Shanghai is a car enthusiast's dream at the moment: it witnessed the exciting finish of China's F1 Grand Prix this weekend and tomorrow sees the start of the 14th International Automobile Industry Exhibition (Auto Shanghai 2011).

China is now the world's largest auto market and every automaker wants a bigger market share. Everyone is trying to offer the latest in automotive design and technology, and one industry leader, Mercedes-Benz, is a company with a rich history in motors ports, but also happens to be the inventor of the car.

Mercedes-Benz is now celebrating "125 years of innovation", based on the principles of the founding fathers, Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler, and is still passionate about new technology to drive the industry forward, and about striving to be the best at what it does.

This was on display over the weekend, when the Mercedes GP Petronas Team - the Silver Arrows - appeared at the F1 starting grid.

The company traces its roots back 117 years to the dawn of motor sports and draws inspiration from this experience. It continues to be at the top of its game in new technologies that can be translated into everyday, practical automotive use.

At Auto Shanghai, visitors can see for themselves the results of this rich sporting heritage: two exciting next generation models, the CLS sports sedan, and the SLK roadster, at their Asian premiere.

These sleek sports cars will join the extensive line-up of Mercedes-Benz, AMG, and Maybach models, demonstrating the company's leadership in cutting-edge technology and its passion for invention.

The new CLS sports sedan is sure to be a crowd pleaser. It has opened a new market segment, as the first sporty, 4-door coupe, and the first Mercedes-Benz vehicle to have frameless, all aluminum doors. The car's lightweight construction and aerodynamics contribute to its efficiency and to its sporty charm.

It is considered a design trendsetter and exudes refined sportiness, inside and out. It has an innovative, sporty, long hood, and the lower lines towards the rear represent a new interpretation of formal design elements that hark back to the Mercedes-Benz sports cars of the past.

Its safety features include the world's first innovative LED headlamp technology, with 71 daylight-like, quality LEDs. It is also equipped with a more powerful and efficient BlueDIRECT engine, with advanced direct injection technology.

This elegant car has the appeal of its predecessor, but has more passion and sportiness, and it consumes less fuel. The CLS is the ultimate sports drive, yet eco-friendly.

Another sure showstopper is the new developed SLK roadster, which takes driving pleasure and open-air enjoyment to a new level. This new generation car is a symbol of timeless aesthetics, a hallmark of sports-car sensuality, and one of the most exciting, successful sports cars ever built.

This cultish roadster has a sleek, stylish design and is equipped with a powerful new 4- or 6-cylinder direct injection engine and a 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission.

The new SLK combines light-footed sportiness, stylish comfort, and a striking sports car design and is certainly a car for everyday use, offering peak performance and sporty flair, with exemplary efficiency.

It also offers a unique set of safety equipment and a wealth of technical innovations, and, once again, is the benchmark of its class.

Another car with refined sportiness - and one making its world premiere at Auto Shanghai - is the much talked-about Concept A-Class, which may be the compact car of the future. This highly-anticipated car delivers sporty design and the latest in technology.

Mercedes-Benz is a leader in the premium auto segment and, with its heritage, still has a passion for inventing the cars of tomorrow and will continue to do so.

Whether it is on the race track or the road, it strives to offer the ultimate in design, comfort, safety, and performance.

From compact vehicles to the Formula One, Mercedes-Benz is still a leader in stylish, sporty cars and the three-pointed star still looks to shine for a long time to come.