German automakers fight to defend their turf from Chinese rivals

Streets ahead: BYD deputy director of exterior design Fan Jihan during a presentation of new cars at the 20th Shanghai Auto Show. The Chinese company is reportedly leading its German counterparts by some way in the development and sales of electric vehicles. — AFP

BERLIN: German automakers have turned out in full force at Shanghai’s Auto Show as they fight to stay on top of consumer trends in the country that will define whether they maintain their market dominance in the electric age both at home and abroad.

Their heavy presence, with the entire board of Volkswagen AG and more than 100 VW employees attending, in contrast to Japanese or French automakers, shows they are taking the challenge seriously, said Yale Zhang of Shanghai-based consultancy Automotive Foresight.