Renault Flies the Flag

French brand Renault took full advantage of the showcase provided by its national auto show to unveil its bold plans to embrace electrification at all levels of the market.

Moving Towards Urban Mobility

Carmakers are cautious about adopting urban mobility, as some brands with previously established mobility schemes have been burned by financial losses caused by low take-up and regulatory barriers (International Transport Forum, 2023). However, there will be a place for small electric vehicles in future urban mobility scenarios for commuters and cargo – so those already dipping a toe in the segment could find themselves with first-mover advantages.

Chinese Carmakers Ignore Tariff Talk

With the European Union set to impose tariffs on Chinese cars imported into the continent, there were plenty of conversations in Paris on the impact the move would have – with the Chinese cars on show highlighting their competitive threat to the European market by wooing consumers with impressive design and range.

Not Quite Business as Usual for European Brands

Established European manufacturers are currently suffering from sluggish demand, slower-than-expected take-up of electric vehicles, and a host of other challenges – some long-term, others dating back to the pandemic’s supply-chain upheavals. Not many exhibited in Paris, but there were some notable new models on show.