Customers check the new models on offer at the Putuo session of Shanghai Auto Shopping Festival.

ThePutuosession of the annual Shanghai Auto Shopping Festival kicked off on Friday with new car releases and sales promotions.

Models from 20 brands from both home and abroad are on show at theMeichuanRoad pedestrian street during the festival, which runs through Wednesday.

JiangDongdong, Putuo’s director, said the aim is to boost auto sales as well as promote the commercial image of the district.

High-end brands like Porsche, Aston Martin, BMW, Mercedes Benz and Lexus, economy brands Toyota, Honda and Volkswagen, and new-energy brands BYD,NIOandRoewe unveiled their latest models at the event.

During the auto festival, over 10 top auto dealers will launch promotional events at more than 800 4S stores across the city.Livestreaminghosts will visit some of the stores to introduce new models to online viewers.

Yang Jian / SHINE

Aston Martin's booth at the festival.

“More new-energy cars, about 30 percent more than last year, are taking part in the auto festival with promotions and discounts,” saidXueHaibo, deputy director of thePutuoCommission of Commerce.

Weltmeister, for example, is offering a 5,000-yuan coupon priced for 1 yuan to buyers of its EX5-Z model during the festival.

BYD is offering interest-free loans to customers along with a six-day gift travel package to southwestYunnanor Guizhou Province.

The city government has released guidelines to help boost consumer confidence amid the pandemic and the automobile sector is one of the main focuses.

Yang Jian / SHINE

The Lincoln booth at the festival.

Yang Jian / SHINE

Nio released itslatest models at the festival.