Auto Shanghai is an international automobile show, one of 5 world-renowned motor shows. The event was held at the Shanghai New International Expo Center (previously 2010 expo’s German Pavilion), located in Pudong (the east region of Shanghai), from 21 April to 29 April. The event was organized by The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers and The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade. The co-organizers are Shanghai International Exhibition Co. Ltd, MMG (Messe Muenchen International) and IMAG (International Messe- und Ausstellungsdienst GmbH) their German partners. The forum was under the theme of “Fuse Positive Energy and Drive Collaborative Innovation”. It was honored with the presence of senior leaders from major foreign and domestic automotive industries, prominent economists and diplomats. There were also some global business associations who came together to discuss the hot issues concerning auto industry development in the Asia Pacific region, including China, which is the location of the automobile manufacturers. The CEO Summit, under the theme of “The New Global Roles Expected of the Chinese Auto Industry” involved speakers from GM International Operations and BAIC Motors.

Over 15.2 million people visited the Auto Shanghai 2013 show on the first day of the event. “The event is on a large scale and at a very high level. Besides, the scale is the largest among all events that I have attended in the last four years of my experience as a Shanghai citizen” stated Kaiyue, a senior student of East China University of Science and Law. Despite the huge number of visitors, the exhibition ensured a safe, civilized and rewarding event. Safety at the exhibition and appropriate decorum among show participants were highly advocated. In order to avoid traffic jams in the vicinity of the exhibition hall during the show, organizers asked attendees to choose public transport or buses, which were provided by Auto Shanghai, as their means of transport. Auto Shanghai was founded in 1985 as the earliest professional international auto show in China and it is the first Chinese international automotive exhibition that joined UFI (The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry which is the association of trade show organizers and exhibition industries). The impressive quality of the automotive exhibition brought attention and support from the global automotive industry.

There were many famous international automotive brands such as Ferrari, Volkswagen and Audi. German automakers like Mercedes-Benz, Smart, BMW, and MINI displayed their new models and unique display booths. There were fabulous halls designed for the Volkswagen Group, Audi, Bugatti and Lamborghini. Auto Shanghai 2013 attracted the participation of luxury car brands including Porche, Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini and Rolls-Royce. But Auto Shanghai 2013 was also based on the joint ventures of Chinese auto companies and some western companies. The joint venture approach could be viewed as local Chinese companies’ next step to brand innovation and to be responsible for the new global roles expected of the Chinese Auto Industry.

It is a well-known fact that automotive manufacturers all over the world produce their products in China. Volkswagen has the largest number of car manufacturers in China. GM and Kia ranked 2nd and 3rd following Volkswagen in 2013. The Korean automotive booths, including Kia and Hyundai, were located in the major exhibition halls of Auto Shanghai 2013. There were a lot of special showcase events held in the Korean automotive exhibit locations, which differentiated and specialized Korean brands from other foreign companies. The organizers provided exhibition facilities including an information desk, a rest area for seniors and individuals requiring wheelchair access, and a rest area for lost children, an infirmary, an emergency ambulance service, a mobile communications support vehicle and mobile toilets, among other facilities.

In the global context of the development of the auto industry, there is a call for effort and cooperation to respond to the opportunities and challenges to explore new ways of achieving innovation. This 15th Auto Shanghai was revealed in April with its new and bright Chinese automotive visions. The organizers orchestrated a series of key events to create a platform for exchange and cooperation with global partners. The events included Auto Shanghai Summit 2013, Media Day on 20 April, and The Night of the Designers (car designers’ gatherings on the Bund), Technology Sessions and a Dynamic Demonstration Area. The exhibition this year was full of positive energy and aimed for a healthy and sustainable development of the auto industry. Each global firm had an exhibition on environmentally-friendly automotives. The automotives had safe and eco-friendly designs with hybrid car engine systems and also used other energy sources. This was Innovation for Tomorrow.