Auto Shanghai 2025 leaves no doubt – China has become the epicenter of the electric automotive world. While Europe is hustling, the Americans are hustling, and the Japanese are quietly manufacturing in China, Shanghai is buzzing with the electric future. It is now the center of the automotive world. And Europe is only third, right after the USA.
If Auto Shanghai was once an exotic stop on the automotive map, today it is main destination. The event, which takes place between April 23 and May 2, 2025, is a clear signal: if you really want to know what you'll be driving in five years - you have to look east. And no, not towards Stuttgart or Turin. But straight towards Shanghai, where things are happening that will take the breath away from European automotive giants (and their investors).
Below, we reveal how the world revolves around China – and how quickly European manufacturers are leading are turning into observers. Fasten your seatbelts, the electric world has no more patience for diesel stragglers.
China and Auto Shanghai 2025: The New Detroit, Only with Better Tea and Faster WiFi
When 70 car brands and 100 new models park up in Shanghai, it's clear: this isn't just a trade fair, it's a declaration of dominance. China is where Europe is with electric vehicles, where Europe is with PowerPoint presentations. While the European Union is still coordinating strategies and directives (read: arguing in Brussels), China is already worksAnd what's even more ironic - Japanese manufacturers are at home there, as if their factories... and soul, had almost moved there.
Japanese brands: They make in China. They smile kindly. And they keep quiet. This is also Auto Shanghai 2025
Nissan, Mitsubishi, Honda – all with cute logos and a very concrete presence on Chinese production lines. Nissan N7? A joint project with Dongfeng. Toyota? Made in China. Honda? Also. If anyone wants to see a “Japanese” car today, they should just look towards Shanghai – that’s where they are actually assembled. Or, let’s face it – that’s where begins the future of these brands. The question is whether they will ever truly return home.
European brands: From technology export to identity export
Volvo under Geely, Lotus no longer British (if it ever was?), Pirelli – once synonymous with Italian passion, now just part of a Chinese portfolio. Volvo, Mercedes’ Smart… all Chinese. Although European manufacturers still make great cars, they are increasingly they no longer produce for themselves. It slowly seems that only two things remain in the European automotive industry: nostalgia and bureaucracy. Both are pretty bad fuels for an electric future. Meanwhile, the Stelantis group is setting up a sales network for Chinese supercars, which will cost 1/4 as much as European ones. I write about this in another column.
Americans? They have Tesla. They have Lucid. They have marketing.
The US is a different story. They have charisma Elona, they have Lucid, well Rivian, but a ton of startups like Slate Truck - Amazon's Jeff, who know what “revolution” is. And they have the ability to talk about their achievements until the whole world starts to believe them. Europe? Meanwhile, it is still counting subsidies and looking for battery strategies.
Allianz warns that Europe could lose up to €7 billion in annual profits to Chinese competition. And not in decades. But by 2030. This seems like a very optimistic scenario to me. Does it sound far-fetched? Yes, it does sound that way. Tesla Model S in 2012.
Ten Auto Shanghai 2025 cars that made Shanghai an automotive Disneyland – we managed to cover these.
Auto Shanghai 2025 is not just a stage, it's a Broadway show - and the cars are the stars. Here are ten that stole the show (and perhaps European buyers) this year:
- Deepal S09 – a luxury SUV with a 180 km range. It may not sound like much, but hey – it has three screens. If you don't get far, at least you look it very digital. Read the article!
- Audi e5 Sportback – an electric Audi exclusively for China. European buyers are only destined to be envious. Read the article!
- Onvo L90 – a newcomer from under the wing of Nio, an SUV with serious ambitions and a battery that could charge half of Munich. Read the article!
- MG CyberX – retro-futurism, where a Land Cruiser falls in love with a Testarossa and together they create an SUV for the TikTok generation. Read the article!
- Zeekr 9X – a competitor to Rolls-Royce, which may succeed in making a hybrid aristocrat for the first time in history. Read the article!
- 2026 Lexus ES – a new sedan that smells of prestige and is created for the Chinese market. Very Japanese. Very strategic. Read the article!
- Nissan N7 – a sedan that seriously competes with Tesla. It may not win, but it will charge a fair price for its effort. Read the article!
- Toyota bZ7 – a sedan with Toyota reliability and Chinese ambition. A combination that never fails. Read the article!
- Buick Electra GS – American, made for China. So elegant, we can almost forgive it for not being for us. Read the article!
- Volkswagen Troika – three concept cars for China. It looks like VW has finally stopped copying the past and started drawing the future. Of course, because the car is drawn in Chinese. Read the article!
Deepal S09 – the star of Auto Shanghai 2025
Chinese Deepal S09 is a luxurious six-seat SUV that even exceeds the length of the Toyota Land Cruiser. As China's answer to the Volvo XC90, it offers cutting-edge technology for about half the price. It has a hybrid electric drive (EREV) with about 180 km of electric range and almost 500 horsepower. The interior is adorned with a multitude of screens and advanced systems (including Huawei's autopilot). Although the S09 remains only on Asian roads for now, it raises the bar for luxury and technology among SUVs. More about the car at the link.
