Chad, May 13 -- China has become an indispensable "training ground" for global carmakers, an arena where rapid technological iteration and fast-changing consumer demand are pushing the industry to evolve at unprecedented speed.

At the recently concluded 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (Auto China 2026), which once again set a new record for scale among global auto shows, this dynamic was on full display.

"China is like a 'gym' for the automotive industry. Nowhere else sees such fast technological iteration or such rapidly shifting user demand," said Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG.

His analogy captures the unique appeal of the Chinese market. As some international observers have note...