What’s Coming to This Year’s Paris Motor Show

The Paris Motor Show has traditionally been a big event for European automakers and, in some ways, it could prove even more important this year, as Western manufacturers roll out new products designed to hold back increasingly aggressive Chinese competitors. Headlight.News looks at some of the most important products set to debut in the City of Lights this coming week.

The final set-up is underway at the Porte de Versailles convention center, the annual Paris Motor Show set to run from October 14 to 20. As has been the case at other major car shows over the last few years, a number of familiar brands – including Hyundai, Jeep Mercedes-Benz and Nissan – will sit it out this time around.

Nonetheless, the 2024 Paris Motor Show will be a big one, with dozens of other brands vying for consumer attention. And that will include some names that Western buyers may not yet be familiar with, such as BYD, Dongfeng, Leapmotor and Xping. Chinese auto exports have more than quintupled since the beginning of the decade and while they currently hold just a 3% market share, KPMG has forecast that could jump to 15% over the next several years.

European Union lawmakers last week voted to impose new duties on Chinese-made EVs if the Beijing government doesn’t come up with its own solution to slow that growth by an October 31 deadline. But it’s far from clear that this will shut the door on the Chinese who aim to continue gaining ground with new product at discount prices.

Here’s a look at some of the most important products making their debut at the 2024 Paris Motor Show:

Alpine

For the most part, Chinese automakers are focusing on electrified vehicles, both EV and plug-in hybrids. And Western manufacturers are countering with plenty of their own battery models in Paris. Alpine, a sporty Renault brand, will offer a hint of what it’s working on with several concepts, including the A390b, a coupe-like crossover, as well as the Alpenglow Hy6, a hydrogen-powered supercar. The automaker hints that the Alpenglow could return in production form by 2028 and the 600-hp might, as well.

Audi

The high-line member of the Volkswagen Group has been rolling out one new EV after another and will continue that march in Paris. It’s expected to debut the Q6 e-tron Sportback EV, a coupe-style cousin of the Q6 crossover revealed last spring. The Q6 line is the first to make use of the all-new Premium Platform Electric, or PPE, architecture developed in a partnership between the Audi and Porsche brands. Also look for Audi’s next-gen Q5 to make its first public appearance.

BMW

The Bavarian automaker is planning to make some radical moves when it comes to its future EV line-up and its been offering a good hint of what’s to come with the Neue Klasse concepts. While it has yet to confirm plans for Paris, BMW is widely expected to finally show off a production model, based on the Vision Neue Klasse X, that will be dubbed the iX3. The Neue Klasse, CEO Oliver Zipse said earlier this year, “is redefining the BMW brand – and, at the same time, will be more BMW than ever.”

BYD

The company’s name is short for “Build Your Dreams,” and it’s certainly lived up to that, late last year surpassing Tesla as the world’s best-selling EV maker. It’s entered Europe with a mix of EVs and PHEVs. The automaker launched its European offensive at the Paris Motor Show two years ago and has promised to introduce “a new European product” this year. It’s reported to be the Sealion crossover, according to Automotive News.

Cadillac

While General Motors sold off its long-struggling Opel brand it’s looking for ways to rebuild a European footprint and is counting on Cadillac to do so. More precisely, it’s looking to Caddy to help break into the fast-growing European market for high-line EVs. Look for it to show off a version of the Lyriq crossover. But word has it that we could also see a European debut of the smaller Optiq model. And there’s a slight chance Cadillac might also display the bespoke, $300,000 Celestiq.

Ford

The Detroit automaker has several all-electric products set to debut in Paris. The first will mark the revival of the once-familiar Capri nameplate – though it will have nothing in common with the original. The all-electric coupe-crossover will be the second model to emerge from a joint venture with Volkswagen using the German marque’s MEB architecture. Some sources also expect to see Ford introduce the new Puma GEN-E battery-electric vehicle, a subcompact crossover.

Kia

The little Kia EV3 will make its first European appearance in Paris. It’s already on sale in Europe and will roll into EU showrooms before the end of the year. At a starting price of around 35,000 euros it will be a critical entry aimed at holding off Chinese competition. There are some reports that we could also see the Korean maker use the Paris show to reveal a mid-cycle facelift for the bigger EV6 crossover.

Leapmotor

This small but fast-growing Chinese brand has an ally in the EU thanks to a developing alliance with Stellantis – which sees it as a way to fight fire with fire. It plans to deliver an assortment of low-priced EVs to the European market, including the B10, a compact SUV set to debut in Paris, as well as its little T03 and midsize C10 all-electric SUVs.

Peugeot

The French automaker has scored well with the latest version of its 408 crossover – which currently is offered in gas, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. The new E-408 will – as its name suggests – become the first all-electric version. Offering a range of more than 280 miles, it’s targeting such imports as the Kia EV-6.

Renault

The other hometown brand, Paris-based Renault is taking a retro-futuristic approach this year with all-electric models like the R4 E-Tech, a mini crossover, and the distinctive Renault 17 Electric Restomod. While it picks up classic 1970s-era design cues, the Restomod adds some decidedly modern details, including its slit-like LED headlamps. For now, it’s expected to remain a one-off. Renault adopts a far more modern approach for another crossover EV concept, the Embleme – which uses hydrogen fuel-cell technology to extend the range of its battery pack.

Skoda

The Czech-based member of the Volkswagen Group will reveal yet another all-electric model based on VW’s MEB architecture. The Skoda Elroq will offer a variety of different configurations, including three different electric drivetrains available in rear- and all-wheel-drive configurations. Range is expected to reach as high as 361 miles – using the European WLTP test cycle. As with its gas models, the Skoda Elroq will target more budget-minded buyers, including those who might otherwise consider Chinese brands.

Volkswagen

The new Volkswagen Tayron is meant to replace the old VW Allspace. American motorists should check the new offering out carefully, as it is expected to come to the States as the next-gen Tiguan. Look for VW to offer Tayron with a variety of gas and electrified drivetrain options. We may also see the new ID.GTI Concept debut in Paris.

Other Debuts

While a number of brands are sitting out this year’s Paris Motor Show we’ll see at least a few other noteworthy launches – whether global or regional – next week. These include:

• The Mini Aceman EV will be one of several debuts, including two all-electric JCW models;
• Three from Alfa-Romeo, including the Tonale, the Junior Veloce EV, and the Giulia Quadrifoglio SuperSport;
• The Fiat Grand Panda, set to be the largest model in the line-up;
• And Tesla is planning to show off the Cybertruck for the first time in Europe.