous concept, T7X electric track loader, E10e/E19e mini excavators, and TL25.60e telehandler concept.

Attachments in Action

MBI launched the Eagle 3 shears with 30% more cutting force. Rototilt demonstrated the RC4 Tiltrotator, and Westtech’s CS800 DualGrip provided advanced tree handling. Steelwrist wowed with new tiltrotators, quick couplers, and the TSX Tree Shears.

Volvo CE Goes Fully Electric

Volvo CE brought an all-electric fleet, headlined by a machine we saw launched last month in Sweden, the A30 Electric Hauler. The new and improved A30 builds on the proven history of the Volvo articulated loader, with significantly reduced energy usage and maintenance needs.

Other highlights included a new, electric EC230, L120 Wheel Loader, and EWR150 Wheeled Excavator – cementing Volvo’s leadership in sustainable machinery.

Avant’s All New Loaders

Avant launched the e727 and e747 electric loaders, each capable of a full day’s work on one charge. They also introduced OptiTemp Cube 50, a mobile power storage solution for remote job sites, arriving by the end of 2025, tackling the pressing issue of recharging electric machines on sites without accessible power.

Parker Hannifin on Bespoke Engineering

Parker engineers discussed the importance of their motion-control components in modern construction equipment.

Digital Marketing and Commercial Manager, Frank Durbin, showed us beneath the surface of connecting vital parts such as hydraulic pumps to thousands of different construction machines across the world. Durbin explained their innovative “Direct Blind” technology, which removes the need for any external parts. Direct Blind works by directly connecting two parts, metal to metal, thus resulting in much less downtime due to component fault, as well as vastly reducing weight and space in often already cramped areas of the machines.

Liebherr’s Immersive Tech Focus

Liebherr’s 14,002 ft² booth focused on over 70 different, real-world, construction sites of the future. Each site curated to exemplify the applications of a different Liebherr machine.

They launched the LiReCon remote control system and the G8 electric excavator line, including the R 920 G8-E, 915, and 917—a broad and scalable electric fleet.

Sennebogen’s Sea of Green

Sennebogen impressed with new telehandlers, massive port handlers, material handlers, telescopic cranes, duty cycle cranes, demolition tools and even tree care handlers. Most utilising their SENCON control system which ensures optimal performance and safety across their expanding electric lineup.

Conclusion

Awesome Earthmovers’ week at Bauma 2025 gave us a glimpse into the future of construction. From industry giants embracing entirely electric ranges to radical concepts like Case’s Impact loader and Hitachi’s LANDCROS One to drastic improvements and electrification of beloved machines like Volvo CE’s articulated loaders. The message from Munich was loud and clear: the machines of tomorrow are smarter, cleaner, and more connected than ever. Bring on 2028.

bauma

APRIL 7-13, 2025, MUNICH