Most automakers displayed concept or production vehicles demonstrating their advances in electric-car technology, which has emerged as one of the dominant themes of the show. Volkswagen revealed an e-Up electric show car along with new sporty cars loaded with horsepower, and PSA Peugeot Citroen showed an electric car based on Mitsubishi Motors Corp.'s i-MiEV, already on sale in Japan.

... Renault, along with its Japanese affiliate Nissan Motor Co., has outlined plans for the most aggressive rollout of electric cars. Carlos Ghosn, chief executive of both Renault and Nissan, said Renault's electric cars would be priced so that the cost of ownership would be similar to or less than the cost of owning a diesel-powered car in Europe today. Diesels cost slightly more than gas-powered cars, but provide much better fuel economy.