Themed as “Innovation for Better Life,” the 15th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition, or Auto Shanghai 2013, will be held from April 21 to 29 in the Shanghai New International Expo Center, Shanghai. The organizers of Auto Shanghai 2013 include the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Shanghai Sub-Council, and China Council for the Promotion of International trade, Automotive Industry Committee; and the co-organizers are Shanghai International Exhibition Co. and MMG-Messe Muenchen International/ IMAG.
The event is also supported by China Machinery Industry Federation and The Society of Automotive Engineers of China. Top brands participating include General Motors, Ford and Chrysler, German automakers Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, BMW, Peugeot, Citroen, Hyundai, Kia, Toyota, Honda and Nissan. Also represented are China’s top six: FAW, SAIC, DFM, CHANGAN, GAC and BAW. Other Chinese brands include Geely, BYD, Chery, Brilliance Auto, Great Wall Motor, JAC, Haima Automobile, Soueast Motor, and Lifan Auto. Jiangling Motors as well as Changfeng Group will showcase their models as independent exhibitors. Global auto components giants like BorgWarner, Eaton Group, Bosch, Continental AG, ThyssenKrupp, NSK, ZF and Faurecia will also be there. As most automobile makers prefer their new car release to be on the first day of the exhibition, the organizers have set aside April 20 as a media day. The exhibition will be reserved for business visitors on April 21 and 22, and will then open to the public from April 23 to 29 – a day longer than previous shows. Automotive Industries (AI) asked Gu Chunting, Vice General Secretary of CCPIT Shanghai Subcouncil, and president of SIEC, what aspects of the Chinese automotive industry Auto Shanghai 2013 will highlight.
Chunting: Auto Shanghai 2013 will help to achieve technological innovation and leapfrog development of China’s automobile industry. This is in keeping with the theme of “Innovation for better life,” following China’s industrial strategy of “adjustment and transformation, innovation and upgrading.”
Over the next few years motor vehicles will spread rapidly into Chinese families. Our show will emphasize the safety, environmental protection, and energy conservation; focus on the new ideas of auto manufacturing, upgrading of auto technology, unique auto design, and intelligent auto controlling. It will help to increase the competitive power of China’s automobile industry in the world.
AI: What does the motto “Innovation for Better Life” mean for Auto Shanghai – how will it be reflected in the event?
Chunting: The development of the automobile has been going on for over a century, and Auto Shanghai is an epitome of this history. It is where hot issues in the auto industry are presented, and emerging technologies and energy-saving and environment-friendly technologies are shared. Along with the global automobile industry reform, independent innovation and China’s growing automobile market will offer visitors an inspiring preview of the future of the industry.
The theme of Auto Shanghai 2013 is “Innovation for Better Life”. Innovation will lead to industry development, which creates a better life. Auto Shanghai is not only a testament to the development of China’s automobile industry, but a showcase of a better lifestyle brought about by green technology. As one of the most important international auto shows, Auto Shanghai will bear the dreams of global automotive players, the responsibility of promoting the healthy development of China’s self-owned brands, as well as direct the auto culture and reflect the public’s aspiration for auto lifestyle.
AI: What will some of the highlights of Auto Shanghai 2013 be?
Chunting: Auto Shanghai 2013 will once again be the information dissemination platform of new technology, new vehicle models, and new ideas. We will showcase innovative automotive manufacturing concepts, new technologies, amazing auto designs and intelligent automotive controlling systems. We will firstly use the all indoor halls and outdoor temporary tent of Shanghai New International Expo Center for exhibiting. During the exhibition, the latest vehicles from those famous brands will be displayed, and more auto debuts will appear at Auto Shanghai. These are all highlights of our show. And we have some changes of exhibition schedule. As most automobile makers customarily prefer their new car release to be on the first day of the exhibition, the organizer will only arrange one media day (April 20) and expand the media release time to 8 p.m. Subsequently the exhibition dates will be increased by one day, i.e. from 21st to 29th April 2013 (21st and 22nd for professional visitors, 23rd to 29th for the public), leaving visitors more time to enjoy the event.
AI: Tell us a little about the organization of the event, and how it will be different from previous years’ shows.
Chunting: Auto Shanghai will continuously keep “peopleorientation” and “continual innovation” as its basic concepts of service and management. The show seeks to offer a detailed, careful, efficient, and perfect service with a delicate Shanghai tone and style. We believe that a successful show should be enjoyed by all participants, including exhibitors, visitors, and the media. This show will be a celebration of automotive culture, including various supporting activities which promote automotive knowledge, energy conservation and environment protection.
AI: What kind of participation do you expect from the 2013 Auto Shanghai? How many visitors and exhibitors are you planning for?
Chunting: Auto Shanghai 2013 is expected to occupy all 17 indoor exhibition halls and outdoor temporary exhibition tents, covering a total of 280,000 m2. The show will gather together the top international car manufacturing companies, new co-operating brands, and their own brands. In addition, new commercial vehicles from every major manufacturer will be on show. The world’s topranking auto parts groups will also attend Auto Shanghai 2013.
We expect to attract over 800,000 visitors and 3,000 media representatives. About 10,000 journalists will report this event, and witness the turning of a new page in the development of the international automotive industry.
Predicting the unpredictable
