Shanghai set to roar with big auto events in April

SHANGHAI will roar to the sound of two huge auto events in consecutive weeks in April next year, a local newspaper reported on Monday.

The Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix and Auto Shanghai in 2009 will follow each other starting from the middle of the month, Jiefang Daily reported.

The Chinese Grand Prix will be from April 17 to 19, and Auto Shanghai 2009 exhibition's media day will be on April 20 after which the show will open to the public on April 22 to 28, the report said.

The two auto events will span 12 days and present the largest auto pageant in Asia Pacific.

Formula One Management decided to reschedule the F1 Chinese Grand Prix from October to April in order to avoid clashing with the ATP Masters Series tournament in Shanghai.

The exhibition area for Auto Shanghai in 2009 will expand to 170,000 square meters, the largest in history, despite the current international financial crisis.

Mercedes Benz, BMW, Toyota, Honda and Nissan will expand their exhibition areas next year while other major international brands, including US auto makers General Motors, Ford and Chrysler, and domestic manufacturers will participate.

The events are expected to provide an important stimulus for the Chinese auto market's recovery next year.

Shanghai Juss Event Management Co, organizer of both the F1 Chinese Grand Prix and the ATP Masters Series tournament in Shanghai, mediated the F1 schedule adjustment.