Chinese automakers at the ongoing 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (Auto China 2026) are highlighting their latest technological breakthroughs, underscoring the industry’s robust global competitiveness and an accelerated drive toward international expansion.

The event kicked off in Beijing on Friday and will run through May 3. As the world's largest auto show, it has brought together over 2,000 companies from 21 countries and regions. A total of 1,451 vehicles are on display, including a record-breaking 181 global premieres -- the highest number in the show's history -- along with 71 concept cars.

Chinese brands stole the spotlight at the exhibition. European auto industry representatives said Chinese cars are now globally competitive in terms of technology, quality and smart features, and that the integration of Chinese and foreign automotive industries is entering a new phase.

Falk Becher, a senior manager at Saxony Economic Development Corporation in Germany, has been promoting China-German cooperation in the automotive sector for many years. He spoke positively of Chinese brands.

"We have companies from China coming over to Germany and being successful there in terms of doing R and D and production in Europe. We have a very good relationship with Chinese companies on our levels as well, dating back several years. And we as a company also have a representative here in China, in Wuhan. Because cars from China are very well advanced -- very advanced technology, very comfortable and luxury cars. And of course, they can be very successful in Europe as well," said Falk Becher, a senior manager at Saxony Economic Development Corporation

The appeal of Chinese auto brands in Europe is reflected not only in manufacturers' strategic plans but also in strong reactions from the end market.

"This is our third consecutive time coming to this exhibition. Each time, we derive immense pleasure from what we see and hear, as if we're transported to the future. It's really cool, very beautiful, and there are so many novel and modern products. Chinese brands are increasingly seizing the automotive market because the prices and qualities they currently offer are more attractive than those of European brands," said Veaceslav Gheorghiev, CEO of Jetour Moldova.

Nils Oldemeyer, head of the European division of Zhuoyu Technology -- a leading Chinese provider of intelligent driving solutions -- said that for Chinese auto brands to truly establish themselves in the European market, exporting cars alone is not enough. The keys lie in local research and development, training on locally sourced data, and team building in Europe.

"We have a R and D team, we have a sales team, a solution team. We collect data in Europe, and we train it locally to have European performance of our cars for us -- with the central pieces, of course, being in China. But for us also as a European team, this is very, very exciting because more and more of these companies here -- you see here -- they are moving into the European market." he said.