Spring 2025 Xitai Lake International Auto Show Highlights New Energy and Smart Technology as Market Leaders

On May 1, the 2025 West Taihu (Spring) International Auto Show commenced at the West Taihu International Expo Center, running for four days. Upon entering the exhibition hall, visitors were greeted by a lively atmosphere filled with inquiries, vehicle start-up sounds, and interactive car audio systems. Among the various displays, the electric vehicle section stood out, attracting many consumers eager to experience the allure of new energy vehicles from brands like BYD, Li Auto, Avita, and HarmonyOS Intelligent Travel.

At the Li Auto booth, the Li L6 captured the attention of many family users with its elegant design and high-tech features. A local resident, Mr. Zhang, was seen enjoying the in-car voice interaction system with his child: “Hello, Li Auto, please navigate to the West Taihu Low Carbon Wetland Park.” As soon as he finished speaking, the vehicle’s screen quickly plotted a route. He mentioned that his family has been following new energy vehicles and decided to explore the Li L6’s performance during the auto show. “Many of my friends say new energy vehicles are highly intelligent and cost-effective, so we want to try one out,” he added.

At the HarmonyOS Intelligent Travel booth, the Wanjie M8’s spacious interior and intelligent cockpit were its main attractions. Several attendees gathered around to ask detailed questions about the vehicle’s range and autonomous driving capabilities. The sales team explained that the Wanjie M8 features Huawei’s latest HarmonyOS smart cockpit, which allows for voice control of various functions and supports wireless connections with smartphones and other smart devices. “Consumers are increasingly valuing smart features, especially young families who prefer models with strong technological appeal,” they noted.

This year’s auto show saw new energy vehicles accounting for over half of the exhibits, with brands like BYD, Li Auto, Wanjie, Leap Motor, Denza, Zeekr, Arcfox, IM Motors, Smart, Avita, Equation Leopard, Geely Galaxy, and Dongfeng Nano showcasing their latest electric models.

Why have new energy vehicles become the star of the exhibition? Surveys indicate that the growing acceptance and recognition of electric vehicles among consumers is a significant factor. At the BYD booth, a woman completing her car purchase explained that she previously drove a gasoline vehicle but chose an electric car without hesitation this time. “Charging infrastructure is improving, and the range is sufficient for daily use. Plus, there are subsidies available, making it much more economical than buying a gasoline car,” she shared.

Despite the spotlight on new energy vehicles, the gasoline car section at the auto show also attracted considerable interest, with many consumers still favoring gasoline vehicles as their first choice. A sales representative explained that after more than a century of development, core technologies such as engines and transmissions in gasoline cars have become quite mature, leading consumers to have high trust in their quality and stability. Brands like GAC Toyota, Dongfeng Nissan, Lincoln, and Volvo have built a reputation for high-quality gasoline vehicles over the years.

Furthermore, in terms of resale value, gasoline vehicles hold a clear advantage. According to the 2024 China Automobile Resale Value Research Report released by the China Automobile Circulation Association, the three-year resale value of gasoline cars remains above 50%, while that of pure electric and plug-in hybrid models is approximately 46% for the same period.

“With their stability and mature technology, gasoline vehicles currently still hold a significant share of the automotive market,” industry analysts noted. In the near future, the household car market is expected to see a coexistence of gasoline and new energy vehicles, with both competing and innovating to meet diverse consumer demands.