New Renault and Citroën versus BYD and Leapmotor: the Paris Motor Show returns to Paris on Monday with new electric products aimed at reactivating the market, both on the European and Chinese sides, while the sector is in full slowdown. September registration figures in France were the worst in the last 20 years and order intake the worst in the last 10 years. In Europe, the transition to electric cars is stalling.
But the Paris show wants to be a celebration of the automobile, with 48 exhibiting brands and numerous new electric models, including the highly anticipated Renault 4 and 5, Peugeot 3008 and Citroën C3.
Presented to the public for the first time on Monday morning, the electric Renault 4 plays on the nostalgia of the old model, a success around the world, but also aims to attract new generations with its rounded shapes and practical details. A car that does it all, the Renault 4 should complete Renault’s electric offering for the middle class, with the smaller Renault 5 and the future Twingo. Citroën is also committed to this democratization and presents the electric C3 and C3 Aircross.
electric cars
While the French government has announced increased sanctions on gasoline and diesel vehicles, angering the sector, Emmanuel Macron is expected to attend the show on Monday afternoon, having received the leaders of the sector at a dinner on Sunday night. “This visit will be an opportunity to show your support for the sector, in particular for innovation and production, in line with the objectives of the France 2030 plan, as well as with the European objectives of the sector, resolutely focused on electrification,” said the Elysium. on Sunday night.
Carlos Tavares from Stellantis, Luca de Meo from Renault and Oliver Zipse from BMW, after presenting the news of their brands on Monday, will come to explain their vision of mobility during the conferences on Tuesday. The CGT promises a demonstration in front of the hall on Thursday.
As for foreign manufacturers, the Volkswagen group (Audi, Skoda), BMW-Mini and Kia return after a few years of absence. Tesla also makes an unexpected appearance to show off its huge Cybertruck SUV, and Cadillac marks its return to Europe with imposing electric models. Above all, Chinese manufacturers of electric and hybrid cars arrive in droves: the generalist BYD, Leapmotor (Stellantis brand), the luxurious Hongqi, the technophile XPeng, Maxus (utilities) or Skyworth (subsidiary of an electronics group) present their vehicles . for Europe.
“It will be an automobile festival for a week in Paris,” rejoices Luc Chatel, director of the Automobile Platform (PFA), which co-organizes the show. “We are going to present great innovations but also beautiful cars. The Paris Motor Show is the alliance between passion and reason,” he stressed.
500,000 visitors
If luxury car manufacturers are absent from this public fair, some models of Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari, Porsche and racing cars must present, between the vehicle test center, exhibitions on the history of the automobile and the racing track. karting. Alpine, the premium brand that the Renault group wants to grow, will present the avant-garde style of its future sports models through its A390 concept. Small French manufacturers such as Delage, Devalliet, Pantore or PGO also intend to benefit from this focus.
While the Geneva Motor Show celebrated its last edition this winter, the Paris Motor Show is trying to renew itself and has revised its price offers downwards to attract more exhibitors. The show hopes to attract 500,000 visitors, with tickets between 18 and 22 euros per ticket depending on the day.
Source: BFM TV
