Chinese buyers swarmed around hundreds of vehicles at the Shanghai auto show at its opening on Sunday, highlighting the importance of the world's largest car market to manufacturers.
Chinese and foreign automakers used models dressed as Playboy bunnies and dance performances to capture the eyes of potential customers, while long lines formed to try out driving simulators at one Japanese company.
Among the shoppers was entrepreneur Ou Yang, who browsed the sleek black vehicles on offer by luxury German car maker BMW.
"Since I enjoy driving very much, I prefer cars with higher maneuverability. As for the appearance, personally I pay more attention to the interior than the exterior," he said.
China's auto sales reached 19.31 million vehicles last year, a 4.3 per cent rise from 2011, according to a Chinese industry group. The country has been the world's largest auto market since 2009.
Competition has become more intense as sales growth has slowed since 2010 and more companies have piled into the promising market.
"The bar is very high today, compared to five or eight years ago," said Sha Sha, who leads consultancy McKinsey's Automotive & Assembly Practice in Greater China.
But she added: "Given that China is such a sizeable growth market, the game is fair for both incumbent players and really competitive attackers."
Sales of Japanese brands in China have suffered since last year amid political row over disputed islands that sparked street protests across the country and calls for boycotts.
Toyota's China president, Hiroji Onishi, said he expected sales to recover later this year as the company launched new products, despite the lingering anti-Japanese sentiment and more competition.
"The market is growing very large. That means competition is only going to increase among the various players," he said.
Another visitor to the show said he would not buy a Japanese car, after he viewed luxury Cadillacs from US auto giant General Motors.
"I would definitely not buy a Japanese car... because of national sentiment," said the Chinese public servant, who declined to be named.
* AFP
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
The low down
Producers: Uniglobe Entertainment & Vision Films
Director: Namrata Singh Gujral
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Nargis Fakhri, Bo Derek, Candy Clark
Rating: 2/5
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Blah
Started: 2018
Founder: Aliyah Al Abbar and Hend Al Marri
Based: Dubai
Industry: Technology and talent management
Initial investment: Dh20,000
Investors: Self-funded
Total customers: 40
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
AndhaDhun
Director: Sriram Raghavan
Producer: Matchbox Pictures, Viacom18
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan
Rating: 3.5/5
FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
Fiorentina v Torino (8pm)
Hellas Verona v Roma (10.45pm)
Sunday
Parma v Napoli (2.30pm)
Genoa v Crotone (5pm)
Sassuolo v Cagliari (8pm)
Juventus v Sampdoria (10.45pm)
Monday
AC Milan v Bologna (10.45om)
Playing September 30
Benevento v Inter Milan (8pm)
Udinese v Spezia (8pm)
Lazio v Atalanta (10.45pm)
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5