Paris Motor Show opens as Chinese brands gain ground in Europe
The 91st Paris Motor Show opens its doors at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles on 12 October, with the public admitted from 13 to 18 October. The event, which began in 1898 in the Tuileries Gardens, is expected to showcase around one hundred new models. Serge Gachot, CEO of the Paris Motor Show, stressed the importance of physical experience, saying, “I really think people need to see the cars, touch them, sit in them, try them out,” especially for electric models.
European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) data show fully electric cars accounted for 21.7 percent of new vehicle registrations in the EU during the first eight months of 2026, up from 15.8 percent a year earlier. France recorded one of the strongest increases, with registrations of fully electric vehicles rising 74.2 percent year on year. Hybrid electric vehicles remained the most popular powertrain, holding a 36.6 percent market share, while plug-in hybrids reached 10 percent. The combined share of petrol and diesel fell to 29 percent from 37.5 percent a year earlier.
Chinese brands and trade tensions
Around twenty Chinese brands are expected at the show, reflecting their growing presence in Europe. Tim Urquhart, principal automotive analyst at Mobility Global, said, “The outlook is extremely worrying for traditional European carmakers.” He noted that China’s car industry has advanced remarkably over the past decade, and even more so in the last five years. European buyers are increasingly shifting away from petrol and diesel cars, driven by high fuel prices, government support, and a wider choice of cheaper electric vehicles.
High oil prices, linked to the conflict involving Iran, are putting pressure on margins. European manufacturers also face weak consumer confidence, tighter emissions rules, and mounting pressures in China. Urquhart observed that the Chinese market was once a cash cow for German giants Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, but that is no longer the case. The EU and China remain locked in a trade dispute over state aid, customs duties, and the influx of Chinese vehicles into Europe. Retro-inspired models are expected to be a standout theme, with brands such as Renault, Citroën, Peugeot, Opel, Lancia, and Fiat looking to both the past and the future.
