The 2026 Paris Motor Show will feature a new 'Smart Driving Lab' public experience event. Only two companies, XPeng and Tesla, have agreed to participate in the live testing sessions.
The event requires manufacturers to demonstrate their autonomous driving systems to hundreds of media representatives under real-world traffic conditions in Paris. XPeng officials noted that other invited automakers declined the opportunity due to the technical challenges involved.
This exhibition marks the first large-scale public demonstration of XPeng's NGP system in Europe. The Paris Motor Show, which opens on October 12, will host 100 exhibitors, including 60 automotive manufacturers.
A record number of 20 Chinese automotive brands are participating in this year's show, accounting for one-third of all car manufacturers present. European brands have notably opted out of the smart driving demonstration.
