Stellantis is turning to small, affordable electric vehicles to regain ground in Europe, where declining market share and weak sales have put pressure on the automaker. At the 2026 Paris Motor Show, CEO Antonio Filosa unveiled six of the nine concept cars the company is presenting, alongside production models designed to compete with low-cost Chinese rivals.
The highlight is the revival of Citroën's iconic 2CV, a retro-styled concept previewing a European-made, low-cost electric car expected in 2028. The model is part of Stellantis' plans to enter the continent’s emerging ‘e-car’ category and make electric mobility more affordable.
Citroen 2CV Leads Affordable EV Push
The proposed e-car category targets vehicles priced at around EUR 15,000 (USD 16,800). The revived 2CV will test whether European manufacturers can offer affordable electric cars without compromising quality, performance or safety, according to Pedro Pacheco, Vice President of Research at Gartner.
Other international premieres at the show include the DS7, Fiat Grizzly, Lancia Gamma, Opel Corsa GSE, and the B03 and D19 models from Stellantis' Chinese partner Leapmotor.
Filosa said the event brought the company's 2030 strategy to life, highlighting its focus on established brands, distinctive design and innovative technology. Stellantis is also seeking to give its brands clearer identities as shared platforms and technologies increasingly make vehicles look alike.
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Turnaround Plan Faces Investor Scrutiny
The company's renewed presence at a major European motor show comes after several years of maintaining a low profile. Investors are looking for evidence that Filosa's turnaround plan can reverse two years of declining market share and profitability in North America and Europe.
The business plan unveiled in May includes dozens of new models, cost reductions and deeper cooperation with Chinese partners, including Leapmotor. However, Stellantis shares fell to EUR 3.81 this month, their lowest level since the group's formation in 2021.
Bernstein analysts, who downgraded the stock to ‘underperform’ in August, said the automaker had yet to demonstrate that its recovery strategy was winning over buyers. They argued that recent sales gains were partly driven by higher deliveries to dealers rebuilding inventories rather than stronger consumer demand.
Chinese Competition Raises Pressure
Felipe Munoz of Car Industry Analysis said Stellantis needed a more competitive range of electric vehicles to counter the rapid expansion of Chinese automakers.
The affordable EV push will therefore be a crucial test of whether Stellantis can rebuild consumer demand, defend its European position and deliver a sustained recovery.