Paris Auto Show – EV Focus and Chinese Push
Marc Amblard
Senior Advisor on the Mobility Revolution & Autotech | Based in San Francisco
I just spent a week in Paris where I attended the Mondial de L’Auto, the now semi-annual auto show, as well as two industry events and a number of client meetings. The general tone was somewhat gloomy as overall volumes disappoint and EV sales growth is far from meeting expectations, akin what is happening in the US. Many OEMs and suppliers have announced profit warnings for 2024 and 2025 budgets prove to be delicate balancing acts.
An Industry Under Intense Pressure
At the PFA event (Plateforme Française de l’Automobile), the CEOs of Stellantis, Renault, BMW Valeo and TotalEnergies insisted that the European auto industry is under very significant stress even as it is innovating the most ever in its history. It represents 8% of the region’s GDP and 13 million jobs. Car production is expected to drop 15% vs. 2023 while EV penetration is stagnating this year.
Pressure from China is building up with an increasing number of players and models. In addition, it is estimated that China gained 25% in competitiveness vs. Europe since 2020, in large part due to a lack of inflation there, and a significant increase in energy prices in Europe. Nevertheless, imports tariffs into the EU go up to 25-45% (depending on the OEM) on November 1, 2024 after an in-depth analysis showed unfair subsidies in China. This can somewhat rebalance the playing field. Yet, China maintains a major advantage in the speed of execution, thus the ability of its industry to adapt.
The slower-than-expected shift to a zero-emission fleet has triggered a request by many industry players for the EU to delay the January 2025 drop in CAFE CO2 standard as well as to reconsider the 2035 ICE ban. Nevertheless, Carlos Tavares of Stellantis is going against the flow, opposing any delay to the plan which has been known since 2019. He claims his company is ready — and so should others — and our planet cannot wait.
The Mondial de L’Auto — European OEMs are Fighting Back
Spanning across five halls, the 90th edition of the Paris auto show experienced a come-back vs. the last one in 2022. For reference, no German, U.S., Japanese or Koreans OEMs participated in the last edition whereas there was a significant Chinese presence — see my October 2022 article. This time, Europeans made a strong showing, the US were represented by Ford, Cadillac and Tesla, and Korea by Hyundai and Kia, but Japan skipped the event again. However, China had again a strong presence. In the end, over 500,000 visitors attended the show.
Not only were European OEMs well represented but they also showed their ability to introduce lower-priced EVs which should trigger renewed sales growth. This was particularly visible at the impressive Renault Group exhibit with several vehicles priced (or soon to be) at or below 25k€. They joined Stellantis’ Citroën ë-C3 and Leapmotor T03, priced respectively at 23k€ and 19k€. The recent introduction of some of these vehicles is already resulting in a spike of the BEV share to 20% in France in September. Will this really be the beginning of a new growth cycle?
Stellantis
A handful of the group’s brands were present, i.e., Peugeot, Citroën, Alfa Romeo and well as its Chinese partner Leapmotor (presented in the Chinese section below). Citroën displayed ë-C4, its new C4, electric, C4X, as well as a C5 Aircross concept. The brand was the first to offer a BEV below 25k€ with the ë-C3 which offer a range of 320 km WLTP from its 44-kWh battery.
Peugeot introduced a new electric powertrain for the 4008 SUV, enabling 502 km WLTP from 73 kWh of useable capacity. The brand also displayed a concept car featuring a rectangular or “hypersquare” steering wheel. In 2026, it is expected to replace the brand’s signature small, round steering wheel above (rather than through) which the instrument panel can be seen. Also, battery cells made in France by ACC (JV between Stellantis, Mercedes Benz and TotalEnergies) are used for the first time on the Peugeot 3008 and Opel Grandland.
Lastly, Alfa Romeo displayed the superb 33 Stradale, a high-performance coupe offered either as a BEV (750+ hp, 102 kWh, 800V architecture) or an ICE version (3l twin turbo V6, 620+ hp) (above). The Italian brand also featured the Junior, a B-segment hatchback either HEV or BEV with 54 kWh.
Renault
The French Group has a significant presence occupying almost a whole hall for its brands: Renault, Dacia, Alpine and mobility service-focused Mobilize.
The R5 was presented in its final livery, now ready to hit the market. Styled after the R5 introduced in the 1970s, the 4-door hatchback starts at 33k€ with 150 hp, 52 kWh from an NMC battery, and V2G/V2L capability. A 25k€ (pre bonus) version with 40 kWh, 90 hp will be available for order by end 2025. But it will only be capable of 11 kW charge.
