BEIJING, April 26 (Reuters) - China's largest auto show

opened in Beijing with the biggest names showing off their

latest electric vehicles (EVs), underlining how the world's

largest auto market is already in an all-electric state of mind,

and isn't looking back.

Here are the main takeaways:

OVERCAPACITY & GEOPOLITICS

The last thing China needs is more electric cars crowding a

market, driving down prices at the expense of profit. But while

there is a peril in China's overcapacity, there is also a power

in the hyper-competition it has unleashed.

Exporting that overcapacity, however, has brought EV makers

to authorities' attention. XPeng ( XPEV ) said a European probe into

Chinese-made EVs could steer it to invest in plants or suppliers

abroad, as the spectre of higher tariffs looms.

Polestar Automotive is preparing to shift production of cars

it plans to sell into Europe to its U.S. plant from China, its

CEO said.

PARTNERSHIPS

Tie-ups with local firms had long been foreign automakers'

route into China but are now becoming a means to survive.

Mercedes-Benz said it would continue to invest in tie-ups

with Chinese automotive partners including BAIC.

Toyota ( TM ) will pair up with tech giant Tencent ( TCTZF ) while Nissan ( NSANF )

will team up with Baidu ( BIDU ), the companies said, cross-border

partnerships that highlight the importance of artificial

intelligence for carmakers.

LUXURY

The battle for consumer attention in China's electric car

market is being fought over touches of "tech luxury" that car

buyers in other markets have never seen.

BYD will showcase its premium brand's first sedan and

unveiled the U7, its third ultra-luxury model under the Yangwang

brand, as it pushes upmarket to increase profitability amid an

intensifying price war.

NEW LAUNCHES

Nissan ( NSANF ) and Mazda ( MZDAF ) unveiled new cars tailored for Chinese

drivers, signalling a fresh push by Japanese automakers to

regain ground in the world's largest auto market.

Nio set the starting price of the new version of its ET7

sedan at 428,000 yuan ($59,063). Smartphone maker Xiaomi ( XIACF ) said it

has locked in 75,723 orders for its sporty SU7 electric sedan,

and aims to deliver over 10,000 units in June.

TECHNOLOGY

Domestically designed advanced driving assistance systems

similar to Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) were also marketed by

several automakers as key selling points.

BYD said it will launch the Song L SUV with the company's

self-developed smart driving system in June.

GAC said it would use Huawei's Qiankun smart driving system

on flagship models under the Trumpchi sub-brand, with the first

to be launched in January 2025.

Battery maker CATL unveiled a lithium iron phosphate (LFP)

battery with a driving range of more than 1,000 kilometres (621

miles) on a single charge.

SMARTPHONES TO SMARTCARS

Stealing the limelight from traditional automakers and EV

startups was industry newcomer Xiaomi ( XIACF ) who held one of the

earliest press events.

CEO Lei Jun said locked-in orders for its sporty SU7 sedan

had hit 75,723 and that buyers included owners of cars from the

likes of BMW and Audi.

($1 = 7.2464 Chinese yuan renminbi)