There is no Auto Shanghai in 2026 — the show runs in odd years only, alternating with the Beijing Motor Show. See the 2025 EV highlights, key debuts from BYD, NIO, Xiaomi and more, and how to plan for Auto Shanghai 2027 (Apr 23 – May 2, NECC Shanghai).
| Detail | Info | Detail | Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📅 Next Edition | Apr 23 – May 2, 2027 (public: Apr 27–May 2) | 🏛️ Location | Shanghai, China |
| 🚗 Frequency | Biennial (odd years) | 🌍 Exhibitors | 1,000 from 26 countries/regions (2025) |
| 👥 Attendees | 1,010,000 (2025) | 🏢 Venue | National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC), Shanghai |
| 💼 Focus | Passenger cars, EVs, new energy vehicles, smart cockpit, autonomous driving | 🕐 Last Edition | Auto Shanghai 2025 (Apr 2025, NECC) |
Quick Answer: Is There an Auto Shanghai in 2026? No. Auto Shanghai (the Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition) runs every two years in — 2023, 2025, 2027. There is no Auto Shanghai in 2026. The last edition was Auto Shanghai 2025 (April 2025, NECC Shanghai), and the next is Auto Shanghai 2027 (April 23 – May 2, 2027, NECC Shanghai). If you're tracking the global show calendar for 2026, the Chinese motor show to watch is the , which rotates into even years and ran in Beijing from .
If you searched "Auto Shanghai 2026" and found yourself here, you're in good company — the biennial rotation between Shanghai and Beijing trips up planners every cycle. Auto Shanghai and Auto China are sister events on a two-year alternating schedule: Shanghai in odd years, Beijing in even years. Both are among the world's most important auto shows, but they are distinct events in different cities. This guide covers everything you need: what happened at the landmark 2025 Shanghai edition, what the Beijing 2026 show offered as an alternative, how to plan for Auto Shanghai 2027, and what exhibitors and attendees need to know to get the most out of the world's largest automotive market.
The Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition — universally known as Auto Shanghai — is one of the world's most important automotive exhibitions, and arguably the most important global show for tracking China's EV, NEV, smart-cockpit, battery, and autonomous-driving ecosystem. Run by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Shanghai Branch, Auto Shanghai has grown since its first edition in 1985 into the defining barometer for where the global auto industry is heading.
The numbers explain why the industry treats it as unmissable. The 2025 edition drew 1.01 million visitors, 1,000 exhibitors from 26 countries and regions, 1,366 exhibited vehicles (70% of them new energy vehicles), 163 global premieres, and 14,000 journalists — all across 360,000 square metres of exhibition area at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC) in Qingpu, Shanghai.
What has changed dramatically over the past decade is the show's centre of gravity. Until roughly 2019, global brands (Volkswagen, BMW, GM, Toyota, Honda, Daimler) dominated headlines with China-specific model debuts. Since 2023, the dynamic has reversed: Chinese EV brands — BYD, NIO, Li Auto, AITO/Huawei, Xpeng, Zeekr, AVATR, and dozens of others — now command the most attention, debut the most ambitious technology, and attract the largest crowds on the show floor. For the global automotive press and industry, Auto Shanghai has become the primary window into what the world's fastest-moving EV market is producing.
Auto Shanghai runs on a strict biennial cycle, always in spring (typically April), always in Shanghai, and always in odd years. It alternates with Auto China (Beijing Motor Show), which runs in even years in Beijing. The pattern:
| Year | Event | City | Month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Auto Shanghai ✅ | Shanghai | April |
| 2024 | Auto China ✅ | Beijing | April–May |
| 2025 | Auto Shanghai ✅ | Shanghai | April |
| 2026 | Auto China ✅ | Beijing | Apr 24 – May 3 |
| 2027 | Auto Shanghai ✅ | Shanghai | April–May |
| 2028 | Auto China ✅ | Beijing | April |
In 2026, the rotation falls to Beijing — and the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (Auto China 2026) ran April 24 – May 3, 2026 at the China International Exhibition Center (Shunyi Hall) and the Capital International Exhibition Center of China. If you were tracking Chinese auto shows in 2026, Auto China was the show to attend. The exhibitor lineup, announcements, and EV launches at Auto China typically mirror the ambition of Shanghai — it is an equally significant event, just in a different city.
