Organized in the same period as the New York auto-show, 2011 AutoShanghai manages to attract more and more big names in the auto industry.
More than three decades ago, there was only the noise of mopeds on the streets of the Chinese cities, pedestrians staying away from bicycle path and a car passing was watched by fierce eyes. Today, the roads are filled to the brim with cars, many of them making them even Westerners to whistle in a sign of admiration. This “road revolution” was accompanied by the industrial one. And auto makers could not miss such an opportunity. Organised every two years, alternating with the exhibition in Beijing AutoShanghai has increased with the auto market.
“I remember times when I worked for Volkswagen in the Asia-Pacific. Back then, I dared not to believe that the Chinese market could become as big as the German market, for example. Three million cars sold was a utopia. Now 14 million cars are sold here and another four million commercial vehicles”, said at AutoShanghai, Stefan Jacoby, the current head of Volvo, theEuropean company owned by the Chinese giant Geely. His testimony clearly explains why all the global auto industry is rushing to catch the train in China. And 2011 could be the last chance to get into Shanghai Express, without fear that it could be stopped at the edge of the platform. Because the virgin market from 20 years ago has begun to fill.
Another kind of exhibition
At first glance, the exhibition in Shanghai is a clone of the great halls stuffed with steroids from the U.S. and Europe. However, looking at the data which organizers boast, it is impossible not to notice that although visitor flow is still below the five major world motor shows, the number of participating companies is downright astronomical, 1,498, and is exceeded only by that of the sister exhibition in Beijing. This shows that, while exhibitors in the West just come to display their latest creations, in China the come to set up new joint ventures and business. “It is true that the Chinese market has slowed growth this year. Analysts say that it can not move up by more than 10-15%. But, we’re talking about a 10% increase in a market of almost 18 million vehicles. That would mean 19.8 million cars sold in 2011”, said Richard Johnson, managing-editor of AutomotiveNews.
Celebrity booth
Visitors from AutoShanghai 2011 have already had the opportunity to see some very interesting firsts. Among these, the BMW M5 Concept, the Audi Q3, Mercedes A-Class, New Beetle from VW, Kia Rio Sedan, Citroën DS5, Peugeot SXC, Subaru XV Concept or Volvo Universe Concept. Many of them were presented by leaders of large companies such as Martin Winterkorn from Volkswagen, Akio Toyoda from Toyota and Renault-Nissan alliance leader, Carlos Ghosn. Meanwhile, at the New York Motor Show, the new products were presented, in vast majority, by of rank two heads or regional executives. This shows why the Shanghai Express is a more promising destination than New York’s Amtrack.
There was a time when U.S. and European auto exhibitions were dominating. Like the idea that mature markets will continue to ensure growth.