Renault’s UK boss sees ‘seismic shift’ in EV demand with rising oil prices

May 05, 2026

The sudden surge in oil prices following the Iran conflict is beginning to reshape Europe’s car market in real time, with Renault Group among the first to report a tangible shift in consumer behavior. In the UK, Renault company’s managing director, Adam Wood, described a “seismic shift upwards” in interest in electric vehicles, as drivers […]

VAB Bike of the Year 2026: leasing fuels Belgium’s e-bike surge

April 30, 2026

With the announcement of the winners of the 12th edition of the VAB Bike of the Year (BOTY), Belgium’s evolving mobility landscape comes sharply into focus. What began as a consumer-oriented comparison test has grown into a barometer of a market in transition—one where the bicycle, and especially the e-bike, is rapidly becoming a fully-fledged […]

BYD profit slump highlights global EV pivot as China price war intensifies

April 29, 2026

BYD, the Shenzhen-based carmaker, reported a 55% year-on-year fall in net profit for the first quarter, confirming analyst expectations and underscoring the pressure created by an ongoing price war in China’s hypercompetitive electric vehicle market. Revenues also declined, even as sales volumes remain robust, highlighting a widening gap between growth and profitability. The sharp drop […]

Oil profits soar as OPEC fractures and consumers pick up the bill

April 29, 2026

The United Arab Emirates’ decision to leave OPEC, effective 1 May, comes at a moment when the global oil market is already under severe strain—and when oil majors are reporting a new wave of exceptional profits. Taken together, experts highlight the two developments as a deeper shift underway: a market increasingly shaped by geopolitical shocks […]

Belgium’s company car fleet turns electric faster than anywhere else

April 28, 2026

For the first time, fully electric cars have become the largest group within Belgium’s company car fleet—and the shift is happening significantly faster than in neighboring countries such as the Netherlands, Germany, and France. New data from the National Social Security Office (RSZ) show that electric vehicles accounted for 37.2% of all salary cars in […]

Dutch Fastned rides record demand while charging battle heats up

April 16, 2026

Fastned is capitalizing on record demand for electric vehicle charging, as surging usage across its network highlights both the rapid growth of e-mobility and intensifying competition across the Benelux region. The Dutch fast-charging operator saw utilization rates climb sharply in 2025, pushing annual charging revenue beyond €120 million for the first time. The milestone reflects […]

Chinese GAC’s AION UT enters Europe’s crowded affordable EV race

April 16, 2026

Little known to most European — and certainly Belgian — car buyers, Chinese carmaker GAC Group has officially launched its AION UT electric hatchback in Europe, marking a significant step in its long-planned entry into what it calls the “world’s most demanding automotive market.” Designed in Milan and assembled at Magna Steyr’s plant in Graz, […]

Private lease rises in Belgium, but ownership myth remains (Renta)

April 16, 2026

Private lease is gaining traction in Belgium, but from a very low base. According to figures published by Renta, the Belgian federation of vehicle rental and leasing companies, the number of private lease contracts reached 16,074 vehicles by the end of March 2026, up 22% year-on-year from 13,201 a year earlier. While the growth is […]

Renault sketches its EV future with Joshua Vides’ Twingo

April 15, 2026

It’s not the first time Renault has turned to contemporary art to frame its future. In these electric mobility times, Renault hands over the keys to its upcoming Twingo E-Tech Electric to Los Angeles-based artist Joshua Vides. The result is a striking, black-and-white reinterpretation of the compact city car that looks as if it has […]

Oil price spike fuels rush on used EVs, with Belgium as bellwether

April 15, 2026

Rising fuel prices linked to tensions around Iran are beginning to ripple through Europe’s car market, and Belgium offers one of the clearest early signals. New data show that second-hand electric vehicles are gaining traction at an accelerating pace, even as the broader used-car market remains under pressure. In March, registrations of fully electric used […]

Renault plans 20% engineering cut to keep leaner pace with China

April 15, 2026

Renault plans to reduce its global engineering workforce by up to 20% over the next two years, without forced layoffs. It’s a move that underscores the profound transformation underway in the automotive industry, as European carmakers scramble to keep pace with faster, cheaper Chinese car development. The French group is targeting a reduction of around […]

Shock therapy for a bestseller: Nissan turns Juke fully electric

April 14, 2026

Nissan has officially unveiled the third generation of its compact crossover, the Nissan Juke, and, for the first time in its 15-year history, the model goes fully electric. The announcement marks a decisive step in the Japanese manufacturer’s European electrification strategy, with the Juke EV positioned as a cornerstone of its future line-up. While the […]

