2026 Beijing Auto Show - on the bleeding edge

[ProbeGT]

I was curious to see what the hype is all about so I watched this Aussie's perspective. I was astonished.



Key takeaways:

1. China has become the undisputed leader in automotive technology
2. Chinese battery tech is years ahead of competition
3. Euro/US products are hopelessly uncompetitive and the gap is widening, even before considering cost. Japanese brands are still trying (kudos) but barely holding on.
4. When you add speed of innovation and cost to the equation, it's game over for the rest of the world.

What it means for consumers in USA/EU:

1. The government thinks it has no choice but to protect domestic auto industry and puts in place increasing trade barriers
2. US/EU consumers will miss out on inexpensive, modern alternatives and will be stuck with overpriced, obsolete legacy tech.
3. The rest of the world (South/Central America, Asia, Australia) will enjoy the benefits of affordable, innovative vehicles. EU/US autos will all but disappear from their fleets.
4. Export potential of western economies will drop further

Why I think protectionism is not the answer:

1. A massive drag on the economy. Poor affordability for consumers and companies. Huge misallocation of resources that could be better used elsewhere.
2. US automakers have publicly stated that they're not interested in producing large volumes of affordable vehicles. Their focus is entirely profit. They all seem to want to become Rolls-Royce and Ferrari... niche but fringe manufacturers.
3. US automakers (excl Tesla) have all but given up on cars (sedans, coupes). If they're not willing to even try and compete in this market, what is the protectionism protecting?
4. Extended protectionism will cause domestic tech to fall increasingly further behind until we will look like Cuba to the rest of the world.
5. Perhaps the answer is to do what China did in the 90s. Remove tariffs but mandate Chinese companies to form 50/50 joint ventures with domestic companies and force transfer of their clearly superior technology back to us.

Full disclosure: I am in no way celebrating this. I am no fan of Chinese products in general. Just trying to objectively evaluate the situation. Please let's keep the discussion civil.

 

[Trav]

What a can of worms to open here.

 

[CKN]

From the movie..." You can't handle the truth!"
Remember guys. .in theory the cheaper the new car the cheaper beater it will become!

 

[redhat]

I mean that all holds true if the buyer wants an EV.

Lot of us in the Northern US don't really have the means or desire to electrify.

 

[ProbeGT]

I mean that all holds true if the buyer wants an EV.

To my surprise, many of the Chinese vehicles featured in the video have a combustion engine. Some even have V8s. Rumors are the V8 is being developed with McLaren. So likely not based on the 1950's pushrod tech still found in hemis and LS's.

 

[Trav]

Seeing some of these vehicles makes you realize just how craptastic the US vehicles have become with few exceptions like the corvette. I have always said the big US owned ev looks like a steaming pile of poo inside and out now I feel vindicated. Let these cars in and let buyers control the market.

 

[97prizm]

I was curious to see what the hype is all about so I watched this Aussie's perspective. I was astonished.



Key takeaways:

1. China has become the undisputed leader in automotive technology
2. Chinese battery tech is years ahead of competition
3. Euro/US products are hopelessly uncompetitive and the gap is widening, even before considering cost. Japanese brands are still trying (kudos) but barely holding on.
4. When you add speed of innovation and cost to the equation, it's game over for the rest of the world.

What it means for consumers in USA/EU:

1. The government thinks it has no choice but to protect domestic auto industry and puts in place increasing trade barriers
2. US/EU consumers will miss out on inexpensive, modern alternatives and will be stuck with overpriced, obsolete legacy tech.
3. The rest of the world (South/Central America, Asia, Australia) will enjoy the benefits of affordable, innovative vehicles. EU/US autos will all but disappear from their fleets.
4. Export potential of western economies will drop further

Why I think protectionism is not the answer:

1. A massive drag on the economy. Poor affordability for consumers and companies. Huge misallocation of resources that could be better used elsewhere.
2. US automakers have publicly stated that they're not interested in producing large volumes of affordable vehicles. Their focus is entirely profit. They all seem to want to become Rolls-Royce and Ferrari... niche but fringe manufacturers.
3. US automakers (excl Tesla) have all but given up on cars (sedans, coupes). If they're not willing to even try and compete in this market, what is the protectionism protecting?
4. Extended protectionism will cause domestic tech to fall increasingly further behind until we will look like Cuba to the rest of the world.
5. Perhaps the answer is to do what China did in the 90s. Remove tariffs but mandate Chinese companies to form 50/50 joint ventures with domestic companies and force transfer of their clearly superior technology back to us.

