WHO sets up PECCH: ‘Climate change is health crisis for Europe’

June 12, 2025

The World Health Organization (WHO) has established a new agency to make recommendations to the health sector in the European Region. The ‘Pan-European Committee on Climate and Health’ (PECCH), as the new organization is called, will offer pragmatic and cost-effective health sector solutions to address climate change. Former Icelandic Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir will chair the PECCH. […]

With Antonio Filosa at the helm, Stellantis might take an American turn

June 11, 2025

Antonio Filosa has been chosen as the new CEO of the Stellantis Group, pending confirmation at the annual shareholders meeting on July 18th, which is expected to be a formality. The board of Stellantis took its time to choose a successor to the ousted Carlos Tavares. In the meantime, Agnelli heir John Elkann, Chairman of […]

ACEA urges EU once again to agree on truck regulations

June 11, 2025

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) has issued a public statement following the latest Transport Council report on 5 June, in which no further action was taken regarding the revision of the Weights and Dimensions Directive. The lobby group urges the Council to conclude negotiations to make the truckmakers’ lives easier about the EU’s 2030 […]

NMBS/SNCB: EU’s most bike-friendly rail company but disastrous for disabled

June 11, 2025

The European Federation of Bicycle Associations has named the Belgian railroad company NMBS/SNCB, along with the Swiss railroad company SBB, as the continent’s most bicycle-friendly rail companies. However, the Cyclists’ Union continues to find accessibility problematic, a point that is also apparent when examining the state of Flemish stations from the perspective of a person […]

Geely won’t build new factories in Europe and the U.S.

June 11, 2025

The Chinese Geely Holding does not intend to join the race for the best production sites in Europe and the US. Amid subsidy criteria and ongoing global tariff conflicts, localised production in Europe and the US has become an increasingly relevant topic for Chinese carmakers. Still, Geely doesn’t want to get involved in this. At […]

Frankfurt and Geneva to become new Eurostar destinations

June 10, 2025

Eurostar plans to run direct trains from London to Frankfurt and Geneva starting in 2030. Both train journeys would take some five hours. The high-speed train operator also plans to invest heavily in its fleet. The rail company will invest some 2 billion euros to boost the number of trains by 30%. Pushed by competition […]

Leapmotor further expands into Europe

June 10, 2025

The Chinese electric car manufacturer Leapmotor is continuing its expansion in Europe with the support of its Stellantis partner. In the past two weeks, the company has established sales partnerships in seven new European markets, ranging from Ireland to Bulgaria. Specifically, Leapmotor is now also present in Ireland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia, […]

Compensation for EU air passengers only after 4 instead of 3 hours delay

June 06, 2025

European transport ministers propose that air passengers will now be entitled to compensation only for flight delays of four hours or more. European legislation currently provides for compensation of three hours or more of delay if the airline is at fault. However, the proposal still requires approval from the European Parliament and the European Council. […]

Caught in the slow lane: profits from Chinese rivals outpace Western carmakers

June 06, 2025

The West’s once-dominant car manufacturers are losing ground at an alarming rate to the new generation of fast-rising competitors from Asia, especially China. According to a study by the consulting firm EY, the profit gap is expected to continue growing. A new quarterly report by consultancy EY reveals a strong divide between Western and Asian […]

Demand for VW Golf is fading, new EV model has to take over in 2028

June 06, 2025

The beloved VW Golf hatchback is falling out of favor. Volkswagen is moving Golf production to Mexico as demand for the current gas-powered model sinks. The upcoming EV version will replace it in VW’s German production alongside a new electric SUV. Since the first Golf rolled off the assembly line in late March 1974, Volkswagen […]

Kia Sportage gets new nose, keeps its hybrid powertrains

June 05, 2025

Just under four years after its launch, the fifth-generation Kia Sportage has undergone a facelift. The family SUV adopts the new family light signature introduced with the electric EV9 and EV3 models, while retaining its choice of electrified combustion powertrains. The Kia Sportage has been the best-selling model from the Korean manufacturer, with over 7 […]

EU urges Belgium to stop subsidizing fossil fuels

June 05, 2025

The European Commission is calling on the Belgian government to thoroughly cut subsidies for fossil fuels. It states this in its annual socio-economic recommendations to Belgium. The Commission also regrets that there are no plans to phase out the subsidies before 2030. Such a measure could both boost the greening of transportation and buildings, as […]

China chokes global auto production with rare earth bottleneck

June 05, 2025

Global carmakers are facing a mounting crisis. China’s tightening grip on the export of rare earth materials begins to choke off essential supplies, which might lead to plant shutdowns and fuel fears of a broader disruption across the auto industry. The supply chain strain, rooted in the export controls imposed by Beijing, is the latest […]

