Chongqing- Most of the new vehicles on exhibition put appearance, quality, and high technology first, meeting the attitudes and requirements of contemporary youths, according to the 24th Chongqing International Auto Exhibition held on June 25.

The 24th Chongqing International Auto Exhibition was held on June 25. (iChongqing/ Ge Rongchen)

Say goodbye to lost car keys

At this year's auto exhibition, more than 40 new energy vehicle (NEV) brands with over 300 models were displayed in the smart networking NEV special exhibition hall. Chongqing vehicle companies have made every effort to seize the NEV market opportunity.

According to Ke Jingyu, Document Control Commissioner and new-media specialist of Changan Auchan, the NEVs launched by the company are equipped with many "black technologies".

Downloading the application of "Auchan Style," Changan Auchan Z6 iDD can start up and conduct face recognition in one second, and switch on navigation mode in only two seconds. It can also realize a full-voice automated valet parking. The vehicle can even be controlled to enter and exit the parking space from driver-issued instructions from outside.

Changan Auchan Z6 iDD at the Chongqing International Auto Exhibition. (iChongqing/ Ge Rongchen)

"There's no need to forget car keys anymore," said Ke. "This NEV is targeted at people aged 20 to 30, for this young generation is fond of technology, and its price is lower than that of the gasoline-electric hybrid."

Changan Dark Blue SL03 also made its debut at the auto exhibition, with a pre-sale price ranging from 179,800 yuan to 231,800 yuan (about 26,847 to 34,611 U.S. dollars). This model provides three kinds of power systems, including pure electric, extended range, and hydrogen-electric.

Among them, the pure electric and hydrogen-electric systems have a maximum endurance of more than 700 kilometers, and the extended range version has a comprehensive endurance of 1200 kilometers. This model also has leading configurations such as L3+ level advanced auxiliary driving, attracting the attention of many young people.

Slowing down the life pace

Vehicles are no longer just a simple means of transport nowadays. They have not only become intimate companions in the consumers' lives but show the youth's ultimate pursuit of nature and freedom.

As of May 2022, there are more than 41,000 "campsite" related companies in China. For example, Chongqing Xiuhu Auto Camping Park serves as a national five-star recreational vehicle (RV) campsite.

"At present, most young people like T-type small RV," said Mao Guoqing, consultant of Chongqing Licheng RV company. "Although young RV consumers do not account for the majority, it shows an upward trend."

Mao observes that Chinese young people like to travel by RV with a unique lifestyle and life attitude. Instead of seeking efficiency in tourism, they would slow down by enjoying the air conditioning and food from the refrigerator, turning on the external stove and cooking meals, and installing a projector to watch movies in an RV.

"Young people now in China are not only able to earn money, but they are also experts on consumption," Mao continued. "They balance between work and play, even on the road of traveling and entertainment, their work can be carried out on the workbench in the RV."

RVs designed for camping were shown at the Chongqing International Auto Exhibition. (iChongqing/ Ge Rongchen)

The pleasure of intelligent driving

Besides automobiles, motorcycles possess their own exhibition area at this auto exhibition for the first time, bringing together nearly 20 most popular motorcycle brands.

Liu Qi, Distribution Manager of Lifan Motorcycle, said that the new rally motorcycle, scrambling motorcycle, and cruising motorcycle on display differ in shape and riding posture from those used for commuting.

For example, the retro-style motorcycle, which rides with a forward-leaning posture, highlights its handsome body lines, personalized design, and minimalism style, offering a new pleasure of intelligent driving.

"Some new types of motorcycles also replace the ordinary meter panels with projectors, which can realize various functions include real-time navigation, positioning system and answering phone calls," said Liu.

He continued, young people in Chongqing prefer motorcycles because of lower purchase and maintenance costs than those of automobiles, considering Chongqing is also one of the few cities in China without a prohibition on motorcycles.

Motorcycles designed for camping at the Chongqing International Auto Exhibition. (iChongqing/ Ge Rongchen)

(Ge Rongchen, as an intern, also contributed to this report.)