YANGON -- Under the bright showroom lighting, sleek electric vehicles were displayed in the Yangon Convention Center. Shiny dashboards, AI features, and curious crowds signaled Myanmar's growing interest in a cleaner automotive future.

The three-day Myanmar International Auto Expo 2025, held from Friday to Sunday, brought together over 30 brands, most of them Chinese.

Chinese automakers draw attention at the event with EVs from BYD, Leapmotor, Voyah, Neta, JMEV and others. The expo highlighted rising consumer interest, despite EVs still being a small part of the market, exhibitors said.

Among the most visible brands at the expo was BYD, a Chinese EV giant, imported by industry veteran U Min Min Maung, chairman of EV Power Company. With over 30 years in the automotive business, he said the BYD brand was a leading brand in both the global and local EV market.

"It's been about a year since I started importing BYD cars," said U Min Min Maung. "People trust the brand."

He noted that demand for EVs is growing, particularly in Yangon, Mandalay, and Nay Pyi Taw. However, compared to traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) cars, EV penetration remained very low, offering plenty of room for growth, he said.

"About 90 percent of EVs in Myanmar are from China," he said. "The government is also supporting this sector, encouraging EV adoption."

Most EVs in Myanmar are imported under Completely Built-Up (CBU) form, while only a few like Leapmotor vehicles came in Semi Knocked Down (SKD) kits for partial local assembly, exhibitors said.

The biggest hurdle, according to dealers, is infrastructure, particularly consistent electricity and charging access. That's why U Min Min Maung said that the most suitable EV buyers today are in Nay Pyi Taw, the capital, where homes have large compounds, power supply is stable, and commute times are longer.

Another spotlight at the expo is Chinese luxury EVs, including Voyah from Dongfeng Motor Corporation. Sales representative May Thazin Moe emphasized the tech features, including AI-powered cameras and smart systems. "We're only importing EVs, both luxury and budget, from Dongfeng," she said.

Angus Lin, national sales manager for Yoma Motors, showcased brands like SWM and Hongqi, saying this was their first venture into Chinese car imports.

"The vehicles we're bringing in are luxury models, and we're importing them under SKD," he said.

Min Thet Kyaw, a senior sales manager from Leapmotor, echoed the sentiment on rising demand.

"We've been distributing Leapmotor (vehicles) for over a year. Demand is growing, but people still need more EV education," he said. "Our cars come with five years or 100,000 km warranty for battery and motor."

At the expo, professional promotional models added to the atmosphere by standing beside the vehicles, guiding visitors, and posing for photos.

Visitors came to the expo with curiosity and buying intent. U Soe Kham, a 60-year-old attendee, is already an EV owner.

"I use a Leapmotor car and came here to buy more vehicles for renting. EVs are cost-effective, (and need) no fuel and low maintenance," he said. "But with so many brands, it's hard to choose."

Hein Ko Ko Aung, 39, said he was drawn to the event to explore BYD options after seeing friends switch to EVs. "Chinese EVs are dominating the market here. I believe they will continue dominating in the market," he added.

The auto expo was organized by Myanmar DPES Exhibition. Wang Zhangcheng, who is in charge of the organizer company, described the event as a platform for connecting consumers with emerging brands.

"It is the first time we are organizing such an auto exhibition in Myanmar. We're based in Myanmar, and want to help car companies promote themselves while helping local consumers make informed decisions," he said.