2026 Beijing Auto Show: Robots Take Center Stage Alongside Various Aircraft

On April 24, the 2026 Beijing International Automobile Exhibition officially opened its doors. According to official statistics, this year’s auto show features 1,451 vehicles, including 181 global debuts and 71 concept cars. The exhibition utilizes 17 halls, with 13 dedicated to vehicle displays.

Upon arrival at the China International Exhibition Center, it was noted that there were no advertisements outside the venue, with the only signage being the Beijing Auto Show logo above the entrance. This year, the focus remains on Chinese automakers, particularly new forces in the automotive industry, as traditional Japanese and Korean joint ventures seem to have lost favor.

Another notable feature of this year’s Beijing Auto Show is the significant presence of smart robots showcased by various manufacturers. Some exhibition halls even featured patrol robots, including robotic dogs.

Xiaomi Auto: Lei Jun Unveils Vision GT

Since its participation in the auto show, Xiaomi Auto has consistently been a hot topic, and this year is no exception. At 9 AM, Lei Jun arrived at the Xiaomi Auto booth, dressed in a white T-shirt and dark jacket, appearing energetic. During the press conference, he announced that the Xiaomi YU7 GT will be launched in May, along with the reveal of the Xiaomi Vision GT concept supercar. The booth quickly became crowded with eager attendees. After the conference, Lei Jun personally welcomed visitors, shaking hands with numerous attendees, significantly enhancing the emotional engagement of the event.

Li Auto: Promoting the L9 Livis

Next to the Xiaomi booth, Li Auto launched its new L9 Livis model. Founder Li Xiang was present to introduce the product. The enthusiasm for the Li L9 Livis was palpable, with many spectators gathering around the new vehicle.

Xpeng Motors: IRON Makes Another Appearance

He Xiaopeng was also on site to hold a press conference where he showcased the Xpeng flying car and the Xpeng GX models. This year, Xpeng once again exhibited its flying car and the IRON humanoid robot, demonstrating the flying car’s launch process to an intrigued audience.

NIO: Occupying Half a Hall

Across from Xpeng’s booth was NIO, which integrated its brands, including Firefly and Le Dao, into a single exhibit. This arrangement allowed NIO to occupy almost half of the exhibition hall, resembling a large automotive conglomerate.

Hongmeng Intelligent Mobility: A Major Presence

Similar to NIO, Hongmeng Intelligent Mobility also took a significant portion of the exhibition space. In addition to their main exhibit, various models under the Hongmeng brand, including Xiangjie and Wenjie, had their own dedicated spaces, drawing considerable attention from visitors.

BYD: Entire Hall Reserved

When it comes to showcasing grandiosity, BYD stands out by reserving the entire E3 hall, featuring its brands like Dynasty, Ocean, and Equation Leopard. BYD also established a separate display for its fast-charging and Heavenly Eye intelligent driving assistance systems.

Deep Blue Auto: Second “JD Auto” Exhibition

At this year’s Beijing Auto Show, Deep Blue Auto presented its collaboration with JD in the form of the Deep Blue L06, marking the second “JD Auto” to be showcased.

Chasing Dreams Auto: Unique but Less Crowded

This year, the somewhat controversial Chasing Dreams Auto made an appearance, with a more intimate booth that featured unique offerings, including a transformer-like display.

Traditional Luxury Cars: Mercedes, BMW, and Porsche Still Popular

At the Beijing Auto Show, traditional luxury brands like Mercedes, BMW, and Porsche continue to attract significant attention. Their booths were packed with visitors, and both Mercedes and BMW launched their respective electric models. However, Japanese and Korean models received noticeably less interest, with very few attendees at booths for brands like Toyota and Nissan.

Smart Robots Take the Spotlight

This year, many brands exhibited their smart robot products at the auto show. In addition to Xpeng’s IRON, Chery displayed its humanoid robot, and UBTech showcased its robot at the Volcano Engine booth. The Honor “Lightning” robot was also present, and some halls featured playful robotic dogs that could run, jump, and even lie down adorably.

Various Manned Aircraft on Display

In addition to the Xpeng flying car, several other manned aircraft were featured at the exhibition, including an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft from Tianling Technology, and a jointly developed electric vertical aircraft by CATL and Fengfei Aviation. These innovations suggest that the dream of freely soaring through the skies may not be far off.

Overall, this year’s Beijing Auto Show prominently featured domestic brands while traditional luxury brands like Mercedes and BMW maintained their strong presence. However, interest in Japanese and Korean vehicles appears to be waning. Additionally, the rise of smart robots indicates a growing trend in this exciting field, making their presence felt throughout the exhibition.