BMW turns Spa-Francorchamps into classroom to tackle technician shortage

April 13, 2026

At the legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, better known for Formula 1 than for classrooms, BMW Group Belux is launching an unusual response to one of the automotive sector’s most pressing challenges: the growing shortage of skilled technicians. In partnership with Le Forem, Wallonia’s public employment agency, and Technifutur, a specialized technical training center near Liège, […]

Kia puts Europe front and center in bold EV and SDV strategy

April 13, 2026

At its 2026 CEO Investor Day last week, Kia Corporation laid out an ambitious long-term roadmap built around electrification, software-defined vehicles, and new mobility services. While the strategy is global in scope, Europe stands out as a key pillar, with clear volume targets, a rapidly rising EV mix, and a product offensive tailored specifically to […]

Stellantis bets on Opel and Leapmotor tech to rebuild in Europe

April 10, 2026

Several sources reported that Stellantis is in talks with China to develop a new electric SUV for Opel based on Leapmotor’s technology, with production potentially starting around 2028 at its Zaragoza plant in Spain. This may point to more than just another model collaboration. It highlights how central Opel has become to the group’s fragile recovery […]

Five-minute charge, €115,000 price tag, Denza faces EU reality check

April 09, 2026

With BYD’s Vice-President Stella Li taking the stage in Paris on Wednesday to launch Denza in Europe, the setting was as strategic as the product itself. China’s largest carmaker did not opt for a conventional auto show or conference hall, but rented the iconic Palais Garnier, one of Europe’s most emblematic temples of culture and […]

Ex-Ford Genk supplier OPmobility exits as hydrogen reality bites

April 09, 2026

The quiet closure of the Genk site of OPmobility, part of a French automotive supplier known formerly as Plastic Omium, marks more than the loss of some 50 jobs in Limburg, Belgium. It is a small but telling signal of how Europe’s automotive supply chain is recalibrating its bets on hydrogen mobility – years after […]

Ayvens aims to unlock trust in used EVs with battery health certificates

April 08, 2026

Ayvens Carmarket is introducing battery health certificates for used electric vehicles across Europe. This move may seem incremental at first glance, but it could mark a turning point in how the second-hand EV market operates. The initiative comes from Ayvens, one of the world’s largest mobility and leasing companies. Formed in 2023 through the merger […]

Toyota’s new RAV4 reinforces cautious path toward full electrification

April 08, 2026

Toyota has unveiled the sixth-generation RAV4. Toyota Motor Corporation is not just renewing one of its best-selling models; it is reaffirming a BEV-cautious strategy that continues to set it apart from much of the industry. Since its launch in 1994, the RAV4 has grown into one of the world’s most successful SUVs, with more than […]

Vietnam’s VinFast drives battery-swapping scooters into mass markets

April 07, 2026

As its ambitions in Europe remain in flux, Vietnamese EV maker VinFast is sharpening its focus closer to home, accelerating a large-scale battery-swapping rollout for electric scooters in Vietnam while preparing to expand into major Asian markets such as India and Indonesia. The move underscores how central scooters remain to both the company’s strategy and […]

Renault’s quiet architect plans exit as turnaround enters next phase

April 07, 2026

Jean-Dominique Senard, the discreet architect behind Renault’s post-Ghosn recovery, is preparing to close his chapter at the French carmaker. The chairman of Renault Group has indicated he will not seek a new mandate when his term expires in spring 2027, when he will be 74, paving the way for a carefully managed transition at the […]

ACEA report: growth returns, but Europe’s car industry loses its edge

April 03, 2026

The latest Economic and Market Report for full-year 2025 from ACEA, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, paints a cautiously optimistic picture on the surface, but a deeper reading reveals a more unsettling reality for Europe’s automotive sector. While the headline figures point to stabilizing macroeconomic conditions and modest market growth, the underlying data highlights structural […]

Inside BMW’s urban iFactory: how the new i3 transforms Munich production

April 02, 2026

The start of production of the new BMW i3 this summer marks more than just the launch of another electric vehicle. It signals a fundamental transformation at BMW Group Plant Munich, one of the most unusual and strategically important car factories in Europe. As BMW invited the international press, we were able to visit the […]

New Volvo hydrogen truck coincides with Toyota–Daimler alliance

April 01, 2026

The unveiling on Wednesday of a new hydrogen-powered truck by Volvo Group marks a decisive moment for the future of long-haul transport. Presented alongside plans by Toyota Motor Corporation to join Daimler Truck and Volvo as equal shareholders in their fuel-cell joint venture Cellcentric, the move highlights a growing industrial push to bring hydrogen into […]

