Shanghai auto show to present "Art of Innovation"

Shanghai, April 1 (Gasgoo.com) The financial crisis has plunged the global auto market into downturn. Several international auto shows have also been affected this year. The Detroit show and Geneva show earlier this year had not drawn so many visitors and carmakers as in the previous years.

In a sharp contrast with these global auto shows, the 13th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition (2009 Shanghai Auto Show) will be a large extravaganza likely to rekindle the sluggish auto market. The numbers of carmakers and visitors to the event are expected to reach a record high.

As an important global auto industry event in 2009, the 13th International Automobile Industry Exhibition, themed "Art of Innovation", will be grandly staged on April 22-28, 2009 at Shanghai New International Expo Centre. The two "Media Days" are April 20-21 for press preview by the domestic and overseas media, with exhibitors hosting individual press conferences.

2009 Shanghai Auto Show (or Auto Shanghai 2009) will use all 11 indoor exhibition halls and temporary outdoor halls of the exhibition center, with a total exhibition space of 170,000 sqm, the biggest in the event’s history. Eight of these halls are for automobile manufacturers (Hall W1-W5, E1-E3) with 100,000 sqm floor space.

A section for auto components will also be opened to the public during the event, in Hall E4-E6 which covers 35,000 sqm, in addition to 12,000 sqm of outdoor temporary hall spaces. The commercial Vehicles hall, special section for auto tires, auto audio devices, media exhibitors, VIP lounge and information center are located at the outdoor sites.

Exhibits will cover all kinds of concept cars, saloon cars, sports car, passenger cars, commercial vehicles, parts and components of autos, auto acoustics, maintenance devices, auto accessories, showcasing the latest development in the global auto industry and the sophisticated technology and products of Chinese automakers.

In a global economic downturn, the Chinese auto market is a vital place for local and global automakers to seek growth. The new products and competitive prices introduced by them will inject new vitality to the China auto market and providing a unique development opportunity.

International auto giants all look to China automotive industry, and take Auto Shanghai 2009 as a global A-class auto show, some even see the Shanghai show as the most crucial of all auto shows. Big three US carmakers GM, Ford and Chrysler will keep their exhibition scale and standard of the previous shows in Shanghai.

Benz and BMW will expand their space and showcase their major cars and concept cars. Toyota, Honda, Nissan will increase their exhibition space. Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Citroen, Renault, Peugeot, Volvo, Mazda, Hyundai, Kia, and others have all enrolled in Auto Shanghai 2009. Luxury brands and sports cars such as Porsche, Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, Maybach, Bentley, and Spyker have signed up.

FAW, SAIC, Dongfeng Motor, Changan Auto, Guangzhou Auto, Beijing Auto will join hands to promote new cars under their self-developed brands in group participation for the first time in Shanghai auto show's history. BYD, Haima, Great Wall Motor, Brilliance, Changfeng, Greely, Jianghuai, Hafei and others will appear together at the show.

Faced with challenges of fuel shortages and environmental woes in the new century, the car industry is turning to new energy, hybrid power for energy efficiency and eco-friendliness. The 2009 Shanghai auto show will present the latest green concepts in car design and management to reflect the theme -- "Art of Innovation" of the event.