Chinese Automakers Double Presence at Paris Motor Show

Twenty Chinese car brands, including BYD, Chery, Aito, and Avatr, will participate in the upcoming Paris Motor Show, doubling the number of Chinese automakers present at the 2024 event. This expansion follows a rise in Chinese market share in Europe to 10.7 percent during the second quarter, as firms leverage electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids to offset weak domestic demand and trade barriers in the United States.

Chinese automakers have pivoted toward combustion-engine and hybrid models to mitigate the impact of tariffs imposed by the European Union on fully electric cars. In response to this competition, European manufacturers are implementing drastic cost-cutting measures. Volkswagen Group and BMW are cutting thousands of jobs, while Stellantis is launching more affordable models, such as the revived Citroen 2CV, to maintain competitiveness.

Some European firms are pursuing collaboration to survive the shift. Stellantis has partnered with Dongfeng Motor Corporation to access electric vehicle technology and utilize underused factory capacity. Meanwhile, the S.E.R.E.S. Group plans to use the Paris show to launch four premium electric SUVs under its Aito brand.