he 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition kicked off on April 26, setting a new global record with a total area of 380,000 square meters across two venues. With 1,451 vehicles on display, including 181 premieres and 71 concept cars, the event showcased cutting-edge technology in the automotive sector, particularly in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and electric vehicles (EVs).
At the BYD booth, visitors were impressed by the demonstration of its autonomous parking system, while at Nio’s stand, an ES9 SUV demonstrated its full active suspension system in perfect sync with a humanoid robot. This technological prowess represents the shift in the industry toward intelligent and autonomous driving systems.
Cao Xudong, CEO of autonomous driving solutions provider Momenta, emphasized the importance of “physical AI” that enables vehicles to not only perceive but also understand the world around them, allowing cars to make independent judgments in complex situations. This technology is already being integrated into production vehicles, showcasing significant progress in China’s autonomous driving capabilities.
Geely Auto’s senior vice president, Lin Jie, highlighted that the industry is now focusing more on refining vehicle handling and performance, moving beyond merely adding features to prioritizing core vehicle fundamentals. This shift marks the maturation of the EV industry.
The exhibition also highlighted new collaborations in the automotive supply chain. For the first time, core suppliers such as Bosch and Huawei were featured alongside automakers like Chery and Dongfeng, illustrating a new era of co-creation partnerships. Chery and Bosch jointly announced a new-generation 48-volt vehicle architecture, and Dongfeng and Huawei presented their co-developed Yijing X9, integrating electrical, chassis, and data systems seamlessly.
The wide variety of vehicles on display at the exhibition, from sporty sedans to smart off-roaders and family-oriented MPVs, reflected the industry’s strategic direction toward understanding consumer needs and offering differentiated products.
As the event draws international attention, China’s role in the development of intelligent and electric vehicles continues to strengthen, with both local and global markets looking to China’s automotive innovations for the future of mobility.
