As we’ve been briefly mentioning the past month or so, we got an opportunity to attend the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show in… you guessed it, Shanghai. Aside from taking place in an event center larger than many cities in the US, this annual event featured some of the most advanced tech we’ve ever seen and a glimpse into the future of electric mobility, as well as some of the strangest yet entertaining design and presentation.
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Reporting live from China (yes, right now)
It’s after midnight here local time, and after five days overseas, endless cups of coffee (and some Westlake tea), I can’t keep track of what day or time it is back in the States. So bear with me if my thoughts are a bit scattered. Just look at the pretty pictures, okay?
I’m sorry for the number of bystanders who photobombed most of these shots. A clean image of any BEV at the Shanghai Auto Show was impossible, given the number of people (primarily influencers and content creators) clamoring for the right angle and always managing to walk into Every. Single. Shot.
The recap is simple. Seth Weintraub and I walked the entire show, scoping everything out for you. Below, I have compiled images of some of the more noteworthy vehicles and adjacent technologies, sorted into four easy-to-follow groups: the interesting, the cool, the downright badass, and the weird. Let’s dig in.
The Interesting
Buick and Nissan showcased some pretty sleek EVs for China
From a US perspective, Nissan is only beginning chapter two of its BEV journey. Chapter one was, of course, the long CHAdeMO-powered saga of the LEAF. The Ariya is quite adequate, but as we strolled around the floors of the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show, the N7 caught our eye.
Its design isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s pretty sharp, and its front pixel illuminations below the headlamps are a lovely touch. Nissan also has several variants on display in some beautiful colors. I would love to see this one in the States.
Speaking of the US, Buick turned our heads with its Electra BEV lineup. The GM sub-brand has been selling BEVs in China for a bit now. Still, if some of the Electra models on display at the Shanghai Auto Show (like the SUV, Sedan, and GS Concept seen above) were to ever come to the US, they could perhaps help Buick become relevant again (Yes, Buick is irrelevant in the US, I said it, bring in the BEVs).
ZEEKR’s booth was packed with visitors and lineup of EV models
ZEEKR was one of the first Chinese automakers to hold a live event during day one of the Shanghai Auto Show, where it unveiled its new 9X MPV – its first ever PHEV. Like its BEV 009 counterpart, the 9X is an ultra-luxe multi-purpose vehicle with a giant rear screen and a mini fridge, not to mention new wheels.
But it’s a PHEV, so we found two more interesting things on ZEEKR’s floor. First was the number of models on display to auto show visitors. In addition to the 009 and 9X, ZEEKR showcased the MIX (which shares a lot of DNA with the Waymo BEV being developed for the US), the 001, 001FR, 007, 7X, X, and the recently unveiled 7GT.
Now remember that this Geely sub-brand was only founded four years ago. Wow.
The second thing we noticed was how grounded the ZEEKR area was all day in Shanghai. Many guests of the auto show explored each and every BEV inside and out, and there was plenty to peruse. Not to mention ZEEKR’s recently announced EV fast charger (more on that in a bit).
We got our first in-person look at NIO’s Firefly brand BEVs
We’ve been following the progress of NIO’s ultra-affordable Firefly sub-brand for three years, so seeing the initial models in person during the Shanghai Auto Show was exciting. Honestly, there’s not much to say here except that they’re neat. Small, simple, unique—exactly what NIO set out to deliver.
The younguns of the show were all over these things, capturing tons of content. Given its size and affordability, Firefly could do well in Europe too if it can siphon some of NIO’s brand recognition.
Let’s move onto some stuff that we found to be slightly cooler.
The Cool
eVTOLs and flying cars aplenty
While this was the Shanghai Auto Show, there was no shortage of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft prototypes, both scaled down and actual size. There were too many eVTOLs to count, but CATL’s (seen above) stood out because it’s CATL and it can actually innovate into reality.
Chery’s flying car/eVTOL combo was quite strange-looking but a cool idea nonetheless. The showstopper of the bunch, however, was the eVTOL/vehicle combo called the “Land Aircraft Carrier” from XPeng and AeroHT. I’ve been covering this thing for years, but this was my first time seeing it in person.
I found the vehicle itself to be massive, but a tad underwhelming. It didn’t seem like a finished, production-ready design to me yet, but I could be wrong. The eVTOL, which can be stored onboard the vehicle, was on display and completely unfolded. It looked awesome.
According to previous promises from XPeng, the Land Aircraft Carrier is supposed to reach production in 2026 and actually be delivered to Chinese customers. If and when that happens, I will be returning to China ASAP.
I didn’t know I wanted an iCAR V23 until this past week
I was at the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show when I learned about iCAR for the first time. This is an all-electric subsidiary of Chery Automotive founded in 2023. These are fun, compact SUVs that look modular and hella customizable.
They’re almost like a more compact Chinese version of what Ford could have done with an all-electric Bronco, but I’m not salty about that at all. Instead, the V23 from iCAR has caught my gaze. They look so fun, I would love to own one of them in the US (except for one specific variant you’ll see below). What do you think?