From Inchcape to Beherman: Roosen takes wheel at Benelux importer

April 01, 2026

Beherman Motors has appointed Michael Roosen as its new Chief Executive Officer, bringing in a seasoned automotive executive who is making the move from Inchcape Belux, where he was CEO from 2019  to 2024. Roosen is to lead the Benelux importer and distributor into its next growth phase. No coincidence, just as the company expands […]

Geely puts Volvo in charge to fix Lynk & Co’s troubled European execution

March 31, 2026

Volvo Cars will take responsibility for the commercial and brand operations of its sister-brand Lynk & Co in Europe, marking a decisive step in Geely Holding Group’s accelerating strategy to integrate its brands and scale more efficiently on the continent. The move, announced on March 30, gives Volvo Cars control over Lynk & Co’s European […]

Beherman named FUSO importer in Netherlands, completing Benelux push

March 30, 2026

The Belgian family-owned Beherman Group is entering a new phase in its long history, with its subsidiary Beherman Motors appointed as the official importer of Mitsubishi FUSO Truck and Bus Corporation vehicles in the Netherlands, expanding its territory to the entire Benelux. By taking over this role from Daimler Truck, the group not only grows […]

Dutch motorcycle tax fraud grows as imports rise, Belgium in focus

March 30, 2026

The Dutch motorcycle market is facing a growing fraud issue involving the country’s purchase tax system, with industry organisations warning that millions of euros in revenue may be lost each year through manipulation of import values. According to RAI Vereniging, large-scale fraud is taking place in the import of second-hand motorcycles, a problem first highlighted […]

BMW wants your old car back and turns it into its next one

March 27, 2026

The BMW Group is taking a decisive next step in its industrial transformation by announcing a new “Competence Centre Circularity” at its Wackersdorf site in Germany. The company plans to invest a mid-three-digit million euro amount in the project, which is scheduled to be fully operational by around 2029. Once completed, the facility will significantly […]

Europ Assistance barometer: EV skepticism or confusion?

March 27, 2026

A new Belgian snapshot from the Europ Assistance Mobility Barometer seems to confirm a familiar narrative: a majority of Belgians (62%) say they are not yet prepared to choose a fully electric car as their next vehicle. But beyond the headline figures, the survey reveals a more fundamental gap between perception and reality that continues […]

Geely lands core brand in Benelux to take on EU’s mass EV market

March 26, 2026

Chinese carmaker Geely Auto is bringing its core, mass-market brand to the Benelux, explicitly positioning it as the group’s volume player alongside its more upmarket sister brands. The launch, announced in Amsterdam, is not just about two new SUVs, but about how Geely intends to structure its presence in Europe: with Geely Auto targeting affordability […]

Sony-Honda Afeela scrapped: from CES showpiece to EV reality check

March 26, 2026

Just months after confidently outlining a 2026 market launch, Sony Honda Mobility has pulled the plug on the Afeela 1. What was supposed to be one of the most tech-forward electric sedans on the market has become the latest casualty of a rapidly changing EV landscape, one that is proving far less forgiving than expected. […]

Renault appoints Thomas Marneffe as new Sales Director for Belux

March 25, 2026

Renault has appointed Thomas Marneffe as the new Sales Director for the Renault brand in Belgium and Luxembourg (Belux), effective April 2026. He succeeds Jan Schmook, a long-standing Renault executive who retires after a career spanning more than four decades within the group, closing a chapter marked by continuity and deep institutional knowledge. Marneffe, 42, […]

The real driver of Europe’s EV shift: a €67 billion oil problem

March 25, 2026

The spike in interest in electric vehicles triggered by the Iran war and the resulting oil price surge is real. But treating it as just another short-lived ‘fuel panic effect’ risks missing the bigger shift underway. Europe spends around €67 billion a year importing oil just to keep its cars running. That structural dependency, rather […]

From sharing to selling: Lynk & Co 10+ super sedan reflects strategic pivot

March 24, 2026

Lynk & Co is pushing its electric ambitions into a new, more extreme territory. The new 10+, a high-performance sedan revealed in China this week, transforms the already striking Z10 into a near-supercar rival, delivering around 900 hp and a claimed 0-100 km/h sprint time of under 3 seconds. It is a halo car in […]

BYD targets Germany’s premium crown jewels with Denza’s EU debut

March 23, 2026

Chinese EV giant BYD will officially introduce its premium brand Denza to Europe on April 8 in Paris, using the unveiling of the Z9 GT as both a product launch and a strategic statement. While the Paris event marks the formal European debut, markets such as Belgium are expected to follow only later as part […]

