BMW has withdrawn from the 2026 Paris Motor Show but will instead attend AUTO ATHINA 2026 in Greece, where it plans a substantial presence with several models making their Greek debuts. The event runs from 3 to 11 October at the Metropolitan Expo in Athens, with BMW occupying Hall 3, Stand C1. The German automaker had originally said it would attend the French event in October before changing its mind.
Leading the BMW display is the new i3 50 xDrive, which will make its nationwide Greek debut. This i3 is not the discontinued city car with a carbon fibre reinforced plastic chassis, but an electric 3 Series built on a bespoke platform. It distances itself from the CLAR-based G50 sedan that debuts this week. The model represents BMW's push into dedicated electric architecture as it prepares for the Neue Klasse era.
The fifth-generation X5 will also make its Greek debut at AUTO ATHINA. BMW is offering the SUV with a broad range of powertrains, including petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid and battery-electric setups, plus a fuel-cell hydrogen model coming later this decade. The company has not said which version it will bring to Athens. The X5 is a significant model for BMW, and its expanded powertrain line-up reflects the industry's shift toward electrification while maintaining conventional options.
Another highlight is the 7 Series LCI, which will appear in Greece for the first time. BMW's flagship sedan is the first existing model to inherit technology from the Neue Klasse family, making it a bridge between the current generation of BMWs and what is coming next. The facelifted 7 Series combines the brand's traditional luxury positioning with newer digital and electric innovations.
The rest of the BMW stand will include the 1 Series, 2 Series Gran Coupe, X1, iX2, X3, iX3 and 5 Series. For performance enthusiasts, the M3, M5 and the polarising XM will also be on display. The line-up covers a wide range of segments, from compact hatchbacks to high-performance saloons and SUVs, giving Greek buyers a comprehensive view of the brand's current offering.
MINI will have its own presence at AUTO ATHINA 2026, bringing its complete model family to Greece. The line-up will be headlined by the Countryman, the largest car ever to come from Oxford, although it is technically made by BMW in Leipzig. It will be joined by the five-door Cooper Paul Smith Edition hatchback, the electric Aceman subcompact crossover, the petrol-only Convertible and a selection of John Cooper Works models. MINI is covering every interpretation of its modern formula in the BMW era.
The decision to skip Paris in favour of Athens highlights how automakers are reassessing which auto shows deliver the best return. While Paris remains a major international stage, BMW's move suggests the Greek market and the broader southeastern European region are worth a dedicated presence. The event at the Metropolitan Expo gives Greek customers and media their first chance to see several key models in person.
BMW's stand will also serve as a showcase for its evolving design language and technology strategy. The mix of electric, hybrid and combustion models on display reflects the company's flexible approach as it transitions toward a more electrified future. The i3 and the 7 Series LCI in particular signal how the Neue Klasse technology will filter through the range in the coming years.
For MINI, the Athens show is an opportunity to present its full family in one place, from the practical Countryman to the performance-focused John Cooper Works variants. The brand has expanded its line-up significantly in recent years, and the Greek event allows it to demonstrate the breadth of its offering to a local audience.
AUTO ATHINA 2026 opens on 3 October and runs until 11 October. BMW and MINI will both be present for the duration, with the BMW stand located in Hall 3, Stand C1. The show is expected to draw attention from across the region as one of the final major auto events of the autumn season.