THE 15th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition, the world's largest car extravaganza this year, is officially underway. The show is likely to be a time of reflection as well as celebration.

The hoopla surrounding the exhibition belies the woes besetting China's car market. Sales growth has cooled dramatically since government incentives for car purchases expired in 2011.

Auto sales grew a paltry 4.3 percent last year, which was a slight improvement over 2.5 percent growth in 2011. It's all a far cry from the more than 30 percent growth surge in 2010.

Still, in a country where nearly 20 million vehicles were sold last year, even a dip in demand leaves a massive market to tap. All eyes are on China.

The models on display this year will reflect the effort by carmakers to retune their production to meet changing consumer tastes. Buyers are not only getting more sophisticated, but they are also savvy about seeking value.

Is the car on offer eco-friendly in fuel efficiency and emission levels? Is it technologically smart and stable enough to drive through chaotic urban traffic? Is it manufactured with materials that pose no health risks?

These sorts of questions weigh heavily on consumer choices in a nation where car fumes are blamed for a winter of unprecedented air pollution, where a gearbox defect forced the recall of hundreds of thousands of cars and where harmful chemicals were detected in the interiors of several premium and mass-market branded models.

The theme of the auto show this year is "innovation for a better life." It sets a timely reminder of the meaning behind all the fancy models on display. Many of them were developed to solve real-world problems and make a difference.

The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences says this nation is on its way toward becoming an "automobile society," which it defines as 20 or more vehicles for every 100 households. Breakthroughs, such as the development of fuel-saving technology or active crash avoidance systems, may help that evolution in a positive way.

Carmakers that count on China for future growth are keenly aware of the challenges they face. Urban areas already have more cars than they can handle. Some cities have clamped restrictions on vehicle registration and heightened traffic-control measures. The auto industry needs to project the image of being part of the solution for a better tomorrow.

Participants in the spotlight

Japanese carmakers >>

The Shanghai auto show will be an important chance for Japanese carmakers to show their commitment to China, after sales were hit by nationwide boycotts last year amid a territorial dispute between the two countries.

Toyota, Asia's biggest carmaker, will have a record number of models on display, including the production versions of its two Dear Qin concept cars targeting entry-level Chinese consumers, especially first-time buyers in their 20s and early 30s.

Nissan, whose sales exposure to China is the largest among Japanese carmakers, is expected to unveil its latest design aimed at China's digital-savvy young generation - a concept car called Friend-ME. It was developed locally, based on the idea of "four seats, one mind connectivity" to enable equal information sharing among those on board.

Lexus and Infiniti, the premium sub-brands managed by Toyota and Nissan, respectively, will stage their first independent exhibition at the Shanghai auto show, alongside the exhibits of strong rivals like Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Jaguar Land Rover.

Super cars >>

Super cars are always eye-catchers at the auto show because they represent the ultimate pursuit of power, speed and the sheer pleasure of pushing the boundaries.

Porsche will unveil the global debut of its new Panamera and the Asia premiere of its most high-performing 911 model, the 2014 911 GT3.

LaFerrari, the first gasoline-electric hybrid model and the fastest, most powerful one made by the Italian carmaker to date, is expected to be another crowd dazzler. It is the successor of a legend created by the limited-edition Ferrari Enzo.

The combination of combustion engines and electric motors will be seen in the concept car Vulcano, designed by Icona, an Italian design house based in Shanghai. It's being billed as "beauty and the beast."

Maserati is set to reach out for a larger market here with the launch of its all-new Ghibli, a four-door sports executive sedan that has a more dynamic character than the larger Quattroporte. It's aimed at premium executive car buyers looking to make an individual statement.

Home-made brands >>

Enjoying home advantage at the auto show, China's domestic carmakers are preparing to wow the crowds with their latest displays of progress in research and development.

The Shanghai-based, state-backed SAIC, the biggest automaker in the country, will present its strongest line-up so far, displaying 110 cars, including 10 never seen before.

Since last year, the company has been rolling out the second-generation products of its self-owned brands Roewe and MG, taking on big joint-venture competitors in niche segments. The auto show will see the launch of the new Roewe 550, equipped with SAIC's latest self-developed powertrain, and of the MG CS, a concept model offering a preview of the brand's first urban SUV.

Privately owned domestic carmakers such as Chery, Geely and Great Wall will also be unveiling new products at this show.

Denza, a new-energy brand jointly developed by China's BYD and Damiler, will showcase the latest high-voltage safety technology for electric vehicles.

Green vehicles >>

In the realm of green cars, foreign models will outnumber domestic ones for this first time this year. Among the 91 new energy models on display, 56 come from international companies.

Wang Xia, chairman of the Automobile Industry Committee at the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, said the models show that new energy cars are no longer only an eco-friendly concept touted by China, but, rather, a real business opportunity recognized by market players from all over the world.

Detroit Electric, a new face at the Shanghai auto show, will present the global debut of an all-electric sports car set for mass production.

Green cars getting their Asian premiere include Renault's Twitzy, the best-selling electric mini-car in Europe, and Peugeot's Onyx Hybrid Concept.