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. 

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.

BMW is entering 2026 with one of its most intensive China product pushes in years.

 Mercedes-Benz is facing a public dealer dispute in China that points to a deeper problem than a temporary sales slowdown. 

Ford China has responded cautiously to reports that the company is in talks with BYD, saying it holds discussions with different companies across many business areas and does not comment on rumours or unsupported speculation.

In a year shaped by tariffs, EV anxiety and price wars, Toyota delivered a result that challenged the industry's dominant narrative.