The 17th Dalian International Automotive Exhibition kicked off on Wednesday at the Dalian World Expo Center.

Automakers from 12 countries and regions — including global top brands such as Bentley, Ferrari and Maserati — brought 1,200 cars to the five-day fair.

Some automakers will be using the event to release new models to the northeastern market.

Launched in 1996, the Dalian auto show sold more than 50,000 cars in the past 16 editions, a record figure in China.

A car model poses for a photo at the 17th Dalian International Automotive Exhibition that kicked off at the Dalian World Expo Center, Liaoning province, Aug 22, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Car models at the 17th Dalian International Automotive Exhibition that kicked off at the Dalian World Expo Center, Liaoning province, Aug 22, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

zhangxiaomin@chinadaily.com.cn