It's a name that many Chinese car-buyers might associate with high performance, luxurious interiors, attention to detail, and a hefty price tag. But British automaker Bentley wants its cars to also be famous in China for its eco-credentials. Bentley is using the 2014 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, also known as Auto China, to unveil its Mulsanne hybrid concept car. The plug-in hybrid is a first for the carmaker, which boasts that it reduces carbon dioxide emissions by up to 70% without sacrificing performance. And with plans to make nearly all of their cars available as hybrids by 2020, Bentley is betting that Chinese buyers will like what they see. Mike Sayer, Product and Motorsport Communications Manager, explains: "We've unveiled the Mulsanne hybrid concept here in Beijing. It's a statement of our hybrid strategy for the future, so we'll be developing hybrid cars now for launch in 2017, starting with our SUV. What sets the car apart is really that it's the first ultra-luxury plug-in hybrid vehicle. We're the first luxury manufacturer to show a plug-in hybrid." Bentley is not the only high-end carmaker showing off environmentally-friendly models at the Auto China show. Audi, whose A-series cars have been strong sellers in China, have announced plans to start selling its own plug-in hybrids within the next two years. Called the e-tron system, the cars will be produced in Audi's Chinese factories for the local market. Curious carbuyers can take a look at the bare car chassis showing the mechanical workings of the e-tron system, which combines a traditional gasoline engine with an electric motor. A fire-engine red Audi A3 Sportback e-tron is also on display. Audi plans to bring the technology here to much of its car line in China, says Oliver Strohbach spokesperson for Audi's Product and Technology: "We decided to bring the A6 as an e-tron version definitely to China, also a plug-in version. You can have up to a range of 50 kilometres pure electric, and you have a huge range, because there is a combination with a combustion engine. And this is our solution for our premium brand, for Audi, and we think it's perfect for a market like China." The rising interest in cleaner vehicles among Chinese car buyers is a response to the country's growing air pollution woes, especially in northern China. In Beijing, a combination of heavy industry, coal burning and car exhaust regularly sends air-quality readings to hazardous levels. Residents wear facemasks with air filters to help cope with the heavy pollution. The Chinese central government has begun to take steps to try and control the pollution problem. As industry expert Li Jiuming explains, that extends to the car market as well, with incentives of 50,000-100,000 RMB ($8,000-$16,000) being offered for green vehicles. "The Chinese government has attached greater importance to the development of eco-friendly cars, especially because of the air pollution. In recent years, about 20 million cars are sold annually in China's automotive market. Currently sales of eco-friendly cars account for only 1 percent of that. But I think eco-friendly cars will become the trend for car consumers. And we will place greater importance on these kinds of vehicles." January saw air pollution density readings of PM 2.5 particles exceeding 500 micrograms per cubic meter, about 20 times as high as considered safe by the World Health Organisation. Earlier this year heavy pollution was blamed for increased hospitalisations for heart and breathing problems, and heavy smog has also been blamed for disrupting air transport and retarding the growth of crops by blocking out the sun. The 2014 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition runs until 29 April. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/206f4117e88372316e014adc68be4426 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

• published: 03 Aug 2015
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