Auto Shanghai 2015 (Part 1): European and U.S. OEMs unveil plug-in hybrids

World premieres of VW flagship sedan concept and Audi's new plug-in hybrid lineup

2015/05/14

Summary

Home of the Auto Shanghai 2015
Venue of the Auto Shanghai 2015.
Exhibition halls are laid out like a four-leaf clover around the central open space.
Exhibition hall 1
Exhibition hall 1 with SAIC, GM and VW booths

 Auto Shanghai 2015 - The 16th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition - was held on April 20 through 29, 2015, at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). The newly built exhibition venue is located in the suburbs of Shanghai, only two metro stations away from the Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. The exhibition halls were laid out like a four-leaf clover where the visitors could hop from booth to booth easily.

 The Auto Shanghai 2015 drew 928,000 visitors (according to the organizer), up by approximately 14% from the same show held in 2013. Most crowded of all were the Ferrari and other booths where luxury sports cars were displayed, followed by German-brand booths such as Volkswagen, Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.


 A major highlight of the auto show was the plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHVs). PHVs are gaining importance in China because of the regulation on fuel efficiency that is expected to become more stringent and the preferential treatment program for new-energy vehicles including PHVs (see Note).

 The Volkswagen Group exhibited a concept model of its flagship for Chinese market under the VW brand (C Coupe GTE) fitted with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The VW Group had a world premiere of three PHVs under the Audi brand. A large number of PHVs were exhibited by Chinese automakers such as SAIC, FAW and BYD, as well as other European and American automakers such as BMW, Daimler and PSA.

 Among the Japanese automakers, Mitsubishi exhibited two plug-in hybrid concept models. Toyota and Nissan did not exhibit PHVs. They only exhibited hybrid vehicles (HVs) that are not classified underthe new-energy vehicles in China.


 This report focuses on the PHVs that were exhibited by European and American automakers at the Auto Shanghai 2015. The sequel of the report will focus on the PHVs and HVs that were exhibited by Japanese, Korean and Chinese automakers. The sales of sports utility vehicles (SUVs) are growing in China and many SUVs were exhibited by many automakers at the show. There will be an additional report on the SUVs, sedans and other vehicles as well.

Note: Preferential program for new-energy vehicles in China

 The "preferential program for new-energy vehicles" (referred to as "preferential program") is a financial incentive program aimed at saving energy, preventing air pollution and the market penetration of new-energy vehicles. The subsidy is paid by the central government, through the automaker, to the consumer who buys a specific model in a designated list of EVs, FCVs, and PHVs. A similar subsidy program is also provided by regional governments and the buyer can benefit from both the central and regional programs.
For instance, a consumer that buys a PHV in Shanghai in 2015 is eligible for a central government subsidy of CNY 31,500 and a regional government subsidy of CNY 30,000, a total of CNY 61,500. In addition, a license plate is issued free of charge at the time of purchase. Normally, license plates are auctioned on the Internet and are sold for CNY 73,000 in average as of 2014. The successful bid probability is 10% or less.
 On April 29, the last day of the Auto Shanghai 2015, the Chinese government announced that the preferential program will continue in a smaller scale.

Related Reports:

▽Beijing Auto Show 2014:
  - Gasoline/diesel models by European and American OEMs    
  - Japanese, European & American green vehicles
  - Japanese and Korean gasoline-powered models     
  - "Big Five" state-owned Chinese OEMs
  - Own-brand vehicles from seven Chinese OEMs

▽Shanghai Motor Show 2013:

  (1) Seven major Chinese state-run OEMs,   (2) Six emerging major Chinese OEMs,
  (3) Seven major US and European OEMs,    (4) Eight major Japanese OEMs, Hyundai, and Qoros

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