Styled after the R4 introduced in the 1960s, the new R4 is a B-segment SUV built on the same platform as the R5. It will go on sale in Spring 2025. The retro movement does not stop here. A Twingo concept BEV was on display, heavily inspired from the 1990s model. On the Mobilize exhibit, one could see Duo and Bento, a pair of urban mobility & logistics vehicles.
The famed Alpine brand was brought back to life in 2017 with the light, agile A110. Derived from the new R5, the sporty A290 offers 180 or 220 hp and for sale now at a starting price of 46k€. Expanding to 4-doors, Alpine presented the A390 concept, a mid-size coupe SUV featuring three motors and aiming at Porsche Macan and Tesla Model Y. The car will be introduced in 2025 and could come to the USA!
Dacia, the very successful brand of affordable vehicles, introduced Bigster, a larger version of its bestselling Duster. It will also renew Spring, the China-made low-cost EV positioned below 20k€.
Overall, Renault Group clearly positions its new products to restart EV sales growth with affordable BEVs. Interestingly, the OEM also displayed Emblème, a fuel cell-powered concept car, hinting to the fact that it still sees this technology as a possible contributor to achieve zero emission mobility.
Volkswagen Group
The German OEM was present with the VW, Audi, Skoda, and Cupra brands. Presented for the first time, VW Tayron is a seven-seater that will be either HEV or PHEV. The brand also displayed an ID.GTI concept which looks ready for SOP. The Audi brand introduced the Q6 E-tron Sportback, a coupe version of the new electric Q6 E-tron SUV.
BMW had a relatively large booth. However, there was not much in terms of new products. Neue Klasse was still represented by mockups of a sedan and a SUV, both lacking in appeal.
Two U.S.-based OEMs were present in Paris. Cadillac displayed the Lyriq and Optiq. Tesla had its complete product range on display including the new Model 3 Performance and the Cybertruck. However, there are serious doubts as the OEM’s ability to sell the latter in Europe given local crash and pedestrian protection regulations.
The Strong Presence of Chinese OEMs
Eight Chinese brands unveiled their latest models, most of them located in a China-dedicated hall. Conversations with company representatives showed their determination to make strong inroads in Europe.
The vehicles on display generally gave a first good impression. Yet, a closer look, touch and feel provided a different experience. Materials, fit and finish seem subpar compared with European vehicles aiming for similar segments. The advantage these vehicles offer will mostly reside in their pricing relative to the segment corresponding to their respective sizes. The cars on display also featured a high feature content, both physical and digital.
Many of the products presented tend to be larger than your typical vehicle seen on European roads. However, their prices are typically aligned with those in the segment below. These larger vehicles go against the push for smaller, lighter, more natural resource-efficient models many in Europe are pushing for. This may prove to be an issue for Chinese OEMs. How many people in Europe want a 4.8+ meter long SUV?
BYD
The world largest producer of BEVs — and second largest producer of automotive battery cells — aims for 5% of the European market in the mid-term. The company is planning factories in Hungary and Turkey in part to circumvent the 27% tariff the OEM’s product will face starting in November. It also aims to build its European dealer network from 26 today to 120 by end 2025.
Six models were on display. They included the C-segment ATTO3 SUV and Sealion SUV coupe (to challenge Tesla Model 3), the larger, 4.8 m long Seal U SUV, the B-segment Dolphin BEV and the 530 hp, D-segment Seal electric sedan. The latter starts at 43k€ until tariffs begin in November.
BYD also displayed the impressive Yangwang U8. Fitted with one motor per wheel, the large, 1200 hp plug-in hybrid SUV is capable of floating on water. It was presented in Europe for the first time even though BYD has no plans to import it at this point.
GAC
Owned by the city of Guangzhou, the OEM presented three passenger vehicles and a super car. GAC’s smallest car is the Aion V, a C-segment SUV. Also on display were Hyptec HT, a 4.9 m long, electric, coupe SUV, and the E9, a plug-in hybrid large van with a massive, in-your-face fascia (below). Hyptec SSR is a fully electric 900 hp, 1230 Nm coupe featuring gull wing doors (below). Distribution plans are uncertain.
