PARIS, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese automakers are becoming more visible in the European market, with their product offerings becoming more structured and their technological level continuing to improve, said Serge Gachot, director of the Paris Motor Show.
In a recent interview with Xinhua ahead of the 2026 Paris Motor Show, Gachot said the biennial event would bring together more than 60 automakers and over 100 exhibitors from Europe, America and Asia, with Chinese automakers having a more visible presence than at the previous edition.
"The content of the automobile itself is evolving," Gachot said, adding that electrification, software, artificial intelligence, connectivity and automated driving are playing an increasingly important role.
"The Paris Motor Show thus showcases an automobile that is no longer limited to the powertrain and the vehicle itself, but increasingly integrates various technologies and new uses," he said.
Speaking about Chinese automakers, Gachot said their product offerings had become more structured. "They no longer come only with competitively priced electric vehicles, but with broader ranges, mainstream and high-end positioning, and greater attention to design, onboard technologies and the digital experience," he said.
Gachot also noted that the technological level of Chinese automakers had continued to improve, particularly in batteries, driving range, connectivity and driver-assistance systems. "This evolution is driving a growing commercial presence of Chinese automakers in Europe," he said.
On the localization of Chinese automakers in Europe, Gachot said Chinese automakers are also beginning to localize part of their activities in Europe, including production, research and distribution, adding that it would strengthen their integration into the European automotive industry.
"By investing in production, research or local supply chains, they become directly involved in this ecosystem," he said.
He said such localization would strengthen competition, while cooperation would also increase.
"Intelligent driving is a good illustration: it requires combining automotive expertise, software, sensors, data and artificial intelligence. No single player necessarily masters the entire chain alone," he noted.
On the European market for electrified vehicles, Gachot said the transition was already well underway.
"In France, electric vehicles represented 30 percent of new car sales as of the end of August 2026, compared with 20 percent for the whole of 2025. In Germany, they reached 26 percent, compared with 19 percent a year earlier," he said.
The price remains a key factor in consumers' choice of a vehicle, Gachot said, but it needs to be considered alongside the cost of use, driving range, ease of charging and available infrastructure, as well as comfort, digital features and the software experience, which are playing an increasingly important role.
Gachot also recalled his visit to Auto China 2026 in Beijing in April, which left a strong impression on him.
He said the automobile was also being redesigned around the passenger experience, with new formats, including SUV-style multi-purpose vehicles, placing greater emphasis on space, comfort and connectivity.
"As the car takes on an increasing share of driving, value is also shifting toward what people can do inside: relax, work, communicate or entertain themselves," he said.
"We are witnessing not only the rapid progress of an industry, but also an evolution in the very conception of the automobile." ■