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According to Car News China, the biennial Auto Shanghai 2025 international auto show attracted nearly 1,000 participants, including both domestic Chinese and international brands, setting a new record for scale.
Amidst the buzz dominated by green vehicles, a few well-known car brands were notably absent, signaling potential shifts in the global automotive industry.
Korean, French, and British Brands Missing
For the first time since their entry into China in 2002, the group of major South Korean automakers, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis, were absent from this large-scale auto exhibition.
This absence comes as South Korean brands struggle with declining market share in China. Per Car News China, the sales of Korean brands in China accounted for only 1.6% in 2024.
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Although not participating in Auto Shanghai 2025, Beijing Hyundai held a media event in Shanghai just days before the exhibition. There, Hyundai unveiled its first electric SUV platform, named ELEXIO.
Hyundai also announced its strategy, “In China for China to Global,” demonstrating its commitment to the Chinese market.
The Genesis luxury brand also declared its entry into a “2.0 era” with plans to focus on restructuring and future expansion in the Chinese market.
French automotive brands such as Citroën and Peugeot, along with British marques Jaguar and Land Rover, also opted out of Auto Shanghai 2025. Instead, Land Rover held a separate media event to discuss its electrification strategy in the Chinese market.
Luxury Brands Also Absent
At Auto Shanghai 2023, luxury and ultra-luxury brands like Maserati, Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and Porsche shared the 8.1h hall. However, only Bentley and Porsche participated this year.
This withdrawal coincides with a decline in sales for luxury and ultra-luxury vehicles priced above 1 million CNY (approximately 137,000 USD) in China, with a recorded drop of up to 53% compared to Q1 2024.
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Meanwhile, Chinese domestic automakers are making significant inroads into the luxury segment. BYD’s YangWang brand recently announced cumulative sales of over 10,000 units. The Maextro S800 electric sedan, a potential rival to Maybach and Rolls-Royce, also made its public debut before its official launch in China in May.
EV Startups Withdraw
A few local electric vehicle startups, including HiPhi, Jiyue, and Neta, were also absent from Auto Shanghai 2025 due to financial difficulties. According to Car News China, all three have faced significant challenges recently. HiPhi filed for bankruptcy, Jiyue encountered disputes with suppliers, and Neta had to deal with debt issues.
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On the other hand, new automakers like Xiaomi, Leapmotor (backed by Stellantis), and Huawei’s HIMA brand attracted significant public attention. According to Car News China, the presence of these brands at Auto Shanghai 2025 represents the wave of innovation in China’s automotive industry.
Looking globally, the automotive industry is in a phase where a single misstep by carmakers can lead to bankruptcy and acquisitions by larger entities. While electric and new energy vehicles continue to expand, it’s not all smooth sailing, as both established automakers and startups face potential pitfalls.
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