Chinese car makers surprised visitors to this year''s Beijing auto show by rolling out the sort of sportscars and concept models that usually bear a foreign nameplate.

Domestic auto companies exhibiting at Auto China 2006 in Beijing over the weekend were clearly trying to say to the world that they''re ready to compete with the sexy, high-tech stuff and will not be satisfied simply turning out boxy family models.

Visitors view a Chinese-made Dongfeng sports saloon displayed at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition November 19, 2006. [Reuters]

For instance, Chery Automobile Co Ltd, the nation''s fifth-biggest car maker, debuted 10 new models, including three concept vehicles, two gasoline-electric hybrids that can reduce emissions up to 50 percent as well as four new models that will soon go into mass production.

Among the offerings, Chery''s V2 concept model is claimed to be the nation''s first front-wheel-drive multiple-purpose vehicle. It will be ready to hit the streets in two years.

BYD Automobile Corp, which is also well known for making car batteries, showed off what it said is China''s first retractable hardtop sportscar, the BYD F8, using the sort of roof technology found at BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Renault.

The F8, equipped with a 1.8-liter turbo engine, is expected to hit the market next year at a price of 200,000 yuan (US$25,400).

The Hong Kong-listed company also brought along its new F3e model, an electric car powered by an iron-based battery that can be 70 percent recharged in just 10 minutes.

The electric model awaits government approval for more recharge stations across the country before it is put into mass production.

Hafei Automotive Co Ltd debuted its Saibao V series, a sports car developed in cooperation with Italy''s Pininfarina Co Ltd.

Other domestic car makers, including Dongfeng Automobile Group and Brilliance Automotive Group, also rolled out new sports models at the show.

"The move by Chinese car makers to produce concept cars and sportscars is meant to change their monotone image," said Jia Xinguang, chief analyst at China''s National Automotive Industry Consulting and Development Corp.

"Sportscars and concept models could be ideal ways to show that Chinese companies have the research and development capability to lead the market. They can also help domestic companies lift their brand images as well as their prices," Jia said.  -China Daily