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Paris Motor Show kicks off with Chinese EV brands showcasing latest models

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Paris Motor Show kicks off with Chinese EV brands showcasing latest models

2024-10-16 10:59 Last Updated At:17:27

The 2024 Paris Motor Show kicked off on Monday in Paris, which is expected to attract 500,000 visitors over its seven-day run.

Nine Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers are showcasing their latest models at the show, as they seek to expand their presence in the French and wider European markets.

Chinese brands, including BYD, Hongqi, GAC, and AITO, have occupied significant space in Pavilion 5, where they are showcasing their latest models, innovative designs, and technological advancements.

The BYD debuted its Sealion 7, a mid-size electric SUV, and introduced its luxury Yangwang U8 SUV to the French market.

Xpeng unveiled its P7+ model, which it describes as "the world's first artificial intelligence (AI) vehicle," with prices starting from 209,800 yuan (about 29,600 dollars) per unit. Leapmotor, in collaboration with Stellantis, introduced the B10 model, a compact electric SUV that will be manufactured in Poland for European consumers, according to Leapmotor. It aims to have 500 sales points by the end of 2025 in the region.

China-built EVs totalled 3.5 percent of new registrations in the EU market in 2020, which rose to 27 percent in the second quarter of this year, prompting the EU to take tariff measures to protect its auto producers.

Some Chinese carmakers are now considering to manufacture their vehicles in Europe so that would allow them to bypass the new taxes imposed by the EU from next month on China-produced EVs.

The BYD is already expanding its operation in Europe, according to its European head of communications Jean-Briac Dalibard.

"Through its (BYD's) technology and through its investment in R and D, you must know that we have more than 100,000 engineers. So basically we are having 15 patterns approved every day of the week," Dalibard said in an interview with China Global Television Network, expressing the belief that the BYD is uniquely placed to overtake established European names.

Sales in China for Germany's BMW and Mini, the British brand it owns, fell 30 percent last quarter. German combustion models used to dominate the Chinese market, but EVs and plug-in hybrids now make up more than half of car sales in China.

"We can see competitors, we have many competitors here on the Paris Motor Show and they are offering new electric cars, really interesting for market with lower prices, with smaller cars as well. And it's really interesting," said a staff member from the Czech automobile manufacturer Skoda.

Despite the huge number of chargeable car models making their debut at the Paris Motor Show, EU countries are starting to phase out customer incentives to go green, due to high costs at a time when public finances are tight. While European consumers are still buying EVs, sales of European brands are slowing, coinciding with a rapid shift to EVs from market competitors like China.

The Paris Motor Show spans five halls with 70,000 square meters of indoor space and an additional 15,000 square meters of outdoor exhibition space this year.

Paris Motor Show kicks off with Chinese EV brands showcasing latest models

Paris Motor Show kicks off with Chinese EV brands showcasing latest models

Paris Motor Show kicks off with Chinese EV brands showcasing latest models

Paris Motor Show kicks off with Chinese EV brands showcasing latest models

Paris Motor Show kicks off with Chinese EV brands showcasing latest models

Paris Motor Show kicks off with Chinese EV brands showcasing latest models

Paris Motor Show kicks off with Chinese EV brands showcasing latest models

Paris Motor Show kicks off with Chinese EV brands showcasing latest models

A Mexican youth studying law in China has expressed her hope for more discussions on issues concerning women and other vulnerable groups at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings.

Moraima Ordonez is currently studying for a master's degree in law at Peking University in China. In a video message with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Ordonez said she has been interested in Chinese society and culture since she was a teenager, and has gained a new understanding of Chinese modernization through studying its rule of law.

"The international positioning and rapid development of China were the main interest for me to study China through its law. After coming to China, I found a modern, developed and safe country. My impressions of the Chinese government and the rule of law in China hand in hand with the technological progress led me to conclude that Mexico could learn more from China's experience. I believe that with the increase in the Chinese trade and investment in Mexico, it is important to study China from all perspectives. My commitment after completing my studies is to become a researcher who can add value to academic collaboration related to law studies," said Ordonez.

The 2024 APEC meeting will be held in the Peruvian cities of Lima, Pisco, and Chiclayo from Nov. 10 to Nov. 16. Under the theme of "Empower. Include. Grow."

Ordonez said she expected to see increased dialogue on rights and interests of vulnerable groups especially women at the upcoming event.

"This year the theme of the APEC forum is related to three main topics, 'empower, include, grow.' Considering the value of the forum for the Latin American region, I believe that the discussion should focus on public policies and cooperation projects from empowerment and inclusion of vulnerable groups such as women. Recognizing that women and vulnerable groups represent an important part of the global population, and that their living conditions directly influence global prosperity and stability," she said.

Mexican student in China hopes to see discussions on women issues at upcoming APEC meetings

Mexican student in China hopes to see discussions on women issues at upcoming APEC meetings

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