Multiple multinational automakers launched new products specifically for the Chinese market at the 2025 Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition opened on Friday, driven by substantial demand in China's new energy vehicle (NEV) sector.

They are also accelerating localization through cooperation with Chinese companies in the new energy field.

German auto company Audi, following last year's debut of a new energy concept car at the international automobile exhibition in Guangzhou, has premiered a new SUV concept vehicle this year.

Its design aligns with China's high-quality development philosophy for NEVs, featuring an 800-volt high-voltage system and over 700 kilometers of range.

Moreover, accelerating localization through cooperation in China represents a new strategic direction for this multinational automaker.

"China is the most important market for Audi worldwide. Not only that, we also have here the longest story. We came almost 40 years ago to China's first premium manufacturer, and localized our products in China. Now China is also the biggest growing market in terms of NEVs, the one which is transforming the fastest than anyone else and also the more innovative," said Fermin Soneira, CEO of Audi and SAIC Cooperation Project.

According to a representative from U.S. automaker Ford, the primary reason multinational automakers are accelerating cooperation with China in the NEV sector is China's robust and comprehensive NEV industrial chain.

"China has been developing its entire NEV industrial chain for at least 15 to 20 years. The development of China's NEV industrial chain is excellent, and the recent explosive growth of NEV brands across the market actually represents a process of long-term accumulation leading to success," said Wu Shengbo, President and CEO of Ford China.

German carmaker Mercedes-Benz introduced its first pure electric model featuring F1-inspired electric drive technology, representing a breakthrough in the industry.

"We describe this as the dual engine, the powerhouse of our research and development center in Beijing and in Shanghai, working hand in hand. And because of this very strong supply chain and partner companies, our friends' circle, we are very dedicated to further increasing the degree of localization," said Oliver Thone, a board member of Mercedes-Benz Group AG.

The auto show will run through Nov 30. Nearly 100 debut models and more than 1,000 vehicles are on display. Of these, 629 are NEVs, accounting for over 60 percent of the total.