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 largest car market in the world has long been the most important in terms of speed, design and technology. The international car manufacturers know that and are anxiously looking to Shanghai in the coming week, which has long ranked far ahead of the competing events in Los Angeles, Munich, Paris and Detroit. Many had to stay away from the major Asian events in recent years due to the pandemic, and last but not least there is great pressure from cooperation partners and political associations in China to finally be seen there again. The vanguard is already in place this week, as German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is currently making her inaugural visit to China. Anyone who is self-respecting in the automotive industry will be out and about in the greater Shanghai area from April 17th. The Auto China Shanghai trade fair itself will take place on the gigantic event site from April 18th to 27th.
The automotive innovations are innumerable and it is not surprising that the Chinese brands are setting the pace at the home fair. But while the American manufacturers are usually only indirectly represented by their Chinese cooperation partners, the situation is very different with the European brands. Those responsible for the individual groups are largely on site and the individual brands themselves are presenting numerous innovations relevant to the world’s largest car market, which is gradually changing to the electric warehouse. BMW, for example, is showing the electric top model of the new 7 series called i7 M70 xDrive at Auto China 2023, and the 748 hp powerful BMW XM Red Label power SUV should hardly be missing in the exhibition halls. 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.
However, at the big Volkswagen Group event on Monday, April 17, the VW ID7 as the electric version of the high-volume Passat model is likely to be the star, since Audi is only likely to officially unveil its Q6 Etron at the IAA in Munich in the fall. But there are also brands that hardly seem to care about Auto China in Shanghai, because Renault will be presenting its new Clio in parallel without a trade fair in the coming week and Cupra will be pulling 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 EX90, which is also new, the Geely brand will also be presenting the Polestar 4 for the first time on the exhibition stage. If you like it open, you might fall in love with the electric Mini Cooper SE Convertible celebrating its official public premiere in Shanghai. Also on display: the near-series study of the Mini Aceman – also electric.
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. And many of the new models will sooner or later come to Europe and put the domestic brands under pressure here. No question: it will be the most exciting motor show in years.
