By Jérôme Marchon

After a lackluster 2022 edition, the Parisian automotive event is regaining some of its former appeal. It may not be the show it once was—many brands, especially luxury and sports car makers, are still absent.

Apart from the sold-out Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale and the Delage D12, there’s a limited «Dream Zone» showcasing a few Aston Martins, Bentleys, and Rolls-Royces.

The Germans are Back

However, the return of Volkswagen, Audi, and BMW to an event outside of Germany is a positive sign. Five halls at the Porte de Versailles are hosting 47 manufacturers unveiling 25 world premieres, with up to 500,000 visitors expected by Sunday, October 20.

The absence of the Geneva Motor Show has opened up some space in the calendar, but the need to prevent Chinese competitors from gaining ground, and the necessity of reconnecting with a disoriented customer base in a difficult market, explains the renewed interest from the industry.

 
Back in Paris: BMW. (Image: Courtesy)

Market Slowdown

Between January 1 and the end of August 2024, new car sales in Europe grew by only 1.4 percent, with significant declines in August for giants like VW (-14.8 percent) and Stellantis (-29.5 percent).

Meanwhile, demand for electric cars dropped by 43.9 percent in August, marking the fourth consecutive monthly decline. Automakers are having to step up their efforts to capture consumer attention, as their production capacity continues to face chronic overcapacity.

Going All-Electric

Renault, which sees auto shows as a strategic part of its marketing plan, is making a strong showing in Paris. The event coincides with the commercial launch of the electric Renault 5, a reinterpretation of the iconic 1970s-80s model aimed at attracting customers still skeptical about electric cars, by playing on nostalgia and childhood memories.

Electric Renault 5. (Image: Courtesy)

Joining the Renault 5 is the new Renault 4, unveiled as a world premiere, following the same concept with a more versatile, family-oriented dimension. Renault’s creative teams, led by Luca de Meo, seem to have found a rich vein, as the company also presents concept cars for the Renault 17 and the upcoming Twingo, expected in 2026, inspired by the first-generation model launched in 1991.

Sporty News at Alpine

At Alpine, the sporty A290, a variant of the Renault 5, makes its debut alongside two concepts: the A390_β, which previews 85 percent of the brand's future elevated four-door electric coupe, and the Alpenglow, a laboratory vehicle equipped with a hydrogen-powered V6 combustion engine.

Finally, Dacia unveils the Bigster, a C-segment family SUV that aims to shake up this highly competitive and strategic category, much like the Duster has done in the B-segment since 2010.

The Surprise of the Show

Stellantis, meanwhile, is taking a more cautious approach to electric vehicles by focusing on multi-energy platforms. Peugeot presents its E-408 sedan, allowing the brand to offer a 100 percent electric version for each model in its lineup.

Citroën introduces the family-friendly C3 Aircross SUV, available in both gasoline and electric versions. The surprise of the show is the future C5 Aircross, presented as a concept that previews 95 percent of the final model. Alfa Romeo brings the Junior, available in hybrid and electric versions.

Audi Q6 Sportback

Audi displays its electric Q6 Sportback SUV alongside the A5 and Q5 combustion engine models. Among urban electric SUVs, Mini unveils the Aceman, while Kia presents its EV3. In the upper segments, Ford reveals the Capri, and Cadillac showcases the Optiq and Lyriq.

New Audi Q6 Sportback. (Image: Courtesy)

What About the Chinese? The presence of Chinese manufacturers is noticeable but measured—far from the flood that some had feared.

China Aiming at Top Luxury Segment

Leapmotor, whose international distribution is handled by Stellantis, makes its European debut by presenting four models ranging from the T03 city car to the 6-seater C16 SUV. Xpeng, a startup backed by Alibaba and Didi (the Chinese equivalents of Amazon and Uber), is focusing on high-tech premium vehicles with its G9 SUV and P7+ sedan.

Skyworth, originally an electronics manufacturer, has been making electric cars since 2020 and is entering the European market in 2024 with four models, including a utility vehicle. Lastly, Hongqi, the official car supplier for Chinese government dignitaries, positions itself as a «new global luxury brand» aiming to rival Bentley and Rolls-Royce in terms of presentation.

First Glimpse at the Leapmotor B10. (Image: Courtesy)

BYD at the Sidelines

BYD, the world’s largest manufacturer of "new energy» vehicles, is also present in Paris but without any major new releases.

The ongoing trend at the show is SUVs, which make up nearly three-quarters of the global debuts in Paris. This reflects market realities but clashes with the industry's challenges, including increasingly stringent emissions standards and the need to democratize electric vehicles.

SUV Trend Still Vibrant

SUVs are heavier, less efficient, and more expensive. Apart from a few Chinese models and the Citroën ë-C3 and Renault 5, which start at around the strategic 20,000 euro price point, most new models have base prices ranging between 35,000 and 40,000 euros.

This may be where the future of a more sustainable and less emotionally driven automotive industry lies.

More Sustainable, Less Emotional

Automakers are caught between the race for volume and the race for financial margins, but the key to success may lie in making new technologies accessible to everyone—and fast—in order to maintain the industrial ecosystem crucial for the continent.

Without this, a fierce price war could erupt, with potentially dramatic consequences. The recent announcements of job cuts and factory closures are only a prelude.

Jérôme Marchon is a freelance automotive journalist from Western Switzerland. He is editor-in-chief of «Contact!», the mobility magazine for Journal de l'Immobilier/Le Temps and a regular contributor to various other media outlets.