BMW appoints seasoned finance executive Frank Scheffer as CFO Belux

March 23, 2026

BMW Group has appointed Frank Scheffer as its new Chief Financial Officer for BMW Group Belux, a move that may look like a routine management rotation but, in reality, highlights the growing strategic importance of the Belgian and Luxembourg markets within the German carmaker’s European operations. Scheffer, a German national, is no newcomer to the […]

Range gap: why European EVs outperform US rivals on the road

March 20, 2026

European-built electric vehicles are often outperforming their American counterparts in real-world range tests. It’s a trend highlighted not only by independent comparisons but also by findings from Consumer Reports, one of the United States’ most influential independent product-testing organizations. Drawing on controlled testing and large-scale owner data, the nonprofit has shown that several EVs fall […]

Driving the BYD Atto 3 Evo: familiar face, radical tech upgrade

March 20, 2026

BYD unveiled the Atto 3 Evo earlier this year, framing the car as more than a facelift, positioning it as a serious contender in Europe’s increasingly crowded €40,000 EV segment. As we noted at the time, the ‘Evo’ badge signalled more than an ‘evolution’, a deeper technical reset rather than a cosmetic refresh. Now, after […]

The all electric i3: how BMW will prove ‘Freude am Fahren’ is not dead

March 19, 2026

For BMW, the electric era comes down to one brutal question: can it prove to the world that an EV can still feel like a BMW and that “Freude am Fahren” is not dead? To make that point, BMW went straight to its core: reinventing the 3 Series, the car that defines everything the brand […]

Renault Bridger: why this super-compact SUV won’t come to Europe

March 17, 2026

With the unveiling of the Bridger concept under its new ‘futuREady’ strategy, Renault is not just presenting another compact SUV; it is quietly redrawing its global priorities. The small, rugged, and good-looking model is part of a broader wave of vehicles that are not designed for Europe at all, underlining how far the French carmaker […]

MIIT filing reveals more details of BYD’s 1,000-km Seal 08 flagship

March 16, 2026

Earlier, we reported on BYD’s ambitious plans for a new electric flagship sedan, the Seal 08, promising up to 1,000 km of range and the ability to add hundreds of kilometers of driving in just a few minutes of charging. New information from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) now provides a clearer […]

MG4X with semi-solid battery signals next step in EV battle (update)

March 16, 2026

MG has unveiled the MG4X in China, a compact electric SUV derived from the successful hatchback, as the brand begins rolling out semi-solid battery technology — a world first in a mass-market EV — though that new technology is not yet confirmed for Europe. Regulatory filings published by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology […]

Traxio: ‘Belgian cycling market gains momentum as Bike Brussels opens’

March 13, 2026

The Belgian cycling market is gaining speed again. According to new figures from sector federation Traxio Velo, 578,737 bicycles were sold in Belgium in 2025, an increase of 7.1% compared with the year before. With almost 580,000 bikes sold last year, the Belgian bicycle market now represents an industry worth roughly €1.2 to €1.5 billion […]

Škoda posts record results while Volkswagen Group struggles

March 13, 2026

Czech carmaker Škoda Auto has delivered the best financial results in its history, highlighting a growing contrast within the wider Volkswagen Group and underlining the brand’s resilience in a challenging European car market. The Czech manufacturer reported record revenue of €30.1 billion in 2025, up 8.3% from the previous year. Operating profit rose 8.6% to […]

Avatr’s 955-hp 06T: Huawei-powered EV estate heading for Europe

March 12, 2026

Chinese EV maker Avatr has revealed new technical details of the Avatr 06T, the estate version of its upcoming 06 sedan, confirming that the model will feature a tri-motor performance variant producing close to 1,000 horsepower. The announcement follows earlier reports positioning the car as a potential contender for Europe’s small but growing electric wagon […]

T&E: ‘EV affordability tipping point nears in Europe’ (update)

March 12, 2026

A new analysis from environmental NGO Transport & Environment (T&E) suggests the European electric vehicle market may be approaching an affordability turning point, as prices show early signs of easing after several years of increases. According to the group’s latest EV progress report, the average list price of battery electric cars in Europe fell by […]

Dacia Striker signals Renault’s push to move its budget brand upmarket

March 11, 2026

The new Dacia Striker marks a significant step in Dacia’s transformation, as parent company Renault Group accelerates its plan to move the budget brand into larger, more profitable segments of the European market. Revealed as part of Dacia’s ‘futuREady’ roadmap to 2030, the Striker will be the largest vehicle the brand has ever offered. With a […]

