Green politics and tariff trouble impact Paris Auto Show

The Paris Auto Show draws to a close this weekend, following a bumper week of new car releases. Alfa Romeo, Audi, Citroen, Leapmotor, Mini and Skoda have been among the big-name brands unveiling latest models.

Aside from the debuts of prototype vehicles, politics has been intertwined with this year's event. European carmakers warned politicians about what they see as over-ambitious green goals.

Oliver Zipse, the chief executive of BMW, called for Europe to rethink self-imposed environmental restrictions. The EU's ambition is for no new petrol or diesel cars to be sold from 2035, but automakers want to see what Zipse called "a correction" in the timeline to avoid an "over-reliance on China" for fuel cells and lithium-ion batteries.

Previously, Italian prime minister Georgia Meloni said "the green perspective has been pursued at the cost of sacrificing entire production and industrial sectors."

Tariffs on China-made EVs coming into view

Separately, Chinese auto firms have had to react to the EU introducing tariffs on China-made electric vehicles over concern state subsidies create unfair market conditions. Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) admitted that it was a "difficult situation" but the carmaker was confident it could work with European partners.

Overall, Chinese firms are in pole position in the global electric vehicle race. More of China's EVs than ever before are cruising Europe's roads, and some are also leading in AI technology for drivers.

But from next month the EU will introduce new taxes on China-made electric vehicles. In response, many of the carmakers plan new European plants to avoid the duties.

Biggest trade show in France

No other trade show in France draws crowds like the Paris Auto Show. It's only held every two years, dovetailing with Germany's IAA show, which will be staged in 2025.

This year Paris marked the 90th auto show, and Renault took the chance to unveil new versions of old models. Its 4 E-Tech will be a rival in the electric compact SUV market.

And while the Renault 5 was originally replaced by the Clio in the 1990s, it too is back with a revamped electric engine.