Renault Group and the Paris Motor Show: two stories, one shared history (#2)

Having become too small to accommodate millions of visitors and increasingly larger stands, the Paris Motor Show for cars, bicycles and motorcycles permanently left the Grand Palais in 1962 and moved to the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre.

The move did not meet with unanimous approval. Some regretted the elegance of the Grand Palais and found the new exhibition centre as cold as the concrete it was made of. The 1962 edition would put those regrets to rest. According to historians and enthusiasts, it remains one of the show’s finest editions, featuring an exceptional concentration of legendary new models. Above all, it was the first truly international edition, with 108 brands from 12 producing nations, with major European carmakers accounting for almost as large a share as their French counterparts.

1962–1975: mass motorisation

Between 1962 and 1972, the automotive industry experienced unprecedented growth: the economy was booming, the motorway network was finally reaching maturity, purchasing power was rising, and society was embracing a new culture of leisure. Carmakers seized the opportunity to diversify their line-ups, increase comfort and continually raise performance standards.

To inaugurate the new venue in October 1962, Renault made a strong statement with the Renault 8, the first French mass-produced car equipped with four-wheel disc brakes as standard, a technology previously reserved for sports and luxury models. The same motor show also witnessed another landmark debut: Jean Rédélé unveiled the first Alpine A110, the small Renault-powered sports car that would soon go on to dominate the world of rallying.

October 1962 therefore brought together, under one roof, the car that would put France on the road to mass motorisation and the one that would put it on the path to victory.

In October 1972, the Renault 5 was the star of the show, or rather the “Supercar”, as the advertising campaign called it. On sale since January, it was already familiar to some French motorists: by February, 1,920 Renault 5s had already taken to the country’s roads. The Paris Motor Show became the high point of the campaign.

With its modern lines, wraparound bumpers, hatchback and vibrant colours, the R5 broke with the automotive conventions of the time. It particularly appealed to women and younger drivers and would go on to become France’s best-selling car for ten consecutive years, from 1974 to 1983.

1976–1998: the biennial show, the Motor Show, the challenges

The show adopts a biennial schedule, taking place every two years in even-numbered years, alternating with Germany. As each edition becomes less frequent, the event becomes an even more eagerly anticipated occasion. In 1988, the event takes on the name we know today: Paris Motor Show. It is also the era of spectacular scale, with the Renault stand sometimes covering more than 3,000 m².

In 1982, after the difficult years marked by the two oil crises, a new sense of optimism swept through a motor show that was setting attendance records.

In October 1984, the show became the Espace’s rescue operation. On sale since July, the MPV was struggling to find its audience: only nine units had been sold in France during its first month. Its one-box design, which did not fit into any established category, left customers puzzled.

Renault therefore chose not to focus on the engine or performance, but to showcase what made the Espace different: its interior space. On the stand, visitors discovered a modular interior, with seats that could be moved and removed to transform the cabin. Within just a few days, the public finally understood what an MPV was. Orders began to pour in following the show.

October 1992. Twingo: the Motor Show as a verdict. On October 5, 1992, Renault unveiled a car that no one could buy yet: its commercial launch was not scheduled until April 1993. Yet 2,240 firm reservations were recorded during the show. With its cheerful looks, one-box design, sliding rear bench seat and single price point, the Twingo introduced a whole new approach to designing small cars.

In 1996, the Mégane Scénic turned the compact MPV into a new benchmark. The star of the Renault stand, it enjoyed immediate success and propelled the Mégane family to unprecedented commercial success.

The 1998 Paris Motor Show was particularly significant: Renault officially celebrated its centenary, while the Paris show itself also marked its 100th anniversary.

2002–2024: a Motor Show in transition, a Group in transformation

The early 2000s marked a high point: in 2004, the Paris Motor Show reached its all-time attendance record, with 1,448,551 visitors, establishing itself as the most visited motor show in the world. Then the traditional motor show model came under pressure. In 2016, several carmakers opted not to have a stand, and attendance fell by 15%. This was not unique to Paris: Frankfurt, Geneva and Detroit were affected at around the same time. Digital technology had changed the way products were unveiled, while the cost of exhibition space remained high. The 2020 edition was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The show returned in 2022 in a shorter, more interactive format; in 2024, attendance rose significantly again.

In 2010, Renault once again turned the show into a showcase for its electric offensive, with a complete electric range ready for series production: ZOE Preview, Twizy, Fluence Z.E. and Kangoo Z.E.

In 2022, after a four-year absence, the Paris Motor Show returned. Renault Group turned it into a showcase for its new strategy, combining electrification with the revival of its iconic models. R5 E-Tech, R5 Turbo 3E, 4EVER Trophy and Scenic Vision H2-Tech took centre stage, while Alpine unveiled the Alpenglow. The stand itself also took on a new role, becoming a television and radio studio open to the public. Dacia also used the event to unveil its entire line-up for the first time under its new visual identity.

In 2024, the neo-retro offensive confirmed this new direction. Renault brought three iconic silhouettes from its history back to life as electric models: the Renault 5 E-Tech electric, the Renault 4 E-Tech and the Twingo E-Tech concept. Three generations of popular cars, first unveiled on the Paris stage in 1961, 1972 and 1992, thus came together to write a new chapter in their shared story.

And so concludes our journey through 128 years of shared history between the Paris Motor Show and Renault Group. A history shaped by firsts, sometimes bold bets, and countless encounters with the public.

Because perhaps this is where the irreplaceable role of a major motor show lies: putting change centre stage, making it understandable and, sometimes, making it desirable. Over the decades, Renault has learned one essential lesson: a motor show is not just about presenting a car. It is about helping people understand it, experience it, and sometimes convincing them that it can change the way they live and move.

Many thanks to Renault Histoire for its contribution to this series of articles!