
A man wearing a mask passes by a sign ahead of the Auto Shanghai 2021 show in Shanghai on Sunday, April 18, 2021. Automakers from around the world are showcasing their latest products this week in the world’s biggest market for auto vehicles.

Women wearing masks wait near an advertisement ahead of the Auto Shanghai 2021 show in Shanghai on Sunday, April 18, 2021. Automakers from around the world are showcasing their latest products this week in the world’s biggest market for auto vehicles.

A worker prepares a giant billboard ahead of the Auto Shanghai 2021 show in Shanghai on Sunday, April 18, 2021. Automakers from around the world are showcasing their latest products this week in the world’s biggest market for auto vehicles.

Women have their hair styled ahead of the Auto Shanghai 2021 show in Shanghai on Sunday, April 18, 2021. Automakers from around the world are showcasing their latest products this week in the world’s biggest market for auto vehicles.

A worker prepares to deliver supplies ahead of the Auto Shanghai 2021 show in Shanghai on Sunday, April 18, 2021. Automakers from around the world are showcasing their latest products this week in the world’s biggest market for auto vehicles.

Workers pass by advertisements ahead of the Auto Shanghai 2021 show in Shanghai on Sunday, April 18, 2021. Automakers from around the world are showcasing their latest products this week in the world’s biggest market for auto vehicles.

Workers pass by advertisements displayed ahead of the Auto Shanghai 2021 show in Shanghai on Sunday, April 18, 2021. Automakers from around the world are showcasing their latest products this week in the world’s biggest market for auto vehicles.

A woman wearing a mask passes by an advertisement ahead of the Auto Shanghai 2021 show in Shanghai on Sunday, April 18, 2021. Automakers from around the world are showcasing their latest products this week in the world’s biggest market for auto vehicles.

Promoters for Toyota prepare for duty during the Shanghai Auto Show in Shanghai on Monday, April 19, 2021. Automakers are looking to China, their biggest market by sales volume and the first major economy to rebound from the pandemic, to revive sales and reverse multibillion-dollar losses.

A worker introduces the Huawei Intelligent Car Solution displayed during the Shanghai Auto Show in Shanghai on Monday, April 19, 2021. Automakers are looking to China, their biggest market by sales volume and the first major economy to rebound from the pandemic, to revive sales and reverse multibillion-dollar losses.

A visitor looks at the NIO eve concept car displayed during the Shanghai Auto Show in Shanghai on Monday, April 19, 2021. Automakers are looking to China, their biggest market by sales volume and the first major economy to rebound from the pandemic, to revive sales and reverse multibillion-dollar losses.

Visitors stand near the booth promoting the mapping service of Baidu’s Apollo Map during the Shanghai Auto Show in Shanghai on Monday, April 19, 2021. Automakers are looking to China, their biggest market by sales volume and the first major economy to rebound from the pandemic, to revive sales and reverse multibillion-dollar losses.

Visitors wearing mask walk by a figure of an astronaut displayed during the Shanghai Auto Show in Shanghai on Monday, April 19, 2021. Automakers are looking to China, their biggest market by sales volume and the first major economy to rebound from the pandemic, to revive sales and reverse multibillion-dollar losses.

Visitors look at the Huawei Intelligent Car Solution displayed during the Shanghai Auto Show in Shanghai on Monday, April 19, 2021. Automakers are looking to China, their biggest market by sales volume and the first major economy to rebound from the pandemic, to revive sales and reverse multibillion-dollar losses.

Visitors look at the intelligent car product from Baidu’s Apollo program during the Shanghai Auto Show in Shanghai on Monday, April 19, 2021. Automakers are looking to China, their biggest market by sales volume and the first major economy to rebound from the pandemic, to revive sales and reverse multibillion-dollar losses.

Stephan Wollenstein, CEO of Volkswagen Group China, introduces the ID 6 SUV during a launch event at the Shanghai Auto Show in Shanghai on Monday, April 19, 2021. Volkswagen unveiled the electric SUV made for China ahead of the opening of the Shanghai auto show, the industry’s biggest marketing event in a year overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Attendees examine the latest car from Ford during the Shanghai Auto Show in Shanghai on Monday, April 19, 2021. Automakers are looking to China, their biggest market by sales volume and the first major economy to rebound from the pandemic, to revive sales and reverse multibillion-dollar losses.