Mercedes G-Class goes silent and so do the buyers

June 04, 2025

Mercedes is facing a harsh market reality with its all-electric G580 with EQ Technology. Sales figures published by the German media outlet Handelsblatt suggest that the high-end electric SUV is falling well short of expectations. In stark contrast, the iconic G-Class continues to thrive with its blasting combustion engines. To make matters worse, Mercedes is […]

BYD supercharges Europe with EV network: as fast as refueling

June 04, 2025

Chinese carmaker BYD has unveiled plans to deploy a sweeping network of ultra-fast electric vehicle chargers across Europe — and not in some distant future, but within the next 12 months. The bold move forms part of the company’s strategy to become a dominant force in the European car market by the end of the […]

NIO rolls into Belgium with Hedin in the driver’s seat

June 04, 2025

Are Belgian EV drivers ready for battery swapping? Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer NIO is gearing up to make its debut in Belgium and Luxembourg this September, as part of a wider push across Europe. The move is part of a strategic partnership with Swedish dealer group Hedin Mobility, which will oversee distribution, retail, and aftersales […]

EU urged to abandon battery independence dream and partner with China

June 02, 2025

The crumbling of Europe’s once-ambitious battery industry has prompted a strong warning from two of the continent’s most senior industrial leaders: forget going for it alone, partner with China, or risk falling further behind. The fall of battery maker Northvolt has left a vacuum in Europe, as it seeks to align itself with major Chinese […]

After record sales in Spain, Darren Tu set to expand Omoda & Jaecoo in Belux

June 02, 2025

Omoda and Jaecoo have appointed Darren Tu as Managing Director for its Belux operations, after his successful tenure at the Spanish division, where the brands succeeded in outpacing legacy brands in the sales charts. The move appears to signal growth potential, as witnessed by holding company Chery. But how much momentum do these brands have […]

Toyota introduces hybrid Aygo X

June 02, 2025

Toyota’s Aygo X urban crossover gets electrified, it’s the first full hybrid in its segment. The newcomer has the lowest CO2 emissions of any non-plug-in car on the market, claims Toyota: 86 g CO2/km. At the same time, a GR Sport version will be introduced in the Aygo X lineup. “The Aygo X has attracted […]

EU Parliament gives the nod on softened EU CO2 targets (Update)

May 28, 2025

The EU Parliament has approved the Commission’s request to soften the 2025 CO2 fleet targets. The proposal received 458 votes in favour, 101 against, and 14 abstentions. All that remains is for the European Council to approve it, which it did on 27 May. The more flexible CO2 targets are one measure the EU Commission […]

France finally has a center for checking fire on aircraft engines

May 27, 2025

After the US, France now also has the necessary equipment to conduct fire resistance tests on aircraft engines. So reports the French business newspaper Le Figaro. The platform for aircraft engine fire research will be located at the French National Center for Aerospace Research (ONERA), 15 km south of Toulouse. The center, founded in 1968, […]

500 tweaks: Nio bets on big upgrade for ET5 and EL6

May 27, 2025

Chinese electric carmaker Nio has unveiled updated versions of its core models: the ET5 saloon, ET5 Touring estate, and EL6 SUV. The trio accounts for a large chunk of the firm’s global sales and has received over 500 upgrades ranging from styling tweaks to major technological enhancements, improving driver assistance. The updates are most noticeable […]

From collapse to comeback: HiPhi resurrected by Lebanese investor

May 27, 2025

After halting production for a year and teetering on the brink of collapse, Chinese premium EV brand HiPhi is preparing a return. This time under new ownership. Lebanese EV startup EV Electra acquired a majority stake in the embattled automaker. The stage is set for a potential reboot of one of China’s most ambitious electric […]

Historic drop in CO2 emissions in Flanders in 2023

May 26, 2025

Greenhouse gas emissions in Flanders have fallen to their lowest point this century. So reports Statistics Flanders, based on figures from the Flemish Environment Agency for 2023. Emissions, still accounting for 65,4 megatons (Mton) of greenhouse gas CO2 equivalents, were notably lower than in the COVID-19 year 2020. Decrease of 3,5 Mton CO2 In 2023, […]

T&E: ‘Social leasing could provide affordable EVs’

May 26, 2025

Up to 3 million households on low or modest incomes in Europe’s five largest countries (Germany, Spain, France, Italy, and Poland) could switch to electric cars by 2032 thanks to social leasing, according to an analysis by T&E based on data from the Öko-Institut. This scheme, which allows affordable electric vehicles under €25,000 to be […]

