The 29th Chengdu International Automobile Exhibition is set to open on August 21, 2026, bringing together almost 120 brands and around 1,600 vehicles under one roof. As China’s first A-level auto show of the second half of the year, the event will span 220,000 square meters at the Western China Expo City in Chengdu. Major automakers, both domestic and international, are preparing global debuts and new model launches for the show.
Major Brands and Global Debuts
BYD will have a dedicated group pavilion in Hall 9, where the Dynasty lineup’s first D-segment luxury flagship sedan, the Da Han, will make its global debut on media day. Denza, Fang Cheng Bao, and Yangwang will also be present, with outdoor demonstrations such as driverless drifting by the Denza Z9GT and the Yangwang U8’s emergency flotation capability.
Huawei-led HIMA (Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance) will showcase all five of its brands: Aito, Luxeed, Stelato, Maextro, and Shangjie. The flagship Maextro V800 and V680 MPVs will appear at an auto show for the first time, alongside the new Luxeed RX and Stelato V8.
Xiaomi will display its battery electric and extended-range series side by side for the first time, including the Sky Nomad N90 Max and N70 Max extended-range SUVs. Nio Inc will present models from all three of its brands—Nio, Onvo, and Firefly—at a single booth in Hall 2.
New Energy and International Highlights
The Xpeng G9L will be shown with both battery electric and super extended-range powertrains. Leapmotor will bring the A10 and the newly launched A05, while the Avatr 07L and the all-new IM L6 will make their auto show debuts.
Chery Group will attend with five brands, including the global debut of the Exeed EX6. GWM will display the all-new Tank 300, Wey V8X, and GWM H10. Geely Auto’s Galaxy brand will present the Galaxy Cruiser 700 and the all-electric Galaxy TT sedan.
Among international brands, the new long-wheelbase Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV will make its global debut and be available for public test drives. BMW’s long-wheelbase Neue Klasse iX3 will start pre-sales, and Audi will bring new versions of the E5 Sportback and E7X.
Regional and Local Model Showcases
Freelander, a joint brand from Chery and Jaguar Land Rover, will make its first appearance with the Freelander 8. SAIC Volkswagen will debut the ID.ERA 8X and ID.ERA 5X, and officially launch the ID.ERA 5S, its first model with urban NOA (Navigation on Autopilot).
Beijing Hyundai’s Ioniq V, the first model in China from its premium new energy brand, will begin pre-sales. The production version of the Epicland X9, developed by Dongfeng and Huawei, will start deliveries at the show. Jetta will display the Jetta X concept and the all-electric Jetta M6, while locally built models such as the Volvo EX90, Zeekr X, and Lynk & Co Z20 will also be featured.
Competitor Comparison
The Chengdu Auto Show stands alongside other major A-level events in China, such as the Shenzhen Auto Show, which closed on June 7, 2026, with 810,000 visits and 39,253 vehicle orders. The scale and diversity of brands at Chengdu highlight its importance as a key venue for both domestic and international automakers to showcase their latest models and technologies.
Why this matters
The Chengdu Auto Show serves as a significant indicator for the automotive market in southwestern China and provides a platform for automakers to introduce new models ahead of the peak sales season. With nearly 120 brands and 1,600 vehicles, the event reflects ongoing trends in electrification and innovation within the industry.
Given the recent market context, with global vehicle sales reaching 34.4 million units in 2025 and a year-on-year decline of 18.5%, the show offers manufacturers a crucial opportunity to capture consumer interest and drive momentum into the latter half of 2026.
What this means for buyers
For consumers, the 2026 Chengdu Auto Show is an opportunity to see the latest vehicles, including global debuts and new energy models, all in one place. Buyers interested in the newest EVs, plug-in hybrids, and luxury vehicles will find a wide selection from both established and emerging brands.
Those considering a new vehicle purchase in China or the broader region should pay attention to announcements and pre-sales at the show, as many models will be available for order or test drives during the event.
Key Specs
- Show Dates: August 21–30, 2026
- Venue: Western China Expo City, Chengdu, Sichuan province
- Exhibition Area: 220,000 square meters (~2,368,000 square feet)
- Number of Brands: Nearly 120
- Number of Vehicles: About 1,600
- Notable Global Debuts: BYD Da Han, Exeed EX6, Mercedes-Benz GLE (long-wheelbase), SAIC Volkswagen ID.ERA 8X/5X
Source
Images sourced from: scmp.com
