380,000 square meters of stands – equivalent to about fifty soccer fields – spread across seventeen exhibition halls: the Beijing Auto Show has changed its scale for its 2026 edition. For the first time, the biennial event (alternating with Shanghai) is being held from April 24 to May 3, simultaneously at two adjacent sites near the capital’s airport, including the brand-new International Exhibition Center, which went into service in February 2025, to form the world’s largest auto show. Inside, professionals, distributors, journalists, influencers, and curious onlookers rush to discover the 1,451 cars on display, including 181 world premieres.
As in previous years, industry leaders are putting on captivating displays to become their own selling points in a battle for attention where novelty has become the primary weapon. From Lei Jun, the founder of Xiaomi, drawing crowds around his supercar, the Vision Grand Turismo (VGT), to Stella Li and Wang Chuanfu, the duo leading the number one electric vehicle manufacturer BYD, and Robin Zeng, head of CATL, unveiling his most efficient batteries (charging in 6 minutes, even at -30°C), and He Xiaopeng, who presented a “flying” car – all were present at the opening of the show.
This spirit of competition is a direct result of a saturated Chinese market. Brands are launching multiple products to make a mark. The challenge is no longer just to present a viable model, but to occupy the market at all costs. The show then becomes a massive commercial funnel where the aim is to attract the maximum number of visitors (almost a million are expected), even if the conversion rate remains low.
The grand electric SUV, the new king of the show While sleek sedans have not disappeared from the stands, this year’s favorite model is the very large electric SUV – often over five meters long – with six seats for three rows. The doors open by pressing a button or through facial recognition, revealing a retro-lit step to climb into the vehicle. Behind the wheel, the dashboard is often panoramic, touch-sensitive, and equipped with voice assistants. “Xiao Di, Xiao Di, turn on the air conditioning and lower the music,” is spontaneously launched in BYD models. Some models at the back offer a retractable screen for watching movies and series, massaging seats – sometimes swiveling – or even a mini-fridge. Space, versatility, family comfort, and premium experience are key selling points to attract the Chinese clientele.
For brands, these XXL models help improve their image and move upmarket. In a market where margins are under pressure, the grand SUV justifies higher prices while incorporating innovations under the hood – long-range batteries (up to 1500 km), more or less advanced autonomous driving, active suspensions, convertible interiors, and more.
“The competition is now less focused on prices and more on technologies,” comments François Marion, communication director at Valeo, presenting the group’s latest innovations: a rotating LiDAR laser that scans the exterior of the vehicle in 3D 25 times per second, headlights capable of illuminating the road without blinding other drivers, and a video game system that reproduces the driving environment – a fun way to engage young passengers and reduce motion sickness.
