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Chery, China's top car exporter, announced plans to establish an R&D center in Paris to develop a Europe-specific small city car tailored to local consumer preferences. The move marks Chery's strategic pivot from its SUV-focused European entry—via Omoda and Jaecoo brands—into the continent's iconic compact segment. "We want to build a French car for the French," stated Hanbang Yu, Chery France director, emphasizing the company's commitment to understanding regional design tastes. The initiative targets France's significant small car market, positioning Chery to compete against established European urban runabouts like the Fiat Cinquecento and Renault Twingo on their home terrain.

Fangchengbao debuted three new models at Auto China 2026, marking its entry into the sedan segment. The FORMULA X coupe carries forward the SUPER 9 design philosophy with a life-metal aesthetic and golden-ratio proportions, featuring cheetah-eye headlights, 19 aerodynamic vents, an infinite-loop tail lamp, and an active electric rear spoiler. Its cockpit adopts a wrap-around fighter-jet layout with full carbon-fiber construction and gullwing doors, with production scheduled for next year. The S Series comprises three variants—the "Equation S" sedan, "Equation S GT" shooting brake, and larger "Equation SL" sedan—all exceeding 5 meters in length with 3-meter wheelbases and 2-meter widths. The S Series emphasizes dynamic sportiness while the SL focuses on elegance, with market launch set for Q3.

At Auto China 2026, SAIC Audi presented its second model—the Audi E7X—with pre-sales commencing on May 8. The vehicle retains the brand's familial design language, featuring dot-matrix surround lighting strips and vertically arranged digital matrix LED headlights, with dimensions of 5,049×1,997×1,710mm and a 3,060mm wheelbase. FAW Audi showcased its full star lineup including the all-new A6L, A6L e-tron, Q5L, and Q6L e-tron. The all-new S5 Avant made its Chinese market premiere, while the updated SQ8 launched simultaneously at RMB 1,139,800.

The all-new Lexus ES officially launched at Auto China 2026 in a single variant priced at RMB 299,900. Based on the LF-ZC concept's Clean Tech x Elegance design language, the new model features a softened spindle grille replaced by a closed-off panel and trapezoidal air intake, with the hybrid variant adding a elongated upper intake. Dimensions measure 5,140×1,920×1,555mm with a 2,950mm wheelbase, while dual-tone aerodynamic elements on the fenders and side skirts enhance the sporty profile. The rear adopts a fastback silhouette with full-width light strip and illuminated Lexus emblem. Powertrain options initially comprise a 2.0L hybrid system, with a BEV variant featuring 21-inch wheels to follow. The previous-generation ES200 will continue sales alongside the new model.

BYD unveiled the Seal 08 at Auto China 2026 as the flagship sedan of its Ocean Network, measuring 5,150×1,999×1,505mm with a 3,030mm wheelbase in the mid-to-large sedan segment. The model features wave-shaped DRLs and full-width tail lamps, with an Ocean Aesthetics 2.0 flagship cockpit incorporating a full LCD instrument cluster, floating central touchscreen, and column-mounted gear selector. Powertrain options include PHEV and BEV variants: the BEV utilizes an 800V architecture with second-generation Blade Battery and flash-charging technology, with AWD output potentially exceeding 480kW and sub-5-second 0-100km/h acceleration; the PHEV pairs a 115kW 1.5T engine with a 200kW drive motor and 45.36kWh LFP battery, delivering 270/300km WLTC and over 400km CLTC electric range. The Seal 08 also features rear-wheel steering and DiSus-A intelligent body control system.

Leapmotor unveiled its lineup at Auto China 2026, headlined by the Lafa5 Ultra and flagship SUV D19. The performance-oriented Lafa5 Ultra officially launched with two variants priced from RMB 123,800 to RMB 129,800, with limited-time offers from RMB 118,800 to RMB 124,800. The model features factory-fitted aerodynamic enhancements including a front splitter, side skirts, rear diffuser, and sport spoiler, with ride height lowered from 1,520mm to 1,510mm. Exclusive Ultra design elements comprise matte gunmetal grey badging, 19-inch alloy wheels, and three bespoke colors: Lightning Yellow, Starlight Green, and Liquid Silver. The D19 flagship SUV reinforces Leapmotor's competitive position in the RMB 250,000 segment.