Source: Zhiche Technology, Jeran Road

From April 24 to May 3, 2026, the 19th Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, themed 'Leading the Era · Intelligent Future,' will be held at the China International Exhibition Center (Shunyi Pavilion) and the Capital International Convention and Exhibition Center in Beijing. This edition marks the first use of a 'dual-pavilion synergy' model, featuring 17 exhibition halls and expanding total exhibition space from 220,000 square meters in 2024 to 380,000 square meters, making it the world's largest auto show. The event has attracted leading supply chain and technology companies from 21 countries and regions, including China, the U.S., Germany, Russia, and France, showcasing a total of 1,451 vehicles, with global debuts increasing from 117 in the previous edition to 181.

Notably, the Beijing Auto Show's theme shifted from 'New Automobiles' in 2024 to 'Intelligent Future' in 2026, reflecting China's automotive industry transitioning from electrification to intelligence. With China's new energy vehicle (NEV) production and sales reaching 16.626 million and 16.49 million units in 2025, up 29% and 28.2% year-on-year, and NEVs accounting for 47.9% of new car sales—ranking first globally for 11 consecutive years—the industry has reached a critical juncture shifting from 'quantitative accumulation' to 'qualitative leap.'

Chinese Brands Ascend En Masse: 'Series 9' Flagships Debut

Chinese brands dominate this edition. BYD occupies Hall E3 with its Wangchao, Tengshi, Yangwang, and Fangchengbao brands, achieving a 'pavilion takeover,' while its flash charging and 'Divine Eye' technology brands have independent booths. BYD's full-size SUV Datang features second-generation blade batteries, supporting over 1MW ultra-fast charging, reaching 10% to 97% charge in just 9 minutes—redefining EV charging efficiency with '5-minute partial charge, 9-minute full charge.'

In the premium market above RMB 300,000, Chinese brands compete fiercely. Li Auto's all-new L9 makes its debut, with the top-tier 'L9 Livis' priced at RMB 559,800, equipped with Li Auto's custom Mach 100 autonomous driving chip delivering 2,560TOPS. New AITO M9 debuts with six lidars and a fully active suspension system; NIO ES9 is defined by NIO Chairman Li Bin as 'the culmination of 11 years of systemic innovation.' Huawei's 'Jing' series brands participate for the first time, with Yijing and Qijing—joint ventures with Dongfeng Motor and GAC Group—launching global debuts for Yijing X9 and Qijing GT7. The former features Huawei's 'full-stack' Qiankun solution, while the latter pre-installs L3-grade intelligent driving redundancy architecture.

Chery's new luxury electrified off-road brand 'Zongheng' debuts independently; smart cleaning firm Dreame Technology enters the automotive sector with its 'Starry Sky Project' brand. Dongfeng Peugeot and Dongfeng Citroën return after three years, with nearly all mainstream automakers present except Tesla and select ultra-luxury brands.

Joint Venture Brands Counterattack: Localized R&D Becomes Key

Amid NEV penetration exceeding 50% and Chinese brands leading, this auto show becomes a critical battleground for joint ventures' electrification counteroffensive. Mainstream joint ventures like Volkswagen, GM, and Hyundai intensively launch NEV models, accelerating their transition.

Volkswagen unveiled three strategic models ahead of the show: SAIC Volkswagen's ID.ERA 9X, a six-seat extended-range large SUV priced from RMB 329,800, features Momenta's intelligent driving solution and CATL batteries, offering over 400km electric range and 1,651km combined range to alleviate range anxiety. Mercedes-Benz showcases nearly 40 models, including the global debut of the all-new long-wheelbase electric GLC L, based on an 800V architecture with a 'Xiao Ben' virtual assistant integrating Doubao's large model, achieving 703km CLTC range. BMW's Neue Klasse iX3 long-wheelbase version, built on an 800V platform, exceeds 900km CLTC range and adopts Momenta's solution for highway and urban pilot assist.

Notably, joint ventures fully embrace Chinese tech solutions in intelligence. Audi's next-gen A6L Fuel version (fuel version) introduces Huawei's Qiankun intelligent driving system for the first time, while BMW's Neue Klasse models feature a pilot assist system co-developed with Momenta. As Zhongtai Securities noted, this auto show signifies a substantive shift in R&D dominance from foreign to Chinese partners, with models tailored for China now exporting technical standards. Volkswagen's CEA architecture progressed from concept to mass production in just 18 months, setting a record for the group's fastest new electrical architecture development—localization has become core to joint ventures' competitiveness.

