The largest car market China
The trends of the fair in Shanghai
In Shanghai, smart cars are in the spotlight. But a fatal accident shortly before the fair also draws attention to the topic of security. There are good grades for the Germans.
On the car show in Shanghai, electric cars dominate the picture. But a battery drive alone is more normal than eye -catchers among the world premieres shown. There is a merciless price and innovation competition on the competitive Chinese market. Cars should be digitized, smart and entertaining at the same time. The Mercedes-Benz boss Ola Källenius calls a “supercomputer on wheels”. The fair speaks about this this year:
Clever cars that are fun
Without a mature infotainment system, nothing works on the world’s largest car market. Manufacturers advertise with the possibility of playing computer games in the back seat. Your own smartphone – whether from Apple or Huawei – must of course be seamlessly integrated. AI-controlled voice assistant, partly with the technology of the Chinese company Deepseek, are also shown.
China’s industry leader BYD caused a stir in the run -up to the fair with his new “God’s Eye” assistance system. The partial autonomous driving assistant is first installed as standard in all new BYD models – from the luxury brand Yangwang to the cheap Seagull small car. The aim is to make such systems affordable for everyone. German manufacturers also take up the trend: Volkswagen, for example, presents an assistance system developed in China in Shanghai.
“In China for China” has an effect
Overall, the German corporations demonstrate the fruits of their “in China for China” strategy at the fair. Praise comes from car expert Peter Fintl. The fair is the same as a “festival of learning ability to learn German industry”.
The Germans showed that they still can. For years, the corporations had to put up with the accusation of overlapping the trend towards electromobility in China. But now that when it comes to a high -quality driving experience, they are better positioned. Experts receive praise, for example, the “New Class”, a new generation of vehicles from BMW.
The German manufacturers have at least partially caught up with residues in software and digitization, it is said. “They accept the declaration of war and really clog out,” says expert Beatrix Keim from the Center Automotive Research (Car). However, investments and efforts have to be reflected in a rising market share.
The “playoff season” has started
In view of the growing competition from Chinese tech companies such as Xiaomi and Huawei, Volkswagen expects a tightened competition, sees itself technologically but well equipped. “In my view, the playoff season begins now,” said China board member Ralf Brandstätter, alluding to the sporting excretion games.
Some market participants could still catch up – but not everyone would survive, said Brandstätter. Mercedes-Benz boss Källenius, in turn, emphasized that only those who work efficiently stay on the market: “Investing at the highest level, but being in parallel to Swabian than ever before in terms of efficiency,” he summarized.
The German manufacturers “vie with new concepts for the lost favor of the Chinese car buyers,” says industry expert Ferdinand Dudenhöffer. Not being in China is not an option. On the contrary. “China is becoming even more important, the message from Shanghai is,” said Dudenhöffer.
Xiaomi accident overshadow fair
Surprisingly, the topic of autonomous driving at the car show in Shanghai plays a lower role than initially thought. “I would have expected more,” says specialist Keim. The reason for the noticeable reluctance is likely to be a serious accident that occurred just a few weeks before the start of the trade fair. Three people were killed when they were traveling in a vehicle of the Chinese Tech Group Xiaomi – with activated driving assistance system.
The Chinese authorities reacted immediately and tightened the regulations. Misleading advertising concepts such as “autonomous driving”, “intelligent driving” or “self -driving” may no longer be used. As a result, many manufacturers also moved out of full -bodied announcements on autonomous mobility at the fair.
Some observers see a possible advantage for German manufacturers in the changing climate: their image may seem somewhat dusty in recent years, but they are still considered safe and reliable.
From flight robots to plush authors
Striking this year: Some manufacturers tried to attract trade visitors with rather unusual companions. For example, the traditional Chinese brand Hongqi, the aspiring battery manufacturer Catl and Xpeng concepts of drone -like aircraft – so -called EVTOL, which are electrically driven and can start and land vertically.
dpa
Source: Stern
