The show attracted 800,000 visitors in 2012. This year's highlights include 71 concept cars and 79 new-energy vehicles. Chen Xiaogen / For China Daily

Record number of vehicles make world debut at biennial event

Auto fans in the nation's capital are in their element as the 2014 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition gets underway today.

The first three days of the biennial auto show are reserved for the press and professional visitors and doors will open to the public from April 23.

More than 2,000 exhibitors from 14 countries and regions will showcase 1,134 vehicles at the show, which runs until April 29, said Wang Xia, secretary-general of the event's organizing committee.

"In addition to frequent exhibitors, some brands, both famed and new, will appear at the show for the first time, including Lincoln, Qoros and McLaren," said Wang.

He said 118 vehicles, a record number for the show, will make their world premiere, with some brands unveiling more than one model.

Highlights include 71 concept cars and 79 new-energy vehicles, which fit with the show's theme of "driving to a better future".

Started in 1990, the Beijing Auto Show has become one of the most influential events of the industry across the globe.

Wang expects the show to attract 800,000 visitors to its two venues, which have a combined floor space of 230,000 sq meters.

These are the China International Exhibition Center at Jing'anzhuang in Chaoyang district and the center's new site at Tianzhu in Shunyi district.

Vehicles will be exhibited at the Tianzhu venue while the Jing'anzhuang site will showcase spare parts.

A large selection of spares and accessories from international and Chinese manufacturers including Nitto Tire, Bosch and Schneider will be displayed in 17 halls at the Jing'anzhuang site.

Visitors can buy tickets at the venues or book them online through a cell phone app, according to the event's organizing committee.

New technologies

New technologies that should impress visitors include Mercedes-Benz's safety system, which features lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control and drowsiness detection, according to news portal Sina.com.

Infiniti has introduced a direct adaptive steering system into its sedan Q50.

Apple Inc launched an in-vehicle system called CarPlay with auto manufacturers including Mercedes-Benz and Volvo.

Through Apple's voice assistant, Siri, drivers can control the system and even adjust seat positions and air conditioning, said Sina.com.

As well as hot new cars and gorgeous models, South Korean actor, Kim Soo-hyun, is sure to set hearts racing. Kim is due to make an appearance at Hyundai's booth, according to news portal Sohu.com.

He has risen to fame thanks to the popularity of TV serial My Love from the Star, in which he plays a leading role.

Passenger vehicles will dominate the show with comparatively fewer truck exhibits.

According to truck news portal, cvworld.cn, no international truck manufacturers will be present except Hyundai and many Chinese ones will not make an appearance.

In a report a sales manager from JAC Motors said one reason for this was stalls for commercial vehicles at the show were in locations that visitors rarely pass by.

The demand pattern for the truck market in and around Beijing was also to blame, it said.

Despite the rise in freight transport, the majority of customers in local markets tend to choose Chinese brands, which is in stark contrast to the situation in the south of China. Seminars will also be held during the auto show.

These include the 6th Transmission Symposium China, which will take place from April 22 to 23.

Organized by the Society of Automotive Engineers of China and Hans Auto Consultant Co, the event is expected to release more than 40 papers and attract 600 participants.

The China Vehicle Corrosion Prevention Symposium is expected to attract 300 participants from vehicle and auto part manufacturers, professional testers and equipment suppliers.

lifusheng@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 04/20/2014 page34)