Fridae

2017 was previously predicted to be the year when China will lead the world car market. With the US car market currently in free fall, that prediction has been fast forwarded. The Chinese car market is now on course to eclipse the US for 2009. The 2009 bi-annual Shanghai Auto Show has become a moment in automotive history, where we are witnessing how China has evolved into breeding ground for modern car creation.

This is also spurred on further by a buyer body whose sophistication has grown even more quickly than its size. China is now a car leader, not a follower. Something which Porsche understood extremely well; they debut their controversial Panaroma in Shanghai, a cosmopolitan hub of open-mindedness.

Fridae Auto Club gives you a run-down on the studs and duds from the local manufacturers at this year's Shanghai Auto Show.

Bright Chinese Stars (1 to 3)
The three most promising showcases from local manufacturers.

Roewe N1 (Picture 1)
The Roewe N1 concept on display was packed with Magnetti Marelli electronic displays and net-connecting gizmos sourced from Italy. However, the main attraction of the N1 concept was that it carried the architecture for a neat and sporty production saloon.

GAC VIP Lounge Concept (Picture 2)
Guangzhou Auto is currently Honda's partner in manufacturing Honda Accords for the Chinese market. Rumors had it that GAC had sought the help of an undisclosed Italian coachbuilder for the styling of this concept car. With Honda's backing in technology and vast improvements in the build quality of Chinese cars, the GAC VIP Lounge concept looks promising.

Great Wall Hover H3 SUV (Picture 3)
China's leading SUV maker Great Wall has unveiled a chunky, funky urban SUV. Despite processing none of the off-roading abilities it exterior suggests, this faux SUV certainly looks like one of the neatest Chinese design to date.

Micheal Whacko-ko Concepts (4 to 6)
Three of the maddest creations spotted at Shanghai Auto Show 2009.

Chang'an E301 (Picture 4)
Much like a French crossover concept car, The Chang'An E301 seems to eschew practicality for gratuitously outlandish design elements; the roofline extends to the back on one side only, leaving the other side with just a curved rear window. Edgy details like giant wheels and gullwing doors add to the credits of this fun hybrid powered concept car.

Great Wall Hoover H7 (Picture 5)
Could this be the greatest invention ever by the stylists at Great Wall, China's leading SUV maker? A frontal face not unlike The Predator to scare other road users away. Making horns irrelevant on Chinese roads; splendid idea for reduction of noise pollution in major Chinese cities.

Chery QQme (Picture 6)
A cute-ish mini-car model designed for young fashion-conscious female customers, the Chery QQme hopes to steal some sales from rivals like the VW Beetle. Chery is making bold claims to have no match yet in the small car segment in terms of design essence, styling aesthetics and youthful dynamics for the QQme. This is not a beautiful car, but its "ugliness" could do it favours. Many have considered the original Mini to be plain-looking at best, but they have sold millions of them over decades.

Made under the influence of? (7 to 9)
The Chinese are notorious for their blatant plagarism of Japanese and European designs, and we spotted these shocking copies - can you guess which model they are ripping off?

Great Wall Perry (Picture 7)
When a Panda looks more Italian than Chinese.

A Turin court ruled last August that the Perry built by independent automaker Great Wall won't be allowed into Europe. Fiat alleged that the car was a clone of its Panda minicar, the best selling minicar in Europe since 2004.

Geely IG (Picture 8)
I see a Toyota iQ underneath.

Perhaps being inspired by Toyota's successful iQ, the Chinese interpretation might seem all too similar at first glance. The Geely IG sports a much shorter body length, a three-seater configuration and has only one-door! Quirky yet functional.

Geely GE (Picture 9)
hmmm, a Chinese Phantom?

With its gigantic, upright waterfall grille, boxy proportions, Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament, and LED starlight headliner, it didn't take an enthusiast's eye to see that Geely is openly aping the Rolls-Royce Phantom.

Understandably, that development hasn't been sitting well with Rolls-Royce officials, who promptly got on the horn to their lawyers after clapping their eyes on the GE. While the British luxury firm has stopped short of saying they intend to sue, according to an article in the U.K. Telegraph, a Rolls-Royce spokesman admits "Rolls-Royce is currently keeping its options open and is in consultation with its legal advisers."

Remember 2008 Beijing Auto Show's star?
Geely GT Concept (Picture 10)
The Geely GT concept first dazzled the crowds at the Beijing 2008 Auto Show, as it stood out as a pioneer of original Chinese car designs, with a truly unique shape and littered with sparkly interesting details.

At this year's Shanghai Auto show, the Geely GT returns as a tiger. Complete with gullwing doors and a functional interior, the 2009 Geely GT looks closer to be production ready as the Chinese automaker continues to iron out engineering issues as it gauges showgoers' reactions this year.