ROME, Sept. 23 (Xinhua Silk Road) -- The 2026 Turin Auto Show has highlighted the growing presence of Chinese automakers in Italy and the expanding scope for industrial cooperation between the two countries.
Chinese brands including Chery, Geely and Great Wall Motor participated in the show, while Hongqi made its debut before the Italian public with two SUVs, the HS3 and HS5, marking its entry into the Italian market.
Industry insiders said Chinese automakers are moving beyond product sales toward brand building, technological cooperation and broader industrial collaboration in Europe.
Andrea Levy, president of the Turin Auto Show, told Xinhua that more and more people now are getting to know these Chinese brands, adding that Chinese vehicles are offering new technological solutions and placing growing emphasis on comfort, entertainment and safety.
Data from Italian auto industry association UNRAE showed that four Chinese brands ranked among the top 10 in plug-in hybrid passenger car registrations in Italy in the first eight months of 2026, with BYD taking the lead.
Chinese automakers' growing recognition in design was another highlight of the show. Chery, Geely, Great Wall Motor and GAC received awards at the Turin Automotive Design Award.
Wu Han, deputy director of the Italy Research Center at the University of International Business and Economics, said the awards reflected deeper engagement between Chinese brands and the European automotive industry.
As China advances in electrification, batteries and software, Italy's strengths in design, engineering and manufacturing offer scope for complementary cooperation, industry representatives said.
Roberto Pietrantonio, president of UNRAE, said Chinese and European companies could combine their respective strengths through investment and partnerships across technology, production and supply chains.
Wu said China-Italy automotive cooperation could further expand beyond product exports toward deeper industrial collaboration in technology, production capacity and brand development.
(Contributed by Gao Jingyan)
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