Chinese automotive brands have staged their largest-ever presence at the 91st Paris Motor Show, with 16 Chinese automakers bringing 25 brands to the show — nearly double the number at the previous edition in 2024. Industry observers say Chinese carmakers have moved from "tentative participation" to "systematic rooting" in Europe, shifting their focus from simply displaying products to seeking local partnerships and building brand recognition.
Li Auto premiered its Li 6 (the i6 sold in China) at the show and announced it will enter the European market in the first quarter of 2027, starting with the Netherlands and Norway, with extended-range models to follow. The company said it aims to carry its premium positioning from China directly into competition with established European high-end brands.
Xpeng Group unveiled European pricing for its new G9L flagship SUV, starting at 74,600 euros in Germany and 74,990 euros in France. The model will be produced at Magna's plant in Austria, with deliveries planned from December 2026. He Xiaopeng, chairman of Xpeng, said the company will pursue a differentiated high-tech, mid-to-high-end strategy in Europe rather than competing on price, noting that the average selling price of Xpeng models in Europe already exceeds 40,000 euros.
BYD displayed its seven-seat all-electric ATTO 8 SUV equipped with the second-generation Blade Battery and flash-charging technology, planned for launch in the first quarter of 2027, along with the Europe-specific DOLPHIN G DM-i. At the same show, Leapmotor announced that its B10 compact SUV has officially entered production at the Zaragoza plant in Spain, jointly built with Stellantis and dedicated to the European market.
Source: China Business Journal; China Industry and Information Technology News
