Beijing Auto Show 2026 draws 1.28 million visitors, 181 debuts and 71 concept cars
The 2026 Beijing Auto Show closed on May 3 after a 10-day run, attracting 1.28 million visitors and setting new global records for exhibition scale and attendance, according to official data.
Held under the theme “Driving the Era, Smart Future,” the event was staged across the China International Exhibition Centre (Shunyi) and the Capital International Exhibition Centre. The dual-venue format covered 380,000 square meters and 17 halls, marking the largest footprint recorded for any auto show globally.
A total of 1,451 vehicles were displayed, including 181 global debuts and 71 concept cars.
International participation
The show drew 65,000 overseas visitors and 32,000 media representatives, including 4,125 from international outlets. During the event, 219 press conferences were held, alongside more than 50 industry forums, summits, and matchmaking sessions.
Participants included automakers, suppliers, and technology firms from 21 countries and regions, spanning vehicle development, core components, and intelligent systems.
Technology direction
Exhibits at the show focused on electrification and intelligent vehicle development. Battery technologies on display included next-generation systems with energy densities exceeding 400 Wh/kg and claimed ranges of over 1,500 km under test conditions. Fast-charging technologies, including sub-10-minute charging and low-temperature charging at minus 30 degrees Celsius, were also presented.
In intelligent driving, multiple companies demonstrated central computing platforms, multimodal AI integration, and L3-level automated driving applications in controlled or designated environments. LiDAR systems and advanced driver-assistance hardware were widely featured in mid- to high-end models.
Key product highlights
The show featured a wide range of electric, hybrid, and performance-focused models. Among notable developments, BYD confirmed that its Yangwang U9 Xtreme electric supercar was sold for 20,000,000 yuan (2,760,000 USD), the highest price for a production passenger car under the BYD brand to date.
Earlier previews indicated the event would serve as one of the year’s largest EV-focused industry gatherings, with multiple brands using the show for global or China debuts.
Industry push
The 2026 edition continued a trend of increasing scale and technical density at major Chinese auto shows. Compared with earlier previews, the final figures confirmed the Beijing event as the largest auto show globally by exhibition area and vehicle count.
Automakers used the platform to present updates in electrification, autonomous driving, and performance engineering, with both established brands and newer entrants participating.
Data context
According to China EV DataTracker, China’s EV market showed mixed trends in April 2026, with several major groups posting month-on-month growth alongside varied year-on-year performance. BYD remained the top seller, while Geely Auto, Chery NEV, Changan, and Leapmotor all recorded YoY increases. In contrast, Xpeng declined YoY, while Li Auto and Nio reported broadly stable to moderate growth.
