①According to incomplete statistics by reporters, the automobile exhibition area of this year's CIIE has gathered 12 well-known multinational automakers, including Volkswagen, Tesla, BMW, and General Motors, with more than 20 brands participating. ②At the Tesla booth, the Tesla Cybercab, a cyber unmanned electric vehicle, made its debut in the Asia-Pacific region for the first time. ③Volkswagen Group (China) announced that it will develop System on Chip (SoC).
Cailian News, November 5th, by reporter Liu Yang. On November 5th, the eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) officially opened. As one of the significant display platforms for the global automotive industry, foreign automakers came fully prepared.
According to incomplete statistics by reporters, the automobile exhibition area of this year’s CIIE has gathered 12 well-known multinational automakers, including Volkswagen, Toyota, Hyundai, Tesla, Jaguar Land Rover, BMW, Honda, and General Motors, with more than 20 brands participating.
At the Tesla booth, the Tesla Cybercab, a cyber unmanned electric vehicle, made its debut in the Asia-Pacific region for the first time. Tesla China introduced that the Cybercab does not have a steering wheel or pedals, using the Tesla Vision visual processing system + end-to-end neural network autonomous driving solution. It can achieve driverless operation without using expensive hardware equipment such as LiDAR. “As the 'ultimate form' of future mobility, Cybercab is planned to start mass production in the second quarter of 2026.”
As an eight-time participant often referred to as the 'model worker,' the Volkswagen Group showcased eight models, including concept cars specifically created for the Chinese market such as the ID.EVO, ID.AURA, ID.ERA, and key products like the Audi E5 Sportback, the first model under the new AUDI brand, as well as the Asian premiere of the new 911 Turbo S. According to the plan, by 2027, the Volkswagen Group will launch approximately 30 new energy vehicles in the Chinese market; by 2030, it plans to launch about 50, including 30 all-electric models.
“For the Chinese market, we have formulated a clear development roadmap, making Audi's strategic direction even more precise,” said Gernot Döllner, Global CEO of Audi. By launching the largest product layout in the history of the Audi brand in China, Audi’s unique 'dual-brand, dual-partner' strategy is opening up a 'new development landscape.'
Compared to initiating a 'delivery model' based on product layout, relying on the comprehensive advantages of China's intelligent electric vehicle industry chain, the Volkswagen Group is also making every effort to implement its localization strategy. Among these efforts, Volkswagen Group (China) announced at the 2025 Shanghai CIIE that it will develop System on Chip (SoC) to further master core technological capabilities in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and future Autonomous Driving (AD). This chip will be developed through CARIZON, a joint venture between CARIAD and Horizon Robotics, with the first batch of chips being applied to Volkswagen Group vehicles in China equipped with L3 and above autonomous driving functions, enhancing full-stack local intelligent driving R&D capabilities. Porsche, an important member of the Volkswagen Group, officially announced the operation of its R&D center in China on the opening day of this CIIE.
According to Oliver Blume, Global CEO of Porsche, revealed today that Porsche’s locally developed in-car entertainment system in China will be installed in Porsche models in 2026.
Also an 'eight-time full attendee,' the Mercedes-Benz Group presented eight star-badge products from Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, AMG, and G-Class off-road vehicles, covering different propulsion methods to meet luxury travel needs across various segments. The BMW Group showcased products and related technological achievements from its three brands—BMW, MINI, and BMW Motorrad.
“The CIIE not only demonstrates the results of China’s high-level opening-up but also provides an essential platform for global enterprises to engage in innovative cooperation, industrial integration, and shared opportunities with China,” said Jochen Goller, President and CEO of BMW Group Greater China.
In addition, Hyundai Motor Group showcased the China debut of its autonomous XCIENT hydrogen fuel cell Class 8 heavy-duty truck, jointly developed with PlusAI. This marks the world's first mass-produced hydrogen-powered heavy-duty truck.
"The CIIE serves as a mirror, reflecting the strategic adjustments of multinational automakers in the Chinese market." In the view of industry insiders, Tesla is focusing on artificial intelligence, Volkswagen is showcasing its locally developed achievements, Toyota is adhering to a multi-path technology strategy, and Hyundai is promoting the commercialization of hydrogen energy. "In China, for China" has become a universal strategic choice for multinational automakers. "These companies no longer regard China merely as a sales market but as a source of global innovation and a key pivot for industrial chain upgrades."