Audi E5 Sportback
Audi unveiled in Shanghai E5 Sportback – an electric sedan with a coupe look that represents the most ambitious Audi ever. It was made in collaboration with a Chinese partner and therefore does not have the classic four rings on the hood, but it has almost 800 hp and a range of around 770 km (CLTC). It accelerates to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds and uses state-of-the-art charging technology with 800-volt technology. The E5 Sportback symbolizes a watershed moment: the first “Audi” created in China for China – but European customers can only admire it from afar. More about the car at the link.
Onvo L90
Onvo L90 is a large electric SUV (7 seats) with which the Chinese Nio (through its new sub-brand Onvo) wants to win over families outside of China. It is distinguished by its exceptional spaciousness (the largest "frunk" on the market) and the most modern technology. It uses a 900-volt architecture for ultra-fast charging, and the design emphasizes power with clean, angular lines. The interior offers superior comfort for all passengers. The Onvo L90 proves that Chinese electric SUVs are aiming directly at European competition. More about the car at the link.
MG CyberX
MG CyberX is a futuristic electric SUV that revives the design spirit of the 80s. Its body combines the ruggedness of an SUV (in the style of a Land Cruiser) with sporty retro details, such as the pop-up headlights like the Ferrari Testarossa. At the same time, it is technologically advanced - part of the battery pack is integrated into the chassis to make better use of space. Developed under the auspices of China's SAIC, it is a concept that looks almost serial. The MG CyberX targets younger drivers who appreciate a bold look and modern electric power. More about the car at the link.
Zeekr 9X
Zeekr 9X is a Chinese “super-SUV” that aims to compete with the most luxurious Western SUVs (Range Rover, BMW X7, even Rolls-Royce). With a length of over 5.3 meters and a luxurious interior (6 or 7 seats), it offers royal comfort. The electric version is based on 900-volt technology with an advanced CATL battery, which allows for extremely fast charging – up to 500 km of range in 10 minutes. In addition, the 9X introduces level 3 autonomous driving with numerous sensors. The Zeekr 9X proves that Chinese manufacturers can compete with the top of the luxury class for a lower price. More about the car at the link.
Lexus ES 2026
A new generation Lexus ES (2026) reveals how Japanese luxury is adapting to the electric age. The sedan combines elegant, Zen-like design with a digitalized interior – a large central screen and minimalism instead of buttons – and even massage seats in the rear. In addition to hybrid versions, a fully electric ES will be available for the first time, with a range of around 480 km. Lexus thus maintains its renowned luxury and Japanese character, while entering an electric future. More about the car at the link.
Nissan N7
Nissan N7 is a sleek electric sedan created in collaboration between Nissan and China's Dongfeng - a joint project with the clear goal of competing with Tesla. Its design follows Nissan's philosophy (sharp lines, sporty stance), while advanced equipment (autonomous assistance systems, massage seats) shows the influence of Chinese technology. The N7 is not just a new model, but a symbol of a new era: China and Japan are joining forces to create an electric vehicle that can compete with Western rivals without hesitation. More about the car at the link.
Toyota bZ7
Conceptual Toyota bZ7 is an electric sedan developed specifically for the Chinese market, highlighting the collaboration between Toyota and its Chinese partners. It is a model from the “Beyond Zero” series, and at over 5 meters longer than the classic Camry. Its aerodynamic shape combines design elements from the Prius and Crown, while hiding cutting-edge technology: the latest driver assistance systems and connectivity expected from a flagship model. The Toyota bZ7 embodies the fusion of Japanese quality and Chinese innovation, and aims to take on rivals such as the Tesla Model 3 and BYD Han. Auto Shanghai proved that the Japanese are now working for the Chinese. More about the car at the link.
Buick Electra GS
Buick Electra GS is resurrecting the American name in the form of a modern electric sedan developed with the Chinese market in mind. It is a concept on GM's Ultium platform, which is supposed to provide competitive range and fast charging (official data has not yet been disclosed). The design of the Electra GS combines American elegance with some Chinese futuristic boldness - a low, sporty silhouette and an advanced cockpit. With this concept, Buick proves that even traditional American manufacturers are adapting to the electrification trends dictated by China. More about the car at the link.
Volkswagen electric three-door
German automotive giant Volkswagen presented a trio of electric concepts in Shanghai – ID. Era, ID. Here and ID. Aura – which could easily be mistaken for production models. All three are developed “tailor-made for China” and target specific customers: a family SUV with a range extender, a trendy mid-size SUV for young people and a compact sedan with artificial intelligence. Although these vehicles may not reach the European market, they clearly show that Volkswagen is increasingly directing its innovations to where the biggest market is – China. More about the car at the link.
Conclusion: Europe on the (electric) test – Auto Shanghai 2025 leading!
Auto Shanghai 2025 is more than a car show. It is a mirror – and Europe does not see itself very flatteringly in it. While China invests, builds, innovates and launches, Europe is still writing strategies and debating standards.
The Japanese? They quietly manufacture in China and smile in Zen style. The Americans? They lead with charisma and capital.
Europe? Hold the handbrake.
The only question is how long it can afford to do this. And who will still be driving a European car in five years? The question is no longer or, but when we will only be passengers in the Chinese electric revolution.
PS: If you find yourself in line for a Zeekr or MG CyberX, don't worry - at least you'll be the first among Europeans to understand where this world is going. The rest of us will have to debate a little longer.