Full disclosure: I am in no way celebrating this. I am no fan of Chinese products in general. Just trying to objectively evaluate the situation. Please let's keep the discussion civil.

US manufacturers wouldn't give up on sedans and small cars if there was a market for it. Granted sun's make more profit per vehicle, and don't have to comply with as clean emissions requirements as do small cars. Second alot of Chinese design and technology is let's say "borrowed " and not theirs. Third while Chinese wages have steadily increased ie Foxcon it's still far below European or American wages. At a couple of GM plants in Mexico assembly line employees are making $3-$7 per hour with managers making $12 plus an hour.

 

[97prizm]

To my surprise, many of the Chinese vehicles featured in the video have a combustion engine. Some even have V8s. Rumors are the V8 is being developed with McLaren. So likely not based on the 1950's pushrod tech still found in hemis and LS's.

One of the car channels said Range Rover/Land Rover had to add an extra shift to keep up with V8 order demand. A British car channel showed the depreciation of a V8 vs newer 296 gtb which if V6 TT. The newer 296 gtb with fewer miles lost a staggering 100k pounds in value vs maybe 20k pounds in value over several years.

 

[Trav]

US manufacturers wouldn't give up on sedans and small cars if there was a market for it. Granted sun's make more profit per vehicle, and don't have to comply with as clean emissions requirements as do small cars. Second alot of Chinese design and technology is let's say "borrowed " and not theirs. Third while Chinese wages have steadily increased ie Foxcon it's still far below European or American wages. At a couple of GM plants in Mexico assembly line employees are making $3-$7 per hour with managers making $12 plus an hour.

To be honest US cars suck, at one time they were the best cars and the best value for the money in the world. Greed, labor unions and green lunatics put an end to the industry. It is long gone and will never come back. JMHO

 

[Ragingbull99]

All stolen tech

 

[CKN]

All stolen tech

They are so far ahead some of it can't be stolen. It's like stealing a model "T" to make a V8.

 

[GON]

My recommendation is very different.

The US should not trade whatsoever with the PRC. No visitors, no students, nothing whatsoever.

The hourglass is running very low on sand to protect the American and Western way of life.

Good times make weak men.

 

[GSCJR]

Good times make weak men.

"Women weaken legs!" -Mickey Goldmill

 

[JWC86]

My recommendation is very different.

The US should not trade whatsoever with the PRC. No visitors, no students, nothing whatsoever.

The hourglass is running very low on sand to protect the American and Western way of life.

Good times make weak men.

Perhaps I’m being cynical but I think that ship has already sailed.

 

[Ragingbull99]

They are so far ahead some of it can't be stolen. It's like stealing a model "T" to make a V8.

Have you ever been there?

 

[Cujet]

Very little of that interests me, I'm just not a fan of SUV's or penalty box cars. Nor do I believe their battery technology is 'far ahead'. The bottom line remains the same, Lithium has just so many ions we can move. And we move 'em all.

There are some interesting comparison tests between Chery and Tesla. Guess who wins hands down??? Chinese CLTC range ratings are notably optimistic. Expect 35% higher numbers than EPA ratings. Example a 600km China EV range works out to be 243 miles.

This I like:

 

[CKN]

Have you ever been there?

I have not- the wife has. She related what the country is like. I have been to 41 countries-but not China.Unlike some on here- I have actually seen and even ridden in Chinese vehicles. I stand by my previous statement as being 100% accurate.

 

[CKN]

Perhaps I’m being cynical but I think that ship has already sailed.

No...you are being realistic. The statement you replied to wasn't.

 

[Cujet]

To be honest US cars suck, at one time they were the best cars and the best value for the money in the world. Greed, labor unions and green lunatics put an end to the industry. It is long gone and will never come back. JMHO

Your point is accurate, the US automotive industry has fallen short. I wanted to prove you wrong, so I went to the local Ford, Chevy and Stelantis dealerships. I found no CARS at all. Just trucks and SUV's. All kidding aside, the US automotive industry still produces some quality.

I'd say my 2024 F150 5.0L is every bit as good as my previous 4 F150's. All were spectacularly reliable, capable and comfortable. All of them topped 200K miles without difficulty.

As I mentioned above the Bejing auto show had few products of interest. The range claims are absurd, as are the battery claims. And real world objective testing highlights 'reality'. A colorful LED display and leather interior does not make for a quality vehicle.

 

[Snagglefoot]

This might be a good place to mention that Dodge is pushing the Six Pack, the straight six with twin Garret Superchargers. Mods, I took a couple screen shots to show the technology.