How to adapt to electric vehicles, and quickly? This is the question that obsesses all participants in the Paris Motor Show, which takes place in Paris, Porte de Versailles, from October 14 to 20. “We would have liked it to last one more weekend”says Serge Gachot, who organizes this automobile festival and managed to bring together forty-eight brands. It was not won. The Geneva Motor Show, reduced to a minimum in February, has thrown in the towel and will not meet again in 2025. The Paris Motor Show has the support of Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault and president of the Association of European Manufacturers d’ automobiles (ACEA), which wants to preserve the “attractive” in the sector and plays big this year with the launch of the electric R5.
The Bavarian manufacturer BMW occupies second place on the list of participants: the Paris fair is held alternately with that of Munich, the city where the German company has its headquarters. For Vincent Salimon, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW France, these two groups need each other to prosper. “We need a great European exhibition every year to support the industry, passion and innovation”he assures. Everyone wants to get the sector out of its depression and not leave this role solely to the Chinese. They do not skimp on resources: the manufacturer XPeng, allied with Volkswagen, comes with its flying car, a small concentrate of technology.
The manufacturers’ equation for the coming years is delicate. In France, during the first nine months of 2024, registrations fell by 1.8% compared to 2023. And compared to the pre-Covid period, in 2019, they fell by 23.2%. The slowdown accelerated in the third quarter, worries Mobilians, which groups car dealers, “with a 12% drop in registrations and even a 12.4% drop for electric vehicles”. This depression worries manufacturers. At this level of sales in France (around 1.8 million vehicles), “We no longer renew the park, which ages six months every year”laments Vincent Salimon, who calls for more visibility on the rules, bonuses or penalties.
Threat of heavy fines
By announcing a tightening of sanctions until 2027 and a reduction in the budget dedicated to bonuses, the Barnier government has initiated a response that will, however, not satisfy the sector: this increase in sanctions is widely criticized by professional organizations. . “It is a double punishment”launched, during a press conference, Luc Chatel, president of the Automotive Platform, which represents equipment manufacturers and suppliers. For one thing, electric car sales are falling. “And, on the other hand, they are going to tax our historical activity (gasoline and diesel engines), which still represents 85% of the market”he explained. But the Government’s approach sets a clear course: that of the electrification of the fleet, penalizing the most polluting models.
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