Chinese automakers are moving at amazing speed – but not with the United States

• “There were 1000 exhibitors and 93 world debuts,” said a Chinese auto analyzer for Auto Shanhai Expo, which ends this week.

• “I talked to a Canadian dealer group that concluded that the US -Canada relationship is now badly damaged,“You said.”They were looking to bring Chinese cars to Canada. “

• It was missing from Auto Shanghai this year was Hyundai/Kia/Genesis, as well as high quality brands such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and Rolls-Royce.

Western car manufacturers do not move fast enough to catch up with what is happening in China, and business trends today are moving east to west.

This is the prospect of Tu Le, the founder and managing director of Cino Auto Insights Consultancy. Leo talks to Jamie Masars from Car news For a seminar of Automotive Press Association this week during Auto Shanghai, which lasts until May 2.

For the perspective, Le pointed that the newly completed International Motor Show in New York occupies approximately four football fields, but the two-year exhibition of cars in Shanghai has taken 17 years.

“There were 1,000 exhibitors and 93 world debuts,” he said. “After three days I went in 19,000 steps every day.” About 271 “new energy” (electric) cars were on display and Le made it clear that while some internal complication models were present, they were no longer at the center of Chinese car exhibitions.

Lee said the Shanghai show is “Business as usual, just not with the United States. I talked to a Canadian dealer group that concluded that the US Canada’s relationship is now badly damaged. They are looking to bring Chinese cars to Canada.”

LE describes German car executives checking the fit and completion of new Chinese models and registering the astonishment of features such as excellent paint quality and even panel gaps.

The fast -moving Geely Zekr brand, which had a major CES exhibit this year, held its event in Shanghai “entirely in English,” said Le.

“It was as if Chinese EV manufacturers were making a way out and were trying to get the attention of the rest of the world. There were people from Brazil and the Philippines. There were dealers from the Middle East who spoke with ZEC.”

Zekr’s Premium Halo Car is Minivan-like 9x, shown with the interior, darkened and still unfinished. The large 9x (which receives comparisons with Range Rover and Rolls-Royce Cullinan) is a luxury hybrid with a long-term CATL batteries that allow approximately 170 miles from the real world.

The 2.0-liter Turbo Four engine is combined with electrical power to produce 150 miles / h, up to 885 hp. and three seconds to 60 miles / h.

The Chinese market loves sub-brands, as well as Buick (Electra, name with the past) and NIO (Firefly) have them. Firefly, with replaced batteries and announced last year, is aimed at younger buyers in Europe with small urban EVS, taking mines and smart. Prices in China start at $ 16,470. Electra is for the Chinese market with a number of electrified models.

It was missing from Auto Shanghai this year was Hyundai/Kia/Genesis, as well as high quality brands such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and Rolls-Royce.

“The Ultra-luxury is a decline in the Chinese market,” LE said. And Korean brands are fighting in China, with only a 1.6% market share of the end of 2024, according to Carnewschina.com. Citroën and Peugeot were also noticeable of their absence.

A decisive strangeness is the Audi rebarending in the Chinese market as well, All-Caps Audi. The idea is to distinguish the new models from the inherited “four rings” Audi.

“Audi carries a negative connotation in China as models like 6L are related to government officials,” LE said. “On top of that, electrical electronic thrones are seen as high and undermined. Audi rebrands and discard the four rings to get out of its old reputation.” Ringless Audi is a joint venture with the Chinese carmaker Saic.

Again, the transparent speed of Chinese car manufacturers is amazing. Volkswagen said it will be introduced with the partner Faw Group Six New EVS, two hybrids for attachment and two EV-extended EVs in China, which begin in 2026.

But NIO plans to announce nine new and refreshed vehicles for its three brands alone in 2025, “The VW pace looks quite slow for the Chinese market,” LE said.

What can hereditary cars learn from the thriving Chinese automotive industry? Please comment below.