Auto Shanghai 2025, the world car show kicks off. Here's why it's important: previews

The 21st edition of the Shanghai Motor Show 2025 will open its doors to the public from 27 April to 2 May, after the two days that are traditionally reserved for the media from all over the world (23-24) and those for sector operators (25-26). In the 300 thousand square metre mega structure, the National Exhibition and Convention Centre hosting the show, everything is already ready to host an appointment that will take stock of China's car industry, which is now projected beyond national borders, but also the challenges that the recently announced duties impose.

Among the most eagerly awaited stands at the Motor Show are certainly those of the Chinese giants Byd, Chery, Geely and Saic ready to offer the best with their latest models, to which must be added the galaxy of more than a thousand Chinese misses that also promise to amaze with futuristic cars that can now rival Western brands, both European and North American, or even Japanese and Korean. Not to mention the vast areas that are dedicated to both components and top technology and the value chain of raw materials for new cars.

At the world's most important motor show, the four-ringed brand is showcasing its new brand for China, namely AUDI with capitalised and illuminated letters, which will be housed in models destined for the Chinese market only. The next-generation intelligent cockpit, specifically designed for the Chinese market, is also anticipated. Thanks to a brand new electronic architecture, the manufacturer of the four rings is, in fact, able to completely customise the user experience, digital and holistic, limited for now to China, including the user interface and even on-board connectivity.

During the Volkswagen Group Night, the brand will present three concept cars.

There are seven world premieres, five of which were previewed on the eve of the opening of the show during the traditional Group Night. But there is also great expectation for the other three debuts: these are unreleased concepts labelled ICVs, i.e. Intelligent Connected Vehicles made in joint venture with as many Chinese brands from Anhui, Saic and Faw respectively. They are all electric-powered cars, but two are SUVs, while the third concept is a three-box version. The concepts are an expression of VW's Chinese DNA, which has produced them with development times reduced by as much as 30%.

The Omoda & Jaecoo duo will debut a number of new products at the Shanghai Motor Show, including the Jaecoo 5 EV, Omoda 5 Super Hybrid and Omoda 7 Super Hybrid, with the latter credited with an overall range of 1,250 km. With these cars, all of which are new concepts, the Chinese brand is among the first to land in the Old Continent and in particular in Italy, confirming its globalisation strategy that has always been driven above all by speed, as well as being based not only on innovation, but also on the agility of vehicle construction.