Leapmotor
The OEM is 21% owned by Stellantis — a stake acquired in 2023 for 1.5B€. However, all operations outside China are managed by a JV that is 51%-owned by Stellantis. Currently sold in Europe, the T03 is a B-segment EV with 37 kWh, 95 hp, 265 km WLTP, selling for 19.5k€. The car is assembled from SKD kits at a Stellantis plant in Poland. Also sold today is the C10, a 4,9 m long 7-seater electric SUV with 70 kWh and priced at 38k€. Presented for the first time, the B10 electric SUV will go on sale in late 2025 (below).
Leapmotor also announced they will offer versions of B10 and C10 with ICE-based range extenders to complement the BEVs. The company aims to sell 10k units of T03 and C10 in Europe in 2025, leveraging the Stellantis network. Products will increasingly be produced at Stellantis’ Polish plant. This will allow to circumvent EU’s new import tariffs.
Xpeng
The young OEM presented four vehicles: the G6 coupe SUV, G9 7-seater SUV, Mona m03 sedan and the newly released P7+ sedan, aiming for a slice of the premium market. In addition, Xpeng displayed its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, as shown at CES 2024.
Hongqi (or Red Flag)
FAW's high-end brand presented four large EVs positioned in the luxury segment. Sitting at the top of the range, the Guoya is a 5.2 m long, Bentley-style sedan on sale in China and should be introduced in Europe at the end of 2025 (below). The EH7 is a 5.0 m long sedan and the EHS7 5-seater, 4.9 m long SUV. Last, the EHS9 is a 7-seater, 5.0 m long SUV with a Rolls Royce style front end.
Aito
The JV between telco giant Huawei and automotive player Seres had a large booth with six vehicles on display and two technical mockups. All models are available as BEV and PHEV and were presented with a roof-mounted Lidar. All are already sold in China and may come to Europe.
The Aito 5 is a 5-seater, 4.8 m long SUV, with design clues from the Porsche Macan whereas the Aito 7 is a 7-seater, 5.0 m long SUV.
Topping the range is the Aito 9 (below), a 5.2 m long, Mercedes GLS-type SUV presented with a pillar-to-pillar instrument panel, a rear scroll down screen and projector. It can be configured to seat six people or four plus rear facing seats in the trunk — for picnics or tailgate parties. The SUV features giga cast front and rear “assemblies” using a 9800-ton Idra press (also used by Tesla).
Forthing
The Dongfeng-owned brand had four models on display including the S7 Sedan, Friday and U-Tour SUVs as well as the V9 minivan. The latter measures 5.2 m long and features a very chrome-heavy front fascia (below). The 4.9 m long, HEV S7 sedan reminds me of the Nio ET7 or the Xpeng P7. All models offer a single powertrain, being either ICE, BEV or PHEV.
Skyworth
Launched in 2019, the young OEM presented three production models: the “Q” C-segment hatchback, the “K” 5-seat SUV and the Hongtu large cargo van. Whereas the Q is already sold in Europe (starting at 40k€), the hatchback and van are to be introduced in 2025.
I would like to wrap this up with a sporty car that must be really fun to drive. Devalliet is an independent, French carmaker that sells a Caterham-type (though not as extreme) open top two-seater. The vehicle features a Stellantis-sourced 225 hp turbocharged engine which enables a very good power-to-weight ratio given the 680 kg GVW. The company currently sells about 15 units of this 100k€ car per year. All the best, we still need fun cars!
Marc Amblard / Founder & Managing Director, Orsay Consulting
Orsay Consulting is a boutique advisory firm based in Silicon Valley and focused on mobility and autotech. We provide global startup and tech scouting thanks to our proprietary repository with curated information on 4000+ companies across the globe (90%+ startups), deep market insights, executive workshops, keynotes and strategic advisory services to corporate clients. We also advise several startups in the USA and Europe.
Previous articles published in Mobility Revolution since 2016:
Hi Marc, interesting and broad summary. You mention the issue of chinese subsidies but I think you don't go far enough.. some estimates say that for instance Xpeng is losing 9500$ per car sold ! That is unacceptable: we are facing a highly centralised superpower with a strategy of massive subsidies to gain market share to the point of destroying competition, as they have already done for instance in the solar panel industry. There is also another major issue regarding EVs: the weak residual values, even for Teslas (ask the fired CEO of Hertz) before we even talk about multiple chinese brands, a fair proportion of which may not survive very long..
Well done. Thank you!
ADAS/AD perception systems and e-mobility
2moGreat summary Marc!
Thank you for the great summary, keep up the excellent work!