Global car makers have unveiled ambitious expansion plans for China, targeting the country's newly prosperous drivers.

Nissan plans to increase sales by about 15 per cent to 1.15 million vehicles this year.

In a sign of China's importance to GM that the company chose the Shanghai show for the world premier of its best-selling Malibu mid-sized saloon.

Ford announced plans to launch 15 new vehicles in China by 2015 and double the number of dealerships.

Manufacturers are looking to China to drive sales as growth slows in the West and are creating models aimed at China's growing population of car buyers.

The country is the biggest market by number of vehicles sold and is the biggest for brands including General Motors and Nissan.