More than 70 Chinese and international automotive brands are showcasing over 100 new or updated models at the Shanghai Auto Show from April 23 to May 2, as competition intensifies in the electric and hybrid vehicle markets.
Chinese automakers including BYD and Geely are leading the event, alongside foreign companies such as Volkswagen, Nissan, Toyota, and General Motors’ Cadillac brand.
Automakers are shifting focus from driver-assistance technology promotion due to recent regulatory scrutiny following a fatal crash involving Xiaomi’s SU7 sedan. The incident prompted Chinese regulators to ban marketing terms like “smart” or “autonomous” and restrict software updates to driver-assistance systems without approval.
Tesla, which had offered a free trial of its “Full Self Driving” software, paused the program and renamed the system to “intelligent assisted driving.”
Huawei, which supplies vehicle software and collaborates with Chinese carmakers, also issued a warning about assisted-driving safety. At the show, Zeekr, Geely’s EV brand, originally planned to unveil its Level 3 driver-assistance model but will instead highlight hybrid models and battery technology.
BYD, the country’s top EV and hybrid seller, is offering its “God’s Eye” driver-assistance system as standard across all models, including entry-level vehicles. The company has also shifted marketing to emphasize driver awareness.
Meanwhile, Chinese regulators are tightening EV battery standards to mitigate fire risks. Electrified vehicles, including electric and hybrid models, now make up over half of all new car sales in China, a target originally set for 2030.
About a dozen electric crossovers priced to compete with Tesla’s Model Y are debuting at the show.
Tesla has not commented and is not participating in the event, having skipped Chinese auto shows since 2021. The company’s market share in China has fallen from 15% in 2020 to 9% in Q1 2025, and its global sales declined last year.
New competitors such as Xpeng’s G6 and Zeekr’s E6 offer similar or better specifications at lower prices. Xiaomi, which had been expected to unveil its YU7 crossover, is only displaying its existing SU7 and SU7 Ultra models and has not scheduled a press conference.
