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Invest Shanghai
The 2025 Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition, or Auto Shanghai, will open on a record-breaking scale on Wednesday. With over 100 world premieres in the spotlight, it will serve as a global showcase of automotive innovation and cutting-edge technologies, while highlighting China’s key role in promoting international cooperation and its firm commitment to opening-up policies, according to a Chinese expert.
The 2025 Auto Shanghai will be held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center Shanghai until May 2, according to organizers.
A number of mainstream automotive brands from around the world are participating in high-profile ways. Nearly 1,000 leading Chinese and foreign enterprises from 26 countries and regions will attend the show, which spans over a record of 360,000 square meters.
New energy vehicle (NEV) brands such as Xiaomi Auto will make their debut, showcasing the latest technologies in the era of intelligent connected vehicles. Since February, Chinese automakers like BYD, Geely, Great Wall and Chery have integrated the DeepSeek large model, accelerating the rollout of advanced driver assistance systems.
Nearly 50 companies, including international giants like Sony, Intel and 3M, will debut at the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show in the automotive technology and supply chains.
For foreign auto giants, the 2025 Shanghai auto show is seen as a significant demonstration of their continued commitment to the Chinese market.
Volkswagen will debut its first proprietary AI-powered, highly automated driving system, especially developed for China's complex traffic environments, said Volkswagen Group in a statement sent to the Global Times.
The company said that it is accelerating its transformation by consistently implementing its “In China, for China” strategy. Auto Shanghai 2025 marks a key milestone in this transformation. For the first time, Volkswagen Group will present an entirely new generation of smart electric vehicles from Audi and Volkswagen brands, which were developed exclusively in China for Chinese customers, according to the statement.
Li Yong, a senior research fellow at the China Association of International Trade, told the Global Times on Tuesday that China's rise in the automotive sector, particularly in NEVs, makes it an essential market for global players.
"Chinese automotive technology, especially in new-energy, is at the global forefront. This, combined with the country's vast market potential, has attracted technology and supported enterprises seeking large-scale applications and sales opportunities, all eager to ride the wave of China’s technological innovation," Li said.
Ahead of the show, the Shanghai Municipal Government and Toyota Motor Corp signed a strategic cooperation agreement on the establishment of a new company fully owed by Toyota in Jinshan district, Shanghai, according to the Shanghai Observer. The new entity will be dedicated to the research, development and production of Lexus pure electric vehicles and advanced power batteries.
Amid rising tariff barriers and protectionism disrupting the global automotive landscape, China stands out for its steadfast commitment to opening-up. For example, the country has removed all market access restrictions for foreign investors in the manufacturing sector and is actively sharing market opportunities with the world, Li said.
“The government's continuous introduction of opening-up policies has created a thriving business environment and the strong turnout at the Shanghai auto show clearly reflects that,” Li said.
"As the world's largest vehicle and new-energy market, China is a dominant force in the global automotive industry. Its complete industrial chain allows for efficient manufacturing and easy access to auto parts, reducing production costs significantly. The stable economic environment and vast consumer base ensure that foreign-invested firms can secure sufficient orders and sales, and long-term growth,” Zhang Xiang, secretary-general of the International Intelligent Vehicle Engineering Association and visiting professor with the Engineering Department of Huanghe Science and Technology University, told the Global Times on Tuesday.
Zhang said that US carmaker Tesla's success in China is a prime example, proving that the country’s industrial environment provides an ideal platform for automotive companies to thrive and expand globally. Tesla launched production at its new Megafactory in Shanghai in February. Commecig operations just eight months after construction began, it served as a new example of "Tesla speed" in China, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
According to the Association of Automobile Manufacturers, China's automobile production and sales in 2024 both exceeded 31 million units, with exports reaching 5.859 million units, a 19.3 percent year-on-year increase, solidifying China's position as the world's largest automobile exporter. The association forecasts a stable growth for the automotive industry in 2025, with sales expected to reach around 32.9 million units, up 4.7 percent year-on-year.