8 AM, Beijing. Even an hour before the official opening of ‘Auto China’, which takes place every two years, the area around the exhibition hall is bustling with arriving cars and people. This is the day when all car manufacturers from around the world converge here.
On the opening day of Auto China, April 25, I arrived in Beijing as a member of the Korean Automotive Journalists Association. The atmosphere at the ‘China International Exhibition Center’, the venue for the event, was serious. Armed police were visible, and entry was permitted only after inspections of badges and belongings at the main gate.
At the entrance of the venue, a large advertisement for the recently launched Xiaomi electric vehicle ‘SU7’ caught the eye. Automobile manufacturers were allocated space in each of the eight exhibition halls located in the East and West buildings to welcome visitors.
This year’s Auto China stands out for the remarkable advancement of Chinese brands. In particular, BYD’s premium brands Denza and Yangwang, which are about to launch in Korea, are garnering attention. Denza is a luxury brand developed in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz, while Yangwang’s U8 boasts off-road capabilities equivalent to that of a Land Rover. The Z9GT showcased by Denza delivers a staggering 1,000 horsepower and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2 seconds. Additionally, the Yangwang’s off-road SUV ‘U8’ demonstrates the ability to wade through 1.4 meters of water with a maximum output of 1,200 horsepower. Furthermore, Yangwang representatives remarked, “The U8 can attach a drone to its roof, allowing for enjoyable trips to the countryside.” When the promotional video showed the U8 descending from a cliff, spectators erupted in applause.
A brand that has garnered significant attention at this year’s Auto China is Xiaomi. The company was personally represented by Chairman Lei Jun, which drew great interest due to the recent launch of the ‘SU7’ electric vehicle on March 28, following its announcement in 2021. Chairman Lei Jun expressed confidence to the media, stating, “Our car’s competitiveness is high. We have invested considerable effort into product delivery and quality over the past 14 years,” and further asserted, “This year, we aim to lead over 100,000 customers.”
Aside from Chinese brands, Korean and German manufacturers have also shown distinct interest in the Chinese market. Hyundai unveiled the high-performance electric sports car ‘Ioniq 5N’, while Kia showcased the domestic model ‘EV5’ as a cornerstone for revitalizing falling sales.
German brands also unapologetically expressed their affection for the Chinese market with electrified models. Mercedes-Benz unveiled the previously announced ‘electric G-Wagon’ and the ‘Mercedes-EQS’ sedan, a model with a refined charm reminiscent of the S-Class. Furthermore, the E350e L, a domestic version for the Chinese market of the ‘E-Class PHEV Long Body’, and the world premiere of the PHEV sports car ‘Mercedes-AMG S63 E Performance’ were presented.
MINI showcased its concept car ‘MINI Aceman’, while Audi revealed the long body version of the Q6, named ‘Q6 L’, intended for the Chinese market.
Beijing = Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr