Paris Motor Show (Mondial de l'Auto)

The Paris Motor Show (French: Mondial de l'Automobile) is an international automotive exhibition held regularly in Paris, France. Founded in 1898, it stands as the world's very first international motor show. Traditionally staged in October, the Paris Motor Show alternates biennially with the Frankfurt Motor Show (Frankfurt in odd years, Paris in even years). It is one of the largest international motor shows in Europe and is recognised alongside Frankfurt, Geneva, Detroit (NAIAS), and Tokyo as one of the global "Big Five" motor shows.

Historical Background

In 1898, automotive pioneer Marquis Jules Félix Philippe Albert de Dion initiated the inaugural "Salon de l'Automobile" at the Tuileries Garden in Paris, marking the inception of the Paris Motor Show. The exhibition featured a unique prerequisite: participating vehicles had to complete a round trip between Paris and Versailles under their own power to prove roadworthiness rather than merely serving as static display mockups. The debut event drew around 140,000 visitors, with over 220 exhibitors spread across an area of more than 6,000 square metres.

In 1901, the event relocated to the Grand Palais in Paris, which served as its home ground for the subsequent 60 years. In 1927, exhibitor restrictions were lifted and fee structures were standardised. Prior to 1976, the Paris Motor Show ran as an annual fixture before transitioning into a biennial format alternating with the Frankfurt Motor Show. In 1988, it was officially renamed "Mondial de l'Automobile" to reflect its global prominence.

Having been suspended during World War II, the show made its return in 1946, attracting 810,000 visitors. The exhibition expanded steadily thereafter, spanning 80,000 square metres in 1953, before setting an all-time record of 1.46 million visitors in 2008—the highest among the global Big Five motor shows. In 2020, the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Highlights and Positioning

Anchored in the cultural heritage of the "City of Romance", the Paris Motor Show has consistently spotlighted distinctive and avant-garde French automotive design, packed with concept cars and bold creations that regularly steal the spotlight. The event also places strong emphasis on compact cars and city cars, even allocating dedicated zones for them.

Additionally, the Paris Motor Show is widely regarded as the most commercially driven among the Big Five—used car auctions are hosted at every edition, and on-site price lists and sales promotions feature prominently throughout the venue.

2024 and 2026 Editions

The 90th Paris Motor Show in 2024 was staged at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, centering on electrification and intelligent connectivity trends alongside several global debuts. A key highlight of the show was the strong collective presence of approximately 10 Chinese carmakers, including BYD, Hongqi, XPeng, Leapmotor, and GAC. Concurrently, the European Union's countervailing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles emerged as a major talking point across the show floor.

The 91st Paris Motor Show in 2026 is scheduled to take place from 12 to 18 October at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. Renault Group will feature its core brands—Renault, Dacia, and Alpine—across four major pavilions covering a combined 5,000 square metres, displaying 50 models including several all-new concept cars and 22 electrified vehicles. Meanwhile, Stellantis Group will showcase over 60 models across 8 brands over a 5,340-square-metre stand area—more than doubling its 2024 presence. Among the highlights, Lancia will present the all-new Gamma in its French debut as part of its return to the premium segment, while Leapmotor will stage the European debut of the B03 B-segment hatchback.