This photo taken on April 25, 2025 shows robot IRON of Xiaopeng at the 21st Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition in east China's Shanghai. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang)
BEIJING, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Themed "Embracing Innovation, Empowering the Future," the ongoing 21st Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition (Auto Shanghai 2025) has attracted nearly 1,000 noted enterprises from 26 countries and regions, showcasing that opening-up and innovation remain the mainstream of world economy, and an open Chinese market still holds great appeal for enterprises worldwide.
-- Global auto arena
With the great appeal of the huge Chinese market, the Shanghai auto show has become a major arena for global auto brands. The over 360,000-sqaure-meter venue has been filled with people from different countries, speaking multiple languages, ready to launch more than 100 debut models.
From ZEEKR's ultra-luxury SUV ZEEKR 9X, BYD's luxury SUV Yang Wang U8L, to SAIC-GM Buick's Electra, Beijing Benz's long-wheelbase CLA model, automakers at home and beyond are catering to the demands of Chinese consumers with spectacular product debuts.
During the Auto Shanghai 2025, foreign auto brands have cast a vote of confidence in Chinese market. Noting that China is "the largest global market" for BMW, Oliver Zipse, chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, said the company will further expand its presence in China. "We have a very strong foothold in China, and we are here to stay."
The Auto Shanghai has become a barometer of global automotive industry development. The active engagement of foreign capital and foreign-funded enterprises speaks volumes about the exceptional attractiveness of the Chinese market, and facilitates the integration of China's automotive industry into the world, said Gu Chunting, vice chairman of the Council for the Promotion of International Trade Shanghai
-- High-tech carnival
Different from the previous editions, the Auto Shanghai 2025 features a carnival of automotive technologies.
The exhibition area of automotive technologies and supply chains covers an area of 100,000 square meters, accounting for nearly one third of the total area, with exhibitors including the global top 100 auto parts suppliers, such as Bosch, ZF and CATL, and nearly 100 chip semiconductor and auto pilot solution providers such as Horizon Robotics, SenseAuto and iFlytek, according to Gu.
The integration of AI big models, high-precision maps and automotive chips has driven the automotive revolution from a "tool of mobility" to a connected tech hub on wheels.
Riding the wave of China's tech momentum, many global automakers are deepening local partnerships to supercharge their smart technology and electrification efforts. For example, Mercedes-Benz will apply Doubao, ByteDance's large language model, while Audi will partner with Huawei for intelligent vehicle solutions by Qiankun, the tech giant's new intelligent driving brand.
Technology also creates larger room for imagination in the automotive industry. "The intelligent automotive sector is evolving into an aggregated intelligent industry," said Zhang Yongwei, vice chairman and secretary-general of NEV industry think tank China EV 100. "Smart vehicles stay on roads, flying cars ascend to low-altitude skies, and humanoid robots embody AI-driven mobility."
-- Magnet for foreign investment
The combination of cutting-edge electric and intelligent technologies, well-established foundations for automotive industrial and supply chains, and a huge consumption market makes east China's Shanghai a popular destination favored by global automotive manufacturers and supply chain players.
Right before the exhibition, Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corp. signed an agreement to establish a wholly-owned electric vehicle (EV) plant in Shanghai. Toyota commits to investing a total of 14.6 billion yuan (about 2 billion U.S. dollars) into the new energy vehicle (NEV) project in Jinshan District, which focuses on the research and development, production and sales of Lexus EVs and EV batteries, according to the agreement. Construction is slated to begin in June, with production expected to start in 2027, according to the plans of Toyota.
German chemical giant BASF earlier also announced a 500-million-yuan (about 69.3 million U.S. dollars) investment for the expansion of its Shanghai Cellasto plant, which provides noise, vibration and harshness reduction solutions for automobiles. Actually, it is not its first expansion in China since its operation in Pudong New Area of Shanghai. BASF is committed to staying close to the local market and its customers by making its production locally, from tangible coatings and steering wheels to intangible exhaust catalysts.
The expansion of multinationals' presence in China has been bolstered by China's support at nation and city levels. Restrictions on foreign investment in the manufacturing sector have been lifted with the release of the 2024 version of the negative list for foreign investment access. At the city level, Shanghai has opened 1,586 test roads spanning a total mileage of 2,767 kilometers, with interconnected roads and mutual recognition of testing license plates between Jiading District, Shanghai and Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, to support the development of electric and intelligent vehicles, according to an official with Shanghai municipal government.
(Edited by Li Shimeng with Xinhua Silk Road, lishimeng@xinhua.org)
A single purchase
