China Daily (Macau) - The largest-ever automobile exposition in Macao special administrative region was on show from Oct 28 to 30 at the Venetian Resort Hotel, with a rich display of around 300 vehicles with both Chinese and foreign nameplates.
The 2011 China (Macau) International Automobile Exposition highlighted indigenous brand cars brought by 18 domestic manufacturers including FAW Group, Dongfeng Motor Corp, Guangzhou Automobile Group Co and Geely Automobile Co.
It was the first time Chinese automakers had participated an auto show outside the mainland in such a large scale.
Ren Hongbin, chairman of China National Machinery Industry Corp (Sinomach), one of the hosts of the exhibition, said that the company has long wanted to showcase domestic car brands and their latest achievements outside the mainland.
Sinomach is the country's leading automobile trade and service company and also the organizer of the Beijing auto show.
Their wish came true with the Macao auto show, a new window for Chinese automobile industry to be known to the world, Ren said.
With the geographic advantage of Macao, the exhibition was expected to form a bridge between Chinese carmakers and overseas markets, especially Southeast Asian and Portuguese-speaking countries, he added.
FAW Group, one of the leading domestic carmakers in China, brought 10 vehicles and two powertrains to the exhibition and had the largest booth.
Its displays included Besturn, Vita and Xiali cars as well as the premium Hongqi (or Red Flag) limousine. The company's two concept cars - the B9 and GO - as well as its self-developed hybrid and electric vehicles were also on stage.
Domestic carmaker Geely had eight models on the show under its three nameplates - the Emgrand, Gleagle and Englon. Due to its acquisition of Swedish automaker Volvo, Geely gained more fame in Macao and attracted many local visitors to its booth.
Guangzhou Automobile Group brought is Trumpchi sedans to the exhibition.
China became the world's largest auto market since 2009. Last year vehicle production and sales in the country have both exceeded 18 million units. Yet analysts noted that the industry needs to be stronger and bigger, and competitive Chinese homegrown brands are the key.