This season’s Guangzhou Autoshow reflected the changing interests of both the manufacturers and consumers. Along with the ritual worshipping of the models by the amateur photographers and the obligatory “I’m louder than you” dance shows among competing manufacturers, there were some distinct trends in the show, which wrapped up on Sunday.

As I’ve attended the GZ Autoshow for the past few years, my attention was immediately grabbed by the onslaught of sports cars, off-road vehicles, recreational vehicles, and luxury cars. There were many more of these compared to previous years. Regardless of the brand or size of the display, spectators flocked to anything sporty or fun. “Bigger and faster” stood out among all else this year.

Off-road vehicles also took the main stage for many manufacturers. Mitsubishi, Toyota and others all took great pains to grab attention for their new, stronger and more powerful models.

Also vying for attention was Mercedes Benz. With two very large factory booths (vans and passenger vehicles) and no less than five aftermarket custom coach builders using only Mercedes’ chassis, it MB was present on every floor and building in the show.

Other interesting new items to the show?

Honda brought 3 motorcycles that it hopes to introduce to into the Chinese market, there was a Lexus / Red Bull F1 car, numerous racing and rally cars, a large presence of used car sellers (notably luxury used cars), and more.

Green technology was present as always, but was not as prominent as it has been before. A few concept cars sported “hybrid” or “electric” badges, but there seemed to be little interest as there were few breakthrough technologies, hence fewer cool toys to show.

I noticed much smaller displays from the import car makers than last year’s December show. Smart Car, Audi, Cadillac, Porsche, Lamborghini, Honda, are just a few who still hard large and exotic displays, but were smaller than last year’s.  In contrast, the Chinese manufacturers seemed to have expanded their lines greatly. However, as I mentioned, any brands without fun, sporty, recreational vehicles had relatively few onlookers… hot models or not.

The displays and manufacturers showcasing simple, economic, or economy cars were virtually ignored, where as last year, price and mileage figures were proudly and loudly displayed.

This Autoshow shows no limit to the enthusiasm of manufacturers, despite projections of inflation and a shrinking GDP, feeding Chinese consumers more of what they think they want: speed, power, luxury, and most of all, recognition.

Overall, I’d say much more pleasing to the eye…. not so much to the wallet.