More than 100 new cars are making their debut at the ongoing 21st Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition, which kicked off on Wednesday in east China's Shanghai.
Themed "Embracing Innovation, Empowering the Future", the exhibition, also known as Auto Shanghai 2025, has attracted nearly 1,000 enterprises from 26 countries and regions, making it the largest in the event's history.
Traditional automotive giants such as Volkswagen, BMW, and Audi have premiered their latest models at the auto show, alongside the latest Chinese NEVs from brands like BYD, Huawei's Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance, Nio's sub-brand ONVO, and Firefly.
AI and assisted driving are also taking center stage. Chinese smart electric vehicle maker Xpeng has brought its latest humanoid robot, IRON, alongside its AI-powered batteries for cars.
Meanwhile, industry insiders in attendance emphasized the timeliness of the event as global automakers seek to build closer relationships with China. "The Chinese OEMs are playing a very important role in the Brazilian market. So outside of China and the U.S., Brazil is the 4th largest market for cars in the world. And the revolution we're seeing with the quality of products being put out by Chinese OEMs with very reasonable price points is creating a revolution in the market. And the main dealership groups are all racing each other to see who will be the first one to bring these novel products into the markets and win the race," said Rui Cavendish, managing partner at FCGI, a Brazilian consulting firm.
"The good thing is I think the in the past maybe we were a bit too European, too German. So, 'they have to like it because we like it.' I think now we changed our mind. We are more open to listen to our customers when we do a [focus group]. This is where we decide on colors, materials, features. We have more Chinese in these groups than Germans or Europeans. I think we have a very balanced approach because the DNA and the hub, the heart of the company was founded in in Germany and the headquarters still is in Germany. So I think we, we bring from both sides the best of two worlds into the Chinese market," said Stefan Timmermann, CEO of ID. UNYX, a Volkswagen sub-brand targeting the Chinese market.
In 2024, China's automobile production and sales both exceeded 31 million units, setting a new record high. Despite policy challenges from the EU last year regarding Chinese-made EVs, China's NEV exports for the year still reached 2.01 million units, with a 16 percent year-on-year growth.
Chinese NEVs have evolved from once being labeled as 'cheap knockoffs' to becoming major competitors in the global automotive industry. According to the CAAM, China's auto sales are projected to reach around 32.9 million units in 2025, marking a 4.7 percent year-on-year increase.
More than 100 new cars debut at Shanghai Auto Show
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that he estimates a deal with Iran will be signed "in the next day or two."
Trump said in an interview with Israel's Channel 12 News that the United States and Iran will probably meet over the weekend to finalize a deal to end the war. "The Iranians want to meet and make a deal," he said.
He said "the naval blockade on Iran is helping to make a deal. I will not lift it until we make a deal," adding that "the biggest part of this deal is that it will make Israel safer. This deal is good for Israel."
According to the channel, one component of the deal under discussion is that the United States will release 20 billion U.S. dollars in frozen Iranian funds.
In exchange, Iran would give up its stockpile of enriched uranium, and would be only allowed to have nuclear research reactors to produce medical isotopes, all above ground.
Trump also stressed that Israel must stop the strikes on Lebanon, saying, "They can't keep blowing up buildings. I'm not going to allow that."
Also on Friday, Trump said in a phone interview with Bloomberg that a deal to end the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran is mostly complete as talks over a lasting peace deal will "probably" be held this weekend in Pakistan.
Trump said in the phone interview that Iran agreed to suspend its nuclear program indefinitely, and will not receive any frozen funds from the United States.
"Most of the main points are finalized. It'll go pretty quickly," Trump said.
Asked if he would travel to Pakistan to sign the potential deal, Trump said: "I may."
Trump again denied that the moratorium on Iran's nuclear program would expire after 20 years. "No years, unlimited," Trump said.
The United States will get all of Iran's nuclear "dust" with no money having exchanged hands "in any way, shape, or form," Trump wrote on social media earlier on Friday. Multiple Western media outlets have interpreted Trump's reference to nuclear "dust" as meaning Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium.
Iran has yet to comment on any deal beyond the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, nor on claims made by Trump that Tehran had offered concessions, including over the key issue of its nuclear program.
If the United States continues its naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran will consider it a violation of the ceasefire between the two countries and will close the waterway, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported Friday, citing an informed source close to the Supreme National Security Council.
The Iranian side has yet to respond to the media report on the enriched uranium issue.
The United States and Iran had their first round of negotiations in Pakistan's Islamabad last weekend to ease tension in the Middle East. The talks, which failed to produce an agreement, took place after a ceasefire was announced on April 8 between Iran, the United States, and Israel, following 40 days of fighting.
Iran tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz after the United States and Israel launched joint attacks on the country on Feb. 28. The United States also imposed a naval blockade on the strait following the failed negotiations in Islamabad.
Earlier on Friday, both Washington and Tehran confirmed that the strait had been completely open for all commercial vessels. However, Trump said on Truth Social that the U.S. naval blockade would "remain in full force." In response, Iran warned of closing the waterway again if the U.S. blockade continues.
Trump says may sign deal with Iran "in the next day or two": Israeli media
Trump claims peace deal with Iran mostly complete: report
