The strong presence of Chinese competitors at the show, which returns this week after a four-year hiatus due to the pandemic, shows “they are interested in our market, in our customers”, Renault chief executive Luca de Meo said. 

After unveiling Renault’s new electric R5, he insisted Europe’s car industry was “up for the challenge”.

Mr de Meo repeated calls to replicate the success of European airplane maker Airbus for the car industry, by fostering deeper cooperation between car makers. Renault itself is in early talks with Volkswagen to share its Twingo electric platform with the German company, he said.

The Renault chief said he was pushing for EU regulation to be more flexible for small cars to help make them more competitive. In a sign of weakening interest from legacy car for most car shows, there were fewer exhibitors than before covid, with stands in just one hall, rather than in several at the last show in 2019. 

US electric car maker Tesla does not have a stand.

The R5 is central to Renault’s efforts to build affordable electric cars. Rival Stellantis will roll out its electric Citroen e-C3 this year, which starts at €23,300. SAIC’s MG brand announced the European launch of its MG3 hybrid, which is already sold in Britain.

According to French auto consultancy Inovev, with sales of 230,000 cars last year. MG sold two out of three Chinese-made cars in Europe.

Inovev estimates that, including Russia and Turkey, Chinese car makers should sell more than one million vehicles across Europe in 2024.

China’s state-owned SAIC said its electric car brand IM Motor would launch its L6 luxury electric SUV in Europe next year. IM Motors is also backed by Alibaba investments.

China’s BYD, which outsold Tesla globally in the fourth quarter, lost out to Renault’s Scenic in the “car of the year” award at the exhibition. 

• Reuters