All-electric 6e sparks interest, but Mazda’s total sales to remain flat

May 26, 2025

With sales leveling off last year, Mazda Belgium remains on a steady course. The all-new, all-electric 6e is gaining traction and could reposition the brand in the fleet sector. But despite strong interest, the new model won’t drive up total sales, as key models are aging. Mazda Motor Corp. reported global sales of 1.3 million […]

Fiat Tris revives Ape as electric workhorse, but Europe must wait

May 23, 2025

Fiat has unveiled the Tris, its first three-wheeled electric commercial vehicle. It is aimed at affordable, low-emission transport in dense urban areas. Designed for Africa and the Middle East, the compact EV blends Italian design with pragmatic utility. It is a modern take on the nostalgic Ape. After the Topolino, a rebadged Citroën Ami, Fiat […]

Making waves: BYD enters into budget-friendly EV market with Dolphin Surf

May 22, 2025

Chinese carmaker BYD is making another push into the European electric vehicle market, this time at the more affordable end of the spectrum. Its new compact model, the Dolphin Surf, launched this week in several continental markets, including Belgium, arrives with a promise that could rattle established players: fully electric motoring for just under €22,000. […]

Eighth generation Lexus ES is coming (Update)

May 22, 2025

An all-new Lexus ES made its world-first appearance a few weeks ago at the Shanghai Auto Show, signalling the introduction of an eighth generation of the global luxury sedan later this year. Lexus has now also provided some details about the battery. While the ES has been a key model for Lexus in North America […]

New Nissan Micra is a compact BEV

May 22, 2025

After a break of almost four years, there’s a successor for the Nissan Micra. The small car will only be launched on the market with an electric drive and is set to be the start of a major product offensive by the Japanese manufacturer in Europe. The Micra has historically been a successful model for […]

Volvo FH Aero Electric aims to rival diesel trucks 

May 21, 2025

Volvo Trucks has released more details on its new FH Aero Electric, its most ambitious battery-electric truck yet. The long-distance hauler will debut with an extended driving range, fast-charging capabilities, and payload capacity on par with diesel-powered models. But some patience is required, as the electric flagship model is slated to hit the market in […]

All-electric KGM Musso goes head-on with Maxus T90 (update)

May 21, 2025

The Chinese Maxus T90, the first all-electric pickup in Belgium, is getting stiff and rugged competition from South Korea. Neither Kia nor Hyundai is stepping up on an emission-free alternative for the utilitarian market, but KGM—formerly known as Ssangyong—adds a Musso with a traction battery to its range. It will be available in Belgium as […]

Toyota’s new RAV-4 has world premiere in Japan

May 21, 2025

Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) unveiled its new RAV4 on May 21. The model will be launched in Japan before the end of the fiscal year 2025. It’s the sixth generation of a car that debuted in 1993 and has sold 15 million units worldwide, 2.5 million of which were sold in Europe. “Under the concept […]

France’s white gold could bring hydrogen mobility back on the map

May 20, 2025

The groundbreaking hydrogen discovery in northeastern France last year is reigniting interest in a long-overlooked source of clean energy—natural hydrogen. At a moment when the bets on hydrogen for transportation are severely off the table, scientists have started mapping vast amounts of mineable hydrogen and laid out the challenges for exploitation methods. Tucked beneath the […]

Citroën recalls former manager Xavier Chardon as new CEO

May 20, 2025

Xavier Chardon, who has led Volkswagen Group France until now, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Citroën brand, effective June 2, 2025. He will report to Jean-Philippe Imparato, Enlarged Europe Chief Operating Officer, Stellantis, who is currently overseeing the multinational group as it searches for a new CEO after Carlos Tavares’s departure. At […]

Van Mossel unveils Europe’s largest MG showroom

May 20, 2025

Despite the EU’s stringent import duties, MG’s export ambitions haven’t withered. Last week, Europe’s number one Chinese brand opened its largest brand store to date in Roermond, the Netherlands. The flagship showroom is designed to anchor the brand’s identity against the backdrop of shifting consumer priorities. The new site, developed in partnership with Dutch dealership […]

Powerdot pledges €40m to reach top-three fast-charging networks in Belgium

May 19, 2025

Portuguese electric vehicle charging firm Powerdot is ramping up its European ambitions, pledging €140 million to expand fast-charging infrastructure across France and Belgium. The move was announced at this year’s Choose France summit, the government-backed initiative designed to woo foreign investment. The company is earmarking €100 million for France and €40 million for Belgium in […]

BYD to establish European headquarters and R&D center in Hungary

May 16, 2025

Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD will establish its European headquarters and a significant research and development hub in Budapest. The investment is part of a €248 million expansion into Hungary. It underlines the company’s growth ambitions and the Orban government’s close ties with Beijing. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and BYD’s chairman and chief executive, Wang […]