Key distinction: Auto China and Auto Shanghai are different events with different organisers at each city level, though both fall under the CAAM umbrella. Credentials, registrations, and exhibitor contracts from Shanghai do not transfer to Beijing and vice versa.
Looking for the 2026 Chinese auto show? The Beijing Motor Show (Auto China 2026) ran April 24 – May 3, 2026 in Beijing. See our show directory for details.
The 2025 edition of Auto Shanghai (April 2025, NECC Shanghai) ran at a moment of peak intensity in the global EV transition — and the show floor reflected exactly that. With China's domestic EV price war in full swing and Chinese brands challenging Western incumbents on technology as well as cost, the 2025 Shanghai show was the most consequential edition in years.
Figures from official Auto Shanghai 2025 post-show reporting (autoshanghai.auto-fairs.com).
Auto Shanghai 2025 opened against the backdrop of China's relentless EV price competition — and the show floor made that visible. BYD, the world's largest EV manufacturer by volume, used the show to display its latest Seagull, Seal, and Dynasty-series updates alongside its premium Yangwang and Fang Cheng Bao sub-brands. Entry-level pricing for Chinese EVs at the show underscored how far cost curves had moved — vehicles with 400+ km range were on display at price points that would be impossible in European or North American markets.
Xiaomi Automotive — founded by smartphone giant Xiaomi — generated some of the show's loudest buzz. The company had delivered its first car, the SU7, earlier in 2024 and used the 2025 show to expand public exposure of the model and tease its roadmap. The brand's crossover of consumer electronics culture and automotive manufacturing drew particular attention from younger Chinese buyers.
Huawei's AITO brand and its Intelligent Automotive Solution (HAS) partnerships were prominently featured at 2025. Huawei does not manufacture cars itself but provides the computing, connectivity, and interface technology inside vehicles from partners including SERES, Chery, and BAIC. The 2025 show cemented Huawei's positioning as a systems-level force in Chinese automotive — its Kirin cockpit chips, ADS advanced driving systems, and HarmonyOS in-car operating systems were visible across multiple stands.
NIO continued to build out its family of premium EVs, including updates to its ET and EC series sedans and SUVs, alongside demonstrations of its battery-swap infrastructure. NIO's BaaS (Battery-as-a-Service) model — where customers buy a car but not the battery, paying instead for swap access — drew significant attention from attendees evaluating total cost of ownership.
Li Auto showcased its extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) — a hybrid approach combining a small petrol generator with a large battery — which had proven commercially successful with Chinese families seeking long-range confidence without pure-EV range anxiety. The brand's L series SUVs were among the best-selling premium EVs in China entering 2025.
International automakers used Auto Shanghai 2025 to show China-specific strategies. Volkswagen, operating through its SAIC-VW and FAW-VW joint ventures, debuted updated versions of its ID. electric range and announced localised software features developed specifically for Chinese consumers. BMW and Mercedes-Benz showed long-wheelbase versions of flagship models built for the Chinese preference for rear-seat comfort. Toyota and Honda presented hybrid and electrified models via their Chinese joint-venture partners.
The common thread across global brands: acknowledging that competing in China in 2025 required deeper localisation — on software, design, features, and price — than any previous era had demanded.
A distinctive feature of the 2025 show was the visible presence of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) displays from Chinese aerospace-automotive crossover companies including EHang and AutoFlight. The Chinese government's commitment to low-altitude economy development has encouraged several automotive conglomerates to explore aerial mobility adjacencies, and Auto Shanghai 2025 provided a platform for early-stage showcasing.
Advanced driving assistance and autonomous driving technology was demonstrated across the show, with multiple brands presenting Level 3 and Level 4 capability claims on China's domestic road network.
Dates: April 23 – May 2, 2027 | Venue: NECC, Shanghai, China
Auto Shanghai 2027 is the next edition of the show and is already confirmed at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC) in Shanghai. Exhibitor registration and attendee information will be published through autoshanghai.org as the show approaches — plan for applications and early registration to open approximately 12 months before the event.
Based on the trajectory of the Chinese auto market, key storylines to watch at the 2027 show include:
How global trade dynamics evolve between now and 2027 — including EU and US tariffs on Chinese EVs — will also shape which international brands are present and with what strategies.
For the full show page including confirmed details as they are published, see Auto Shanghai 2027.
