The Beijing motor show is more than just a chance for car companies to display their wares in one of the fastest-growing markets on the planet. It is also a way to float trial balloons for the rest of the world. Here's a look at five launches that may herald future strategies applied on a global scale.

The partnership between Guangzhou and Honda has resulted in the Honda Li Nian concept, a small city car based on the subcompact Fit mechanicals. With futuristic styling reminiscent of the Ford Verve show car, the Li Nian is more than just an econobox, it may be a platform to launch a new family of small cars with a new brand name, such as Toyota's Scion in the U.S.

The introduction of the Volkswagen Lavida marks yet another entry by the German automaker in the Chinese market. However, the car's larger dimensions could be a key to a future model in the U.S. that would straddle the gap between the Jetta and the Passat.

And like the Lavida, which will be locally produced in China, this so-called "mini-Phaeton" could find its way to a yet-to-be announced VW plant in the Americas.

The FAW B50 Besturn is a midsize sedan that is built using the chassis of the Mazda6 supplied by FAW's Japanese partner. However, it uses all new sheet metal developed by FAW. The handsome B50 will be complemented by a hybrid version called the B70 HEV; both models might provide the basis for an export push by FAW.

Is there a small Buick in our future? If it's as handsome as the new Buick Excelle, then the answer could be yes. This front- drive family sedan is based on mechanicals supplied by Korea-based Daewoo, but the look is decidedly Buick, thanks to the Lucerne inspired headlamps and grille.

The Nissan Teana is evidence that the Japanese automaker is specifically tailoring its cars to individual markets. Based loosely on the Intima concept seen last fall at the Tokyo show, the Teana is China's version of the Maxima and carries classic luxury-car styling cues. The new Maxima, launched in March at New York, has a much more aggressive style influenced by the mighty GT-R.

1. Honda Li Nian

2. Volkswagen Lavida

3. 2009 FAW B50 Besturn

4. 2009 Buick Excelle

5. Nissan Teana

Honda Li Nian

Honda is looking to develop an entry-level brand for China not unlike Toyota's Scion in the U.S.

Working with joint-venture partner Guangzhou, Honda is looking to develop an entry-level brand for China not unlike Toyota's Scion in the U.S. At the Beijing show it introduced the Honda Li Nian concept, a small, 3-door hatchback with styling not dissimilar to Ford's kinetic design take on the new Fiesta. Among the design cues are flowing character lines, a bubble-back hatch and a larger, single frame grille.

Powered by a 1.8-litre inline-4, the Li Nian is based on the last-generation Honda Fit chassis, which is smaller than the updated version of the car introduced in Tokyo last fall and the U.S. version that was seen in New York. The new model could spawn a family of vehicles including a 5-door hatch and 4-door sedan.

While the program is limited to China, it will be interesting to see if the new line succeeds, whereby that Honda might look at creating a city-car brand elsewhere in the world.

Volkswagen Lavida

The big news is this car's size.

Meaning "the life" in Spanish, Volkswagen's Lavida is based on the same platform that underpins the Jetta in the U.S. market. In addition to all-new styling (note that the car sports a conventional horizontal grille rather than the two-tier vertical opening seen on most VWs), the big news is the car's size. It rides on a longer 102.7-in. wheelbase, a gain of about an inch. Length is up 2.0 in. to 181.4 overall.

The Lavida will be offered in China with 4-cylinder powerplants ranging in displacement from 1.6 to 2.0 litres. The bigger dimensions mean a bigger cabin, leading some to speculate that the Lavida could provide the basis for a larger sedan that VW said it will introduce in America, positioned between the current Jetta and the Passat. Such a vehicle, to be built at a U.S. assembly plant, would be sized and priced to compete with such Japanese stalwarts as the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.

As a result of its sleek styling and larger size (bigger) than the Bora, (what VW calls the Jetta in the rest of the world), the Chinese press has dubbed the Lavida as a "mini-Phaeton" in reference to the VW's flagship no longer sold in America.

2009 FAW B50 Besturn

The B50 Besturn represents FAW's first attempt to design a luxury midsize entry with a distinct look.

China's First Auto Works (FAW) has been operating with joint venture partner Mazda to build cars for the Chinese domestic market based on the Japanese automaker's lineup.

While it still relies on Mazda's mechanicals, the B50 Besturn represents FAW's first attempt to design a luxury midsize entry with a distinct look.

The large grille opening, high beltline and clean body of the B50 is completely different from the Mazda6 upon which it is based. Like most family cars in the Chinese market, the B50 is powered by a 4-cylinder engine displacing 1.6 litres. However, the look and appointments of the B50 are targeted toward more upscale consumers.

Clearly, FAW has its eye on larger cars, such as the Roewe 550. And the company has also promised a hybrid version of the Besturn, called the B70HEV which could be on the road as soon as next year. FAW also partners with Toyota, so the speculation is that the hybrid would use the same technology as in the Prius, with a goal of delivering as much as 19.9 km/l.

2009 Buick Excelle

A little-known fact is that Buick actually sells more cars in China than it does in the U.S.

A little-known fact is that Buick actually sells more cars in China than it does in the U.S. Given the limited lineup in America (LaCrosse, Lucerne and Enclave), it's natural to think "how can that be?" But travel to China, and you'll not only see a lot of LaCrosses, but also the Park Avenue, a Holden-based rear-drive sedan that someday may replace the Lucerne, and a slew of Daewoo-based hatchbacks and little sedans all bearing the Buick badge.

The Excelle falls into this latter category, riding on a small front-drive platform. However, Buick has dressed this 4-door sedan with updated sheet metal that brings it in line with larger and more luxurious Buick offerings. The 5-passenger Excelle has a new grille and headlamp treatment that looks like it was pulled directly off the Lucerne.

Prominent wheel arches make the car look wider and give it a purposeful stance.

Even though it's fitted with just a choice of a 1.6- or 1.8-litre 4-cylinder engines as well as 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmissions, this Chinese econobox has an interior with upscale features such as onboard navigation. The Excelle competes with such models as the VW Jetta and Santana 4000.

Nissan Teana

This luxury flagship 4-door sedan will replace the Maxima in non-North American markets.

This luxury flagship 4-door sedan will replace the Maxima in non-North American markets and is heavily influenced by the Intima concept seen last year at the Tokyo Motor Show.

But unlike the U.S. model, which is being replaced by a tauter package with more muscular styling, the Teana is more traditional in its approach to both styling and luxury. The new look has a traditional horizontal grille and large headlamp lenses that flow back into the front fenders, unlike the lowered GT-R-inspired snout and L-shaped headlamp lenses of the new Maxima. The Teana's sides are softer and rounder and blend back into the car's drooping tail.

Unlike the Intima, which had a B-pillarless design, the Teana is a conventional 4-door with seating for up to five passengers. The high-line approach to the interior, with muted colors plus wood and aluminum accents, carries over to the production model.

Chinese buyers will have a choice between a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine or a 2.5-litre V-6, while other export markets will choose between the 2.5-litre and a larger 3.5-litre V-6. The front-drive Teana is equipped with Nissan's Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) that has an 8-step manual shift mode.