In late April 2026, I was in Beijing translating Mandarin into Hungarian for European dealers at Foton Motor’s First Global Media Day — a four-day event held alongside the Beijing International Auto Show. I am seventeen years old and a high school student from Érd. As part of the event, I helped translate conversations between Chinese representatives and European dealers.
The article was written by a reader of ours.
What I heard during those four days offered a closer look at how Chinese automotive companies are expanding their connections with European distributors and partners — and how Hungary increasingly fits into that picture.
Factory visits and test drives
The program focused heavily on factory visits and vehicle demonstrations. On the second day, participants toured Foton’s Auman heavy truck factory and X-Laboratory facilities, where highly automated production systems operated alongside large human workforces.
Some employees mentioned that long shifts, sometimes reaching twelve hours, were common. At the same time, the facilities appeared carefully managed, with humidity-controlled environments and recreational spaces for workers, including small game areas.
The atmosphere throughout the visit was notably welcoming. Foton staff regularly checked whether guests were comfortable, and meals and transport throughout the visit were organised with considerable attention to detail. During the afternoon test-drive sessions, I spoke with several employees who were curious about Hungary and surprised that a seventeen-year-old student could communicate with them in Chinese.
That evening, Foton hosted its Anniversary Achievement Show at Badaling, one of the most well-known sections of the Great Wall. Executives presented new models to international dealers and media representatives from several countries.
The showcase included pickups, heavy-duty trucks, commercial vans, and alternative powertrain models, including hybrid, electric, and hydrogen-powered vehicles. Rather than focusing on price, company representatives repeatedly emphasised global servicing, digital support systems, and long-term international expansion.
What European dealers were asking
I was not present during the formal meetings between Hungarian and Chinese executives. However, many of the informal discussions during factory visits and transport between venues revealed what dealers were most concerned about.
Questions focused on practical issues: spare parts availability in Central Europe, warranty coverage, charging compatibility, and service network timelines. The conversations suggested that many participants were already discussing implementation rather than first introductions.
One concern raised informally was rapid EV depreciation. Dealers noted that some electric vehicles can lose substantial value within a few years, creating risks for resale markets and inventory planning. Foton representatives acknowledged the issue and described improving long-term value retention as an area the company was aware of.
Whether Chinese commercial vehicle brands will ultimately succeed in Europe remains uncertain, but the scale and seriousness of the discussions in Beijing were difficult to ignore.
Hungary’s growing role
The event also reflected a broader economic trend that has become increasingly visible in Hungary over recent years.
According to recent investment reports, Hungary received roughly 44 percent of Chinese investment flowing into Europe in 2024. Chinese companies, including BYD and CATL, have already announced major projects in Hungary, particularly in electric vehicle and battery manufacturing.
Foton represents a smaller part of that wider expansion, but the company’s Media Day — described as the first of a planned annual series — demonstrated how Chinese manufacturers are building relationships with distributors and media partners across Europe.
Participants from several countries travelled together between factories, hotels, and event venues on company-organised buses throughout the four-day program. On the final day, attendees visited the Beijing International Auto Show during its media preview opening, where Chinese manufacturers presented an increasingly competitive range of electric and commercial vehicles.
For four days in Beijing, I watched Chinese manufacturers, European dealers, and Hungarian representatives discussing not whether cooperation would happen, but how quickly it could expand. From factory floors to dealership logistics, the relationship already appeared operational rather than theoretical.
