Shanghai auto show comes of age
(04-20 15:51)
Carmakers from around the world are unveiling their latest products at China's largest auto show, hoping to shrug off dreary times for the industry by tapping into the world's new top auto market.
From international marques like Mercedes to up-and-coming domestic carmakers such as Chery, more than 1,500 manufacturers are on hand at industry show Auto Shanghai 2009.
''We treat this as one of our most important shows,'' said Helmut Broeker, chief executive of Porsche China.
''This is the first time we have launched a product line in Asia outside our core countries,'' he said, referring to the Panamera, a four-door sports car making its international debut in Shanghai.
Accompanying the fanfare of today's opening, several major mainland newspapers published thick, full-colour pull-out sections on the show, while others were adorned with glossy wraparound advertising from the car makers.
At a time when the global financial meltdown has pushed other auto markets to the brink of collapse, the Shanghai show will feature 13 new cars from multinational makers.
The models to be unveiled to the world at the show include the Mercedes S400 Hybrid, which combines a petrol engine with a lithium-ion battery, and the BMW X5 M, a sports activity vehicle.
China's monthly car sales surpassed the United States for the first time in January, when a total of 735,000 were sold in China, compared to 656,976 vehicles in the US.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
• Picture shows Volkswagen cars on display at the Shanghai Auto Show. |
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