Mercedes GLK and Audi Q5 to debut in Beijing

Mercedes GLK and Audi Q5 to debut in Beijing

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Chinese carmakers are planning to launch dozens of new models and concepts at next week’s Beijing Motor Show but in and amongst all the fanfare there will be a number of major international debuts as well. Two of the biggest reveals at the upcoming show will be the production Mercedes-Benz GLK and the all-new Audi Q5.

China has quickly become a key growth market for a number of international carmakers, many which see it as an opportunity to pick up lost sales from more established markets like Japan, the U.S. and Europe where sales are on the decline.

Audi, for example, saw its sales in China rise 24.8% in just one year and to mark its success it will use the country’s premier auto event to showcase its new Q5 SUV, reports Automotive News. Audi’s parent company VW will also debut two models based on the Mark IV Golf exclusively for the Chinese market.

Mercedes, too, hopes to build its presence in China and is therefore revealing the final production version of the GLK at next week’s Beijing Show.

Other foreign carmakers with a strong presence in China are GM and Ford. GM will showcase its Buick Invicta luxury concept, while Ford will launch China’s version of the new Fiesta hatch.

Then there are all the Chinese carmakers with new developments planned for the Beijing event. Chery Auto will unveil its new diesel range including the QQ6 small car, A5 and Eastar sedans and a new Eastar crossover.

Great Wall Motor will show an all-electric concept called the Gwperi EV and a concept hybrid version of its Hover SUV. It will also display a new small car lineup including the Gwfeelfine, Florid and Coolbear models.

Finally, Guangzhou Automobile Industry Group will launch its own brand with the unveiling of a convertible concept.

2009 Audi Q5 rendering

Mercedes-Benz GLK Concept

Preview: 2009 Audi Q5

audi q5

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GLK Freeside