Guangzhou auto extravaganza begins

56 models from foreign, local car companies make debut at show

The 12th China (Guangzhou) International Automobile Exhibition kicked off on Friday and will last until November 29. As one of China's three major auto shows, the Guangzhou auto show will see dozens of new model launches this year, according to its official website.

As an important auto show in China, the Guangzhou auto show attracts almost all major foreign and local auto brands. Among luxurious brands, in addition to major carmakers such as Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Jaguar Land Rover and Volkswagen, Lincoln and WMGTA will also appear at the auto show for the first time, news portal chinanews.com reported Thursday.

Domestic automakers, including SAIC Motor Corp, FAW Group, BYD Co and Geely Automobile Holdings, are all coming to the auto show with new models.

A total of 56 new models will debut at the auto show, including 10 from foreign brands and 46 from domestic brands, chinanews.com reported.

With increasing concerns over pollution and energy, China has been keen about promoting new-energy vehicles. As a result, the Guangzhou auto show has also launched a separate electric vehicle show this year for the first time, according to its website.

Some leading electric vehicle makers, such as BAIC Motor Corp and BYD, will display their latest vehicles at the auto show. Meanwhile, Tesla, which has been in the spotlight recently in China, will also show up.

China is the largest auto market in the world and plans to be an auto powerhouse, with public data showing auto production and sales in the first three quarters of 2014 exceeding 17 million units. Global Times reporter Liang Fei filed directly from the show.