The Shanghai Auto Show is happening this week in China, and the automotive press is buzzing with photos and details of new cars.
New cars we’ll probably never see.
Automakers routinely unveil new products at auto shows, and this year’s Shanghai event sees even more debuts than normal. Most of the industry’s shows for the past year have been canceled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, so cars that would have appeared elsewhere are taking their bows in Shanghai.
But many of the debuts are vehicles destined for the world’s largest car market … which is no longer the United States. Automakers are lining up to show off their new products to their Chinese hosts. China still has an appetite for sedans, while manufacturers are slowly removing them from the American market for lack of interest.
Many of these cars are from automakers that sell cars in America. U.S.-based automakers make some of them. But that doesn’t mean they’ll be options for buyers here.
A few of them may make their way here, like Toyota’s new bZ4X EV or the Genesis Electrified G80, but most will not. So, a quick rundown of the big Shanghai reveals you may be seeing in the media, but probably won’t be seeing in a neighbor’s driveway:
Audi A7L:
In America, Audi sells the A7 Sportback, a lively and lovely luxury sport sedan. In China, the company plans to s-t-r-e-t-c-h out the A7, with longer lines and a genuine trunk. America has just enough appetite for 4-door cars to support the shorter model, so this won’t be coming stateside.
Buick Envision Plus:
A 3-row version of the Buick Envision, the Envision Plus offers buyers something smaller than the full-size Enclave but still able to carry seven passengers. It would make a lot of sense for the U.S. market, but GM currently plans to build it in China and sell it only there.
Ford Evos:
In its homeland, Ford now sells trucks, SUVs, and performance coupes like the Mustang. But there is no longer a 4-door car in the Ford lineup. China, however, will get this attractive fastback. It was once rumored to be a replacement for the late Ford Fusion but now appears to be a China-only model.
GM/Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV Cabrio:
A joint project between General Motors and China’s Wuling, this tiny electric 2-seater is adorable and costs the equivalent of $4,300. But it’s only available in China, and soon in Europe, where it will be sold under the name freZe Froggy. We are not making that up.
Honda SUV E: Prototype:
Honda has long discussed plans to bring electric crossovers to the U.S. But this sharp-looking midsize model is the first of 10 the automaker plans to sell in China.
Lincoln Zephyr Reflection:
This one borrows the Zephyr name from a car sold in the U.S. from 1936 to 1942 and again in 2006 (Lincoln changed the name to the MKZ not long after, then discontinued it after the 2020 model year). But it is bound for China only, where 4-door sedans still sell well enough to justify building them. We’re a little bummed this won’t make it stateside, as the cabin is unique, with a full-width flat screen that can display five things at once. OK, maybe that’s not the safest idea.
Nissan Sylphy:
Officially, Nissan has not said this will come to the U.S. But the Sylphy is almost certainly the next-generation Sentra, released early in China. Today’s Sentra is sold as the Sylphy overseas. Beyond a nice visual update, this one gets a significant upgrade to its driver assistance systems — something that would make the U.S.-market Sentra more competitive.
Volkswagen ID.6:
The U.S. already has the VW ID.4 – the 2021 World Car of the Year – so this larger, 3-row all-electric SUV seems like a no-brainer for us. VW has announced sales for China, but we’d be shocked not to get this here relatively soon.
