Greater Bay Area Auto Show 2026 in Shenzhen. Source: IT Home / QQ News
Scale and Significance: 30th Edition with 1,300 Models
The 2026 Greater Bay Area Auto Show, now in its 30th edition, spans 11 indoor exhibition halls plus outdoor zones totaling 300,000 square meters. More than 100 automotive brands and over 1,300 models are on display, alongside 300-plus supply chain and technology companies participating in the concurrent 4th Future Mobility Pioneers Conference, according to IT Home’s report republished by QQ News.
This year’s theme, “Technology-Facing, Future-Facing, Market-Facing,” underscores the GBA show’s shift from a regional sales event to a technology-forward industry platform. Special pavilions include a Classic Car Museum celebrating the show’s 30th anniversary, a Legendary Models Hall featuring nearly 100 vintage cars, an automotive stunt performance zone, and an outdoor mobility ecosystem exhibition, according to Lei Feng Net.
Key Exhibitors and Headline Vehicles
BYD Group commands Pavilion 1 as its exclusive brand hall, featuring a dedicated “BYD Chip” exhibition zone alongside its vehicle lineup. The group’s Intelligent Strategy Conference was held on the evening of May 28, with previews suggesting major autonomous driving and AI announcements. The Huawei-backed Harmony Smart Mobility, known in Chinese as 鸿蒙智行, occupies Pavilion 2 and is hosting a dedicated Tech Day.
Notable vehicles on display include the Xiaomi YU7 GT, the AITO M9 2026 refresh, Zhijie V9, NIO ES9, Li Auto L9 Livis, XPeng GX, Audi E7X, and the Volvo EX90. Leapmotor is presenting the interior debut of its D99 model, while Geely has partnered with fitness platform Keep to create a themed sports experience zone, according to QQ News coverage of the show plan.
Huawei Qiankun occupies its own Pavilion 4, showcasing intelligent automotive solutions including ADS 5 assisted driving, smart cockpit HarmonyOS 4.0, and multi-modal interaction technologies. Volkswagen Group presents through SAIC-VW, launching the ID.ERA 5S plug-in hybrid with over 2,000 km combined range and the brand’s first L2++ advanced driver assistance system, according to Sina Auto.
Technology Spotlight: BYD Chips and Leapmotor D99
BYD’s chip exhibition zone marks the first public showcase of the XuanJi A3, described in local coverage as China’s first 4nm autonomous driving chip, alongside the brand’s broader semiconductor portfolio. This follows BYD’s “Dare to Be First” event on May 27, which unveiled the AI Agent interactive system and the XuanJi A3 chip, according to IT Home coverage cited by QQ News.
Leapmotor’s D99 interior debut is another highlight, as the Stellantis-backed brand continues to expand its product range. With Leapmotor having secured a Spanish production line for the B10 and planning a new Opel SUV sharing the platform, the brand’s global ambitions are increasingly evident. The D99 is expected to further strengthen Leapmotor’s position in the mid-size SUV segment.
Shenzhen as China’s EV Epicenter
The GBA Auto Show’s location is no coincidence. Shenzhen is home to BYD’s global headquarters, Huawei’s automotive R&D center, and a dense cluster of EV supply chain companies. The city achieved China’s highest NEV penetration rate of over 70% in 2025 and hosts the world’s largest all-electric taxi and bus fleets.
The show runs through June 7, 2026, with brand executive salons, technology summits, and test drive experiences scheduled throughout. For international observers, the GBA Auto Show provides a concentrated snapshot of Chinese EV industry dynamics ahead of the larger Beijing and Shanghai auto shows, which alternate biennially.
