The stronger presence and engagement of global companies at the Beijing Auto Show highlights China"s rising importance as a center for automotive innovation and one of the world"s fastest-evolving car markets, especially as the industry speeds up its transition toward electric and smart mobility technologies, Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), told the Global Times on Friday.

　　Window of opportunities

　　Many foreign respondents" first reaction during interviews was to praise the unprecedented scale of this auto show—but that is, perhaps, according to industry observers, the least important detail. What truly matters is the recognition in their words of the Chinese market"s strategic importance, along with their genuine amazement at the fast-paced, ever-evolving changes in China"s automotive sector toward green transformation, industry observers said.

　　Andreas Mindt, Head of Design at Volkswagen Brand, made a special trip from Europe—where he is usually based—to attend the Beijing Auto Show, marking his latest visit to the city.

　　"Everything is developing like crazy, and there are more and more electric cars. It"s fantastic," he told the Global Times on Friday at noon, sandwich in hand.

　　He noted that the Beijing Auto Show is arguably the world"s largest, surpassing Munich in scale, with more participants, global premieres, and new car launches, alongside rapid progress in EVs, battery technology, and self-driving systems.

　　Mindt"s view was echoed by Javier Galilea, PR Manager from Changan Spain, who led a group of Spanish journalists to visit the auto show in Beijing from Madrid.