Automakers based in south China's Guangdong Province have been grabbing the spotlight at the 23rd Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition, as they showcase their advanced vehicle technologies which could come to completely revolutionize motorists' driving experience.
The ten-day event opened on Friday under the theme "New Tech, New Life," attracting some of the world's leading auto brands, with over 1,000 vehicles on display and nearly 100 new models set to make their public debuts.
As the largest annual automotive gathering in south China, local auto firms are keen to make their presence felt at this large-scale exhibition.
Among them is the Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC), who are proudly displaying several cutting-edge technologies, including their recently-launched range extension solution which seeks to prolong the battery life of electric vehicles.
"In August, we launched the world-leading 'Xingyuan extended-range technology,' which brings our clients a wonderful extended-range driving experience without the worry of running out of battery power. Frankly speaking, it is the best range extender technology in the world," said Feng Xingya, president of the GAC Group.
As the auto sector undergoes a period of rapid technological change, other Guangdong-based enterprises such as tech giant Huawei are also showing off their valued partnerships with auto firms as providers of cutting-edge intelligent vehicle solutions.
The GAC Group's first smart flagships sedan model – the Hyper A800 – has integrated Huawei's HarmonySpace5 operating system, which has evolved from the more traditional 'Q-and-A' form of interaction to now being a smart partner that offers proactive and intuitive services to motorists.
A company representative explained that its built-in intelligent tech system could come to completely transform the experience behind the wheel.
"The collaboration between the GAC Group and Huawei has generated a kind of multiplier effect. The Hyper A800 is the first model [of its kind] in China to obtain a high-speed license plate with a maximum speed of 120 kilometers per hour. Drivers are able to take their hands off the wheel and eyes off the road while operating the central control screen at high speed," said Xie Ziying, a regional manager of the Hyptec, an electric vehicle brand owned by the GAC Group and also the manufacturer of the Hyper A800.
Meanwhile, XPeng, another rising Guangzhou-based electric vehicle maker, is presenting its new series, the X9. With an impressive design and a larger interior space, it also features a vastly extended performance range, helping resolve some of the long-standing battery life issues which have been a hindrance in the past.
Boasting a price well in excess of 300,000 yuan (about 42,384 U.S. dollars), it has attracted many visitors to take a look at theextra comfortable seating, advanced driving assistance, and even an onboard refrigerator inside the vehicle.
"Such a range-extended MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) for family use are not very common. And even this base-level model has already been equipped with so many features, such as a fridge, zero-gravity seats and a basic visual-assisted smart driving function. So, I think it's really quite great," said a visitor surnamed Lin.
Chinese automakers showcase cutting-edge vehicle technology at Guangzhou Auto Show
