Shifting from the focus on the display of vehicle designs seen in previous years, in this year's Shanghai Auto¹ Show, so-called green auto cars become a priority.

Zheng Gang, general manager of BJEV, a Beijing-based auto maker², says the company is in cooperation with an Italian auto manufacturer to design a world-leading new-energy car, which is expected to hit the market by the end of this year.

"This electric car is completely newly designed, rather than a modification³ from traditional cars. Currently, only two mass-produced car models in the world are made with this technology. One is BMW's I3 and the other is Tesla's model S. So this car will bring the Chinese domestic brands into the world top ranking of the new-energy vehicle producers."

The plug-in hybrid⁴ vehicles sector⁵ is also one of the highlights in the Shanghai auto show.

World major automakers including Audi, BMW and Volvo all displayed the plug-in hybrid vehicles in the show.

Industry insiders say they have seen huge potential in the new-energy car sector, but add that nurturing⁶ a mature market still takes joint efforts from producers, government and the society.

Wang Hao, the US automaker Tesla's north region sales manager, says the company's future in China needs support from government policies and the general public.

"We hope that everyone can join us to understand that new-energy vehicles are development direction in the future. We also hope that the whole society can pay attention to this industry and the Chinese government can provide support in this regard. Then this sector will have a faster and healthier development in the future."

Observers say the Chinese government's huge subsidies⁷ for the purchase of new-energy vehicles have shown the country's determination to develop this green sector.

As one of the seven strategic emerging industries promoted by the government, with the advancement⁸ of technological⁹ innovation and more incentive¹⁰ policies, the development of China's new-energy vehicles is expected to go on the fast track in the coming years.

The ten-day Shanghai Auto Show, which will conclude on Wednesday, has attracted more than 2,000 domestic and international exhibitors.