With the backing of the Chongqing Municipal People's Government and co-hosted by the Automobile Industry Committee of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and the Organizing Committee of the Chongqing International Automobile Exhibition, the '2026 China Automotive Chongqing Forum' unfolded at the Chongqing Yuelai International Convention Center on June 12-13. Industry leaders from across the world convened to deliberate on and tackle the pressing issues of the day.

Since its debut in 2013, the Chongqing Forum has steadfastly upheld the principles of being cutting-edge, high-end, and international. Celebrated for its global outlook, premium positioning, and authoritative discussions, it has emerged as a mid-year extravaganza for gaining insights into the trends shaping the global automotive industry.

The global automotive market is in the midst of a transformation, with technology, policies, markets, and consumer preferences driving unprecedented changes in the automotive sector over the past century. Intelligence is reshaping the very essence and scope of automobiles with an unprecedented depth and breadth. How to leverage global industry trends alongside one's own strengths to explore and achieve high-quality development, and to shape the automotive industry of the future, is a pivotal topic that the entire industry must engage in serious discourse.

This year's Chongqing Forum features dialogues and discussions centered around hot-button topics such as AI integration in automobiles, industrial ecosystem restructuring, global market opportunities, sustainable development, and consumption transformation.

In summary, this year's China Automotive Chongqing Forum is characterized by five distinct features.

Firstly, the theme is centered around the 'pivotal turning point year.' With the theme 'Shaping the Future of the Industry in an Era of Transformation,' this forum positions itself as the 'mid-year grand event' and the intellectual epicenter for the 'pivotal turning point year' in the automotive industry. It aims to review industry trends at mid-year, recalibrate the direction of technological innovation, and address market competition challenges.

Secondly, it delves into four major development turning points. Wang Xia, President of the Automobile Industry Committee of CCPIT, highlighted in his opening speech that the Chinese automotive industry is at the crossroads of four significant development turning points: transitioning from scale-based competition to value-based competition, joint venture brands fully engaging in new track competition, globalization evolving from unilateral output to ecological symbiosis, and technological transformation shifting from electric intelligence to AI-driven reshaping.

Thirdly, the topic settings directly confront industry pain points. The forum has curated multiple high-profile topics addressing the most pressing issues currently facing the industry. These include the shift from 'price competition' to 'value competition,' the 'dilemma of automotive chips in intelligent driving—supply chain security and localization breakthroughs,' 'automakers × tech companies—defining the next generation of automobiles,' and the evolution of automakers and tech companies from a 'supply-procurement' model to 'cross-border integration.'

Fourthly, it is seamlessly integrated with the Chongqing Auto Show, featuring forum-exhibition synergy. The forum coincided with the 2026 (28th) Chongqing International Automobile Exhibition (June 13-21), creating a three-dimensional 'forum + exhibition' experience. The 2026 Future Automotive AI Technology Exhibition was also held concurrently, focusing on cutting-edge domains such as AI large models, autonomous driving, intelligent cockpits, and flying cars (eVTOL). Visitors can immerse themselves in the smart mobility of the 'AI+' era in a one-stop fashion.

Fifthly, it is rooted in Chongqing, an automotive industry hub, and serves regional strategies. As a major automotive manufacturing city, Chongqing produced 2.788 million vehicles in 2025, topping the charts among cities nationwide. It has fostered a cluster system comprising '18 automakers + over 1,200 above-scale parts enterprises.' The forum deeply aligns with Chongqing's strategic vision of establishing itself as a 'hub for intelligent connected new energy vehicles,' promoting the 'overseas expansion of Chongqing-made vehicles,' and driving the upgrading of the industrial chain. (End)