The Wired Cars of the 2012 Paris Motor Show - by Damon Lavrinc

There's a bipolar vibe at the biennial Paris Motor Show. Automakers are putting on a strong face as they roll out a combination of ambitious concepts and tepid compacts while the European car market erodes beneath their feet.

The mood in Europe is much like it was in Detroit a few years ago, when the Big Three were threatening to become the Medium Two and automakers went hat in hand to Washington looking for help. Nearly every automaker at the show is feeling the pain. Overall, European sales dropped 8.5 percent last month, the 11th consecutive monthly decline with no end in sight.

The combination of labor unrest, plant closures, deep discounts, and massive operating losses are all conspiring against an industry that was plagued with plunging demand to begin with. Ford is projecting a $1 billion loss in Europe this year alone, but that pales in comparison to the $16.8 billion in losses General Motors has racked up with its Opel and Vauxhall brands since 1999. There's even talk of bailouts for some of the smaller companies.

Read More: The Wired Cars of the 2012 Paris Motor Show | Autopia | Wired.com

Alternative energy: Electric cars shine at French Paris motor show

The Paris Motor Show, which is held every alternate year, will open its doors tomorrow with more than 100 new models expected to be revealed by the 103 manufacturers from 23 countries attending the event.

Show organisers are expecting about 1.4 million people to visit the Porte de Versailles Expo halls during the 18 days of the show.

And once again we can expect the supercar manufacturers to steal the limelight.

There will also be a raft of new technology, with most of the major manufacturers expected to use the show to release details of new electric and hybrid vehicles.

Read more: Electric cars shine at French show - The West Australian