Specialties at Auto China 2010 in Beijing

The 2010 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, Auto China 2010, opened on April 23 in the capital of China, which became the world’s leader in car sales in 2009. Photo: a BMW car.

The 200,000 square meter show, hosted at the new International Exhibition Center in the Shunyi District outside of Beijing, features 990 models. Photo: the BMW Vision.

Of this number 89 are specialties, including 65 concept cars. Photo: the Volvo S60.

More than 2,000 car manufacturers from 16 countries are participating in the exhibition. Photo: the Mini Cooper.

China became the world’s leader in car sales in 2009, with over 13.6 million cars sold. In the first quarter of this year the sales in China totaled 4.61 million cars. Photo: the BMW 535Li.

Mercedes-Benz premiered three cars in China, including a lengthened E-class and a new-generation Maybach.

The Chinese market is also valuable for foreign car makers because cars are purchased here in large quantities despite the extremely high prices. For example, a BMW 7 series, which is not manufactured in China yet, costs 1.355 million Yuan here, or $198,500, which is almost three times more expensive than in the U.S. (

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage.

The Aston Martin DB9.

A Ferrari car showcased at Auto China 2010 in Beijing.

The Alfa Romeo car showcased at Auto China 2010 in Beijing.

A Peugeot car showcased at Auto China 2010 in Beijing.