Crossovers and SUVs will take center stage in Shanghai

Automakers will test China's huge appetite for crossovers and SUVs with introductions at the Shanghai auto show.

Acura, BMW, Citroen, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen plan world debuts for compact crossovers, while Jeep -- which arguably started the SUV craze -- will roll out its new Cherokee.

China's crossover segment is a crucial battleground for automakers at a time when the world's largest car market's growth rate has slowed to single digits.

German automakers appear especially eager to introduce compact crossovers in a bid to expand beyond the stretched sedans that dominate China's luxury market.

The show takes place from April 21 to 29. Click here for details. Automakers will unveil their debuts on Saturday, April 20,

Here's a summary of announced vehicle introductions.

ACURA

Honda released a sketch of an Acura concept crossover that will debut. The vehicle is meant for global sales, but more details were unavailable.

AUDI

The Audi A3 compact sedan will get its public debut in Shanghai after a private showing to journalists last month in New York. The sedan is aimed at China's high-earning young urban professionals.

BMW

BMW will unveil its X4 crossover concept before the production version debuts in September at the Frankfurt auto show. The X4 is a sportier version of the X3 with a lower roofline and coupe styling. It is designed to attract younger buyers looking for more stylish vehicles and willing to pay a price premium

BUICK

Buick has scheduled a world debut for a concept car. Details were unavailable.

BYD

BYD will showcase the new Sirui compact, its most expensive gasoline-powered model, priced at $24,194. The Sirui is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter direct-injection engine with a six-speed automatic gearbox.

CHANGAN

Changan Automobile will unveil a production compact hatchback sedan, the Zhishang XT, which will go on sale in June. The car is powered by a 1.6-liter engine.

CITROEN

Citroen will unveil the Wild Rubis concept for an upscale DS-badged crossover. The automaker is targeting well-off Chinese customers with its DS line, which it launched in China in 2012 with a dedicated sales network.

DETROIT ELECTRIC

The startup maker of electric cars will unveil its SP:01 electric sports car, which is based on the Lotus Elise and has a top speed of 155 mph. The car will be produced in the Detroit area starting in August.

FORD

Ford will introduce a concept, though details are unavailable. The automaker also will display the Mondeo, EcoSport, Kuga, Focus ST and Explorer, all of which have been or will be launched this year in China.

HONDA

Honda released a sketch of a Honda-badged concept multipurpose vehicle that will debut. The vehicle is intended for Chinese consumers, but further details were unavailable. Honda also will show near-production versions of the Concept C, a China-market sedan, and the Concept S wagon, both shown last year at the Beijing auto show. Both go on sale this year.

ICONA

Icona, an Italian design studio in Shanghai, will roll out the Vulcano, a one-off supercar built in Italy. The two-seater is powered by a 900-hp V-12 engine. Icona claims the car has a top speed of 217 mph.

JEEP

Jeep will showcase the new Cherokee SUV, which enters production late next year at Fiat's joint-venture plant with Guangzhou Automobile Group. The Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon also will have their Asian premieres.

MASERATI

Maserati will debut the Ghibli, a mid-sized sedan that will compete with the Audi A6, BMW 5 series and Mercedes E class.

MAZDA

Mazda will roll out its Mazda6 sedan and CX-5 small crossover for the Chinese market.

MERCEDES-BENZ

Mercedes-Benz will debut the GLA concept, a compact crossover based on the same front-wheel-drive platform as the A- and B-class cars. Mercedes also will introduce a face-lifted E-class sedan with a long wheelbase, a key model built only in China.

NISSAN

Nissan is showcasing the Friend-Me concept, which features a center console that gives all four occupants online access. More details were unavailable. Nissan also will display its redesigned Teana flagship sedan, which debuted in February in Guangzhou.

PORSCHE

Porsche will debut its Panamera sedan with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, alongside a long-wheelbase Panamera for the Chinese market.

QOROS

The Chinese-Israeli automaker will roll out two concepts, a wagon and a hybrid-powered crossover version of the Qoros 3 Sedan, which debuted in Geneva:

SKODA

Skoda plans the global premieres of its newly face-lifted Superb hatchback and Superb Combi. The models will have redesigned front and rear ends, wider grilles and LED daytime running lights.

SUZUKI

Skoda plans the global premieres of its newly face-lifted Superb hatchback and Superb Combi. The models will have redesigned front and rear ends, wider grilles and LED daytime running lights.

TOYOTA

Toyota will display an electric sedan concept under the new Ranz brand, which will be built and marketed by Toyota's joint venture with China FAW Group. The car, built on the platform of the Toyota Corolla EX, was developed by the partnership's technical center in Tianjin.

VOLKSWAGEN

Volkswagen will unveil a four-door crossover concept based on its new MQB architecture. VW released no details of the vehicle, saying only that the concept's design will be close to that of the production version.

Hans Greimel, Paul McVeigh and Yang Jian contributed to this report