Model blitz at Paris motor show as Europe-China rivalry heats up
XLY•Carmakers were expected to unveil up to 60 models at the Paris show, as European manufacturers welcomed a tentative EU-China deal capping Chinese hybrid imports at 350,000 a year. Around 20 Chinese brands attended, double their presence in 2024, as they seek growth overseas amid weaker demand at home.
1. New models and trade deal
European automakers launched new models at the Paris motor show as Chinese automakers expanded their presence. The show opened days after the EU announced a tentative deal with China to cap Chinese hybrid imports at 350,000 a year; details have yet to be finalized. Renault CEO Francois Provost called the flood of Chinese hybrid imports “not sustainable” and described the agreement as “better than a trade war.”
2. Brands seek European growth
Around 20 Chinese brands, including BYD and Chery, attended the show, twice as many as in 2024. Chinese hybrid exports to the EU tripled to $7.5 billion in the first half of the year, Chinese customs data showed. Changan said it was in talks about producing vehicles in Europe and hoped to build its first European-made car in early 2027; BYD is studying the possibility of building a factory in France.
3. Automakers outline plans
Stellantis is launching six models across its European brands and showing nine concept cars. It also plans to build small electric vehicles in Italy using a platform developed with Leapmotor. Separately, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Stellantis expanded their partnership to include technology and product development, with plans to build vehicles in India for more than 50 global markets.
