Paris Auto Show opens doors amid decline in sales

Carmakers are sure to turn on the charm as the Paris Auto Show prepares to open, in hopes of convincing buyers despite a steady decline in sales around Europe.

The country's carmakers will be aiming for the mass market with their launches at the auto show, which has its media preview Thursday. The show opens to the public this weekend.

France's Peugeot, Citroen and Renault see the event as a chance to show off their latest models to a hometown crowd.

France produced 2.2 million cars last year, compared to 3.5 million in 2005. The industry employs 30 percent fewer people in France than it did 10 years ago.

European data show new passenger car registrations dropped 8.9 percent in August, the 11th consecutive monthly decline.