Shanghai Auto Show highlights electrification, Chinese brands' consolidation

Major automakers from around the world are showcasing their advances in electrification at the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show, including new electric vehicles (NEVs) from international brands that target the Chinese market.

The 10-day auto show began Wednesday and has attracted nearly 1,000 automakers and supply chain enterprises from 26 countries and regions, making it the largest edition in the event's history.

Large Chinese automaker groups, like GAC Motor and BAIC Group, have been using the event as a platform to promote their newly consolidated strategies. Previously, sub-brands under these groups displayed their offerings in separate booths, but this time, both companies have brought their sub-brands together in unified exhibition areas.

"We carry out integrated operations for our own brands, with each of the three brands having distinct characteristics under unified guidance. This allows us to further tap into potential in areas such as resource procurement, marketing investment, resource sharing, and efficiency improvement," said Feng Xingya, General Manager of GAC Group.

Deepening electrification is a shared goal among all participating brands, with many multinational automakers taking steps to expand their NEV portfolios.

"We want to catch up with the NEVs with the new models to come. By 2027 we will bring over 40 new models to the market and 20 of them are new electric vehicles," said Oliver Blume, CEO of Volkswagen.

Meanwhile, Audi has begun to launch new energy electric vehicles specifically tailored for the Chinese market, going so far as to rebrand in China as AUDI, using the four capital letters in place of the brand's iconic four rings.

"We see also the strong transition to electrification, but we will introduce, with our partner FAW, the Q6L and the A6L, each model as new energy vehicles, and will, with the 'four letter brand' (AUDI), bring three new energy vehicles in the next three years to the market," said Gernot Dollner, CEO of Audi AG.

BMW sold over 100,000 electric vehicles in China last year and plans to increase its investment in the Chinese market moving forward.

"This will bring our competence to a completely new level in terms of range and also the cost effectiveness of participating in this industry. And by the way, we do that also with Chinese partners," said Oliver Zipse, CEO of BMW and chairman of its board of management.

China's automotive and supply chain companies are also making significant strides in electrification.

Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) has recently launched the world's first mass-produced sodium-ion battery for automotive use.

Meanwhile, BYD has made global headlines this year with its advancements in battery technology.

"Electrification saw all-out breakthroughs this year compared to previous years, including in our batteries, 30,000-rpm motors, and silicon carbide-related chips," said Li Yunfei, BYD's General Manager of Brand and Public Relations Division.

Shanghai Auto Show highlights electrification, Chinese brands' consolidation

The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.

In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.

"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.

Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."

Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.

President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.

Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.

Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.

The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.

Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests