Beijing Auto Show 2026: The World's Largest Automotive Exhibition, These Brands to Feature
JAKARTA – If Indonesia has the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show and Indonesia International Motor Show as its largest automotive exhibitions, then China has the Beijing Auto Show 2026, which is on a far more massive scale.
This biennial automotive exhibition is returning with a size described as the largest in the world.
The total exhibition area reaches 380,000 square metres, utilising an additional new venue at the Capital International Exhibition Center connected to the China International Exhibition Center (Shunyi).
Quoted from Carnewschina on Tuesday (21/4/2026), in terms of participants, 1,451 vehicles will be displayed, including 181 global and China debuts as well as 71 concept cars.
Additionally, there will be more than 200 press conferences, dozens of industry forums, and hundreds of automotive companies from various countries.
The scale of the exhibition is also reflected in the estimated number of visitors, reaching hundreds of thousands during the period from 24 April to 3 May 2026.
This segment is now developing rapidly, from previously around 20,000 units per year to more than 100,000 units globally.
This phenomenon is inseparable from the changing character of the Chinese automotive market, which is now more oriented towards vehicle upgrades and enhancements. Large SUVs are considered capable of meeting these needs while maintaining consumer loyalty.
Interestingly, several Chinese brands participating in this exhibition are also present in the Indonesian market. These include BYD, Changan, GAC Aion, Jetour, Chery, and Geely, which in recent times have begun aggressively offering electric vehicles in the country.
The presence of these brands in both markets simultaneously shows that trends emerging in China, including large-sized electric SUVs, have the potential to influence the direction of the Indonesian automotive market in the future.
In addition to products, the emergence of new brands is also in the spotlight. Some brands like Shangjie, Aistaland, and Yijing are even considered new players that did not exist in previous editions.
Interestingly, some of these brands are affiliated with Huawei, which is now increasingly aggressive in entering the automotive industry. Through the Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA) ecosystem, Huawei brings operating system technology to intelligent driving features in various vehicle models.
On the other hand, the exhibition is also taking place amid complex global dynamics, from geopolitical conflicts to changes in Western manufacturers’ electrification strategies. Nevertheless, the dominance of Chinese electric vehicles is strengthening and beginning to influence the global market.
Bosch Chairman Stefan Hartung stated that global automotive industry prices are now increasingly referring to Chinese standards, affirming the significant influence of that country in the world’s automotive landscape.
With these various trends, the Beijing Auto Show 2026 is not only an arena for showcasing vehicles but also a reflection of the future direction of the global automotive industry.