China Auto France shows small electric car in Paris

One of the very few Chinese cars on show at Paris is the Chika (pictured), a small electric car marketed by China Automobile France. It was designed by Li Shi Guang Ming, who believes that it represents a first step towards the creation of a genuinely Chinese car styling "language".

China Automobile France also displayed an 812cc lightweight 4x4 called the Kiff. This is on sale now, and is about to be joined on the market by the Shuanghuan CEO, which has caused alarm due to its close resemblance to the BMW X5. The similarly controversial and very Toyota RAV4-like Jonway UFO isn't in Paris because it's being "restyled".

Progress is slowing down among other Chinese manufacturers too. Brilliance and Landwind are having trouble making their cars safe enough to be acceptable in Europe, while Great Wall has not yet signed up any distributors in major European markets.