Chinese major automakers have unveiled hundreds of state-of-the art models and cutting-edge technologies in the industrial chain at the 23rd Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition, with an aim to further expand their presence around the world.
The auto show, widely regarded as a bellwether for China’s auto sector, opened Friday with nearly 100 debut models and more than 1,000 vehicles on display. Of these, 629 are new energy vehicles, accounting for over 60 percent of the total.
Several automakers have rolled out cost-effective models at the auto show, responding to China's plan to halve purchase taxes on new energy vehicles and tighten subsidy rules starting Jan. 1, 2026.
GAC Aion, a leading new energy vehicle maker, emphasized consumer "value" over price in its latest models.
"We want to meet consumer demand through technological breakthroughs and improved user experience, not just subsidies," said Yang Long, vice president of GAC Aion.
Intelligent technology is emerging as a new growth driver for the auto industry in China.
At the auto show, Huawei and GAC announced plans to launch their first premium smart EV in the first half of 2026, highlighting the convergence of tech and manufacturing.
"AI models are applied to vehicles at a large scale at the moment, and AI has been used in the entire industrial chain, from smart driving, smart cockpits, manufacturing to supply chain management, reflecting the innovation vitality of Chinese automobiles under the dual drive of electrification and intelligence," said Zhao Yang, vice chairman of the Automotive Committee of the China Council for the Promotion of International.
Chinese automakers are also accelerating overseas expansion. In 2025, new energy vehicles accounted for more than 50 percent of the total auto sales.
At the auto show, industry executives said with exports already accounting for more than half of their sales, they are now aiming to move from selling products abroad to exporting full supply chains.
"During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, exports accounted for about 55 percent of our sales. Looking ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan period, we will continue to deepen our internationalization efforts," said Xiang Xingchu, chairman of JAC Motors.
"Our globalization is not just about brands going overseas, but about taking China's auto chain, even our ecosystem abroad to build the global influence of the Chinese manufacturing," said Zhao Fei, general manager of China Changan Automobile Group.
The auto show will run through Nov 30.
Chinese car-makers aim to expand global presence with advanced models
