By David Bénard / ETX Studio
Chinese carmakers are out in force at the Paris motor show, keen on making a success of their move into European markets. Their names are BYD, Wey and Ora, and they are showing off their latest products for the European market in Paris. It will be possible to buy these cars in certain countries from 2023.
Chinese carmakers are out in force at the Paris motor show, keen on making a success of their move into European markets. Their names are BYD, Wey and Ora, and they are showing off their latest products for the European market in Paris. It will be possible to buy these cars in certain countries from 2023.
BYD -- whose slogan is Build Your Dreams -- is coming to Europe in force and wants to make it known. At the Paris motor show, visitors can discover three 100% electric models perfectly in tune with European demand and requirements. The manufacturer is presenting the BYD Atto 3, an SUV with an urban slant, as well as a large seven-seater SUV called the Tang, and a sportier sedan called the Han. These models are expected to be marketed in Europe from 2023.
The same strategy is being pursued by another major Chinese automotive player, the Great Wall Motor Group. It is launching not one, but two brands in Europe. The first, Wey, will offer exclusively plug-in hybrid models, while the second, Ora, will focus on fully electric vehicles. The group is due to arrive in Europe by the end of 2022, first in Germany for Wey, then in the UK for Ora. These models have relatively quirky names. For example, Wey's SUV range is called Coffee, while Ora's electric sedans are called Cat. Moreover, if Ora cars potentially bear a fleeting resemblance to Porsche models, it's because their designer was hired from the German manufacturer.
Note that these cars all differ -- to varying degrees and in various ways -- from the models on sale in China, notably because of the safety regulations imposed in Europe. All these models are on display at the 2022 Paris Motor Show at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center.
See also: What to see at this year's Paris motor show.
