RAY MASSEY: President Macron attends the Paris Motor Show to boost the French car industry

That President Emmanuel Macron sees fit to attend the Paris Motor Show this week tells you all you need to know about the high regard with which French politicians view their car industry.

Compare that to Britain, where similar motoring events struggle to generate a spark of interest from even the youngest ministers.

On Monday in the French capital, I was close enough to Macron’s sharp security detail to smell their cologne, and the president was just a few feet away as Luca de Meo, CEO of the Renault Group, prepared to unveil his company’s latest products to present.

So why, when France’s political leaders proudly display their love for the car, do British ministers seem so disinterested – with an open anti-car?

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) points out that the UK car industry contributes £93 billion in turnover and £22 billion in value added to the UK economy, accounting for 12 percent of total UK exports and £ generates 47 billion in trade. They typically invest around £4 billion per year in research and development.

Then there are the jobs. Companies such as Nissan, Toyota, Mini, Bentley, Rolls-Royce and more directly employ around 198,000 people, rising to 813,000 in total across the wider automotive industry. At the Renault stand, Macron was very interested in the new electric car Renault 4, which I had been able to admire a few days earlier.

It is a renewal of a legendary family business that proved to be a mainstay of the French middle class, and especially of liberated women, for three decades from 1961, selling more than eight million. Now reborn as a versatile electric car for the 21st century, including a retractable electric canvas roof that gives a nod to the original. Hardtop versions have roof racks.

The wheels are standard 18 inches on all trim levels and models. The spacious 420 cubic liter luggage compartment includes 35 liters of underfloor storage compartments.

It’s understood the new R4 range will cost between £28,000 and £35,000 when it goes on sale from spring 2025.

Presented as a rival to Tesla’s Model Y, Citroen’s E-C3, Kia’s EV3 and the Jeep Avenger, there are three trim levels: evolution, techno and iconic.

The more powerful 110 kW (150 hp) ‘comfort range’ model has a 52 kWh battery and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 8.5 seconds, with a range of up to 400 km.

Refurbishment: Ray pictured with the new versatile electric Renault 4

The ‘urban range’ model of 90 kW (120 hp) with a 40 kWh battery has a range of more than 300 kilometers.

In both cases, the top speed is electronically limited to 150 km/h.

After his tour of Renault’s main stand, President Macron and company moved to that of the Renault Group’s sporting Alpine division, where CEO de Meo and his team continued to host.

I don’t know if it was pure coincidence, or if some smart cookie from the Renault events team made a cheeky remark, but when Macron and his ensemble showed up at the Alpine stand, what was supposed to be playing through the speaker system but Sade’s cool 80s lesson ‘Smooth Operator’.

How incredibly appropriate.

We could do with some smooth players in government right now – especially when it comes to promoting our own indigenous car industry for the benefit of the thousands who work there, the billions in revenue it brings to UK plc, and the millions of British customers and export consumers abroad who buy its cars. It is in our national interest.

France gets it. This also applies to Germany. Wake up Westminster and Whitehall.

British government is not helping the car market

Are you considering buying a new car but feeling confused about the market?

You’re not alone. It’s crazy. And politicians don’t help. The government wants everyone to drive electric cars, so it is forcing car manufacturers to build them or risk a fine.

Commercial vehicle drivers receive generous tax incentives to switch to electric vehicles, but private buyers no longer do so. Then there is the lack of charging points.

Concerns: Carlos Tavares, head of Stellantis (owner of Vauxhall, Peugeot and Citroen) has warned that Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port factory in Cheshire is under threat

Earlier this week, leaders from 13 major automakers wrote to Chancellor Rachel Reeves asking for new consumer subsidies and subsidies to boost electric vehicle sales again.

Carlos Tavares, head of Stellantis (which owns Vauxhall, Peugeot and Citroen) has warned that Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port factory in Cheshire is under threat of closure unless pressure is eased.

A decision will be made ‘in a few weeks’. I can’t say you weren’t warned, Chancellor.