Manning the global motoring news wires on an average day in 2024, there is often at least one story to be found involving gloom in the European car industry.
From slow uptake of electric vehicle (EV) models to brands like Volkswagen weighing up plant closures, push back about stricter emissions regulations and debates about tariffs for Chinese imports — times are heavy.
Against that backdrop, the biennial Paris motor show took place last week.
It has been said before that traditional grand car exhibitions are no longer as fashionable as they once were. The internet can render “hot” reveals stale — faster than one scrolls to the next Instagram reel.
But some of the highlights from this year’s show in the city of love created the impression that European carmakers are still happy to put on a spectacle. Or that they realise they need to dial up all the hype they can muster to try to stand ground against the growing giant that is China.
Fittingly, we should start this off with a French brand. In South Africa, Renault is best known for crappy, subpar offerings like the Kwid and Triber. Abroad, its latest selection of compacts seems far more endearing. That will soon include the new R4, a charming EV tracing its spirit to the Renault 4 of the 1960s.
The brand also showed off a pair of exquisite concepts: the 17 coupé and Emblème concept, which almost puts you in mind of a Gallic Ferrari Purosangue.
Countrymen Citroën, a part of the diverse Stellantis group, showcased the edgy new C5 Aircross concept.
It eschews the loaf-like aesthetic of the outgoing vehicle in favour of a squarer, bolder look. When it reaches production, the C5 will be offered in hybrid and pure electric formats. Citroën also revealed the updated C4, C4 X as well as a minor refresh for the delectable little Ami.
Sister brand Peugeot had less to crow about, with its electric E-408 being the main debut. Also on the stand was a showcase about the Hypersquare steering wheel template, modelled on a gaming console. Apparently it could feature in mainstream Peugeot cars from 2026.
Onto the Germans, Volkswagen was meek in Paris, parading its Tayron. This is essentially a Tiguan with longer legs, available in seven-seat configuration. It is confirmed for South Africa in 2025.
The upmarket compact division of BMW, Mini, had its spicy John Cooper Works three-door on show. Retaining a conventional 2.0-litre internal combustion motor, wielding a
0-100km/h sprint of just under six seconds, it looks set to keep hot hatchback purists happy.
While the French marques strove to have the limelight in Paris, the Chinese made their presence felt.
Leapmotor is a Chinese EV brand — which Stellantis owns a stake in and has agreed to be its distributorship partner. It debuted the B10, a C-segment sport-utility vehicle intended for global markets. The car looks like a Porsche Cayenne as imagined in a Dr Seuss film adaptation.
BYD, which recently launched the Seal in South Africa, took the wraps off the Sealion 7 crossover. They seem to like aquatic creatures.
Skywell came to the party with a hatchback named the Q; and Xpeng declared war with BMW i4, with its streamlined P7+ saloon.
