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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.

Spy shots of Lexus' first three-row electric flagship SUV TZ (possibly named TZ9) have been exposed. Based on Toyota's electric Highlander, it is positioned to compete with Volvo EX90 and is scheduled for release between late 2026 and early 2027. Its dimensions are basically consistent with the electric Highlander, with length, width and height of 5050/1989/1709mm and a wheelbase of 3051mm, featuring exclusive Lexus design details.

Changan Automobile Group has confirmed its Malaysia market entry for Q3/Q4 2026, joining Geely, BYD and Chery in the competitive ASEAN market. The group will deploy a multi-brand strategy: Changan and Nevo at the mainstream tier (Nevo exclusively BEV), sportier Deepal positioned slightly above, and premium Avatr with standalone Lexus-equivalent showrooms. All models except Avatr will carry the 'Changan' prefix (e.g., Changan Nevo Q05). Initial SUV-focused lineup includes the CS55 (ICE and HEV variants), Deepal S05/S07, Nevo Q05, and Avatr 07/11, with the Changan Hunter REEV pick-up under evaluation. Long-term plans target local CKD assembly, though operational partnerships remain undisclosed.

The Shangjie Z7 and Z7T have debuted at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show, with pre-sale pricing announced at RMB 229,800 and RMB 239,800 respectively. The Z7 is positioned as a mid-to-large coupe while the Z7T adopts a shooting brake bodystyle. Both feature a wide, low and elongated silhouette achieving a drag coefficient of just 0.21Cd. Front design highlights include headlights with 408 laser-etched light points creating a starry river effect, air curtains and an active grille for aerodynamic optimization. A next-generation 896-line dual-optical-path imaging-grade LiDAR comes standard across the range, providing robust hardware support for intelligent driving while balancing aesthetic appeal with energy efficiency.

Xpeng has confirmed its GX flagship SUV will launch in Malaysia in Q3/Q4 2026, with right-hand-drive production already underway—ahead of the P7 sedan which remains in pre-production. The large six-seater flagship measures 5,265×1,999×1,800mm with a 3,115mm wheelbase, featuring a 2+2+2 captain chair layout and 17.3-inch 3K central display. The GX offers range-extender and BEV variants: the BEV uses an 800V architecture with 5C charging, dual 270kW motors for 0-100km/h in approximately four seconds and up to 750km range; the EREV variant pairs a 110kW 1.5L turbo range-extender with 210kW combined electric output, delivering 430km CLTC electric range and 1,585km combined range.

Hongqi will debut its first luxury hardcore off-roader at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show, with spy shots revealing a design inspired by traditional Chinese "mortise and tenon" architecture. The imposing fortress-style grille and signature illuminated emblem along the central axis define its familial identity. Dimensions are 5,135×2,050×1,950mm with a 2,900mm wheelbase, featuring an exterior-mounted spare tire and Continental AT tires. Powertrain comprises a 2.0T range-extender with quad electric motors delivering 620kW combined output. Despite its rugged positioning, the vehicle is equipped with LiDAR supporting urban and highway pilot assist functions. A modified version developed in collaboration with Yunliang may also be unveiled, expanding its off-road application scenarios.