According to PCauto, the 2026 Paris Motor Show will feature a public "smart driving lab" where attendees and media can sign up to experience advanced driver assistance systems on real city roads. Only two brands will take part: Xpeng and Tesla. Their systems will be tested side by side in Europe, marking the second public comparison after a previous test in the Netherlands organized by Xinhua.
Why European brands backed out
Xpeng vice president Yu Tao, known on social media as "Thomas Electric Train," said the show's organizers initially invited all exhibitors to join. However, after learning that the test would involve real-road driving in Paris with extensive media scrutiny, the other brands withdrew, leaving only Xpeng and Tesla. Yu noted that such public road tests require strong technical capability, otherwise vehicles might only manage very short distances.
This event marks the first large-scale public rollout of Xpeng's NGP (Navigation Guided Pilot) in Europe. The system has already undergone field testing in Germany and the Netherlands, adapting to different regulations, road conditions, and local driving habits. Tesla will bring its FSD (Full Self-Driving) system, adapted for European regulations.
European media have commented that the absence of European brands from this public ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) experience, with only Chinese and American companies participating, should prompt reflection on Europe's position in next-generation automotive technology competition.
Event details
The "smart driving lab" will run from October 12 to 18, with test rides on public roads in Paris. Participants will be able to experience high-level assisted driving in real urban traffic conditions.
