The Eighth China (Guangzhou)International Autom obile Exhibition

The Eighth China (Guangzhou)International Autom obile Exhibition

T he annual China (Guangzhou)International Automobile Exhibition was held at the China Import and Export Commodity Fair on December 21- 27,2010. This year’s exhibition covered about 160,000 square meters. The world’s most famous brands—Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen,GM, Nissan and BMW—showcased their latest models. Close to 900 new vehicles and dozens of concept cars made their debuts. The designated sedan Trumpchi for the Asian Games that mixes energy sources (traditional fuel with electric power) was one of the main highlights.The automobile exhibition started in 2003 and is now the third largest auto exhibition in China after Beijing and Shanghai. With over 450,000 visitors expected, including 50,000 buyers, 20 forums on the auto industry were held during the fair.

Audi

The 851 Pullman Limousine was the highlight of the Audi booth at the China(Guangzhou) International Automobile Exhibition.

The 851 Pullman Limousine is the ultimate symbol of Horch excellence, the luxury car division of Auto Union AG. In the time between World War I and World War II,the head of the German luxury automotive market was August Horch. During World War II, the 851 Pullman was provided for diplomats and other high-ranking government officials. Advanced features such as four-wheel brakes, hydraulic suspension and shatterproof glass made the Horch Pullman a visionary advance in automotive technology. Powered by a straight-8 delivering 100 horses, the Horch Pullman was more than powerful enough for its eight-person seating capacity. In the last days of World War II, the Horch factory was destroyed in Germany, making this icon of European luxury vehicles a permanent piece of automotive history.

This model features articulated steering, opening bi-fold bonnet over a detailed 4946cc engine compartment, opening trunk,and suicide doors that reveal fantastic interior detail including folding jump seats, “leather”trims, and a photo-etched gauge array.

Audi’s R8 5.2 Quattro was also showed at the exhibition.

Mercedes-Benz

M ercedes-Benz attended the China(Guangzhou) International Automobile Exhibition, displaying its four brands under Daim ler—Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, Smart and AMG. It’s also set to release six new models in 2011.

The E 260 and E 260 Coupes w ill feature 1.8L CGI engine w ith maximum output of 204hp.

A fter a very successful performance in China so far this year, Mercedes-Benz continued its outstanding performance by selling more than 14,145 units of Mercedes-Benz,Smart, AMG and Maybach in November.“Mercedes-Benz continued to develop at a dynam ic pace, w ith a 119-percent grow th rate for the first 11 months this year to deliver almost 129,500 units—this has not only surpassed our previously revised sales target of 120,000 units in China for 2010,but also maintained the highest grow th rate in the prem ium segment so far this year,”said K laus Maier, President and CEO of M ercedes-Benz (China) Ltd. “W ith our complete product lineup and our expanded Young Mercedes-Benz portfolio, which w ill be featured at this year’s Guangzhou Auto Show, we are confident in our ability to further build on our success this year.”

Vo lksw agen

The 8th Guangzhou auto show had the latest demonstration of Volkswagen excellence w ith the BlueMotion technologies in China. Using the slogan “Think Blue,”Volkswagen displayed 33 models at the auto show, almost 70 percent of them equipped w ith TSI and DSG technologies.

BlueMotion includes new power train technologies—currently anchored by TSI engines and DSG transm ission—to cut fuel consumption and em issions. A range of current Volkswagen products in China are equipped w ith TSI engines and DSG transm issions, such as the Lavida, Magotan,Sagitar and Bora, as well as some Audi and Skoda models.

Think Blue represents not only the latest implementation of Volkswagen’s automaking ideology, but also the company’s commitment to “clean, efficient and sustainable” development. Blue is the symbol of clear skies and deep oceans, and is the color of the planet. Blue is also the distinguished color of the Volkswagen brand.

Volkswagen’s exhibits at the Guangzhou show also include the Lavida blue-emotion, a compact purely electric-powered model. The group said earlier this year that the Lavida and Golf electric cars would be produced by its two joint ventures in China between 2013 and 2014. In addition, Volkswagen is exhibiting the Touareg Hybrid which tw ins a 3.0-liter V6 TSI engines and an electric motor.

As the fi rst mass-produced petrol-electric hybrid model, the sports-utility vehicle has maximum power of 380hp and peak torque of 580Nm. It only consumes 8.2 liters of gasoline per 100km. Volkswagen Group China said the Touareg Hybrid is to be launched in China in 2011.

BMW

The new generation o f BMW X 3 made its debut at this year’s Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition. The model is based on the platform of the old X3 and measures 4,648 mm x 1,881mm x 1,661mm, w ith a wheelbase of 2,810 mm.Equipped w ith the newest BMW Efficient Dynamics, the second generation BMW X3 surpasses similar sport utility vehicles (SUV)in auxiliary equipment and other improvements.

Citroën

W ith the products, services and network strategy promoting its brand, Dongfeng Citroën achieved a historic breakthrough in sales and further provided consumers w ith higher quality products and higher standard of services in 2010. In the future, Dongfeng Citroën said it would continue to uphold“human technology innovation to enjoy life”and keep the company user needs-oriented,and constantly improve and optim ize the product structure, enhance network coverage and service quality, bringing more value to users and the most distinguished driving experience. At the auto show’s opening, Citroën and Dong feng Citroën brought 12 models including the M ETROPOLIS C itroën concep t car,Lacoste Citroën concept car and the upcom ing production of the Sega STT.

In 2010, Dongfeng Citroën comm itted to providing highquality, valued and com fortable services.Deputy General Manager Wei Wenqing said Dongfeng Citroën had established 248 new outlets and upgraded its network to achieve substantial results this year. EQC data according to customer satisfaction said, “Since the implementation of the new image promotion, customer satisfaction has increased to 81.2 percent.”

Lexus

Lexus used the Guangzhou Auto Show to showcase the company’s new IS F model that’s already available in numerous markets across the globe, including the United States where it is being offered w ith many enhancements for the model year 2010. In the United States, the car is powered by a 5.0-liter V8 engine with an eight-speed Sport Direct Shift Transm ission that unleashes 416 horsepower and 371 lb-ft of torque at 5,200 rpm. The 2010 enhancements include a Torsen Lim ited Slip differential, iPod and USB connectivity plus a new 19-inch wheel design. As can be expected from a Lexus, the IS F excels in com fort features, such as 10-way power front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a pollen filter and smog detector, power moon roof w ith one-touch open/close and seven open-position settings,power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel,three-position memory functions for front seats, all power w indows w ith automatic up/down operation.