Intelligence Moves from Concept to Mass Production: L3 Commercialization Nears

End-to-end assisted driving, AI large model-powered smart cockpits, and 800V high-voltage platforms, still conceptual two years ago, now densely equip mass-produced models, becoming the true focal points.

Huawei's Qiankun intelligent driving has accumulated over 10 billion kilometers of assisted driving mileage in China, expanding its ecosystem. Huawei Qiankun, Harmony Intelligent Mobility, and Huawei Digital Energy have independent booths, with Harmony's booth spanning over 4,400 square meters and displaying over 20 vehicles. Qiankun-powered models like Shangjie Z7, Qijing GT7, Avatr 06T, and Yijing X9 debut together, driving high-level intelligent driving into the RMB 200,000–500,000 mainstream market. Jin Yuzhi, CEO of Huawei Intelligent Automotive Solutions BU, stated that ADS 5 will upgrade urban, highway, and campus driving experiences, significantly boosting urban traffic efficiency.

2026 is seen as the critical year for L3 mass commercialization. Cui Dongshu, Secretary-General of the China Passenger Car Association, believes this Beijing Auto Show will witness L3 autonomous driving achieving mass production, with mainstream automakers standardizing L3 in RMB 200,000–300,000 models. 'While some automakers previously competed on frills like refrigerators, TVs, and sofas, now it's a genuine battle over who has smoother intelligent driving,' Cui noted. XPENG's flagship SUV GX dual-lidar version pre-installs hardware supporting L4 autonomous driving; Li Auto's L9 features a self-developed Mach chip with 2,560TOPS, hardware-ready for L3; Geely debuts China's first native Robotaxi prototype, developed on an L4 AI digital architecture integrating WAM (World Action Model) and L4 autonomous driving tech.

In market scale, CCID Consulting data shows China's autonomous driving market neared RMB 450 billion in 2025, expected to exceed RMB 480 billion in 2026. L2+ solutions grow at a 33.7% CAGR, while Robotaxi surges at 74.0% CAGR. 'Intelligent driving democratization' accelerates, with BYD standardizing high-level intelligent driving across models, even below RMB 100,000, boosting L2+ penetration.

Suppliers Enter Main Hall En Masse: Industry Power Dynamics Shift

This edition's exhibition layout undergoes major reform, most notably with core suppliers entering the main hall at scale for the first time, co-exhibiting with automakers. CATL shares Hall W4 with luxury brands like BMW, Porsche, and Lotus; WeRide, Horizon Robotics, and iFLYTEK exhibit alongside Toyota and Changan in Hall B3. The components exhibition zone upgrades from past themes like 'automotive parts, electronics, and NEV/intelligent connectivity' to a new tech zone focused on 'electrification, intelligence, and connectivity.'

Cui Dongshu noted in an interview, 'Dual-pavilion synergy isn't just about expanded space—it's a full industry chain display from vehicles to components, chips to algorithms, charging infrastructure to smart cockpits. Such a comprehensive global showcase is unique and signals China's auto industry shifting from scale expansion to full-chain competition.'

Meanwhile, Xu Changming, former Deputy Director of the State Information Center and senior economist, predicts Chinese brands' market share will rise further, reaching a 7:3 ratio with joint ventures by around 2030. He also highlights that future competition will involve parallel price, product, and technology battles.

From 'Price Wars' to 'Tech Wars': Healthy Competition Ushers in New Era

The 2026 government work report explicitly calls for addressing 'involutionary' competition to foster a sound market ecosystem. Cui believes reckless, quality-compromising price cuts will be curbed, with future reductions stemming from technological advancements lowering costs.

According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, China's auto production and sales reached 34.531 million and 34.40 million units in 2025, up 10.4% and 9.4% year-on-year, setting new records and maintaining global leadership for 17 years. New energy momentum accelerates, with Chinese brands' passenger car market share hitting 69.5%, up 4.3 percentage points year-on-year. Xu points out that with per capita GDP exceeding USD 10,000, consumers' national pride and recognition of Chinese brands have surged, while electrification and intelligence offer global leadership opportunities.

The 2026 Beijing Auto Show transcends being a mere product showcase—it's a panoramic inspection of industry transformation. With 181 debuts poised to launch, 380,000 square meters of exhibition space embodying the full industry chain from chips to vehicles, and the simultaneous arrival of L3 mass commercialization and Chinese brands' market reshaping, a more mature, diversified competitive landscape is taking shape—perhaps this is the true essence of 'Leading the Era · Intelligent Future.'

