China embraces booming electric car industry

A record 95 electric cars will be unveiled at the Auto China show in Beijing tomorrow as foreign and domestic automakers hope to gain a foothold in the fast-emerging Chinese green-vehicle market.

The show is now one of the biggest in the world, after China overtook the US in 2009 to become the world's top auto market. Many of the world's leading car firms are expected to unveil some of their latest green-vehicle developments.

For example, Toyota said earlier this month that it plans to start offering a hybrid version of its Camry sedan in China and will also display a new electric concept car at the Beijing show.

Meanwhile, GM will be showing its Volt plug-in car at the show, with a view to bringing it to market in the region next year. It will also display its Cadillac Converj electric concept car and the Cadillac XTS concept car with a plug-in hybrid system.

Similarly, Nissan will give a run out to its recently launched Leaf electric car, which it plans to start selling in China from 2011, and BMW will debut its new BMW 7 series hybrid sedan and X6 hybrid sport-utility vehicle.

However, it is not just the established car giants that are planning to tout their green credentials at the show. A host of increasingly influential Chinese manufacturers are also expected to tout their wares.

China's biggest carmaker, SAIC Motor Corp, is expected to debut its E1 electric concept car and also present a hybrid version of the Roewe 750, which will be in mass production later this year.

Meanwhile, Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co will be showing its BE701 electric car, which was first unveiled in November. The firm is currently building a production base on the outskirts of Beijing with the capacity to produce 50,000 electric vehicles a year. It plans to become a major player in the emerging domestic market for electric vehicles.