Paris Auto Show 2026: European OEMs strike back at Chinese rivals

At the 2026 Paris Auto Show, European brands unveiled affordable EVs to counter Chinese expansion. Smart revived its two-seater as the #2 at €20,000 with a 36 kWh LFP battery and 290 km WLTP range, Citroën showed a new 2 CV at €15,000 arriving in 2028, and Dacia revealed the Spring at €18,000.

• Smart #2: 36 kWh LFP battery, 290 km WLTP range, from €20,000
• Citroën 2 CV: €15,000 price, deliveries only in 2028
• Dacia Spring: from €18,000, built in Slovenia for EU subsidies
• European OEMs target city EVs, a segment Chinese rivals largely avoid