Shanghai December 8 (Gasgoo.com) The 14th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition will kick off April 23-28 2011 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre under the theme of "Innovation for Tomorrow". The press conference was held yesterday in Pudong, Shanghai by the China International Trade Promotion Committee, Shanghai International Exhibition Co., Ltd. and the Munich Trade Fairs International Group (MMI).
The exhibition covering over 200,000 square meters will be the largest in its history. Among all the 13 indoor halls, 11 will be for the car makers (W1-W3，E1-E7 and N5), two more halls than the last exhibition; the other two (W4, W5) along with the outdoor temporary halls will be for the auto parts manufacturers. There will also be commercial vehicle area, media area, VIP lounge area, and areas for auto audio devices and tires, meeting rooms, news center, etc. outside.
The following are some of the highlights of the exhibition, chosen by Gasgoo.com for significance or just for catching your eye:
First, Bugatti and SEAT under VW will make their first appearance at the Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition.
The German automaker's determination to enhance its development in the Chinese market has become quite obvious. It sold more than 1.6 million vehicles in the country in the first ten months this year, and has raised its sales target of two million for 2018 to three million that will make up nearly one third of its 10 million global sales in 2018.
Second, a hall named "N5" will be set up exclusively for luxury cars gathering Ferrari, Maserati, Aston-Martin, Bently and Rolls-Royce; BMW cars will show up at a record 4000 square meters' booth; and Japanese carmakers including Toyota, Honda and Nissan will exhibit with their sub-brands.
China's luxury car market grew by more than 60% in the first ten months, far faster than the country's entire auto market. Luxury car dealers said considerable orders have been received from the Chinese consumers, and some people even have to wait until the second half of 2011 to get their cars.
Third, global auto parts giants absent from the last exhibition will participate this time.
Auto parts makers like BorgWarner, Eaton, Bosch, Continental, ThyssenKrupp, ZF, Johnson Controls and Faurecia group hit hard by the financial crisis starting in 2008, will take part in the imminent exhibition for the first time. Local parts makers will participate actively as well, presenting a great opportunity for buyers at home and abroad.
Fourth, a car design area will be put up for the first time.
This special area will feature exhibits such as concept cars and prototype cars made by first-class design companies and studios around the world consisting of Pininfarina, a long-time Ferrari supplier, I.D.E.A. and ICONA from Italy, V-ENS from Korea, Sivax from Japan as well as famous local car design companies and institutions like TJ Innova.
Fifth, Summit CEO Forum
The Forum, which will be held on 18 April at the Shanghai Grand Ballroom in Kerry Hotel Pudong Shanghai, will invite relevant committee leaders of the central government, local governors and CEOs of major Chinese and multinational auto-making companies to deliver speeches, and hold talks on the automobile manufacturer mode and the development of Chinese automobile industry during the "Twelfth-Five Years Plan" period (2011-2015).
In addition, the number of exhibiters will be released at the press conference to be held ten days before the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show.
