Shenzhen Auto Show Wrap Up

Considering it was a dealer-focused convention, it was a very interesting event to attend. The Beijing Show was better simply due to its wealth of concept cars, but the Shenzhen Show had a lot more to see than I thought it would and it was interesting to see people considering and buying cars on the spot. I have created a new category dedicated to Shenzhen Auto Show posts and have uploaded 300+ photos on the Albums page from the two days I attended. Enjoy. 

The music and dancing of the Shenzhen Auto Show

My video wrap up:

2012 Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macau International Auto Show

The real star of the Shenzhen Auto Show - the Apple iPad

You couldn't walk anywhere at the show without being within 30 feet of an iPad. They were being used either as static information displays or by booth workers to help attendees configure their newly purchased cars. One VW dealer's booth was especially impressive, with an iPad connected to a huge LED display. Unfortunately, that iPad (pictured halfway below) didn't have any games loaded on it, or else I could have had some real fun. How much do you think it would be to have one of those LED walls installed at home?

Update: Just noticed the iPad connected to the LED display is jailbroken. Nice touch. 

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Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macau International Auto Show

Shenzhen Auto Show - Best in show

I attending the auto show on Thursday (the first day) and Sunday (today). The crowd today was huge compared to the first day. I was worried after my trip on Thursday that the show might be poorly attended but this worry quickly melted away as I struggled through today's crowds to even catch fleeting glimpses of the popular booth babes. 

This show is different from the Beijing and Shanghai auto shows in that the booths are constructed and managed by the dealers, not the auto brand itself. Thus some brands have multiple booths belonging to different dealers. These dealers are selling cars to attendees during the duration of the show. I spoke with a marketing manager at Audi who said his dealership is expecting to sell about 300 cars during the show. Add that to what the other Audi dealers at the show are expecting to sell, and about 1000+ Audis will be bought by closing time next Tuesday. I spoke to this marketing manager at Audi's VIP area above the show floor and we were surrounded by tables of Chinese families and businessmen filling out paperwork to finalize their purchases.  

I'll be posting more photos from the show within the next day. For now, here is my best in show list. 

Audi A1

Don't know why, but this is the first car I went to see today. I had seen it on Thursday and didn't pay much attention to it but on the following days I starting thinking about how cool a small Audi would be. I like it. 

BMW 6 Series Sedan

Not so much because of the car but because of the paint job. Stunning in person. 

Scirocco R

Its seats were much more comfortable to sit in than those of the Golf R. Looks better too.

Mercedes C63 AMG

Older car, but have never seen it with these rims. Looked good. Also had a small carbon fiber spoiler. 

Denza

Denza is a joint venture between BYD and Daimler. This electric car is planned for production in 2013 and Denza's offices are located in Shenzhen. The VIP area of their booth had a lot of interesting photos showing the construction of their concept car. 

Acura NSX Concept

I believe the car I saw, pictured below, is nothing more than an emply shell. Still looked good. 

Chrome Hyundai Veloster

The guy in charge of cleaning off the finger prints had a very long day. 

Jaguar XJ

In public I see so many Mercedes S-classes. It's unfortunate because the XJ is such a stunning car. 

Range Rover Evoque VB LE

Is an explanation even needed? If money was no consequence and I could drive away from the Shenzhen auto show in a newly purchased vehicle, this would be it. 

Aston Martin Virage and One-77

The Virage is a good mix of Aston's classic design with contemporary updates. As for that One-77, it may be difficult to tell from the photo but the paint job was beautiful. The body changed colors as you walked around it due to the light's reflextion

Ferrari F12berlinetta

Looks great in person and will probably end up killing someone before year's end. 

Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macau Auto Show Day 1

Shenzhen Convention Center. Futian, Shenzhen

The Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macau Auto Show starts tomorrow in Shenzhen

I live a 10 minute walk away from the convention center, so I'm excited. Runs from Thursday to next Tuesday. I walked by the convention center's entrance 30 minutes ago and there appeared to be waves of booth babes entering the gates. Guess they're preparing for tomorrow's opening.