Sexy models face ban at Shanghai Auto Show to put focus on cars

Scantily clad car models will probably be banned at the Shanghai Auto Show in April, its organisers say as they vow to put the focus back on cars.

An official with the Shanghai branch of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, one of the organisers, told the South China Morning Post that they were considering removing the sexy women - a staple in car exhibitions - from this year's show.

"The organisers are soliciting opinions from various parties and are considering taking some measures, including banning car models, to create a civilised show for exhibitors and visitors," read a statement by Yang Xueliang , public relations director for Geely Automobile, an exhibitor, on WeChat.

Car industry officials say the organisers are under pressure from the authorities to avoid arousing people's interest in sex-related matters. If the ban goes ahead, it will be the toughest action the mainland's ideological authorities have taken so far in policing trade shows.

Car shows have gained notoriety in recent years after some organisers hired scantily clad - even nude - women to pose with their vehicles to draw visitors.

Hundreds of models were hired for the Shanghai Auto Show in previous years, attracting more than 800,000 visitors each time.