The Paris auto show features swimming cars and rectangular steering wheels.

• The Paris Motor Show has attracted the attention of auto giants, who have displayed their latest concepts and production models.
• Europe's car manufacturers are grappling with the reality of full electrification as the biennial trade show runs from Monday to Sunday.
• From 2026, Peugeot will produce its Hypersquare steering wheel, which has a rectangular shape and resembles a video game controller.

The Paris Motor Show is where auto giants display their latest concepts and production models, competing to capture the public's attention with eye-catching designs and futuristic technologies.

The biennial trade show, running from Monday to Sunday, presents European carmakers with challenges on their journey towards complete electrification.

Recent profit warnings have been issued by manufacturers such as Volkswagen, BMW, and Stellantis due to challenges including weak demand for electric vehicles and intense competition from foreign sources.

Emissions-reduction targets will cause the pressure on European automakers to increase next year.

The Paris Motor Show aims to be a turning point for Europe's auto industry by showcasing affordable EVs in an effort to compete with Chinese manufacturers.

The Hypersquare steering wheel of the French car giant was showcased to visitors, including French President Emmanuel Macron.

Peugeot plans to produce a steering wheel with a rectangular shape, similar to a video game controller, starting in 2026. The company believes this innovative design will attract a younger audience.

The Hypersquare was featured in Peugeot's Inception concept car.

For the first time, BYD, a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, presented its Yangwang U8 model to a French audience.

A BYD spokesperson informed CNBC that the plug-in hybrid SUV can swim for up to 30 minutes, park sideways, and make a complete turn on the spot.

The U8 model can perform these maneuvers due to four electric motors, one in each wheel.

The vehicle's ability to float is not just a gadget, but could be lifesaving in case of flooding or an accident involving water, as BYD stated.

The vehicle is equipped with a drone on its roof that can be used to provide the driver with a preview of what lies ahead.

The U8 model from Yangwang was launched in Guangzhou last year and is currently available for purchase in China only.

Renault unveiled its R4, a small electric SUV inspired by the classic Renault 4, to compete with budget models from Chinese manufacturers.

The seven-seater Tayron SUV, which is available in mild hybrid or plug-in hybrid versions, was unveiled by Volkswagen, Europe's second-largest SUV after the Touareg. The Tayron can be ordered for 45,475 euros ($49,525).

At the Paris Motor Show, Stellantis introduced two new models: the compact Citroën C4 and C4X. These vehicles come in hybrid, electric, and pure combustion-engine versions.

On Monday, Xpeng launched the P7+ at the Paris Motor Show, an all-electric vehicle that the company hopes will establish its position in the age of autonomous driving and AI-powered transportation.

Xpeng's "Turing chip," named after Alan Turing, powers the P7+ and is used in the company's AI-driven vehicles, including robots and flying cars, which were showcased above the Xpeng stage.