On August 21, the 29th Chengdu International Auto Show grandly opened at the China Western International Expo City under the theme "Leading the Tide, Driving Innovation." As the first major auto event since Chengdu was approved as a national pilot city for auto distribution and consumption reform, and the first Category A auto show in the second half of the year, the exhibition spans 220,000 square meters, bringing together nearly 120 mainstream domestic and international auto brands and approximately 1,600 vehicles. On the opening day, 56 brand launch events were held in intensive succession, with 71 new models making their global, China, or Southwest China premieres, or officially hitting the market. Running from August 21 to August 30, the show comprehensively showcases the critical leap of China's auto industry from the widespread adoption of electrification to the deep integration of intelligent technologies.
This year's auto show presents a new industrial landscape characterized by full-spectrum competition and diversified coexistence among brands. Independent brands are showcased in group formations, demonstrating robust strength in systematic competition. BYD Group has set up a dedicated pavilion in Hall 9, featuring its five sub-brands: Dynasty, Ocean, Denza, Fangchengbao, and Yangwang. The Dynasty series "Da Han," Fangchengbao Tai 9, and Fangcheng SGT made their global debuts. Chery Group brought its five brands together in Hall 5, unveiling new models such as the Fengyun T7 and Arrizo 7. Great Wall Motor occupies the core exhibition area in Hall 1, with the all-new Tank 300 and Wey V8X making their appearances. BAIC Group is located in Hall 2, showcasing models including the Arcfox Alpha T7. Other brands such as Geely, Deepal, Dongfeng, and Hongqi also presented their new products, with the all-new Deepal S05 making its China premiere.
On the new energy track, emerging EV makers continue to push the boundaries of innovation. Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance debuted with its five-brand matrix comprising AITO, Luxeed, Stelato, Maextro, and Shangjie, with the flagship MPVs Maextro V800 and V680 making their auto show debut. XPeng Motors brought the MONA L03, the first SUV in the MONA series. Xiaomi Auto held an unveiling ceremony for its two new smart SUVs, the Pengcheng N90 Max and N70 Max. Leapmotor A05 made its auto show debut, while the all-new IM L6 was introduced alongside a co-branded model. Luxury and mainstream joint-venture brands are accelerating their electrification transition. The all-new long-wheelbase Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV made its global premiere, and the new-generation long-wheelbase BMW iX3 opened for pre-sale. FAW Audi presented new versions including the E5 Sportback. The FREELANDER brand, jointly created by Chery and Jaguar Land Rover, made its debut, with its first production model, the Freelander 8, on display. Additionally, domestic racing brand NXT Motorsport globally launched its first model, the NXT MK1 EVO.
In terms of cutting-edge technology, advanced innovations are steering the industry's direction. Great Wall Motor showcased core technological achievements including the Guiyuan technology architecture, the Hi4 intelligent four-wheel-drive hybrid system, and fully self-developed V8 and V6 engines. BYD presented its second-generation Blade Battery and the Eye of God intelligent driving system. Chery highlighted its Rhino Battery and AI intelligence technologies. The outdoor exhibition area focused on real-world experiences. BYD's Tech Open Day featured live demonstrations such as the Denza Z9GT's autonomous drifting, and the Yangwang U8's emergency water flotation and 45-degree slope climbing challenges. Huawei's Qiankun ADS 5, 800V high-voltage platform, and 6C ultra-fast charging technology were also on full display. Concurrently, the 2026 Auto Pioneer Insight Summit was held at the Tianfu International Conference Center, gathering over 200 industry guests and receiving comprehensive coverage from more than 50 mainstream media outlets. The Zhilu Awards were also presented during the event to discuss the next phase of China's auto industry development.
The manufacturing prowess of "Made in Chengdu" was vividly demonstrated at this auto show. Local vehicle manufacturers showcased 15 "Made in Chengdu" models, including the Toyota Avalon and Prado from FAW Toyota, the mass-produced Dongfeng Yijing X9, Jetour Electric M6, Volvo XC60, ES90, and EX90, five locally produced models under Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën, and the Geely Lynk & Co 06. The auto show also innovatively established a dedicated zone for the "Made in Chengdu" intelligent connected vehicle industry chain, organizing 10 representative enterprises to exhibit cutting-edge technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells, automotive electronics, and intelligent cockpits. Data shows that from January to July this year, Chengdu's auto production reached 378,000 units, including 142,000 new energy vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 3.6%. Exports reached 38,000 units, a substantial year-on-year surge of 75.8%. The Auto Export Business Matchmaking Conference held on August 21 further smoothed the channel for vehicles from western production lines to reach global markets.
In terms of stimulating consumer momentum, the auto show used the "MOVE Chengdu" series of events as its main thread, creating the Super Car Paradise, the Auto Model Zone, and the Splash Lifestyle Festival. Hall 16's Super Car Paradise gathered eight interactive scenarios including the RC model car world and realistic racing simulators. Three heavily modified million-yuan off-road vehicles were prominently displayed, alongside the AW Marvel series exhibition zone. The event intertwined art, culture, and public welfare. For the first time, the auto show introduced Tencent Charity's "Little Red Flower" initiative offline and continued its pet charity efforts. To comprehensively stimulate auto consumption, key districts and counties introduced auto consumption rewards. On-site car purchase events offered cash prizes with a 100% winning rate and top prizes of up to 10,000 yuan in cash. The official test drive and ride experience zone was fully opened, introducing intelligent driving experiences such as automated parking in designated spots for the first time. An auto show ticket not only grants access to the exhibition halls but also offers discounts at over 800 merchants across the city and ticket discounts at 11 A-level tourist attractions, truly using the exhibition as a bridge to connect the city and extending the auto show experience to the consumption and cultural tourism networks of the entire city.