Major manufacturers, together with Geely, BAIC, MG, and OMODA, are showcasing their newest fashions and signaling their strategic ambitions for the regional market.
BUDAPEST, March 14 (Xinhua) — On a crisp early spring weekend, the Hungexpo buzzed with exercise as guests flocked to one of many area’s largest automotive occasions, weaving between shows of sports activities vehicles, vintage vehicles, sedans, and SUVs.
The three-day International Automobile and Tuning Show 2026 has additionally grow to be a platform for Chinese automakers to increase their presence in Central and Eastern Europe. Major manufacturers, together with Geely, BAIC, MG, and OMODA, are showcasing their newest fashions and signaling their strategic ambitions for the regional market.
At a press convention on Friday, the present’s opening day, Geely formally introduced its entry into Hungary. The firm unveiled a plug-in hybrid SUV and a battery electrical SUV. More than 200 prospects signed up for take a look at drives inside three hours on the exhibition.
“The market entry into Hungary is a crucial part of our European strategy,” Yang Cheng, normal supervisor of Geely Hungary, stated on the launch. He famous that the corporate plans to make use of Hungary as a hub for branding, service, elements warehousing, and automobile logistics throughout Eastern Europe.
Yang added that the newly launched fashions had been developed in keeping with European Union rules and native market calls for. They have undergone in depth winter testing, real-world situation evaluations, charging assessments, and clever connectivity trials at Geely’s R&D heart in Germany.
First-time exhibitor BAIC additionally drew appreciable consideration. “We are surprised that so many people are interested in the brand,” stated Daniel Pataki, technical supervisor of BAIC Hungary. The firm is displaying one hybrid mannequin and three gasoline-powered automobiles because it begins operations in Hungary.
Pataki stated BAIC plans to determine roughly 15 dealerships throughout Hungary to make sure nationwide protection earlier than probably increasing into neighboring nations.
SAIC’s MG model is attending the Budapest present for the fourth time, presenting a pure electrical sports activities automobile, a pure electrical SUV, and three hybrid fashions. MG has established a design heart in Europe particularly to adapt its automobiles to the driving preferences of European shoppers.
Chinese automakers have been increasing quickly throughout Europe lately, notably within the electrical automobile phase.
Visitors additionally confirmed sturdy curiosity in Chinese manufacturers. Sandor Korsos, a 26-year-old attendee visiting the Chery OMODA sales space, informed Xinhua that Chinese vehicles stay competitively priced with longer warranties and higher inside supplies, in contrast with many European and Japanese vehicles.
“Few European cars can match the 7-year warranty offered by Chinese brands,” he stated. “If I were buying a new car now, I would definitely choose a Chinese brand.”