According to the organizers, Chinese brands account for one-third of the 572 vehicles on show at the China International Exhibition Center and the National Agricultural Exhibition Hall. This is an unprecedented share in the history of the event, which has been held every two years since 1990.

First Automotive Works Corp, which produced China's first truck and car in the 1950s, brought 29 vehicles, including 19 using brands of its joint venture partners such as Volkswagen and Toyota, and 10 using its own brands. The most eye-catching of them is a new Redflag model dubbed the HQ3. Using a 4.3-litter engine, it takes only 7.3 seconds for the HQ3 to accelerate to 100 kilometers per hour. The car is also equipped with a sophisticated infrared night vision system that can detect obstacles 250 meters away.

Dongfeng Motor Corp, another major Chinese carmaker, came with 15 models. Half of these models are using Dongfeng's own brands. They include a full range of cars, multi-purpose vehicles, small sport utility vehicles, race cars and hybrid sedans.

Geely, which recently entered into an agreement with Manganese Bronze Holdings Plc of the United Kingdom to produce London's iconic black cabs in China, is displaying over a dozen new models. Also on show are Geely's first concept car and another model from its subsidiary, Shanghai Maple Automobile Co Ltd.

Other Chinese carmakers like Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp, Great Wall and Chery all brought their Chinese brand models. Chinese brands currently account for about one quarter of China's auto sales. While consolidating their shares in low-end products, they are moving into more lucrative markets now dominated by foreign carmakers.

(For more biz stories, please visit Industry Updates)