Paris (dpa) - One of the world‘s biggest motor shows opened to professionals on Thursday, with manufacturers unveiling new concepts whose greatest features are measured in their absence.No drivers, less fuel - the future of cars as envisioned at the Paris motor show is being driven by sleeker and smarter designs that are notable for what they no longer need.In some cases, the absence of a car itself was showcased, with a focus on peer-to-peer car-sharing that allows multiple drivers to use one vehicle.Electric vehicles, with varying degrees of efficiency, dominated the first day of the auto show. Smart, a division of Germany‘s Daimler and long a manufacturer of electric vehicles, presented a full fleet of cars that can be purchased with traditional combustion engines or electric motors.Daimler chief executive Dieter Zetsche presented his company‘s vision of the future: what he called a "connected, autonomous and shared" car that would, for example, drive its owner to the airport, advertise itself as for rent during the owner‘s absence, charge itself, and pick up the shopping and packages to be ready for the return.In the wake of a chaotic and business-shaking emissions scandal, VW also put forward an electric concept car called ID. Its electric model would have a driving range of 400 to 600 kilometres, and is set to be on the market in 2020, VW board member Herbert Diess said.France‘s Renault presented a new edition of its electric car Zoe, with a new range of 400 kilometres. At the same it, it unveiled the sleek Trezor concept car, a two-seater electric coupe with red windows and a powerful engine - not yet slated for sale, but an ambitious push to marry sports car allure with the fuel of the future.
