3 Big Takeaways From The Beijing Auto Show

"Auto China 2026 (the Beijing Auto Show) featured 181 debuts, with at least 50 of them being production models. Many models launched were bigger and more expensive than in years past. Plus, I noticed non-Chinese automakers stepping up their game at this year's show. No matter how you may feel about China, there's no denying its power and influence on the global automotive landscape."

"China's New Energy Vehicle market has always had premium aspirations. Sure, there are plenty of mainstream, small, and cheap fully electric or extended-range EV (EREV) models to buy on China's market, but this show seemed to turn the attention to more expensive offerings. Take the BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme, for example. This 3,000-horsepower hypercar may just be China's most expensive car ever. BYD only plans to sell 30 of them, priced at nearly $3 million each."

"Hypercars aside, other brands are reaching upmarket and rolling out bigger, more luxurious vehicles. Stellantis' Chinese partner Leapmotor introduced the D19, a large EV or EREV SUV aimed at other premium seven-seaters like the Li Auto L8. At roughly $35,000, it sounds like a bargain for Americans, but it is significantly more expensive than the rest of Leapmotor's lineup."

"Similarly, BYD's Great Tang crossover just entered China's big luxury three-row market, as did Xpeng's Range Rover-esque SUV, called the GX. BYD's Denza and Fangchengbao brands both showed"

Beijing Auto Show 2026 featured 181 debuts, including at least 50 production models, spanning nearly a mile end to end. The event showed a clear move toward bigger, more expensive vehicles rather than only mainstream, smaller, and cheaper EV and EREV options. BYD highlighted premium ambitions with the Yangwang U9 Xtreme, a 3,000-horsepower hypercar priced near $3 million with plans to sell only 30 units. Other brands also targeted higher-end buyers, including Leapmotor’s D19 large seven-seat EV/EREV SUV and BYD’s Great Tang crossover entering China’s big luxury three-row segment. Xpeng’s GX SUV and additional premium offerings from BYD’s Denza and Fangchengbao brands reinforced the upmarket trend.

Read at insideevs.com