CRI听力:Beijing Autoshow: What Is with These French Cars?

The 2014 Beijing Autoshow is now underway in the Chinese capital. This year, many French brands are trying to tap the advantage as the country celebrates the 50th anniversary of China-French ties. For more details on this, here is our reporter Ding Lulu.

This is just a part of the hustle from the noisy Beijing Auto show, held at the China International Exhibition Center. In fact, more than 100 carmakers and 1134 vehicles from around the world are vying for attention.

Some automakers have brought some big-name celebrities with them to help draw attention, including the likes of David Beckham, Sophie Marceau, and South Korea's latest upstart celebrity Kim Soo-Hyun.

The latter's brief appearance, lasting barely a minute, was cut short, allegedly to avoid causing a stampede.

Carmakers are targeting younger buyers.

DS General Manager Arnaud Ribault.

"For DS 5LS in particular, we target young people, 30-35 years old, looking for new experience, and we call them, the T-generation. The T-generation is those who have taste, talented, the generation of touch, technology and transformers."

DS is a French brand and, because 2014 marks 50 years of diplomatic relations between France and China, the automaker has taken out some extra space at the Beijing Auto Show.

"Maybe you've seen at the main entrance of the motor show today, that we have a second booth. In fact it is a booth for the 50 anniversary between France and China. There we exhibit the original DS19, from General de Gaulle. He was the first president of western countries to establish relations with the republic of China. So I think DS is a good symbol of this time and a good symbol of our relation."

And DS is not the only French brand to take advantage of the anniversary.

Qu Gang speaks for Dongfeng Peugeot-Citro?n.

"As China and France celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and cultural exchange, Dongfeng Peugeot-Citro?n is also doing its bit. We've signed an agreement with the French embassy to sponsor the 2014 Croisements Festival and a gala on science and technology exchanges."

And it seems the connection to French culture is waking up some stereotypes among potential buyers.

Ms. Liu is forty-ish and in the international courier service industry.

"I think French cars look noble and graceful, that's why I am here to have a look at them."

Another noticeable trend at this year's Beijing auto show is the surge of new SUV models.

It is only natural because middle and high-end SUV sales have maintained growth of nearly 28 percent in the previous quarter, compared to growth of automobiles in general at less than 15 percent.

For CRI and China.com, I'm Ding Lulu.