Paris Motorshow 2026: Context
- 说明
Paris Motorshow 2026: Context
• The Paris Motor Show 2026 will be held from October 12 to 18, 2026, in an important context for the European automotive industry. Organised every two years, alternating with IAA Mobility in Munich, the Paris Motor Show will be a key event this year for understanding developments in the sector and the ongoing changes in the global automotive market.
• Demand in Europe remains below pre-pandemic levels and has still not returned to expected levels. At the same time, carmakers are facing an increasingly challenging international environment. Some export markets are closing due to protectionist policies, particularly in the United States. In China, European carmakers are also facing stiff competition from local carmakers and growing competitiveness challenges.
• However, some markets offer new export opportunities for European industry. Brazil and India , particularly thanks to new free trade agreements, could represent growth drivers for European carmakers and suppliers. These markets are not expected, however, to fully offset the decline in certain key markets, notably China , in the short term.
• The good news is that sales of electric and electrified vehicles are increasing in Europe. This transition must be supported and accelerated to achieve the European targets for 2035. Key issues include vehicle pricing, consumer accessibility, and the development of charging networks. These remain important topics.
• In this context, the arrival and growth of Chinese carmakers in Europe represents a major shift for the sector. Their presence is no longer limited to vehicle sales. They are also beginning to consider or establish industrial operations in Europe, with various options: building new factories, acquiring existing ones, or utilising currently available production capacity. This development raises several questions for European industry, particularly regarding relationships with European and Chinese suppliers, the organisation of supply chains, and the level of local production.
• Inovev forecasts an increase in the presence of Chinese carmakers in Europe, with production capacity reaching 1.2 million vehicles by 2030 in the most optimistic scenario. However, this does not mean an "invasion" of Europe by Chinese carmakers. Their market share will certainly grow, driven in particular by the novelty of the brands and models offered. But the European automotive industry has strong advantages: technological expertise, a strong and lasting presence among consumers, and the ability to offer increasingly affordable vehicles. The battle is therefore far from won for Chinese carmakers.
A Paris Motor Show that reflects these changes:
• It is in this context that the 2026 Paris Motor Show takes on particular importance. The number and diversity of brands announced clearly demonstrate the changes underway in the automotive industry, especially in Europe.
The show will bring together numerous European carmakers, as well as a significant number of Chinese brands, and Japanese, American, and Korean carmakers.
The show will bring together numerous European carmakers, as well as a significant number of Chinese brands, and Japanese, American, and Korean carmakers.
• Car brands that will be present:
- European brands: AIXAM, ALFA ROMEO, ALPINE, AUDI, CITROEN, CUPRA, DACIA, DS AUTOMOBILES, FIAT, KILOW, LANCIA, MERCEDES, OPEL, PEUGEOT, RENAULT, SKODA, SMART, VOLKSWAGEN, VOLVO
- Chinese brands: AITO, BYD, CHANGAN, CHERY, DENZA, FORTHING, GAC, GEELY, JAECOO, LEAPMOTOR, LI AUTO, LINKTOUR, LYNK & CO, MAXUS, MG, OMODA, XPENG, ZEEKR
- Japanese brands : TOYOTA, HONDA
- American brands : FORD, LUCID, TESLA
- Korean brands : HYUNDAI, KIA
• Several particularly interesting new models have already been announced: Alpine, Mercedes, Volvo, Dacia, Zeekr, Omoda, Jaecoo, and several Chinese brands are expected to present models as European premieres. For example, Zeekr is announcing two brand-new models, and Omoda and Jaecoo are announcing several new models as French debuts.
• However, not all major brands will be present: several significant absences have been noted recently, such as that of BMW.
• Compared to the 2025 IAA, there has been a 50% increase in the number of brands present at the Paris Motor Show (44 brands instead of 29). Chinese brands, in particular, have a greater presence in Paris than in Munich: 18 versus 12. Also noteworthy is the presence of Japanese carmakers Toyota and Honda, who were not present in Munich in 2025.
Stellantis Europe announces 33 new models for 2030
- 说明
Stellantis Europe announces 33 new models for 2030
Stellantis Europe has announced its passenger car product plan for 2026–2030 from Turin, where all of the group's strategic decisions are now made. The plan includes 33 new models and facelifts (MCAs) across its various brands: Peugeot, Fiat, Citroën, Opel, Jeep, Lancia, DS, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati. While most of the new model names are not listed in the table below, the missing names can still be predicted:
- Peugeot : new e-208 (2027), new e-2008 (2027), new 308 (2028), facelifts of the 208, 408, 3008, 5008 models.
- Fiat : Grizzly (2026), Grizzly Fastback (2026), new electric car (2028) and two models not yet specified.
- Citroën : New 2CV Electric (2028), facelift of the C3 and C3 Aircross. Successor to the C4 not planned.
- Opel : new Mokka-based Leap engine B10 (2028), new E-Corsa (2028), new electric car (2028), new Astra (2029)
- Newly designed Jeep Avenger, new Renegade, new D-Class SUV, new e-Recon.
- Lancia : A new model has been announced; the Gamma SUV is scheduled to launch in 2026. It is also included in Project 2030.
