Paris Motor Show kicks off as China-EU rivalry heats up

The biennial Paris Motor Show opened on Monday with over 200 automotive brands showcasing new models and innovations. The event features a record presence of Chinese manufacturers, including brands such as BYD, Chery, Xpeng, and Zeekr, with SABC News reporting that approximately 20 Chinese brands are attending, doubling their presence from 2024.

The exhibition arrives as the European Union has announced a deal with China to limit imports of Chinese hybrid vehicles to a cap of 350,000 per year, according to a European Commission official cited by SABC News. Renault CEO Francois Provost described the agreement as "better than a trade war," noting that the current influx of Chinese hybrid imports into the EU is "not sustainable."

While the deal was welcomed by European manufacturers, Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa called it a "good milestone" while noting the company is seeking assistance with high energy costs from the Italian government. Changan president Zhao Fei stated he was "not that concerned" by the deal, suggesting that local content rules could be addressed by establishing production within the region.

Brief written by urgent.news from France 24 Business, SABC News, France 24 — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.