Sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) were the major draw at the Guangzhou Motor Show last week. Over the past 10 months, sales of SUVs in China surged 33.6% on an annual basis, according to China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM). The latest version of the Porsche Cayenne made its global debut at the show with a restyled look and a slightly extended length. The newly unveiled Ford Edge is being promoted as a spacious and versatile seven-seater for both family and business use in China. Zeng Zhilin, Research Director of LMC Automotive for Asia-Pacific, said the elevated seating of SUVs alone is a strong selling point because it provides a better view of the road ahead and a sense of security and control amid traffic chaos. The Range Rover Evoque, a coupe-like crossover, has recently become the first model to be locally produced by Land Rover, a SUV specialist brand known for its all-terrain capabilities. Chinese carmakers are also ramping up their own SUVs. A striking resemblance to the Range Rover Evoque is a joint development between local automakers Jiangling Motors and Changan Auto, the Landwind X7, which was premiered at the auto show. A record-high 1,095 models were on display and 56 world premieres were held. For the first time at a large auto show in China, a separate hall was dedicated to new energy vehicles. Though the sector faces technical and infrastructure challenges, statistics show sales of new-energy vehicles reached 38,163 units in the first three quarters of 2014, almost three times the number in the same period last year.