China's EVs, components grab attention from Europe at Paris auto show

China

China's EVs, components grab attention from Europe at Paris auto show

2024-10-16 19:26 Last Updated At：23:47

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠China's electric vehicles (EVs) and a wide range of EV-related auto parts including batteries are highlighted at the 2024 Paris Motor show that started on Monday in France, capturing attentions of many European auto professionials.

The week-long exhibition, which runs through to Oct. 20, is showcasing the latest innovations in the automotive industry, and marks the first major automotive exhibition held following the European Union's approval of hiking tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles earlier this month.

Many representatives of European exhibitors at the show have expressed their enthusiasm for China's electric vehicle industry chain products, saying the competition between European and Chinese carmakers should be market-oriented.

"Europe is a little bit late in EV industry, and we have to admit this. Our equipment products are also falling behind. I'm standing at an exhibition section of a Chinese battery maker with sophisticated battery-making technologies that I discovered only yesterday. European people need to understand how to manufacture batteries better. I have seen high-end EVs and electric supercars at an auto show in Beijing, so our Chinese friends know exactly how to make such cars," said Serge Bierry, co-founder of Prestige Auto Beaune.

European carmakers belive China and Europe should cooperate in EV industry as China plays an important role in providing raw materials and batteries.

"I think this collaboration actually is absolutely necessary because I can see the European cost, the price of it is so high in comparison with the Chinese car. So I think the future is about collaboration between China and Europe," said José Diez Climent, a strategic project director general from Generalitat Valenciana.

José Diez Climent, Director Generak de Proyectis Estratégicos Presidencia de la Generalitat Valenciana

The auto show has boosted the confidence of Chinese companies as they find they are taking the lead in global EV industry.

Many clients from Europe have acknowledged that they are lagging behind Chinese brands in the EV and EV-related auto parts manufacturing industries, so some senior employees from overseas original equipment manufacturers flocked to China during last year's auto show to see what progress Chinese brands have made, said Cao Kai, an exhibitor of a Chinese brand.

"Against this backdrop, many European companies are trying to catch up with Chinese brands in terms of EV technologies and auto parts," said Cao.

Iranians in Türkiye return home, fearing for their families amid unrest in Iran

Some Iranians in Türkiye are crossing back over the border, driven by worry and desperation, as a nationwide communications blackout in Iran has left them cut off from their loved ones.

Protests have erupted in many Iranian cities since Dec. 28. They initially began with Tehran bazaar merchants demonstrating against the sharp devaluation of the national currency rial, and soaring inflation, before spreading to other cities. The unrest has led to casualties among both security forces and civilians.

At the Turkish-Iranian border, many are returning with no certainty about what awaits them, filled instead with questions and growing fear for those on the other side of the border.

"I went to Van yesterday for internet. I urgently needed to use the internet. I got it done. Now I'm heading straight back. There are protests everywhere. We can't get any news. We can't communicate with our families. And it's not just me, there are many Iranians outside the country who can't reach their families," said Feriste, an Iranian citizen.

With communications blacked out across Iran, those outside the country feel powerless to check on the situation back home. For some, this silence has prompted them to return across the border, even as tensions continue to rise.

"We can't get any news. There is no internet. Everything is shut down. I want to search. I want to find out. I want to see my brother. I'm going to see my family," said Husnu, an Iranian citizen.

"I work in Türkiye, and I have no news from Iran at all. I'm going back because I'm worried about my family. It's been days since I last heard from them, and because I'm worried, I'm returning to Iran now. Of course, we are concerned about our safety. We don't know what awaits us there," said another Iranian.

With protests escalating and government blackouts still in place, many Iranians are caught between staying in safety abroad and risking everything to reconnect with their families.

"We had to come to Türkiye because we couldn't reach our families. Schools were closed already. All official institutions were shut down. We have no information about other cities either, because there is no communication network there. There is no television, no internet. We can't even check Twitter," said Nazlican, another Iranian citizen.