Formally known as the 2014 Pudong International Automotive Exhibition, we attended it on August 14th. Although I’ve been to a motorcycle show, this was our first auto show.

Here’s a slide show of some of the event.

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It was loud, very loud – as though each display booth was trying to drown out the other booths. It was the first day of the 5 day show and being on a Thursday, not many people were there. Still, halfway through, we sought refuge in a McD’s on the second floor away from the noise and the crowds. Most of the cars you could approach, touch, open, and sit in. But in the last pavilion, the exotics were glassed off any only a select few with huge wallets could go in.

Some cars had prices, but most did not. If you were interested in buying, they all had dealers handy to help you out. We looked at a lot of 5 door (4-door hatchbacks), and although some Chinese brands were very inexpensive, they also felt very cheap. The Honda Fit still seemed like the best value at between 79,000¥ and 120,000¥.

Of course, the super models were well into the millions of Yuans. Fun to look at, but highly impractical in a city where you rarely go over 40kph (legally), and there is a scrape or bump just waiting to happen around every turn.

It was a lot of fun, but I was rather disappointed in only seeing one concept car (the Acura NSX) and only one model electric car. Tesla was a no-show as well, despite having recently won clearance to sell in China.

Maybe next year.