Brussels Motor Show 2026 highlights: Stellantis leads as Chinese brands surge

Brussels Motor Show 2026 opened the automotive year and confidently stepped into the space once occupied by Geneva. More than 75 brands brought premieres, yet the spotlight belonged to Stellantis and to China’s growing pressure.

Stellantis sets the scale and tone of the show

The group presented 62 models on a 5,200 sq m stand, including two world debuts. Opel rolled out the refreshed Astra and Astra Sports Tourer with updated styling, a new lighting signature and an upgraded cabin. The key technical news was the Astra Electric with a 58 kWh battery and up to 454 km of range. Combustion versions saw only light updates, putting the emphasis on electrification.

European and Korean premieres

Stellantis complemented its program with a facelifted Peugeot 408, the Citroen Oli concept and the limited Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Luna Rossa. Renault devoted a large stand to the new Twingo E-Tech Electric, keeping the focus squarely on battery power.

Kia hosted the world premiere of the compact EV2 electric crossover, while Toyota showed the Hilux in electric and 48-volt hybrid versions.

Chinese brands turn up the pressure

Zeekr made the 7GT sports car’s first European appearance. BYD, Xpeng, MG and Leapmotor are expanding their presence, underlining long-term plans in the region. Leapmotor’s chief outlined a joint sales target with Stellantis of up to one million vehicles a year outside China. Journalists awarded Car of the Year to the new Mercedes-Benz CLA.

Brussels signaled a new balance of power: Stellantis consolidates its position, China advances and Europe gains a fresh stage in place of Geneva. The 2026 automotive year begins at a brisk pace, with competition for the market sharpening.