The 2026 Beijing International Auto Show is shaping up as the largest automotive exhibition in the world, with a vast display footprint and an extensive list of global and domestic brands preparing to unveil new vehicles.

Organisers have confirmed the event will span approximately 380,000 square metres, eclipsing other international motor shows in scale. For the first time, the exhibition will adopt a dual-venue format, combining the China International Exhibition Centre in Shunyi with the nearby Capital International Exhibition Centre, reports CarNewsChina. Together, the sites stretch roughly 1.3 kilometres, underscoring the sheer size of the event.

Running from April 24 to May 3, the show will be staged across 10 days, beginning with media previews before opening to industry professionals and then the public. In total, 17 exhibition halls will be used, with the majority dedicated to vehicle displays rather than suppliers, reflecting the strong emphasis on new product reveals.

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The show will reportedly display around 1,450 vehicles, including 181 world premieres and more than 70 concept cars. That level of activity highlights the Beijing event’s growing importance as a launch platform, particularly as China continues to dominate global vehicle production and sales.

A wide range of international automakers are expected to showcase new models, including BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volkswagen, Toyota and Ford. Alongside them, China’s major state-backed and private manufacturers – such as FAW Hongqi, Dongfeng, Changan, Geely and Great Wall Motor – will present their latest offerings.

Much of the attention is likely to focus on fast-growing electric and technology-led brands. Companies including Nio, Xpeng, Li Auto, Leapmotor and Xiaomi are expected to display new battery-electric and extended-range vehicles, while Huawei-backed Harmony Intelligent Mobility will highlight its latest developments in connected and intelligent driving systems.

BYD and its expanding portfolio of sub-brands – Denza, Yangwang and Fangchengbao – are also tipped to play a major role, with multiple new models and technologies expected across luxury, performance and mainstream segments.

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Beyond vehicle debuts, the show will include suppliers and technology companies from more than 20 countries, reflecting broader industry shifts toward electrification, software integration and advanced driver systems. More than 200 press conferences are scheduled, reinforcing the event’s status as a key global stage for the automotive sector.

With its scale, breadth of exhibitors and volume of new product reveals, the Beijing Auto Show highlights both the size of China’s domestic market and its growing influence on the global automotive landscape.