- DS : A new model has been announced; the DS N°7 SUV is scheduled to launch in 2026. It is also included in Project 2030.
- Alfa Romeo: Restyled Junior (2027), new Giulietta (2027), new Tonale (2028), new Alfetta (concept), new sports model.
- Maserati : New sports models.
It should be noted that the surprising absence of new models from DS and Lancia between 2027 and 2030 could suggest the hypothesis that these two brands, which are struggling to find customers, will be abandoned in 2035.
The future Ford Kuga will be launched in 2029 based on the Geely platform
- 说明
The future Ford Kuga will be launched in 2029 based on the Geely platform
- The American manufacturer Ford has gradually discontinued production of all sedans sold in the USA and Europe. While SUVs, pickups, and the Mustang Coupé will remain, the Transit, Transit Custom, Transit Connect, and Transit Courier models have fundamentally different dimensions.
- We've already seen that Ford plans to return to the European sedan market, notably with the launch of the new all-electric Fiesta (B-segment) in 2028, based on the Renault 5 E-Tech. The manufacturer also intends to bring back the Focus in 2029, this time as a C-segment SUV to compete with the Volkswagen T-Roc.
- The Ford Kuga will skip segments C and D and be replaced by a new model in 2029. The upcoming generation of the Ford Kuga will be innovative in that it will be the first to feature a Chinese design by Geely (BYD's second Chinese design). Geely manufactures certain parts of its SUV components at Ford's plant in Valencia, Spain, where it also produces the Ford Kuga and the 2028 model year.
- This partnership allows Ford to save on development costs for the future Kuga, while Geely secures a permanent presence in the European market by avoiding tariffs on vehicles imported from China. Furthermore, Geely's establishment in Valencia will increase the utilization of the largely underutilized plant (100,000 units produced in 2025 out of a capacity of 400,000).
- The future Geely-based Ford Kuga will be available as a pure electric vehicle, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and an extended range electric vehicle (REEV) to appeal to the widest possible customer base.
Stellantis plant in Zaragoza prepares for production of Leapmotor vehicles
- 说明
Stellantis plant in Zaragoza prepares for production of Leapmotor vehicles
- The Stellantis Group is preparing its Spanish plant in Zaragoza to produce five new models under the Opel, Peugeot and Leapmotor brands between October 2026 and April 2028 .
• October 2026: Leapmotor B10 (electric C-class SUV).
• Spring 2027: Leapmotor B05 (electric compact sedan).
• October 2027: new generation of the Peugeot 208 (electric sedan in the B-segment).
• Winter 2027-2028: new generation of the Opel Mokka (electric SUV of the C-segment, derived from the Leapmotor B10).
• Spring 2028: new generation of the Opel Corsa (electric B-segment sedan).
- Please note that the market launch of the new Opel Mokka (which is moving from the B-segment to the C-segment) in 2028 coincides with the end of production of the current Opel Mokka at the Poissy plant in France. This will mark the end of assembly at the French site. Production of the Opel Corsa in Zaragoza is currently scheduled to continue until 2032.
- Stellantis has announced a production rate of 300 vehicles per day, or 60,000 per year, for the Leapmotor B10 series.
- Since the current production capacity of the Zaragoza plant is 480,000 vehicles per year, the four other models have to share the remaining 420,000 units. The plant is operating at a significant underutilization rate, which is why Stellantis is using Leapmotor to boost production: By 2025, 250,000 vehicles are to be produced in Zaragoza, including 206,000 Opel Corsas, 31,000 Peugeot e-208s, and 13,000 Lancia Ypsilons. Production of the latter will cease in 2030 and will not have a successor.
The Volkswagen Group plans to discontinue 50% of its models by 2030
- 说明
The Volkswagen Group plans to discontinue 50% of its models by 2030
- Following the announcement of 100,000 job cuts, the potential closure of four plants in Germany, and a reduction in production capacity by one million vehicles in Europe (734,000 of which are in Germany), the Volkswagen Group confirmed that 50% of its models will be discontinued worldwide by 2030. The Group's model portfolio is expected to continue to comprise 90 different models (fewer than 40 in China) that remain available in 2030.
- The leading European and second-largest global car manufacturer (after Toyota) has been struggling with difficulties for several years.
- The diesel scandal, which came to light in 2015, marked a significant turning point for the manufacturer: it paid out a substantial compensation of €30 billion, banned diesel engines, and developed a system of all-electric vehicles (ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, ID.7, ID. Buzz) that was launched in 2020. These models are related in Europe but are also offered in China and the USA. In fact, the Volkswagen Group failed in the Chinese electric vehicle market. This is the main reason for the dramatic events in China.
- Fortunately, Skoda (a Volkswagen Group brand) has launched its own Plus model with a fully electric drive, which is now the only model available in Europe. Audi also offers something similar, but targets a more affluent customer base.
- The new small electric cars (Volkswagen ID Polo, Volkswagen ID Cross, Skoda Epiq, Cupra Raval, Audi A2) are primarily designed to replace the manufacturer's existing vehicles. The Volkswagen Group produced 3.2 million vehicles worldwide in the first five months of 2026, compared to 3.6 million in the first five months of 2025, representing a decrease of 11%.