I-DEA 'Gobi'

Tucked away in one of the numerous halls at the Shanghai Auto show was I-DEA's stand presenting their concept car Gobi. Mr. Fulvio Giuliano, I-DEA's General Manager of the first and only European design company in Shanghai, explains the Gobi is a look at what the future of automotive design in China could offer. After the boom of expensive sedan design dies down and as prices fall and affordability increases I-DEA expects that also the age of the general, middle-class, consumer will decrease to include much younger customers.

Gobi answers the future need for smaller cars due to traffic and space limitations in the city in the form of a chili-pepper colored mini pick-up SUV. The vehicle also takes into consideration diminishing prices and fuel costs – with a smaller package running costs are much less as is the environmental impact. I-DEA's Chairman, Mr. Paolo Caccamo, was also present to show how important their work in China is, with collaborations on the table with SAIC-GM, Haiman-Mazda, and Chana, and three new models that will be in production within the next 12 months.

Brilliance Auto 'Splendor'

Another very popular Italian name being bounced around the showroom is Pininfarina. It seems that the Chinese have a direct acquaintance with the famous Turin design-house and it equals quality and sales. Unlike their counterparts they design with a more Italian taste and this suits Brilliance Auto's Splendor concept car just fine. A shorter version of the 4.8m version sedan, the 4.6m long luxury sedan will be launched in October 2005. The specs sheet even claims that the project received technical support from Porsche, another well respected and admired engineering name in China, indicating yet again respect and admiration towards established European car manufacturers.

The interior is quite well put together even by Western standards, and quite refined for local palates. Most likely the tones will be lighter in the production version as Chinese consumers prefer light interiors with warm beige toned colors rather than blacks and grays. The Splendor is equipped with a Mitsubishi engine, as are most cars made in China, yet Brilliance Auto is looking forward proudly to equip their vehicles with their own engines in the near future.

Hafei 'Sai Bo V'

Hafei's concept car this year is named Sai Bo V, the successor to their very popular Sai Bo III launched in 2003 at a very competitively priced 88,800 Renminbi (about 8,800 Euros or US$11,300). It is not much of a concept car in terms of styling but nevertheless it was created by Pininfarina's studio in Turin, Italy. The Sai Bo V's design is the kinds of design language that Chinese customers expect nowadays from their sedans but with better proportions and finishings as is signature of the Italian design power-house.

Unlike some of the other local car manufacturers in China Hafei is proud of having Pininfarina as one of their partners because it adds value to their product. A simple and straight forward four passenger sedan concept such as the Sai Bo V will be accepted rapidly and widely by their customer base because Italian design equals passion, style, and European establishment…important factors for the vast number of current male buyers in China.

Chery 'B13' and 'M14'

With a total of five concept cars at Shanghai's Auto show this year Chery is sure pushing to see how strong they are and will need to be in order to compete worldwide. The theme at the stand was 'international' and 'technology', one focuses on being competitive and compliant with international vehicle standards while the second shows a total of six engines that will reach Sruo 4 standard compliancy this year! Its no wonder that with a goal to export close to 40,000 vehicles this year from China Chery has been busy making new concepts and preparing to debut models globally, even as soon as the Frankfurt Motor Show later this year.

The B13 is a full size van that redefines what is a real MPV for the Chinese market. The chairs swivel around to make space for a table creating a meeting area setting as well as having the ability to be turned into a horizontal bed position. The interior color combination – camel and brick-brown leather together with inlaid wood patterned trimming – sets the tone for a comfortable interior color and trim solution.

On the other hand the nail polish red M14, a Pininfarina-signed 2+2 convertible sports coupe, was turning heads of many visitors. The rear and side body treatments and formal language look like a vague cross between Alfa and Mercedes but look so natural on the M14's proportions that this car may very well change the quality of design in China.

Chevrolet 'Aveo' and 'Aveo Xtreme'

Presented at the show this year by Chevrolet, a forgotten name elsewhere but huge success in China, was the Aveo and Aveo Xtreme. The Aveo is a mid-range four seater sedan with plenty of interior personal space yet contrary to local 'package' rules has reasonably short overhangs. Slightly Japanese in feeling and stance the Aveo is sure to please middle class families in China which is one of its fastest growing markets as well as serve as Chevrolet's first time buyer cars much like the Civic or Corolla was to Honda.

On the other hand the Xtreme is a particularly interesting proposal with its custom built fenders, super spoilers and rocker panels, and screaming glittery acid green paint job. An obvious and bold statement that shows that purchasing power in the lower age groups is increasing as is the demand for fun city cars like Polos. The color in particular is a recurring theme throughout the show but few cars have such a tough muscle-like treatment such as the Aveo Xtreme. Definitely targeted to young boys and girls who hang out on the street listening to music in club parking lots or like to cruise with friends the custom feeling of this extreme vehicle is a sneak peak at what will be popping up at around Shanghai and Beijing's hangouts. It isn't unconceivable that Toyota's BB or the likes of the Nissan Cube or Honda SMX might be a huge hit in this town.

Audi 'A6L'

The Audi A6 is a legacy in China because it was one of the first sedan's to set the status symbols standard in the higher eschelons of Chinese society. Often used as a corporate or state VIP car, the advantage of this sedan is that while one may have a chauffeur during the week it is also easy to drive personally on the weekend or free time. The only problem was that the Chinese clients wanted more legroom in the rear, hence more status, and Audi has responded to this demand with the Audi A6L. This China-only version is 10 cm (4 inches) longer than the European standard giving the customer exactly what they want, room, elegance, power, and luxury from the reputable Audi badge.

As in most Asian countries the interior uses again mainly light and warm, beige, toned colors with lacquered wood trimmings as well as a few measured touches of chrome for good measure. Anytime a luxury car maker wants to enter the Chinese market, Audi is without doubt the marker to go by, today and in the future.

Spyker 'La Turbie'

Hans Van Rennes is the embodiment of Spyker, an exclusive totally petrol head driven super car company. He tells the story of Spyker's new lease on life since the year 2000 and the major step of going public in 2004 like it was the easiest thing in the world. In fact it is not, in recent years the competition in the super car segment has increased significantly yet it's the story behind Spyker and the passion and uniqueness that has pushed the Dutch founded company's names to the tip of the tongue of people in the know.

At this Shanghai Auto Show they made their Asian debut of the super souped-up 'C12 La Turbie' named after a mountain near Monte Carlo, where in 1922 Hugo Baron Pallandt won the coveted first prize, and first shown at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. Its powerful Audi W12 engine featured in the Bentley Continental GT has a top speed of 325 km/h with an acceleration speed of 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. Aimed at male entrepreneur customers between the age of 35 - 55 Spyker is proud to offer the performance of a Ferrari and the class of an Aston Martin with a naturally steep price tag to boot. The interior is lush with quality leather, rich stitchings, crafted aluminium fittings, and plenty of bling status!