New car models are displayed at the Viet Nam Motor Show which opened yesterday in HCM City. The five-day event drew participation from around 15 automobile brands. — VNA/VNS Photo The Anh

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — At least 15 automobile brands, many providers of a wide range of support industry products and services, banking and insurance firms are participating in the 5-day Viet Nam Motor Show that opened yesterday at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in District 7.

Le Duong Quang, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, said that the show has brought to Viet Nam the latest auto models and environmentally-friendly technologies.

This is the first time Lexus models from the official supplier in Vietnam have been included in the show, but new models the Lexus LS, Lexus GS350, Lexus ES350, Lexus LX570 and Lexus RX350 are making an impression.

It has also aided local automobile producers in their efforts to increase their made-in-Viet Nam component ratio, he said.

The exhibition, one of the most prestigious and awaited events of the year for the automobile industry, focuses this year on products which are convenient, economical, eco-friendly and user-friendly, organisers said.

The all-new Range Rover Sport 2014 and VIP lounge area are the centre of the Land Rover display at the show this year.

They said the show is also a chance for auto brands to offer a range of services and sales promotions to boost the Vietnamese automobile industry.

The exhibition, which covers nearly 9,000sq.m, includes many booths with impressive products and interesting interactive activities.

Mercedes-Benz has gone all out this year with 18 models on display, ten of which are new arrivals. Once again, the leading S-Class models are catching the eye.

Toyota Motor Viet Nam is showing off its product line-up including special editions of six favoured models, putting forth a more youthful, sporty image while stressing additional safety equipment.

Concept vehicle Toyota Fun-Vii heralds a not-too-distant future where people, cars and society are interlinked.

Well known Japanese carmaker Honda is displaying familiar models such as the City, CR-V and Civic, as well as the new Accord and Urban Concept.

The most luxurious Toyota brand name, Lexus, will officially be imported into Viet Nam very soon. Five of the top Lexus models are on display at the exhibition.

Meanwhile, Mercedes Benz celebrates its "vision accomplished" concept with 18 cars, the largest fleet at the Motor Show, including newest line-ups.

Toyota's Peace of Mind stand has an interactive iPad feature that's drawing the crowds to see the Camry, Vios Motorsport, Toyota 86 TRD, Fortuner TRD, Altis 2.0V and the 2014 Land Cruiser Prado.

The company has announced that it has already met its 2013 sales target despite the sluggish state of the market.

At the BMW booth, visitors can see numerous hi-end technologies that have been integrated into models like the BMW 4 Series Coupe and BMW5 Gran Turismo.

Marking five years in the Vietnamese market, Audi's star of the show is the latest Audi A3 promoted by Vietnamese singer Noo Phuoc Thinh. — Photos Hoang Tuan

Suzuki, meanwhile, introduces its Swift, "star models" that it hopes will contribute to making it stand among the 10 passenger carmakers in the world.

Well-known auto accessory brands like Michelin and Robert Bosch are also participating in the show.

Michelin, 120-year French tyre manufacturer first time introduces their Primacy 3 ST product for both medium and big automobile at the show.

Organisers are expecting to attract 150,000 visitors this year, compared to 120,000 in 2012. — VNS