Auto extravaganza begins

By Ning Yuan (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-04-24 06:52

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The German giant is also highlighting it Blue-Motion environmentally friendly powertrain technologies.

"By 2018, the Volkswagen Group aims to become the global No 1 in the automotive industry, both in economic and ecological terms. Our 100 percent commitment to the Chinese market is vital as we seek to achieve this ambitious goal," said CEO Martin Winterkorn.

"Volkswagen Group is striving to boost sales in China to well above 2 million vehicles annually in the medium term."

The group and its joint ventures in China are investing over 4 billion euros ($5.39 billion) by 2012 in an unparalleled product offensive and in new production capacities.

Volkswagen's luxury unit Audi, the leader in China's premium car market, is showing 21 models including the A8L that is making its global debut, as well as the A8 hybrid and the A1 e-tron electric car, both appearing in Asia for the first time.

But Japanese carmaker Toyota - whose president Akio Toyoda flew to Beijing to apologize to Chinese customers for its massive recall - hasn't conceded the battle. It is exhibiting 50 models in an area of 4,800 sq m, representing its most aggressive move at a motor show in China.

Domestic brands

Chinese car brands are also flexing their growing muscle as they attempt to grab limelight from global giants.

Seventy-five models from domestic carmakers are making their world premieres during the show, far more than the 14 vehicles from foreign carmakers making global debuts.

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Geely, the nation's largest privately-owned carmaker - which recently clinched a landmark deal to buy Volvo from Ford for $1.8 billion - is offering 39 models to spectators in an area of 3,000 sq m, making it the biggest homegrown exhibitor.

The company based in east China's Zhejiang province also arranged three so-called "Theme Parks" for its new-energy vehicles, safety features and powertrain technologies.

Geely, which sold 334,000 cars last year, has vowed to revive the Volvo brand and turn the Swedish car icon to profitability by expanding production and cutting costs.

The Chinese carmaker aims to boost its overall annual sales to 2 million units by 2015, two-thirds of which it hopes to sell overseas.

Chery, China's biggest passenger car exporter, is showing 34 models at an area of 2,600 sq m, second only to Geely among domestic brands.

Its show lineup includes a slew of purely electric-powered and hybrid vehicles. Chery has announced it will invest more than 10 percent of its revenues in research and development. The company has now built 15 overseas plants.

Chery has set a 2010 target of selling a total of 900,000 cars at home and abroad, up from 500,000 units last year.

SAIC Motor Co Ltd, the partner of Volkswagen and General Motors, is also exhibiting nine models under its own brand Roewe and the acquired British nameplate MG, with two vehicles making their global debuts.

The Beijing auto show is expected to attract a record number of more than 700,000 participants, according to organizers.