CHINA TOPIX

03/29/2024 08:22:53 am

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China Car Show Bans Scantily Dressed Car Babes

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(Photo : Reuters) A child takes a picture of a sexy model as she poses next to a Great Wall Motors car during last year's 15th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition in Shanghai April 21, 2013.

China is gearing up for its upcoming biggest auto show - this time banning skimpily dressed "car babes."

The 16th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition scheduled to open this Wednesday is expected to be a world class affair, putting focus on cars rather than on the scantily dressed models.

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Models in skimpy clothes are a regular sight at most major car shows in the world as they are used to draw attention to their stands and to attract more visitors. 

Now, event organizers believe the ban on sexy car models will help bring focus to where it should be -- on cars.  Mr. Yang Xueliang, Public Relations Director for Chinese carmaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, said the ban is a good move and will let visitors enjoy a quiet exhibit.

China has been considered as the world's largest car market.  Global car makers will be showing off hundreds of their vehicles in Shanghai despite an economic slowdown.  They said the Chinese market is just too huge to ignore. In 2014, about 23.5 million vehicles were sold in China, way ahead of U.S. sales. 

"By 2018, China is expected to be the biggest market in the world for SUVs," John Lawler, Chairman and CEO of Ford Motor China, said on Monday.

Sexy car models have been criticized several times in the past for their revealing too much skin.  Commentaries in a news daily went as far as saying the events were vulgar and that the car models were a bad influence to society.

Ford has seven new vehicles in its display lineup.  That includes two SUV's and the Taurus - its supposedly flagship sedan for its China market. 

Several automakers are making another push for energy vehicles.

Volkswagen had announced it would produce more than a dozen energy vehicles in China by 2019.  General Motors also said it will launch the electric version of its Cadillac CT6 sedan. 

However, Chinese interest on electric cars remains low over perceived problems on charging facilities, particularly when it comes to long driving. 

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