Global auto executives will notice a more sombre atmosphere when the largest car show in the world’s most important automotive market opens on Monday — and not merely because, in keeping with Beijing’s campaign against excess, scantily clad models have been barred from Auto Shanghai 2015.
Auto Shanghai is held biannually, alternating with the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition as the premier event for China’s motor industry, the world’s largest with more than 20m passenger cars sold last year.
This year’s show will attract some of the world’s most powerful car bosses, such as Mark Fields, Ford Motor chief executive, and Carlos Ghosn of Renault-Nissan Alliance.