It is being decided whether there will be a European “Airbus of cars”
Car shows have certainly lost much of their luster. Many were discontinued, the biggest casualty being surely the Geneva salon, which closed its doors for good after this year’s disappointing edition. And the German IAA is no longer the same. The exhibition is no longer held in Frankfurt, but in Munich it has significantly changed its concept.
The only European salon that has somewhat managed to stand the test of time is the one in Paris. He still managed to attract the attention of major car manufacturers, despite the fact that in recent years Paris itself
there is a lot of “anti-car” sentiment
with numerous driving bans, restrictions and incredibly salty parking prices for certain types of cars such as heavier crossovers.
European manufacturers will try to overshadow the competition from China. In addition to the French companies, the German brands Audi, BMW, Volkswagen and the Czech Skoda are returning to the salon in the French capital. To the surprise of many, Tesla was also at the show. Mercedes is missing from the big names. Apart from the German premium brand, Cupra, Hyundai, Jeep, Lamborghini, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Polestar, Seat, Suzuki, Volvo and Zeekr are also missing.
Fortunately, the list of participants is much longer, and in addition to many traditional companies, the lineup of the salon is strengthened by newer Chinese brands such as BYD, Dongfeng Forthing, GAC, Leapmotor, Seres and XPeng.
The exhibition in Paris shows how
Western manufacturers are struggling to catch up
in the stagnant electric car market as they face increasingly fierce competition from China.
A very important meeting between three European giants – the French Renault and Stellantis, as well as BMW – should take place within the salon. It could lead to the formation of a partnership aimed at consolidating the European automotive industry.
Such a three-way pact could allow Renault, Stellantis and BMW to pool their resources and technologies, providing a united front to address the challenges of electrification, growing regulatory pressure and competition from Asia. BMW, with its expertise in electric cars, could add a significant level of strength to the alliance, potentially creating a more pan-European initiative.
While the possibility of a Renault-Stellantis merger remains speculative, the coming weeks may shed light on whether this ambitious vision of an “Airbus of Cars” can become a reality. Whether through merger or strategic alliance, the European automotive sector appears to be moving towards a more collaborative future to survive in an increasingly competitive and evolving car market.
Almost 50 manufacturers are participating in the Paris show. Visitors will be able to walk the aisles of pavilions 4, 5 and 6 to discover the latest developments in the automotive world. A total of no less than 70,000 square meters of space has been set aside for cars.
In the spotlight are the so-called cars without license
We are talking about the small urban electric vehicles, which in France do not require a license and can be driven even by 14-year-olds.
Between 2019 and 2023, the market for this type of vehicle has doubled, going from 13,376 to 26,238 registrations. After the Renault Twizy, now the electric Citroen Ami is the star in the segment of light four-wheelers. However, there are also new variants of the local brand Aixam Mega.
For its part, its rival Ligier is also presenting its electric Myli, as well as two new world premieres. Renault Mobilize is showing the Duo model, an electric quadricycle with or without a license, as well as the Bento, a micro-utility device designed for the city.
Other unlicensed car manufacturers, less known to the general public, are also present in Paris this year. Eon Motors introduces electric Weez City Pro, city utility vehicle City Duo and City 4 (four-seater model).
The Swiss manufacturer Softcar is showing a lightweight model that
aims for the lowest possible carbon footprint,
with local production close to the point of sale.
The Pilotcar brand also offers a range of license-free cars equipped with a 100% electric engine, among which we will find the P-1000, a pickup truck with a useful purpose and already promising a range of 220 km.
Already famous on European streets, the 100% electric Microlino is also present at the Paris Motor Show: inspired by the Isetta of the 1950s, the new small city car is light and comfortable, with a range of up to 230 km.
