The Exhibition Drew 12.8 Million Visitors as Electric Vehicles Accounted for Nearly 80% of New Models

One of the most significant events in the global automotive industry has concluded in China — and it has broken several records. The 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, known as Auto China 2026, closed on Sunday, drawing great optimism from visitors about the future of China's automotive industry. Here is the story — as reported by CCTV+.

The ten day exhibition, which opened on April 24th under the theme "The Future of Intelligence", set a new world record in scale. Covering an area of 380,000 square metres across two venues, it featured 1,451 vehicles, including 181 world and Chinese premieres and 71 concept cars.

This year, the exhibition was visited by a total of 12.8 million people, including about 65,000 foreign guests. Particular attention from many overseas visitors was drawn to new energy vehicles — as electric cars and hybrids are called in China.

Chinese automotive electronics company AutoLink used the exhibition to present its next generation electronic and electrical vehicle architecture. At BYD's fast charging booth, an electric vehicle charged from 20 to 97 percent in just 12 minutes.

In 2025, domestic production and sales of electric vehicles in China exceeded 16 million units, with electric vehicles accounting for more than 50 percent of new car sales in the domestic market.

One visitor from South Africa shared his impressions: he said it was nice to see so many electric vehicles here because in his home country there are not that many — and that this was simply amazing.

This year's auto show also introduced car enthusiasts to new types of vehicles — from minimalist recreational vehicles with ultra simple interiors and cyber style rugged pickups to electric helicopters. All of this expanded visitors' vision of future mobility.

Another visitor admitted that what excites him most are driverless cars, as they can free people from driving. He also said he looks forward to more advanced technologies such as flying cars.

At this year's auto show, the global automotive industry demonstrated an even clearer trend toward electrification and intelligent transformation. Nearly 80 percent of the new models presented were electric vehicles, with Chinese independent brands accounting for 60 percent of the total.

According to the exhibition organisers, future events will pay more attention to expanding the international reach of the exhibition. Efforts will also be made to comprehensively enhance the brand and increase value across the entire automotive industry chain, including the after sales service sector.

Wang Junqing, Deputy General Manager of the Automobile Sub Council of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, noted that China's automotive industry is expected to achieve coordinated integration in both finished vehicle production and high quality component manufacturing as it expands into overseas markets. He added that through platforms such as the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, organisers aim to facilitate exchanges between domestic and foreign automotive technologies, brands and cultures, helping Chinese vehicles enter global markets more effectively.