Industry experts share their thoughts on the Beijing event

The Beijing/Shanghai auto show is one of the five most influential events of its kind worldwide.

The other four being the auto shows in Detroit, Geneva, Frankfurt/Paris and Tokyo.

China Daily invited industry insiders, who are frequent visitors to the five big shows, to share their thoughts about vehicles in the future, the difference between Chinese and overseas shows and what vehicles they expect to see.

Wang Yin, publisher of Auto Bild China

It is true that vehicles will help make the future better. The auto industry will see great changes as more and more Chinese buy their own cars.

They will start to choose products that meet their individual demands.

Some might want a seven-seat MPV and others who love speed will choose a racing car.

The Chinese market will see a monumental change.

Compared with other shows, the auto show in Beijing/Shanghai is huge.

It has a large variety of products and features luxury cars.

These features have a lot to do with the Chinese auto market.

Chinese and international brands compete at the show in all aspects, from who has the bigger booth to who has more beautiful models. This competition will attract visitors who are on their way to see products they have researched.

China's auto show planners should improve the way they serve exhibitors and visitors.

To be frank, there is a wide gap between Chinese shows and the other four famous auto events in many aspects including easy access, venue security and staff quality.

I expect to see three concept vehicles: Audi Q4, BMW 9 series and Land Rover's Discovery Vision.

Wang Kun, editor-in-chief of Xcar.com.cn

Vehicles will no longer be something that simply transports someone from A to B.

They will prove to be a new and integral part of people's lives. One example of this from many is Internet in cars, which is an extension of social media.

Two of the Beijing auto show's most noticeable features are that it is one of the largest shows in terms of size and most of the latest models are exhibited.

However, compared with overseas shows, the event in Beijing or Shanghai just highlights new models.

Things or people that represent the auto culture are rarely seen.

And service facilities are not adequate.

Eating and parking are headaches that most visitors have to deal with.

Vehicles I expect to see are the Mercedes-Benz C-Class made in China, Chang'an Ford's Escort and Chevrolet Trax from Shanghai GM.

Lei Meng, editor-in-chief of CAR Magazine

Vehicles are no longer something that people use to show off.

Instead, people are more concerned about the practicality of their cars.

As the Chinese auto market grows the auto show attracts more and more exhibitors and visitors.

However, I think the media day is too short and the facilities and service the organizers provide are not enough.

Personally I expect to see the long-wheelbase version of the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Land Rover Discovery Vision concept as well as Porsche's Macan.

Su Yunong, editor-in-chief of auto.sina.com

Vehicles used to be a symbol of status.

They are now a popular means of transport and will become even more important to people and take on more social tasks in the future.

For example, Internet in vehicles now provides a new way for people to connect with each other.

Meanwhile, vehicles demonstrate their owners' tastes and personalities.

In terms of the auto show in China, it is big, displays a large variety of new models and, more importantly, integrates vehicles and social topics with many celebrities at the show.

That is something not seen at other shows.

However, the organizers should balance these things with the amount of vehicles displayed.

The auto show's poor organization has been a problem for some time.

I think there are two aspects that deserve our attention: small SUVs like Great Wall's Haval series, the BYD Tang and Cherry's products.

Sven Xu, publisher and editor-in-chief of RAMP China

I agree with the Beijing auto show's theme of "driving to a better future".

Vehicles were a symbol of family wealth and they now reflect their owners' personality and character.

This trend was proved by the increasing number of new segments emerging in the Chinese auto market. Manufacturers are providing more products for customers and consumers' varied demands are promoting the development of a richer product portfolio.

Beijing is the capital of the largest auto market in the world.

Despite this, it is hard to get a license plate in Beijing and a last-digit rule is in place to curb traffic.

So the auto show in Beijing is meaningful commercially and politically.

That is probably why manufacturers from around the world come to showcase not only their products but also their brands.

The auto show inspires both love and fear.

That is because it attracts so many brands and displays so many new models but at the same time there really is plenty of room for organizers to improve their organization.

Speaking of models I expect, it is really hard to choose.

If pressed, I will say Land rover Discovery Vision, a DS SUV and Lincoln MKC.

They happen to all be SUVs, and I think that is a clear indicator of the segment's popularity in China and how manufacturers are enthusiastic about bringing SUVs to Chinese customers.

Miao Jun, editorial director of Car And Driver

Vehicles are no longer a symbol of status and wealth; they are now something that carry more and more individual features.

That's why I think the percentage of roadsters and other similar models will grow.

The auto show in Beijing is the most international one compared with other influential ones in the world.

Here you can find almost all the world's manufacturers, whereas it is really difficult to find many European exhibitors at the Detroit show and likewise few US manufacturers are at the Frankfurt show.

I find that Asian shows are more colorful than those in other continents: you have models and celebrities in addition to vehicles.

Speaking of the show itself, there is really too much room for organizers to strengthen its management.

You will find so many visitors who are not reporters on the media day.

Personally I would like to have a good look at Land Rover Discovery Vision and Lexus's NX.