The following are seven of the models that will be first unveiled to the world at the Beijing auto show:

1. Model X of FAW-VW
2. Lavida of Shanghai VW
3. Audi Q5
4. New Teana of Nissan
5. Buick Invicta
6. Roewe 550 of SAIC
7. Toyota Yaris

1. An insider from FAW said that the Model X is an A-level model derived from the company's Bora model, but "it doesn't look like Bora anyway." The Model X trial version shows that it is a three-box sedan. The Model X will be priced between RMB 100,000 ($14,280) and RMB 130,000, lower than Bora in the present market.

2. Called Model Y at first, Lavida of Shanghai Volkswagen is a sedan made for home and commercial use in China. Named after a romantic Spanish word which means enthusiasm, energy, life and hope, the compact Lavida model of high quality will become an appealing top vehicle in the Chinese market.

3. Audi Q5 is a compact SUV model developed on the MLP platform strategy of Audi4. The Audi Q5 will be spacious enough for five passengers. It will probably be the first model to be equipped with the in-house seven speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG Audi S-Tronic). Four cylinder engines, V6s, and TDI engines borrowed from the A4 will power this mini-SUV.

4. The 2008 Teana model, a production version of the Nissan Intima concept, is reported to be equipped with VQ25HR and VQ35HR engines mounted with 5-speed automatic transmission. The new Teana will sell in China and Japan in late 2008, in other Asian markets as well as Europe starting early 2009. In addition to getting a mass-market makeover, Nissan's new Teana will also be sporting a Teana badge.

5. The Buick Invicta draws inspiration from the Riviera concept and pays homage to Buicks of the 1940s through the 1970s with its nostalgic "sweep-spear" design cue, a curved line running the length of the car. It also features Buick’s signature vertical chrome waterfall grille and new portholes, and will share Riviera’s ambient lighting feature and lavish design. The Invicta model for the Beijing auto show was co-developed by GM design centers in North America and China to meet customers' expectations equally in the world's two largest automotive markets.

6. Roewe, a division of the Shanghai Auto Industry Corporation (SAIC), will launch the 550 midsize sedan at the Beijing auto show. Related to the 750, a model derived from the Rover 75, the Roewe 550 features the 1.8-liter turbo Rover K-Series petrol engine.

7. A new edition of Guangzhou Toyota's popular compact sedan Yaris will be released this month at the Beijing auto show, along with the carmaker's other three models: Camry, Highlander SUV and FJ Cruiser. Yaris is one of Toyota's most successful models in terms of sales.

German automaker Daimler AG launched a joint venture with partners from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan in East China's Fujian Province on Tuesday.

Daimler AG, Fujian Motors Group (FJMG) and Taiwan-based China Motors Corp (CMC) laid the cornerstone for their Fujian Daimler Automotive Ltd (FJDA) joint venture on Tuesday near Qingkou Township in Minhou County of Fuzhou, capital of Fujian, where 40,000 Mercedes-Benz multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) such as Vito, Sprinter and some other vehicle models will be manufactured annually.

The event was held at the future site of the 660,000 square meter facility set up at a cost of US$295 million.

The plant currently has 280 local employees, but the number will gradually increase to 2,800 after production starts in mid-2009, said Ling Yuzhang, chairman of the board of FJMG.

"The new cooperation will raise the technology and quality of the Fujian auto industry and also mark the start of cooperation between the Fujian auto industry and international companies," Ling said.

"FJDA in Fuzhou is Daimler's south China pillar," said Ulrich Walker, Chairman and CEO of Daimler Northeast Asia.

Over the next 10 years, the premium MPV/Transporter market in China is expected to grow to approximately 500,000 units annually, from the current level of 200,000, Daimler has estimated.

"At maximum capacity, FJDA will be able to produce up to 40,000 vehicles annually, but will be flexible enough to adjust volume and model mix based on demand," Walker said.

Cai Che, global director of Daimler, noted that when completed, Fujian Daimler will become the biggest Mercedes-Benz MPV production base around the world. Mercedes-Benz MPV vehicles made in Fujian will be mainly delivered to the Chinese market, and some will be exported.