China Auto Daily丨Beijing Auto Show 2026 Debuts 181 Vehicles

Beijing International Automotive Exhibition 2026 Commences

On April 24, the 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition officially opened, utilizing both the Shunyi Pavilion of the China International Exhibition Center and the Capital International Convention and Exhibition Center. The total exhibition area for this event spans 380,000 square meters, making it the largest automotive exhibition by scale globally. A total of 1,451 vehicles are on display, including 181 world premieres and 71 concept vehicles. The event serves as a primary platform for global manufacturers to demonstrate their latest advancements in electrification and intelligent vehicle technologies.

Xpeng Reports Overseas Expansion and Technical Cooperation Plans

Xpeng Chairman He Xiaopeng revealed on April 24 that the company is currently in negotiations with international automakers regarding potential technical collaborations. The company aims to commercialize its advanced driver assistance systems globally and expand production capacity outside of China. He Xiaopeng noted that demand in markets such as France and Germany has exceeded current local supply levels. Consequently, Xpeng plans to upgrade existing facilities and establish new factories starting in 2026, with Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America under consideration.

Financial projections shared by the company indicate confidence in quarterly profitability growth throughout the year. This optimism is driven by the expansion of technical monetization and the upcoming market introduction of Robotaxi projects and other AI-driven mobility initiatives. Additionally, the Chairman confirmed a scheduled meeting with Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume to discuss ongoing strategic interests.

Audi Q5L Integrates Huawei Qiankun Intelligent Driving

Industry reports on April 24 confirmed that the all-new Audi Q5L has officially integrated the Huawei Qiankun intelligent driving suite across its entire lineup. Users are now able to purchase the Huawei Qiankun driving assistance package as an optional add-on through the FAW-Audi app or mini-program. New vehicles equipped with this technology are expected to arrive at dealerships in May.

Data released alongside this announcement shows that as of April 2026, the monthly active users of Huawei’s intelligent driving system have surpassed 1.38 million. The system has recorded a cumulative assisted driving mileage exceeding 10 billion kilometers, while the automated parking feature has been utilized more than 650 million times.

Smart Pulse 6 Starts Pre-sale at Beijing Auto Show

Smart presented several new models at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show, including the global debut of the Concept #2 and the pre-sale launch of the Smart Pulse 6. The Pulse 6, the brand's first luxury hatchback, is priced starting from RMB 189,900 (USD 27,500). The model is offered with two battery capacity options and includes pre-sale benefits valued at up to RMB 12,000 (USD 1,700). The Concept #2, designed by the Mercedes-Benz global design team, features a "four wheels, four corners" layout. This design philosophy maximizes interior cabin space despite a compact overall vehicle length of 2.79 meters.

(Exchange rate: RMB 6.9 = USD 1)