Instead of cars, automakers showed new technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and mobile Internet apps, at the 2016 Mobile World Congress Shanghai (MWCS) exhibition that opened on Thursday, June 30, the Global Times reported.
According to the report, VR glasses, mobile phone apps and gadgets have replaced cars as offerings at the exhibition.
The F-150 Raptor pickup truck by Ford Motor Co. was the only vehicle showcased at the MWCS.
But the company also presented its new models and its driverless vehicles currently being developed which visitors can view through VR glasses.
Using VR glasses, visitors also experienced "test driving" some vehicles, a method that has become a trend in the industry.
Several other companies joined the exhibition, but only a few actual car models were shown.
Volkswagen had only two desks and some pairs of VR glasses in its showroom at the exhibit, the report said.
Analysts said that car companies now participate regularly at major Internet-themed shows since car buyers are often attracted to Internet features. In addition, a rising number of automakers are partnering with Internet companies to develop smarter cars.
One of these is BAIC Motor Corp., which is cooperating with Internet firm LeTV Holdings Co. and German automaker Volkswagen. Some of the company's models are using Baidu Inc.'s operating system, CarLife.
Meanwhile, SAIC Motor's Roewe RX5 sport utility vehicle, which features Alibaba's operating system YunOS for Car, will be officially launched on the market on July 6.
Zhang Zhiyong, a Beijing-based independent analyst, told the Global Times that Internet cars will be a must-have in the future and that Internet companies will soon be getting more involved in car production and design.
On June 29, Ford introduced during a news conference three new apps to its SYNC operating system. The apps installed in Ford cars include a voice control app that can track flight information, another app to monitor the financial market, and another life-services app to help drivers find a parking lot or order movie tickets.
The U.S. company said Chinese drivers may soon be able to use a new function known as AppLink, which will allow them to use apps on their smartphones through voice control.