Topic analysis

‘Look, no hands’: China chases the driverless dream at Beijing car show

At the 2026 Beijing Auto Show, Chinese automotive manufacturers showcased a range of new autonomous driving technologies, spurred by slowing domestic electric vehicle sales as they look to generate new revenue from AI-powered in-vehicle features and expand into overseas markets such as the UK. Major industry players including Huawei, Xpeng, BYD, Chery, Geely, and Baidu announced new investments, product launches, and global expansion plans for self-driving and electric vehicles, alongside ongoing work to update regulatory frameworks for autonomous car deployment in China and international markets.