Guangzhou motor show report and gallery

The best-selling electric car in October was BAIC (Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation)'s BJEV EU3, which attracted 20,648 sales. But while BAIC rules the Chinese market when it comes to electric vehicles, there any number of newly formed start-ups keen to try their hand. Companies like Nio, Byton, Weltmeister, Xiaopeng, DialEV, Hozon and Leap Motor to name just a few.

China plays host to 26 motor shows annually. Many are regional affairs but still far larger in outright attendance numbers than most of the established motor shows in other parts of the world these days. Guangzhou, which has a population of 12.6 million, is the biggest annual Chinese motor show, ranking only behind those of Shanghai and Beijing, which alternate between themselves each year. 

As previously, there was no lack of new car action in Guangzhou this year. Ten show halls were filled, and unlike recent motor shows in Geneva and Paris, there were no glaring absentees, with every major car maker represented. 

Underlining the importance of the Chinese market to established car makers, Jaguar Land Rover, which now produces selected models in China with its joint venture partner Chery, brought along its largest motor show stand. Spanning the complete length of one hall, it's almost twice as large in overall floor area than the stand used in Paris last month.

And it was a similar story at Audi, Citroën, DS, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, Skoda and Volkswagen. Indeed, Skoda here revealed its new Chinese-built Kodiaq GT, a model that, for the time being, is reserved exclusively for Chinese car buyers.

Toyota, which operates a joint venture with the locally-based GAC (Guangzhou Automotive Group) also considered the Guangzhou motor show important enough to use it as the international launch pad for the latest generation of its best-selling model, the Corolla.

As a sign of just how far they have come, though, it was the domestic Chinese car makers that provided the real fireworks this year. With the odd exception, Guangzhou was devoid of the shameless copycat cars that used to be a staple, and ultimate laughing stock, of earlier Chinese motor shows. Yes, there were still a few around, as the new Changan CS85, a blatant rip-off of the BMW X4 if ever there was one, proved. But for the most part, the truly established Chinese car makers launched models with their own unique visual character, as seen by the likes of the Baojun RS5, Haval H7, Hongqi HS7 and Wey P8 GT.

The quality of these newer models is advancing in leaps and bounds, too. A close inspection of the Geely X7 Sport reveals it to be every bit as good in terms of fit and finish as any comparably priced offering out of Europe.

Among the biggest trends evidenced in Guangzhou this year was the advance of the long-range electric car. Armed with ever-improving battery technology, the latest generation of Chinese-produced electric cars have advanced well beyond the 185-mile range that has been the yardstick for some time now and progressed on to 250, 300 and, in exceptional cases, up to 370 miles. 

Among the many announcements made here was the news that Honda had teamed up with joint venture partner GAC to develop the electric powered Everus VE1. Although this is exclusive to China right now, it's clear Honda is using the exercise as a learning step on the way to the launch of its very own range of electric models.

And make no mistake, Chinese car makers have ambitions outside their own car market, key among them brands such as GAC, Great Wall and Zotye. Geely-owned Volvo already sells its Chinese-built Volvo S90 in many global markets. Then there’s Lynk&Co, also owned by Geely, which has already announced that it plans to sell its 01, 02 and 03 models in the UK. Although developed in China, though, they will be produced in a factory in Gent, Belgium. 

With the exception of perhaps the Beijing motor show back in April, no other - not Detroit, not Geneva and not Paris - had the sort of new car buzz surrounding it as did Guangzhou this year. As long as the Chinese car industry thrives, so will the motor show. 

Greg Kable

Gallery: Guangzhou motor show 2018

A number of new models have been launched by both Chinese and international manufacturers at the 2018 Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition.

The theme at Guangzhou 2018 is 'New technology, new life', showing China’s desire to become a world leader in hybrid, electric and autonomous cars. 

These are some of the key cars on show this year:

Skoda Kodiaq GT

Skoda's first SUV-coupé, the Kodiaq GT, will serve as the brand's flagship model in China. 

The new model is derived from the Skoda Kodiaq seven-seater that's already sold in China alongside the smaller Kamiq and Skoda Karoq. There's a choice of two 2.0-litre petrol engines, producing 184bhp and 217bhp, and front or four-wheel drive. 

Skoda is treating China as a testbed for the Kodiaq GT and says that a positive market reaction will increase the likelihood of it being offered in other markets. 

Toyota Corolla Saloon

Also making its debut in Guangzhou is the saloon version of Toyota’s new Corolla. 

Joining the hatchback and Touring Sports estate models, the saloon shares its platform with the Toyota Prius and Camry and will be the first Corolla saloon to offer hybrid powertrains.

The Corolla Saloon will be introduced in the UK in early 2019.

MG eZS

MG, owned by Chinese giant SAIC (Shanghai Automotive Industries Corporation), has posted promising sales figures in China lately and now unveiled its first fully-electric car, the eZS.

The new model, based on the company's MG Motor ZS compact crossover, is likely to sell well in China, which is the largest global market for EVs.

Autocar understands power comes from a front-mounted 148bhp electric motor and the battery is good for a 268-mile range on the old NEDC cycle.

A UK variant is likely, given MG's slow but steady international growth and transition to being an SUV maker. 

GAC Aion

GAC (Guangzhou Automobile Group) is on home turf for this show. The company has demonstrated its global ambition with recent unveilings at the Detroit and Paris motor shows.

Following the 2017 launch of its electric SUV, the GE3, GAC has revealed the Aion electric saloon concept. Expect the production variant to improve upon the GE3's 190-mile range and 9.3sec 0-62mph time, bringing its performance in line with established luxury electric cars such as the Tesla Model S.

Peugeot 508 L

Peugeot has unveiled a long-wheelbase version of its new second-generation Peugeot 508 in Guangzhou. 

The 508 L has been developed for China due to the overwhelming popularity of saloons and buyers' desire for generous rear leg room. To be manufactured by the PSA Group joint venture partner Dongfeng, the lengthened model will likely be available with the same engines as the standard car. 

BAIC EX3

State-owned car maker BAIC (Beijing Automotive Holding Company) has unveiled its new EX3, an electric compact crossover.