Shanghai Auto Show 2021: the brands, the launches and China’s growing influence

Global carmakers are increasingly relying on strong sales in China which-unlike Europe and North America, where the effects of Covid-19 are still being felt-has been showing very encouraging signs.

In March alone, Chinese dealers sold 2.53 million cars, an increase of 74.9% compared with the same month a year earlier.

These are striking figures, underlining just how vital China has become for manufacturers worldwide-many of whom chose the Shanghai Auto Show (the first major motor show of the year) to unveil their latest launches.

At Shanghai Auto Show 2021, as it is officially known, there was a clear “SUV offensive” from overseas brands, a genuine parade of electric-mobility-focused concepts and production models, and the familiar announcement of “stretched” versions of cars already sold in Europe.

The upshot? A show packed with new announcements, where the presence of “home-grown” proposals-meaning Chinese brands-was more visible than ever (and increasingly significant…).

European manufacturers flat out

China’s importance to Europe’s car brands was evident throughout the halls. BMW brought a special version of the BMW M760 Li xDrive, finished in a two-tone body colour reminiscent of Mercedes-Maybach offerings, and also introduced the iX electric SUV in China, which is due to go on sale there in the second half of the year.

After its online reveal, Mercedes-Benz used the Chinese show to present the EQS in public for the first time, alongside the newly unveiled EQB. The line-up was rounded off with a “stretched” version-exclusive to China-of the new C-Class.

Audi, meanwhile, arrived in Shanghai with the A6 e-tron electric prototype, promising more than 700 km of range, plus a “stretched”-and saloon-shaped-variant of the familiar Audi A7 Sportback.

The Ingolstadt manufacturer also displayed the longer Q5 (Q5 L) and a prototype of a new all-electric SUV-set to become its take on the Volkswagen ID.6-on a stand it shared (for the first time…) with its two Chinese partners: FAW and SAIC.

Volkswagen was equally busy, choosing the Shanghai show to debut the ID.6, which will be sold in two versions. You can read more about this seven-seat electric SUV, which looks like a larger take on the ID.4-today awarded the 2021 World Car of the Year trophy.

Europe’s presence at the event also included Maserati, which launched the hybrid version of the Levante, and Peugeot, which used the occasion to unveil its new China strategy called “Yuan +”, show its new logo and present its latest SUV duo: 4008 and 5008.

The USA also said “present”

The American “armada” also made itself felt at Shanghai Auto Show 2021, largely thanks to Ford. Alongside the China-built Mustang Mach-E, it revealed the Evos, a muscular-looking crossover with sporty proportions that may hint at what could replace the Mondeo in Europe and the Fusion in North America.

Joining those two on the Shanghai stage were the new Ford Escape (our Kuga), the Ford Escort (yes, it still exists in China…) and the Ford Equator (a seven-seat SUV).

General Motors (GM) also drew attention in China, announcing the Cadillac Lyriq, an electric crossover, and presenting the refreshed Buick Envision.

And the Japanese?

Honda attended with the e:prototype electric SUV which-much like the Honda e-should reach production with a look very close to the concept, as well as the plug-in hybrid version of the Breeze (an SUV derived from the CR-V).

Toyota, for its part, showcased the bZ4X Concept, the first model from its new bZ electric line-up, while Lexus appeared with the updated ES.

Nissan also said “present”, lifting the covers on the X-Trail: the new generation of the SUV already revealed in the USA as the Rogue, and which, by all indications, should also arrive in Europe in the summer of 2022.

What about the “home-grown” makers?

At Shanghai Auto Show 2021, the “home-grown” manufacturers once again made it clear they are no longer supporting acts-they are ready for centre stage.

The days of stumbling across stories about Chinese brands “cloning” European models are long gone. Today, China wants to take on the giant-and profitable-domestic car market with distinctive, innovative proposals. Even Xiaomi, the Chinese technology giant, does not want to “miss the ride”, with Lei Jun, the group’s founder, confirming its intention to launch a car.

Rival Huawei also does not want to “do any less” and has already stated it will invest 1 billion dollars (around 830 million euros) in autonomous-driving technologies, embracing the role of a future supplier to the automotive industry.

Another notable reveal from the show was the Xpeng P5, the brand’s third model, offering autonomous-driving functions through the new XPilot 3.5 system. This set-up comprises 32 sensors, two LiDAR units (integrated into the recesses where fog lamps would usually sit), 12 ultrasonic sensors, 13 high-resolution cameras and a high-precision GPS sensor.

Zeekr, a new marque from the ever-expanding Geely group-owner of Volvo, Polestar and Lotus-also chose Shanghai Auto Show 2021 to introduce its first model, the Zeekr 001: a sort of electric shooting brake-4.97 m long-capable of covering 700 km on a single charge.

Great Wall, which has a joint venture with BMW, brought along a prototype with the radical name Cyber Tank 300-looking like a blend of a Ford Bronco and a Mercedes G-as well as a modern reimagining of Volkswagen Beetle styling, the Ora… Punk Cat-we are not joking.

Wuling, a General Motors partner, presented the latest version of its Hong Guang MINI EV Macaro “micro-electric” car in Shanghai: a small city runabout with 170 km of range that, in that market, costs the equivalent of 3500 euros-a car that has also reached Europe as the Dartz Freze Nikrob.

Finally, FAW Hongqi ensured it did not go unnoticed by unveiling the S9 hypercar, a prototype that had already whetted appetites in 2019 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Its lines were penned by Walter de Silva, the Italian designer behind, for example, the Alfa Romeo 156, and who for several years led design for the Volkswagen Group.

Using a hybrid system that includes a V8 engine, the S9 delivers a combined output of 1400 cv and needs less than 2s to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h, with top speed set at around 400 km/h.