Automakers showcase latest models at CIIE

Drawing on Ultium's flexibility, GM aspires to eliminate emissions from all new light-duty vehicles by 2035 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2040.

"This is also an era of technology transformation, one that is empowering us to offer new value propositions for our iconic nameplates as electrification and intelligent connected driving become game-changing forces," said Felix Weller, GM China's vice-president of premium import.

Another US carmaker, Ford, is showcasing its models including the electric Mustang Mach-E, the EVOS crossover and the F-150 pickup.

Ford is the largest US vehicle exporter to China. From 2016 to 2020, it exported vehicles and components valued at 77 billion yuan ($12.02 billion) to the country.

Annning Chen, president and CEO of Ford China, said the CIIE is a perfect platform for Ford to present its latest products and technology in China.

The company said it will participate in the annual event in 2022 as well. It has been an exhibitor of the CIIE since its establishment in 2018.

South Korean carmaker Hyundai and Japan's Toyota are presenting hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and components at the event.

Toyota has started production and sales of fuel cell systems in China and Hyundai is scheduled to produce the systems in late 2022. Hyundai's plant in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, is its first overseas fuel cell system production facility.

China imported over 750,000 vehicles in the first nine months this year, up 21.9 percent year-on-year, mainly from Japan, Germany and the US, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.