BYD joins global rule-making body IATF as automotive power shifts east

March 11, 2026

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has joined the International Automotive Task Force (IATF), one of the automotive industry’s most influential but little-known global institutions, so far dominated by Western and Japanese carmakers. The move gives the fast-growing EV maker a seat at the table where manufacturing standards governing the global automotive supply chain are defined, […]

Geely joins megawatt charging race as it prepares Benelux launch

March 10, 2026

China’s EV charging race has entered a new phase after Geely demonstrated a new 1.5 MW ultra-fast charger capable of delivering megawatt-level charging to a production Zeekr 001. The technology itself was first announced with the upgraded Zeekr 001 in late 2025, but the latest demonstration highlights the charging infrastructure required to deliver such extreme […]

Will BYD’s megawatt charging make battery swapping obsolete?

March 09, 2026

Chinese EV giant BYD has stirred the electric mobility world with the unveiling of its new ‘flash charging’ technology, delivering up to 1.5 megawatts of power and allowing charging from roughly 10% to 70% in about five minutes, or charging times that approach those of refueling a gasoline car. The announcement has sparked a wave […]

VinFast unveils Rolls-Royce rival Lac Hong EV as EU ambitions cool

March 09, 2026

Vietnamese EV maker VinFast has unveiled two ultra-luxury electric vehicles — the Lac Hong 800S SUV and Lac Hong 900S sedan — at a time when the company is quietly scaling back its early ambitions in Europe. The new models, positioned at the top of a newly created Lac Hong luxury brand, mark a strategic […]

TomTom enters new phase as founder and CEO Goddijn steps aside

March 06, 2026

Dutch navigation pioneer TomTom is entering a new chapter as co-founder and long-time chief executive Harold Goddijn prepares to step down after more than two decades at the helm of the company. The move marks the end of an era for a firm that once symbolised Europe’s consumer tech ambitions but has since reinvented itself […]

Hyperloop dream hits another wall as Dutch pioneer Hardt goes bankrupt

March 06, 2026

The bankruptcy of Dutch startup Hardt Hyperloop marks the latest setback for a technology that once promised to revolutionize long-distance travel at speeds approaching 1,200 kilometres per hour. The company, which emerged from a student team at Delft University of Technology, had been working on a futuristic transport system in which passenger capsules would travel […]

BYD’s next EV leap: 1,000-km Seal 08 and charging in five minutes

March 06, 2026

China’s EV giant BYD used its Technology Day on March 5 in Shenzhen to unveil a new generation of battery and charging technology while presenting several new models across its expanding brand portfolio. The headline debut was the Seal 08, a new flagship sedan for the BYD brand that illustrates the company’s push toward 1,000-kilometer […]

Cupra refreshes Born electric hatchback as competition intensifies

March 05, 2026

Cupra has unveiled a refreshed version of its electric hatchback, the Born, introducing updated styling, improved interior materials, and enhanced technology. The Spanish performance brand under the Volkswagen umbrella seeks to keep its first battery-electric model competitive in an increasingly crowded European EV market. The update represents a mid-cycle refresh rather than a full new […]

€2.50 diesel on Italian highways puts Europe on alert for fuel price surge

March 05, 2026

A spike in global oil markets is pushing diesel prices higher across Europe, with Italian motorway pumps reaching €2.50 per litre and Belgian retailers warning the surge is putting pressure on fuel supply margins. A dramatic illustration of how geopolitical shocks are quickly reaching European drivers and transport companies. Consumer group Codacons reported that diesel […]

Stellantis confirms Leapmotor B10 production in Zaragoza

March 04, 2026

Stellantis has confirmed that electric vehicles from Chinese automaker Leapmotor will be produced at its Figueruelas plant near Zaragoza from the second half of 2026, marking a major step in the group’s strategy to strengthen its position in the global EV market. The announcement turns the Spanish plant into the first major Leapmotor production hub […]

BYD’s Great Tang shows China’s ambitions for megawatt charging EVs

March 04, 2026

Chinese carmaker BYD is preparing to unveil one of its most technologically ambitious vehicles to date. The new Great Tang, a full-size electric SUV positioned at the top of the company’s Dynasty lineup, combines luxury, performance, and experimental ultra-fast charging technology that could point to the next phase of electric mobility. The model is expected […]

T&E: ‘Made in Europe could cut EV battery cost gap by two-thirds’

March 03, 2026

According to a new study by Transport & Environment (T&E), EV battery cells produced in the EU currently cost about $41-$43 per kilowatt-hour more than those made in China. For a typical 60 kWh family EV, that implies a gross cell cost disadvantage of roughly €2,000-€2,500 per vehicle. Yet the same T&E report delivers a […]

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