Vistors experience the technology of virtual reality at the 2016 MWCS exhibition which kicked off Wednesday in Shanghai. Photo: CFP

Automakers are adopting trendy technologies like virtual reality (VR) and the mobile Internet in marketing and production to win over consumers, a visible phenomenon at the 2016 Mobile World Congress Shanghai (MWCS) exhibition that kicked off Wednesday in Shanghai.

At the exhibition, VR glasses replaced new models of cars, which are often seen at the booths of automakers at such occasions.

But there were no new car offerings at the exhibition, but apps and gadgets designed to connect with mobile phones.

Ford Motor Co only showcased one vehicle at the MWCS - the F-150 Raptor pickup truck, which is a newcomer to the Chinese market.

But there were two exhibits where visitors could experience its newest models, including autonomous vehicles that are still under development, through VR glasses.

"This is really exciting, I feel like I just returned from the future," a visitor, who gave her surname as Zhang, told the Global Times on Wednesday, after trying to walk in complete darkness with just instructions, a simulation of Ford's self-driving car, which has been tested to operate in night conditions. "It was extremely hard."

Not far from where Zhang had her VR experience, two other visitors in VR glasses were sitting on chairs and constantly craning their necks as if they were driving and looking at the road.

After taking off his glasses, one of them said, "that was really cool, I feel like I was actually in the car, but I feel a little dizzy." 

Using VR glasses for "test-driving" has become a trend for the car industry, which was also on display at the MWCS.

There were several car companies at the exhibition, including Ford, but not many actual car models were shown.

At the showroom of Volkswagen, there were no cars at all, just two desks and a couple of pairs of VR glasses.

Automakers have become regular participants at major Internet-themed shows, as Internet features are crucial to attract car buyers, analysts said.

Also, an increasing number of carmakers are cooperating with Internet companies in a bid to bring smarter cars to their consumers.

For instance, Beijing-based BAIC Motor Corp has been cooperating with Internet firm Letv Holdings Co, and German automaker Volkswagen has adopted Baidu Inc's operating system CarLife in some of its models.

Also, on July 6, SAIC Motor's Roewe RX5 sport utility vehicle, featuring the operating system YunOS for Car developed by Internet giant Alibaba Group Holding, will officially hit the market.

Though the idea of "Internet cars" is still just a sales gimmick now, it will be a "must-have for future cars," Beijing-based independent analyst Zhang Zhiyong told the Global Times on Wednesday, adding that Internet companies will be increasingly involved in the design and production of cars.

At a news conference on Wednesday morning, Ford introduced three new apps to its SYNC operating system installed in Ford cars, including an app with voice control to track flight information, an app to track the financial market, and another life-services app that helps drivers find a parking lot or order movie tickets.

A new function known as AppLink will be available for Chinese drivers as well, the company announced. AppLink will allow drivers to use apps on their smartphones through voice control.