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Record numbers crowd into city auto show

(Shanghai Daily)
Updated: 2007-04-23 17:22

Shanghai auto show attracted a record high of more than 100,000 people on its first public show day even though heavy rain and strong winds hit the exhibition site and brought down a roof.

Up to 103,527 visitors from 92 countries and regions came to the show in the Shanghai New International Expo Center yesterday, the Shanghai Morning Post reported today, citing the event's organizing committee.

The show is open from 9am to 6pm except on its closing day, Saturday, when it will close at 3pm.

Visitors' enthusiasm was not diminished by yesterday's high winds and heavy rains which caused the collapse of a roof over an outdoor space. No one was injured.

The biennial event, dubbed "Technology and Nature in Harmony" this year, covers 140,000 square meters and includes nine exhibition halls and seven outdoor spaces, expanding from the 120,000 square meters of the last show in 2005.

A record number of 1,300 car makers and auto parts manufacturers from 20 countries and regions brought their most attractive brands and models for what is now one of the world's most influential auto shows.

The number of exhibited vehicles imported directly from overseas is around 100, including BMW, General Motors Corp, Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler and Ferrari. For many of the models, the auto show marks their Chinese debut.

Some car makers have invested millions to display their complete product line-up and their brand-new concept cars at the show.

Visitors crowded in front of some stands to take photos of their favorite cars.

"It took me at least 10 minutes get through the crowds on around some of the stands," said a visitor.

The "unexpected" record number of visitors as well as the bad weather caused a traffic jam on roads in the vicinity of the center and there were also huge crowds at a nearby Metro line station, said the report.