The Beijing auto show is underway, and today we talk about what makes Chinese tire kickers buy a car.

What country's consumers are the most interested in driverless cars? China!

The Roland Berger consultancy says 96 percent of Chinese consumers -- young and old -- are hoping to see that sci-fi movie scene in reality. The percentage of driverless car fans in China is almost double that of the US or Germany.

The hint for automakers?

Because of their love for all things tech, Chinese consumers matter the most for global electric car makers as well.

And at this Beijing auto show, the Chinese audience is feeling electrified.

Chery is investing in a new EV concept for the future.

New-energy cars saw their sales lose a bit of their charge in China in the wake of scandals that revealed that some companies were cheating to gain government subsidies. Still, the growth of sales in the first quarter was double from that of a year ago.

Chinese consumers are also having a love affair with large family cars including SUVs and MPVs.  SUV sales surged 50 percent in the first quarter in China while auto dealers sold 15 percent more MPVs in the same period.

Still, the challenge for automakers remains high. China's cooling economy is eating up automakers' profits and sales. The government's car purchase incentives are also retreating. Analysts expect more price competition among auto brands and a continuous shift to the government supported e-car segment to refuel consumer sentiment in the world's largest auto market.