China's automotive industry was again largely absent from CCTV's annual March 15 consumer-rights gala this year.  

GAC Honda entered 2026 under heavy pressure. A joint venture long associated with dependable Japanese engineering saw terminal sales fall sharply in the opening months.

 China's March 15 consumer-rights season often strips away brand gloss. For Mercedes-Benz, the pressure is especially sensitive.

With the current SAIC-GM joint-venture agreement moving toward its June 2027 expiry, uncertainty over renewal has hung over one of China's most important auto partnerships. 

At the end of February, conflict in the Middle East escalated sharply, with the Strait of Hormuz reportedly closed to commercial shipping. 

After Chinese automakers released February sales, the market mood turned cautious. Many sales reports showed month-on-month declines. 

 Mapless assisted driving has become one of the most repeated phrases in China's auto industry.  

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to China was described by German media as unusually well prepared and as one of the most high-profile business delegations since the Merkel era.

China's 2026 Spring Festival Gala made one thing clear: robots have entered mass culture. Unitree robots performed martial arts with children from Tagou Martial Arts School.

China's auto market ended 2025 with production and sales of 34.4 million vehicles and new-energy penetration above 50%.