Because of the pandemic, Auto China, held alternately in Shanghai and Beijing, was a national event for three years. Next week, the most important car show in the world starts again as an open, international exhibition.
The mail goes off in Shanghai
The largest car market in the world has long been the most important in terms of speed, design and technology. Hardly anyone is interested in the major automotive events in Europe and the USA anymore, because the mail has been going from China for years. The international car manufacturers know that and are anxiously looking to Shanghai in the coming week, which is long ahead of the competing events in Los Angeles, Munich, Paris or Detroit.
Most innovations will come from Chinese manufacturers. The picture shows the G9, XPeng’s top model.
Many have had to stay away from major events in recent years due to the pandemic and so there is great pressure to be seen there again – also among Chinese cooperation partners and political associations. The vanguard will be taken over by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) this week on her inaugural visit to China. The “Auto China Shanghai” takes place from April 18th to 27th, a must for the automotive industry.
(Image: Airways)
Chinese brands in front
Unsurprisingly, the Chinese brands are ahead of the countless new products. While American manufacturers are usually only indirectly represented by their Chinese cooperation partners, those responsible for European groups and the individual brands are largely on site. They themselves will be presenting numerous innovations relevant to the world’s largest car market, which is gradually switching over to electromobility.
BMW, for example, is showing the electric top model of the new 7 series called i7 M70 xDrive at the “Auto China” 2023 and the 748 hp powerful SUV BMW XM Red Label should hardly be missing in the exhibition halls.
The BMW XM Red Label plug-in hybrid model allows the affluent to acquire a driving program for dunes.
(Image: BMW)
Somewhat surprisingly, Mercedes does not present its new E-Class in China, as it will initially only be launched with a normal wheelbase, which is irrelevant in China. Instead, the electric Maybach EQS SUV should be admired, which is one class higher than the thoroughly revised Porsche Cayenne.
Electric Passat VW ID.7
At the big Volkswagen Group event on Monday, April 17, the VW ID.7 as the electric version of the Passat volume model is likely to be the star, since Audi is only likely to officially unveil its Q6 e-tron at the IAA in Munich in autumn. Renault, on the other hand, will present its new Clio in parallel without a trade fair in the coming week and Cupra will pull the cloth from its Tavascan at the end of the week.
There should be a big appearance in Shanghai at the electric Volvo offshoot Polestar, because in addition to the Volvo XC90, which is also new, the Geely brand will also be presenting the Polestar 4 for the first time. The electric Mini Cooper SE Cabrio will also be presented, which will be in Shanghai official public premiere. Also on display: the near-series study of the Mini Aceman – also electric.
The Mini Aceman is a slightly less fat Mini model.
(Image: BMW)
Nio, MG, Aiways, Xpeng, Zeekr oder Great Wall
However, the real stars do not come from Audi, BMW, Volkswagen, Mercedes and Volvo, but from the purely Chinese brands. Not only Nio, MG, Aiways, Xpeng, Zeekr or Great Wall with their numerous brands and sub-brands have plans.
Sooner or later, many of these new models will come to Europe and put the domestic brands under pressure here. No question: it will be the most exciting motor show in years.
The Nio EC7 electric car should be able to drive semi-autonomously, which is revealed at first glance by the bulges above the windshield.
(Image: Nine)
(fpi)
