Auto Shanghai 2011: 8 models to check out
A year before its crystal anniversary, participants at the 14th Auto Shanghai are celebrating. And not just because the show’s name has ceased to be the oxymoron it was back in 1997. At a time when U.S. dealerships are vanishing, Japan has entered crisis mode and Europe is in population decline, the Chinese are picking up the slack -- they bought 18 million vehicles in 2010, a third more than the Americans.
Even event show space is up 35 percent this year, so wear sensible shoes and take note of these highlights so you can cruise at your own speed. Although you could wander the expo for days, these are the cars you shouldn't miss.
1. SAIC Roewe E1
First, root for the home team and check out the E1 -- although even if you wanted to, you couldn't miss the Shanghai Automotive area, which has a hall dedicated to its newest offering's style.
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As per the show’s motto, “Innovation for Tomorrow,” SAIC will try to make eco sexy with its latest pure-electric E1 (a sneak-preview was shown at Expo’s China Pavilion) -- which, besides looking totally awesome, will also be affordable thanks to rumored incentives that should bring the price down towards RMB 100,000.
2. BYD E6
By April 2012, BYD will be a household name … worldwide. Or so Warren Buffett wagers. Last year he bought 10 percent of the upstart battery-cum-carmaker, and no Buffett sees his investment flounder.
More on CNNGo: China wants to build one million electric cars a year by 2020
Grab a sneak preview of BYD's new S6 SUV hybrid and the sweet all-electric e6 before they’re shipped off to California to vanquish Toyota’s Lexus hybrid SUV.
3. Chevy Camaro
What’s a car show employing hundreds of scantily clad models without a Camaro on which to drape themselves? At Auto Shanghai 2011 Chevy will launch its first Chinese Ke Mai Luo (科迈罗) as a big-ticket item, 45 years after its debut in America.
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With its 312hp V6 engine and extreme price tag (roughly RMB 500,000), the legend will lose its muscle-car status in translation, but at least it gets to keep its awesome Transformers nickname: Bumblebee.
4. Toyota Partner Robots
Who can resist a trumpet-playing robot -- particularly if he’s entertaining the beleaguered Japanese contingent. Respect.
More on CNNGo: 3 of the coolest technologies at the Shanghai 2010 Expo
The robots were initially developed as extra manufacturing hands, but Toyota went further and rolled out a series of life assistants, programmed to help care for aging Japanese. These guys will schlep you around, reach the high shelves, even offer tea and sympathy.
In Shanghai, as the population ages, they’ll have their work cut out.
