Paris Motor Show Opens with Focus on Affordable Small EVs
The biennial Paris motor show opens tomorrow with a strong line-up of affordable small electric cars, as European manufacturers respond to the rapid growth of Chinese rivals in the segment.
The Paris motor show opens its doors tomorrow with a clear focus on affordable small electric cars, as European manufacturers prepare to challenge the rapid advance of Chinese brands in the entry-level EV segment. The biennial event is shaping up to be the strongest in years, following a period in which European motor shows struggled to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Leading makers including Audi, Citroën, Dacia, Fiat and Peugeot are all set to stage debuts for important entry-level electric models. Several of these newcomers are expected to be priced well under £20,000, following the lead of the Renault Twingo. The emphasis on small, affordable EVs reflects a broader strategic shift by European car firms, which are developing a wave of low-cost electric vehicles to take on aggressive Chinese rivals.
The headline unveiling is expected to be the revived Citroën 2CV. Plans for the heritage-infused electric model were first revealed early last year. Citroën CEO Xavier Chardon has said the new Tin Snail will have «exactly the same purpose» as its forebear in post-war France, offering affordable transport for the masses. It will be built in Pomigliano, Italy, with prices promised to start below £15,000. However, this year's show car will be a concept, with a production version expected at the 2028 Paris motor show, which will mark the 80th anniversary of the original 2CV's debut.
Other significant debuts include the new Smart #2 city car, the reborn Audi A2 E-tron and Dacia's new Spring supermini. The Audi A2 E-tron returns the cult-classic supermini as an electric family hatchback designed for maximum efficiency, with a range of up to 401 miles. The second-generation Dacia Spring represents a big step up from its predecessor: it will be built in Europe rather than China and is based on the Renault Twingo.
Fiat will present the Grizzly, its largest model yet and a larger version of the Grande Panda conceived as a rival for the Dacia Bigster. The SUV will be available with electric, hybrid and petrol powertrains and is key to the brand's ambitions as it stages a fightback in Europe. Fiat will also show the Multiplay, a concept car inspired by the Multipla that mixes pick-up and SUV elements.
Chinese newcomer Aion will unwrap the GS7, a modified version of sibling brand Trumpchi's S7. The big plug-in hybrid SUV is due in the UK next year. It will be joined on the Paris stand by a second new model, the nature of which the brand has yet to confirm. Stellantis-backed Leapmotor will debut the B03, a small electric hatchback to rival the Renault 5. According to ACEA, Europe's car industry body, Leapmotor sold 56,005 cars in the region during the first half of this year, up by 558% year on year.
Elsewhere, Alpine will present a sculpture offering the best hint yet at the styling of the next-generation A110, showing a sleeker, more aerodynamic shape and hexagonal front lights. The brand will also display a new model codenamed «Projet Spécial 1», which will sit outside its current line-up of everyday cars and its flagship sports car. Alfa Romeo's Cuorerosso concept, described as a manifesto for the brand's future, is set to bring a dramatic shake-up to the look of its future models.
DS, which is facing record-low sales, a shrinking dealer network and a deficit of genuinely competitive products, will unveil a new concept car that could provide a solution. Geely will show the Monjaro, a new flagship plug-in hybrid SUV to rival the Peugeot 5008 and Skoda Kodiaq. Hyundai will present the latest iteration of its best-selling Tucson, due in the UK next March with petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains.
The strong line-up marks a resurgence for the Paris show, which had suffered from low attendance in recent years. The long-running Geneva event was axed and the German show moved from Frankfurt to Munich, but European and Chinese firms are again vying to showcase their offerings. Last year's Munich show featured a number of crucial debutants, and this year's Paris event is shaping up to be stronger than it has been in years.
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