The auto show has now reached its 17th edition. I’ve attended basically every one in history, missing only the last one. Four years have passed in a flash, so I’d like to share some thoughts on how the show has changed.
First of all, it moved to the newly opened National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC). The exhibition area instantly doubled: with 400,000 square meters of indoor space compared to just 200,000 at the former Shanghai New International Expo Centre on Longyang Road, the venue feels significantly less crowded even with the same number of visitors. The organizers also adjusted their ticketing strategy. Previously, Professional Visitor Days (ticket price: 100 RMB) were scheduled on weekdays while Public Visitor Days (ticket price: 50 RMB) fell on weekends, resulting in overwhelming crowds on weekends. Now, Professional Visitor Days are held on weekends; although still busy, the doubled ticket price encourages many people to visit on weekdays instead.
The new NECC sits atop Metro Xujing East Station and is shaped like a four-leaf clover, comprising four main buildings. Each building is divided into left and right halls across two floors, totaling 16 halls. The central ring mainly houses dining facilities. It must be said that there are far more food options inside than before—everything from McDonald’s and Master Kong to Xiao Nan Guo. However, being located within an exhibition center means they cannot offer the same service or menu as regular restaurants, mostly providing quick set meals. As such, it’s better to choose dedicated fast-food outlets and go early to avoid crowds. Set meals generally cost around 50–60 RMB, which is considerably pricier than outside. Starbucks does not participate in any promotions and no coupons are accepted.
Each building has two exhibition halls on both the left and right sides:
The central plaza:
Another notable addition is the use of modern equipment like VR. Many booths now feature entertainment attractions beyond cars—from complex setups with robotic arms to simpler VR seats that just move. It almost feels like this isn’t just an auto show anymore, but also a VR experience expo…
Another obvious change is the extensive use of LED screens. With rapid advancements in recent years—higher resolutions and easier installation—LEDs were widely used across booths this year. Some screens span nearly entire walls, delivering a much greater visual impact.
The show opened at 10 AM. I arrived right at opening, bought my ticket, and entered immediately without queuing. Taking advantage of the lighter morning crowd, I checked out the luxury cars in Halls 7 and 8 first before exploring the other halls at a leisurely pace. Thanks to the expanded venue, exhibitors had larger booths this year, showcasing more models and creative displays.
Then there’s this handcrafted titanium supercar—the Icona Vulcano Titanium. Only one exists worldwide, priced at 66.8 million RMB…
There were also dance performances added to the mix. Although traditional car models were absent this year, several well-executed performances incorporated brand identities, vehicle features, stage lighting, and screen effects—for example, Acura’s performance by Souldancing:
Additionally, new internet-based car brands made their debut. Thanks to EV development, emerging automakers can break free from conventional automotive design constraints, allowing tech capital and expertise to successfully enter the industry. No longer bound by weight distribution or mechanical drivetrain limitations, these newcomers can rethink vehicle design without relying on legacy manufacturing know-how—creating sleeker designs, better handling, lower prices, and more user-friendly experiences. There’s definitely plenty worth seeing here.
As for traditional automakers, aside from their full product lineups, concept cars are always the highlight~~~ These two look quite similar, don’t they? Both feature electronic rearview mirrors, though personally I think Audi (“the lamp factory”) looks cooler~~~
Mercedes-Benz and BMW remain perennial favorites, drawing massive crowds. For flagship models like the S600, we could only admire the interior… But with the X6, you could actually sit inside and experience it firsthand.
I have to admit, getting older means feeling tired after walking for just two hours. Fortunately, the new NECC offers ample rest areas. Facilities include Shanghai’s fifth InterContinental Hotel, making it convenient to meet friends for tea or meals. Transportation is equally convenient—it’s very close to both the airport and high-speed rail station, with commercial complexes like Hongqiao Tiandi nearby. Free shuttle buses also run to Line 10’s Hongqiao Airport Terminal 2 Station, Line 13’s Jinyun Road Station, and Route 71’s terminus at Shenkun Road Hub. Overall, it feels much more accessible than the old Longyang Road location~~
Photos taken with SONY A5100 + 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6, post-processed in Lightroom.
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