2026 China Auto Forum Opens in Shanghai With Automotive Industry Focus

2026 China Auto Forum Begins in Shanghai

The 2026 China Auto Forum officially commenced on July 21 in Jiading, Shanghai, marking a major industry gathering focused on the future direction of automotive development. The event, organized around the theme “New Start, New Opportunities, New Journey—Jointly Drawing a New Blueprint for High-quality Development of the Automotive Industry”, will continue until July 23. The forum brings together industry stakeholders from China and global automotive sectors to discuss technological innovation, policy evolution, intelligent mobility, and sustainable growth strategies.

The three-day forum includes 16 conference sessions and multiple supporting activities designed to address current challenges and future opportunities in the automotive sector. The program structure includes one closed-door summit, one plenary forum, one technology leaders summit, thirteen thematic forums, and several industry release events. Discussions are focused on improving collaboration among automotive stakeholders, strengthening innovation capabilities, and supporting the transition toward high-quality industry development through technology-driven approaches.

Key Discussions on Automotive Industry Transformation

A closed-door summit was conducted on the afternoon of July 21, where participants examined major challenges affecting the automotive ecosystem. Discussions covered how companies can maintain long-term strategies instead of short-term approaches, how industry participants can jointly improve policies and regulations, and how governance can evolve from policy-based management toward rule-of-law-based frameworks. Participants also highlighted the importance of placing technological innovation at the center of value creation, business growth, and future competitiveness across the automotive industry.

On July 22, the forum agenda includes a plenary forum, technology leaders summit, and five thematic forums. The plenary session will explore how the automotive industry can shift from rapid expansion toward high-quality development amid increasing international complexity and stronger domestic competition. The technology leaders summit will examine important technology areas including new energy powertrains, intelligent driving, intelligent cockpits, artificial intelligence applications, and automotive data circulation, while reviewing global automotive technology development trends.

Focus Areas Covering AI, Intelligent Driving and Global Expansion

The thematic sessions during the forum address several important industry transformation topics, including joint venture automaker evolution, comparison between domestic and international assessment systems, global automotive development trends, and talent strategies. These discussions aim to identify practical approaches for companies adapting to changing market conditions, accelerating technological adoption, and improving competitiveness through innovation, collaboration, and workforce development.

The final day of the forum on July 23 will feature seven thematic forums covering automotive product carbon footprint management, international expansion strategies for automotive companies, development of a Chinese automotive cultural identity, OEM artificial intelligence strategies, advanced intelligent driving solutions, and intelligent connected vehicle technologies. The sessions will also examine standards and regulatory frameworks required to support future mobility ecosystems and connected vehicle innovation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main purpose of the 2026 China Auto Forum?
The forum focuses on shaping future automotive industry development through innovation, technology collaboration, and strategic discussions. It brings together stakeholders to address challenges related to intelligent driving, artificial intelligence, new energy technologies, regulations, and global market transformation. The event also highlights approaches for achieving high-quality automotive growth by improving cooperation, strengthening technological capabilities, and supporting sustainable development across the evolving mobility ecosystem.