Highlights From the Beijing Auto Show

China overtook the U.S. in 2009 to become the world’s largest auto market with car sales surging a whopping 46 percent that year.

Since then, China's auto sales have softened considerably with growth of just 5.2 percent in 2011. The country saw 14.5 million car sales last year, about 2 million more than the U.S. This year, analysts forecast car sales will grow around 10 percent.

Foreign brands have been rushing in to expand factories and introduce new models to serve the world’s top market. And this week the world's top auto executives have been gathering in China for the Beijing auto show.

We’ve put together photos of new models and concept cars introduced at the event. Click ahead to see some of the hottest new models.

By Juliana Yeh & Rajeshni Naidu-Ghelani
(Posted April 25, 2012)

The DENZA (pictured) is Daimler and BYD's first ever-combined effort in the electric vehicle space with the name signifying "rising momentum and power."

It's been two years since the German and Chinese manufacturers joined hands to introduce a new model and this battery charged car is due for production next year. Targeted specifically at the Chinese market, the DENZA will probably go some way in satisfying China’s demand for green credentials. The government has sent an ambitious goal of putting 500,000 hybrid and electric vehicles on the roads by the end of 2015 — giving China the potential of becoming one of the world’s largest markets for zero-emissions vehicles.

French carmaker Renault unveiled the Talisman, a car based on the the SM7 model manufactured by its South Korean unit, Renault Samsung. The company hopes to export the sedan to China from the middle of the year.

The carmaker has plans to increase its dealership presence in China from 80 last year to 170 in 2014.

Renault has also signed a framework agreement with its local partner Dongfeng to produce more cars in China. The joint production plans include electric car and SUV models.

BMW, the world’s largest premium carmaker, launched the 3 Series Li at the auto show.

The car is offered in three models, with an extended wheelbase of 11cm for more backseat space. Slated for sale in China before the end of this year, the car can come with personalized options of sport, luxury or modern.

The carmaker expects sales growth in China, the world’s second-largest market for luxury vehicles, to jump by double-digits in 2012.

Making its world premiere in Beijing — this concept convertible by BMW is powered by plug-in hybrid eDrive technology.

The sports car has a top speed of 155 miles per hour (250 kilometers per hour). BMW says the car uses up only 3 litres of gas per 100 kilometers and can charge in fewer than two hours.

In an attempt to increase its presence in China, BMW will open on average one new dealership every week in the country this year.

With a long, low and wide design, Citroen showed off its Numero 9 concept, a plug-in hybrid car.

The French carmaker began producing cars in China this year with the launch of its DS luxury sub-brand this year. It plans to sell 200,000 cars each year, within four years, starting June 28. Citroen has teamed up with local manufacturing partner Changan to tap into China's premium car market, which is the fastest growing segment in the country.

Lamborghini’s much-hyped SUV model was finally unveiled at the Beijing auto show this week.

Though late to the luxury SUV game, Urus is what the automaker terms its “ultimate super athlete." If the concept model goes into production in 2015, the sports car maker plans to produce only 3,000 vehicles and sell them in the U.S., UK, Germany, Russia, Middle East and China. The SUV estimated to cost about $200,000.

Lamborghini aims to tap into China’s growing demand for SUVs. SUV sales jumped 25 percent last year to 2.1 million.

The second generation of Porsche’s popular Cayenne SUV series made its world premiere in Beijing with a more powerful engine than its predecessor and a sportier look.

The Cayenne GTS boasts a lower chassis for a more dynamic ride and a zero to 100 kilometre per hour (km/h) time of 5.7 seconds. It reaches a top speed of 261 (km/h). The luxury carmaker has plans to expand dealerships in China by more than 40 percent in 2012 to meet growing demand. Porsche currently has 41 Chinese dealerships and hopes to reach 60 by year-end. China is the largest market for Porsche’s Panamera sports car and Cayenne SUV.

Ford presented its SUV quartet – the EcoSport, Kuga, Edge and Explorer (pictured) — to capitalize on China's love for SUVs.

With an all-encompassing offering from a compact 1 liter engine to a mega seven-seater passenger load, Ford hopes to capture more of the Chinese SUV market, which accounted for almost 12 percent of total light vehicle sales last year.

The automaker plans to assemble some of these models at its plant in Chongqing and is targeting some 15 new offerings in China by 2015.

German carmaker Audi debuted its luxury A6L e-tron concept car, which features plug-in hybrid technology.

The locally made A6L is specifically designed for the Chinese market and can drive 50 miles in all-electric mode and reach speeds of up to 37 miles per hour. Audi hasn’t confirmed when the A6L will hit the market.

Audi has expanded its presence in China with car dealers in 187 cities. The automaker reported a 10.8 percent growth in sales in the first three months of this year, compared to the same period last year.

The Volkswagen Beetle’s sporty electrical cousin — the E-Bugster made its Asia premiere at the autoshow.

The two-seater car is said to be zero-emission. VW says the convertible beetle can recharge in just 35 minutes at suitable charging stations or from a conventional electric outlet at home. It first made its worldwide debut at the Detroit auto show in January.

VW — the world’s second largest automaker — announced on Monday that it will invest $225 million to build a new Chinese plant in the Western city of Urumqi. The carmaker sold 633,000 cars in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau in the first quarter of 2012, up 15.6 percent from 2011. The German group makes cars in China in partnership with local manufacturers FAW Group and SAIC Motor.

Carmaker: Nissan

Nissan’s new brand offspring Venucia with local partner Dongfeng presented its first product ever — the D50, which is available in four price options.

The new model goes into production immediately and will be made available at 100 dealers across China. Nissan has ambitions to reach one million unit sales within five years. The brand also unveiled an “e-concept” vehicle to be built in China by 2015.

Nissan’s aggressive move into the world’s biggest auto market also includes plans to build its premium Infiniti cars in the country by 2014. In February, the Japanese automaker saw sales jump 48.2 percent year on year, recovering strongly from a 20 percent fall in the previous month.