Bucharest Auto Show opens with Chinese car brands and new models
The 23rd edition of the Bucharest Auto Show (SAB & Accesorii) opened on October 6, 2026, at Romexpo, transforming Pavilion B2 and its surrounding outdoor areas into a 37,000-square-meter showcase of international vehicle launches, electric mobility, and Chinese automotive market expansion, Libertatea reported.
Chinese Manufacturers Debut New Models at Romexpo
Chinese manufacturers arrived in force at the 2026 exhibition, led by Chery’s newly launched iCar brand. According to Libertatea, iCar hosted a European premiere for the V27, a durable SUV inspired by classic 4×4 architecture but restyled for modern buyers. Leapmotor, backed by minority shareholder Stellantis, introduced the B05 and B03X models. BYD presented the Sealion 5 DM-i starting at 25,000 euros alongside plug-in hybrid variants of the Seal 6 and Dolphin G. MG filled its stand with vehicles including the luxury-finished S9 SUV and the MG4 Urban electric car priced from 20,000 euros, which drops to Dacia Sandero price levels when paired with the Rabla scrap-incentive program. DAB Auto presents four SUV models from Jetour: the Jetour T2, Jetour Dashing, Jetour X50, and Jetour X70 Plus. Forthing, owned by China’s state-owned Dongfeng group, is exhibiting the facelifted, plug-in hybrid version of its T5 model.
Established European, Japanese, and Korean Brands Counter the Wave
While newcomers expanded their footprint, traditional global players rolled out counterweights. Subaru debuted the new E-Outback alongside a redesigned Impreza, Libertatea noted. Suzuki showcased its all-electric e-Vitara priced at 41,000 euros, while Mazda brought the CX-6e SUV produced by China’s state-owned Changan group. Ford exhibited its top-selling F-Series pick-ups, featuring the F-150 Raptor and F-150 Lariat models presented by Proleasing Motors, as reported by Gsp.ro. Volvo displayed its electric lineup, anchored by the EX60 SUV with a claimed range of up to 810 kilometers, alongside the ES90, EX90, and EX30, according to Adevărul. Hyundai is present with the Kona Hybrid, Kona Electric, Tucson Hybrid, Santa Fe Hybrid, IONIQ 5, and IONIQ 6.
Specialized Exhibits and Motorsport Attractions
Beyond standard passenger vehicles, the event hosts more than 600 brands spanning equipment, self-service car washes, and accessories across 7,000 square meters of indoor and outdoor space, Gsp.ro reported. High-performance models feature prominently, including the 100% electric Lotus Emeya priced at 91,000 euros with VAT, alongside display units from Lamborghini, Ferrari, McLaren, and the Maserati Grecale. The venue also integrates robotics demonstrations—featuring a car-painting robot, Tesla’s Optimus, and a Chery-built robot—side by side with metal sculptures and automotive scale models. In Pavilion B2, the janta.ro stand features summer tire models including the N’FERA Sport, all-season tires such as the N’blue 4Season 2, and winter tires like the WINGUARD Sport 3.
Notable Absences on the Exhibition Floor
Several major manufacturers chose to bypass the Romexpo exhibition. Chinese brands such as Xpeng remained absent despite launching in Romania earlier in the year, alongside BAIC, DFSK, and SWM, which featured at the previous year’s salon but did not return for the current edition, Libertatea confirmed.
SAB & Accesorii 2026 Sets Visiting Hours and Prices
SAB & Accesorii 2026 runs from October 6 through October 11, 2026. Daily visiting hours are set from 12:00 to 19:00 on opening day, 10:00 to 19:00 from October 7 to October 10, and 10:00 to 18:00 on the final day. General admission tickets cost 80 lei, with free access granted to children under seven and visitors with disabilities.