We saw the Xiaomi SU7 in person, but where was the YU7 SUV?
If we weren’t already aware, Chinese tech manufacturing giant Xiaomi is moving fast after seemingly knocking it out of the park with its first-ever vehicle, the SU7. Xiaomi gives us a stinging feeling of what may have been if Apple had ever actually one day possibly maybe made an electric car.
Instead, we have Xiaomi – and I think the SU7 and SU7 Ultra are a lot sexier than anything Apple would have done. Usually, one is front and center, but Xiaomi kept it low-key in a smaller booth on the second level of the event center, displaying several colors of the SU7 variants.
Many surmise it was due to the recent unfortunate accident in a Xiaomi SU7 in China, killing three passengers. That’s understandable in virtually all degrees, but I wondered, “Where’s the YU7?” Xiaomi has already shared images of its second model, which will be an SUV, so I was disappointed I couldn’t see it in person, even if it had only been for display purposes.
That new model is supposed to officially launch this summer.
On to the most exciting stuff we saw at the Shanghai Auto Show 2025.
The Downright Badass
ZEEKR’s 1,300 kW charger was on display (sorry no demos)
While it wasn’t doing any actual charging, ZEEKR’s presence at the Shanghai Auto Show also included its new 1,300 kW (1.2 MW) DC fast charger, announced less than a month ago.
“Sure, it’s just a picture of a non-functioning EV charger on a wall in Shanghai, so what?” What gets this EV tech onto our most badass list of Shanghai 2025 is its potential and what it represents. Most BEVs in the US can’t handle more than 250 kW of charging power, 350-400 kW tops.
Now we’re looking at 1,300 kW from ZEEKR?!? They don’t even make a BEV that can handle that much power. Even at a lower rate, ZEEKR and BYD have recently introduced charging technology that can finally deliver visits that resemble a gas station stop.
I also prefer that the charging technology is ahead of the BEV architecture and not vice versa. This is exciting stuff… at least for EV owners in China [begins to cry in a Rivian R1S Standard that tops out charging at 200 kW].
The Yangwang U9 stole the show as the most breathtaking BEV
This! This was the BEV that truly stole my heart at the Shanghai Auto Show. It’s sleek, sporty, sharp, and unique. It’s the U9 from BYD luxury sub-brand Yangwang. Like many of these Chinese vehicles that I have been covering for months or even years, this was the first time I got to see the U9 in person, and just wow.
Walking around, I saw a lot of copycat BEV designs around the halls, but not the Yangwang models. In my opinion, the U8 SUV is ugly, but at least it’s different. The U7 is super luxe and perfect for a long ride to the airport, but the U9 looks like a monster.
We went toe-to-toe with XPeng’s Iron humanoid robot [Video]
XPeng makes our list again for live demonstrations of its humanoid robot, called “Iron.” As you can see from the video I captured below, Iron interacted with guests of the Shanghai Auto Show, waving and following their movements. Eerie times, but still badass as well.
Despite the technical accomplishments, it will likely be a while before we see an army of Iron robots building XPeng BEVs.
The Weird
Last but not least, here’s some of the weirder stuff we saw walking around the Shanghai Auto Show. Some of it was cultural, some was experimental, but all of it was entertaining.
Fuzzy cars were aplenty at the Shanghai Auto Show
I’m not sure if this is a China thing, or perhaps adds to the appeal for content creators, but we spotted several fuzzy, furry, or diamond-studded models. Seth and I’s favorite was the hamster (or guinea pig?) themed MiniEV. At first, we thought it was the shaggin’ waggin’ from Dumb and Dumber. “Chicks dig it!”
The new Firefly already modded out in the most obnoxious way
Remember everything I said about Firefly being simple and minimalist? They threw all that out the window with this body kit that is so over the top that I’d imagine Hot Wheels would even say to reel it back in a little. Universal, PLEASE put this in the final (maybe?) Fast & The Furious Film. PLEASE!
BYD did something similar with this… thing
I have no words. A clear nod to Chinese history and culture in design. Cool idea for an auto show floor I suppose, but you’d never catch me in this vehicle.
Equal opportunity objectification at Shanghai Auto Show 2025
Something prevalent at the Shanghai Auto Show we don’t see at US shows anymore was females modeling in front of the cars. Aside from being a bit strange and awkward (The 12-foot teddy bear didn’t help), it was the fact that the models would find your lens and stare directly at it and for a second there you’re just lost.
Say what you will about using beautiful women to promote cars. Still, Chinese brand Baojin also had a handsome, muscular man up there, staring daggers into my soul as I tried to take a simple pic of the vehicle he was guarding over. See above.
Signing off from the Shanghai Auto Show
I have more thoughts, I’m sure, and perhaps I’ll add them later, but I am out of bad jokes and need to sleep. For now, at least. Stay tuned for more footage and impressions captured this past week during the Shanghai Auto Show.
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