The brand-new luxury Hongqi H5 is one of the stars of the 17th China (Changchun) International Auto Expo. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

The 17th China (Changchun) International Auto Expo kicked off on July 10 in Changchun, capital of Northeast China's Jilin province, with more than 1,400 vehicles on exhibition stands -- both online and offline, according to the organizers.

They said the expo will run until July 19.

The Changchun International Automobile Culture Festival and the Second Hongqi Carnival are also being held simultaneously with the auto expo.

Hongqi vehicles -- the luxury marque of the Changchun-based FAW Group -- are being showcased during the event, including the brand-new Hongqi H5, which the automaker announced was coming onto the market.

Officials said that in the first six months of 2020, Hongqi sold more than 70,000 cars, an increase of 111 percent year-on-year -- laying a solid foundation for its goal of selling 200,000 vehicles in 2020.

The Hongqi H5, which was first launched in 2018 as a high-end sedan, has in the period sold more than 100,000 cars and is popular among young people.

Officials said that following its upgrade, the new Hongqi H5 is expected to do extremely well when it hits the market.