Auto Shanghai is not a show you enter casually. The NECC halls are broadly divided into:
Exhibitor applications for Auto Shanghai 2027 are managed through CAAM and the Shanghai office. International companies typically work through:
Registration timelines follow the biennial calendar: the show typically opens exhibitor applications approximately 12–18 months out. Watch autoshanghai.org for official announcements as 2027 approaches.
Auto Shanghai is a premium-tier show with costs to match. Based on market norms for global Tier 1 motor shows:
For component suppliers and technology companies, smaller footprints in supplier halls are available at lower absolute cost — these can still deliver strong visibility for the right audience.
Exhibiting at Auto Shanghai is not just about the show week — it signals commitment to the Chinese market. Decisions about exhibit scale, model debuts, and press-conference timing are scrutinised by Chinese media, consumers, and government observers. Many international brands use the show to announce China-specific localisation features, joint-venture products, or market investment plans. If your brand is entering or expanding in China, the Auto Shanghai press day is one of the highest-leverage moments in the global automotive calendar.
Auto Shanghai runs a two-phase structure typical of major international motor shows:
NECC (National Exhibition and Convention Center) is located in Qingpu, in western Shanghai — approximately 40 km from central Shanghai (People's Square / The Bund).
By metro: Shanghai Metro Line 2 and Line 17 connect to Hongqiao Railway Station, from which Line 17 continues westward to stations adjacent to NECC (Xu Jing East and NECC stations). Journey time from People's Square to NECC is approximately 60–80 minutes by metro.
By taxi/rideshare: Didi is the standard rideshare platform in China. Journey from central Shanghai to NECC is approximately 45–60 minutes depending on traffic; during peak show hours, roads around NECC can be congested.
From Hongqiao Airport (SHA): Hongqiao is the closer Shanghai airport and is approximately 15–20 minutes from NECC by taxi. Direct metro connections via Line 17 are available.
From Pudong Airport (PVG): Pudong handles most international long-haul flights. Allow 60–90 minutes to NECC by taxi, or take the maglev to Longyang Road Station and then Metro to NECC.
International visitors to China require a visa unless covered by a visa-free arrangement. China has been expanding its visa-free entry policy in 2024–2025 — check your country's current status on the Chinese embassy website or via your national foreign ministry. Apply well in advance; processing times vary by country. Consider whether a business or tourist visa is appropriate depending on your activities at the show.
Shanghai's hotel market around major shows moves quickly. Options near NECC or well-connected to it:
Book as soon as show dates are confirmed — the April window competes with other Shanghai events and spring business travel.
Auto Shanghai is physically huge: the 2025 edition covered 360,000 square metres of exhibition area. First-time visitors routinely underestimate the scale. Before arriving:
Is there an Auto Shanghai in 2026? No. Auto Shanghai runs every two years in odd-numbered years. The 2025 edition took place in April at NECC Shanghai, and the next is Auto Shanghai 2027, running April 23 – May 2, 2027 at NECC Shanghai. There is no Auto Shanghai in 2026.
When are the Auto Shanghai 2026 dates? Auto Shanghai 2026 does not exist — the show is biennial and runs in odd years only (2025, 2027). If you're looking for a Chinese auto show in 2026, the equivalent event is the Beijing Motor Show (Auto China), which ran in Beijing from April 24 – May 3, 2026.
Is Auto Shanghai 2026 happening? No. The 2026 slot in the biennial rotation belongs to Auto China in Beijing. Auto Shanghai will next take place in 2027.
When is Auto Shanghai 2027? Auto Shanghai 2027 is scheduled for April 23 – May 2, 2027 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC) in Qingpu, Shanghai. See the full show page at /shows/auto-shanghai-2027.
What is the difference between Auto Shanghai and Auto China (Beijing Motor Show)? Auto Shanghai (Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition) and Auto China (Beijing International Automotive Exhibition) are two distinct shows that alternate annually. Auto Shanghai runs in odd years (2025, 2027) in Shanghai. Auto China runs in even years (2024, 2026) in Beijing. Both are among the world's largest and most important auto shows, but they have separate organisers, registrations, and logistics.
Who organises Auto Shanghai? Auto Shanghai is organised by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Shanghai Branch (CCPIT Shanghai). The official website is autoshanghai.org.
Where is Auto Shanghai held? Auto Shanghai is held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC) in Qingpu District, Shanghai, China — the world's largest single-structure exhibition complex.