Exhibition Guide: China International Exhibition Center (Shunyi Pavilion)

Exhibition Guide: Capital International Convention and Exhibition Center

According to corporate announcements, Geely Group will unveil a Robotaxi prototype. Policy incentives encourage companies to file new vehicle models through the complete process, and mainstream manufacturers are expected to accelerate preparations for native Robotaxi models equipped with pre-installed intelligent driving hardware. Lynk & Co will launch pre-sales for the 10 EV, with the 07 GT and 900 large five-seater versions expected to debut, alongside a new GT concept car. Geely Galaxy will release the 'Galaxy Light' concept car (potentially a preview of its flagship sedan design), introduce the Starship 7 EV and EM-i extended-range versions, and showcase methanol hybrid technology. Jetta will display the all-new SUV concept car JETTA X, serving as a preview for the brand's new energy transition.

According to corporate announcements, the Cadillac Celestiq will launch on April 22, with only the all-electric Escalade remaining unreleased in the domestic market among the 'LOVE' pure electric SUV lineup. Audi's booth will feature FAW-Audi, SAIC-Audi, and the letter-branded AUDI brand, with the debut of AUDI's first SUV, the E7X, and the display of the already launched A6L e-tron. Hongqi will introduce the all-new H7 PHEV, the mass-production version of the Hongqi off-road vehicle, and potentially re-showcase the H9 PHEV with mass-production details. The 212 off-road vehicle will officially announce a new technology platform focused on intelligent upgrades.

According to corporate announcements, Dongfeng Motor's booth will showcase Mengshi, VOYAH, Dongfeng Fengshen, Dongfeng eπ, Dongfeng Forthing, and the first mass-production model from the jointly developed Yijing with Huawei. The Dongfeng eπ will launch the Nano 01 Cross. The VOYAH Taishan X8 will open pre-sales on April 22 and make its real-car debut. Mengshi and Yijing's debut models are expected to hold a launch event at Hall W3 on April 24. Peugeot & Citroën, French brands absent from several A-class auto shows, will make a formal return, bringing multiple concept cars and announcing their next steps in the Chinese market. Huawei's deeply collaborated Huajing S will host a launch event. The previously pre-sold Binuo Pro will also be displayed. Trumpchi will debut the Xiangwang E8 PHEV and open blind orders, along with the premiere of a new square-box off-road vehicle. Hyper S600 will open blind orders, and Aion AION N60 is planned to launch on April 28.

According to corporate announcements, the Li Auto L9 Livis version will make its debut. Xiaomi will showcase the Vision GT concept car. Buick will launch the Ultimate E7 on April 22. Maxus will bring the extended-range version of the Dana at the Beijing Auto Show.

Changan Automobile Group will Concentrated display (display en masse) HEV new products from its self-owned brands, with the CS75 Plus and Eado HEV versions expected to announce prices/benefits. Changan Aoxin Q05's new version will launch on the media day. Changan Kaicheng will release its commercial vehicle strategy. The Shenlan L06 extended-range version will launch on April 23 (JD.com exclusive), and the S07 (ADS Pro laser version) is already on the market; both will be displayed. Dreame will make its debut at an A-class auto show, showcasing the Nebula NEXT lineup, with three SUVs and qualification/sales service details to be determined. Lexus will launch the all-new ES, with pre-sales for the ES300h (2.0L THS); the pure electric version is unknown, and the old ES200 may continue to be sold.

According to corporate announcements, Leapmotor's sporty Lafa5 Ultra will officially launch at the Beijing Auto Show, alongside the recently launched D19. Volvo will display two recently pre-sold flagship models—the EX90 and ES90. Huawei's Harmony Intelligent Mobility will showcase a full lineup of models from its five brands: Aito, Luxeed, Enjoyz, Z-Bound, and Shangjie. On April 22, Huawei will host a Harmony Intelligent Mobility new product launch, officially launching the Aito M6 and Shangjie Z7/Z7T, while opening small reservations for the all-new Aito M9 and Luxeed V9.

Great Wall Motors has announced it will release content related to its Super V8 product technology system at the Beijing Auto Show, potentially related to the brand's subsequent sports car plans. Nissan will bring two all-new concept cars, both SUVs, pointing to upcoming new products from Dongfeng Nissan and Zhengzhou Nissan.

Exhibition Guide: Beijing Auto Show Media Day Launch Schedule

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