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Car enthusiasts flocked to the 2012 Beijing International Automobile Show on Wednesday. It's the first public day for visitors to catch a glimpse of the latest designs of the world's top car brands.

The annual event kicked off Monday—with more than 1,000 vehicles geared for the attention of the world's largest car market.

The exhibition—set to dazzle visitors—is one of the biggest car shows in the world. It features products from more than 100 companies from 14 countries—including the global debut of 120 new cars.

Leading carmakers such as Volkswagen and Toyota displayed a full range of vehicles. Luxury brands, like the Aston Martin, stole the show with glitzy limited editions.

But visitors are also coming to see the latest family models.

[Zhang Dingzheng, Beijing Resident]:
"I came to see these luxury cars from those famous brands. For another, I want to pay attention to the family-use cars as I am thinking of changing my family car."

Despite the global economic slowdown, carmakers are looking to China to boost sales—as rich Chinese snap up SUVs, luxury cars, and green cars, perhaps.

Electric and hybrid cars have yet to ripple China's mainstream market. But, carmakers hope to change that soon. Visitors at the auto show eyed the Denza electric car.

[Ge Qiang, Beijing resident]:
"I mainly focus on new-energy cars...fuelling has become more and more difficult nowadays. The new-energy cars—like this electric car—has its advantages in a crowded city by using clean energy. So I come to see these cars."

Chinese carmaker BYD and Mercedes-Benz owner Daimler jointly created this new low-cost and eco-friendly model—specially tailored to the Chinese market.

The Beijing auto show is on until May 2nd.