Exhibition of next-generation cars opens in China

An exhibition of next-generation vehicles has opened in Shanghai, China, with participation by more than 100 automakers, mainly from the country.

The event is jointly sponsored by the Chinese government and Shanghai City. China is the world's largest auto market.

On display are electric vehicles including plug-in hybrid cars as well as key components including motors and batteries.

State-run automaker Dongfeng Motor is showing off its two-seater electric car designed for short-distance travel. Officials of the firm say it aims to price the car so that people can buy it for about 5,000 dollars using a government subsidy.

China's government plans to earmark about 15 billion dollars by 2020 to promote electric vehicles. The money is to be offered as subsidies for automakers' research and development as well as purchases of such cars.

Tuesday, November 01, 2011 18:02 +0900 (JST)