Chen Hao, vice president of Dongfeng Nissan, introduces the X-Trail Crossover during the Shanghai Auto Show in Shanghai on Monday, April 19, 2021. Automakers are looking to China, their biggest market by sales volume and the first major economy to rebound from the pandemic, to revive sales and reverse multibillion-dollar losses.

A man uses his arms to compare to the mini size of the GM’s Wuling joint venture electric Macaron during the Shanghai Auto Show in Shanghai on Monday, April 19, 2021. Automakers are looking to China, their biggest market by sales volume and the first major economy to rebound from the pandemic, to revive sales and reverse multibillion-dollar losses.

Visitors to the Tesla booth look at cars on display during the Shanghai Auto Show in Shanghai on Monday, April 19, 2021. Automakers are looking to China, their biggest market by sales volume and the first major economy to rebound from the pandemic, to revive sales and reverse multibillion-dollar losses.

Attendees pass by a vehicle from the GAC Group displayed during the Shanghai Auto Show in Shanghai on Monday, April 19, 2021. Automakers are looking to China, their biggest market by sales volume and the first major economy to rebound from the pandemic, to revive sales and reverse multibillion-dollar losses.

Visitors to the Tesla booth look at cars on display during the Shanghai Auto Show in Shanghai on Monday, April 19, 2021. Automakers are looking to China, their biggest market by sales volume and the first major economy to rebound from the pandemic, to revive sales and reverse multibillion-dollar losses.

A visitor looks at the BMW Vision Next concept car displayed during the Shanghai Auto Show in Shanghai on Monday, April 19, 2021. Automakers are looking to China, their biggest market by sales volume and the first major economy to rebound from the pandemic, to revive sales and reverse multibillion-dollar losses.

A visitor looks at the NIO eve concept car displayed during the Shanghai Auto Show in Shanghai on Monday, April 19, 2021. Automakers are looking to China, their biggest market by sales volume and the first major economy to rebound from the pandemic, to revive sales and reverse multibillion-dollar losses.

Stephan Wollenstein, CEO of Volkswagen Group China, prepares to present the ID 6 SUV during a launch event at the Shanghai Auto Show in Shanghai on Monday, April 19, 2021. Volkswagen unveiled the electric SUV made for China ahead of the opening Monday of the Shanghai auto show, the industry’s biggest marketing event in a year overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic.

A worker prepares for press day at the Audi booth during Shanghai Auto Show in Shanghai on Monday, April 19, 2021. Automakers are looking to China, their biggest market by sales volume and the first major economy to rebound from the pandemic, to revive sales and reverse multibillion-dollar losses.
SHANGHAI (AP) — Volkswagen, Ford and Chinese brands unveiled new SUVs for China on Monday at the Shanghai auto show, the industry’s biggest marketing event in a year overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Automakers are looking to China, the biggest auto market by sales volume and the first major economy to rebound from the pandemic, to propel a revival in demand and reverse multibillion-dollar losses.
Auto Shanghai 2021 takes place under anti-virus controls that included holding some news conferences by video link. Few executives from abroad are attending. Reporters were required to undergo virus tests.
The latest models reflect accelerating momentum toward electrification and designing models for Chinese tastes. Automakers rely increasingly on research and design centers in China to create models for global sale.
Ford Motor Co. presented a midsize SUV, the EVOS, the first vehicle created largely by a China-based team under a 2-year-old strategy to integrate Ford’s Chinese operations into global product development. The automaker also exhibited a plug-in hybrid SUV, the Escape, and an all-electric Mustang Mach-E.
“We’re moving away from just looking at list of features, but much more focused on how how does that all come together in terms of the experience for the customer,” said Tim Slatter, vice president of Ford China. “And that can all be enabled with this very rich, digitally connected environment.”
More Stories
Essential Tools to Enhance Your Auto Sales
Auto Sales Trends: What’s Driving the Market Today
Fueling Growth: Key Trends in Auto Sales