Features / 17 May 2025 / Michael Taylor

The craziest cars I saw at China’s biggest auto show – Photos

I recently had the chance to attend the 21st International Automobile Industry Exhibition in Shanghai, which is one of the biggest auto shows in the world.

The exhibition is the largest of its kind in China, and is held annually with the venue rotating between Shanghai and Beijing from year to year.

It is an opportunity for all of China’s automakers to announce their latest projects, taking the form of all manner of cars from sporty coupes to large 4x4s.

This year was no different, as Shanghai’s convention centre welcomed several brands from MG and Chery to Omoda, Jaecoo, Exeed, and other names that Western audiences have never even heard of.

It’s not just Chinese brands, however, as the Auto Show also featured the likes of VW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi, all of whom have unique products tailored to the world’s fastest-growing market.

To say that there is a lot to see would be an understatement, as you’d ideally need to be at the venue from dawn until dusk to get a chance to see everything the automakers have to offer.

What you’ll see at China’s biggest car show

Upon entering the exhibition, you’ll find that all the major companies have their own dedicated floor space with their latest cars spread out across bespoke displays.

Chery and its many sub-brands took up a significant portion of the venue, comprising cars from Chery, Omoda, Jaecoo, iCar, Exeed, Luxeed, and Jetour.

South Africans will likely be familiar with Chery at this point, given that it is one of the best-selling brands in the country right now, though the other names may not be as recognizable.

The two brands that aren’t currently available here are Exeed and Luxeed, the former of which is Chery’s most luxurious offering, similar to the relationship between Lexus and Toyota.

Luxeed, on the other hand, is a separate brand made in partnership with Chery and the phone company Huawei, which specializes in upmarket electric vehicles (EVs).

Both brands were out on display in Shanghai, as Exeed revealed the new Exlantix ES electric sports car, while Luxeed showed off the S7 sedan.

Omoda and Jaecoo had exhibits for the upcoming C7 and J6, and iCar demonstrated a new electric 4×4 called the V23, which is available as both a bakke and an SUV.

Similarly, Jetour had a number of off-road models on display like the T1 and T2, as well as a new bakkie called the F700 with rear-hinged doors.

The Western carmakers were just as interesting, as all foreign manufacturers are required to partner with a local company should they wish to do business in China.

VW, for example, is partnered with SAIC while Mercedes-Benz works alongside BAIC.

The end result is that a significant portion of the German cars at the Auto Show are not the same ones that you’ll see in a South African showroom.

Instead, you’ll see models like the VW Tharu, a crossover that splits the difference between the T-Cross and Tiguan.

The Tharu was originally designed for China but has since gone on sale in markets like North America under the name Taos.

Nearly all of the VW, Audi, and Mercedes saloons at the show were also long-wheelbase models, as the extra legroom is considered an essential selling point for this type of car in China.

Of course, there are still some familiar favourites that South Africans will recognize, such as the iconic Mercedes G-Wagen.

One other standout from the Auto Show was the Changan exhibit (another brand coming to South Africa), which showcased a large pickup called the K50, and a large sedan where the roof and fold slide open to reveal a massive boot similar to a bakkie.