Toyota adds estate version ‘Touring’ to bZ4X offer

May 16, 2025

Toyota is set to launch an estate car version of its all-electric SUV model, the bZ4X, next year. It will be called the BZ4X Touring and will be 14 cm longer than the standard car. Its European launch is planned for the first half of 2026. The bZ4X Touring features 33% more trunk space than […]

Mitsubishi’s new Eclipse Cross is a Renault Scenic in disguise

May 15, 2025

Mitsubishi is set to reintroduce the Eclipse Cross name to European roads, but this time, the badge will sit on the back of a French-built electric SUV. The Japanese carmaker has confirmed that it will unveil a fully electric Eclipse Cross in September, with first deliveries planned by the end of 2025. The new model […]

IEA: one in four new cars will be electric in 2025

May 15, 2025

According to the latest report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), electric vehicle sales are on course to top 20 million globally in 2025, marking a significant milestone for the automotive sector. This figure translates to one in every four new cars sold this year being electric—a remarkable rise considering the lingering economic uncertainty and […]

NIO ET9 first car certified with steer-by-wire in Europe

May 13, 2025

Chinese premier EV maker NIO has its flagship sedan, the ET9, certified for steer-by-wire (SWB), a first for Europe, after the regulator in its homeland did the same in December 2024. There is no longer a mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the turning wheels. Still, NIO claims its system is fully redundant, making […]

British Airways and Iberia order new planes en masse

May 12, 2025

IAG, the group behind British Airways and Iberia, is expanding its fleet with 71 new aircraft. The orders are neatly divided between Boeing, an American manufacturer, and its European rival, Airbus. The order involves more than 20 billion dollars. The planes would be delivered between 2028 and 2033. IAD did not release how much specifically […]

MG realizes strong growth on Belgian and European market

May 12, 2025

In the first quarter of 2025, the Chinese manufacturer MG realized substantial growth in Europe and the Belgian car market. In Europe, it sold 78,505 cars during Q1, a 33.5% increase in sales compared to 2024. In Belgium, MG registered 35% more registrations in the same period. With the noticeable progress of another Chinese brand, […]

Audi launches PHEV flavors of initially full-electric A6 e-tron

May 08, 2025

It was initially intended to be an all-electric version only, but now the new Audi A6 e-tron has an e-hybrid quattro PHEV flavor, too. That one has a 2.0 TFSI engine and a beefed-up battery of 25.9 kWh (net 20.7 kWh), a gain of roughly 45 percent compared to its predecessor, to offer an electric […]

Ford struggles to find the right EV course

May 07, 2025

Ford presented its business figures for the first quarter and reported a 200% increase in sales for its electric car division. As a result, turnover is also higher, and the loss is lower than a year ago. However, the loss still totals $850 million, and the manufacturer seems to be struggling with its EV future. […]

Ferrari in top form won’t bother its clients with Trump’s tariffs

May 07, 2025

Italian sports carmaker Ferrari is in roaring good health. Net revenues in the first three months of 2025 topped 1.79 billion, up 13.0% versus the prior year, and total shipments of 3,593 cars were 33 more than in the same period last year. Ferrari will announce six new models, which include the newly launched 296 […]

All-new Jeep Compass debuts in Europe first

May 06, 2025

Today, the all-new Jeep Compass debuted in Italy and will be manufactured at the Melfi plant, a key hub for Stellantis’ electrification strategy. The new Compass evolves with an expanded engine range, which includes three powertrain options: e-Hybrid, e-Hybrid plug-in, and full electric with up to 650 km range. The latter also offers four-wheel drive. […]

Hyundai-Kia’s plan of attack amid global headwinds: a lot more affordable EVs

May 06, 2025

South Korean management reads Julius Caesar. As attack is the best defense, the Hyundai group plans to launch a major product push to combat the economic cooldown and Trump tariffs. Most particularly in the lower regions of the electric category. What’s coming, as the fifth largest carmaker retools its strategy to stay competitive in a […]

New lobby group aims to make aviation more sustainable

May 06, 2025

Aviation’s future is at risk if it does not undergo a fundamental transition, says ‘Call Aviation to Action,’ a group of more than 50 aviation executives urging the sector to become more sustainable. The Dutch initiative, which includes various people, including directors, pilots, and technicians, believes that aviation cannot possibly continue on its current course […]

Uber plans 2026 rollout of robotaxis in Europe

May 05, 2025

Uber Technologies has announced a strategic partnership with Chinese autonomous driving start-up Momenta to launch self-driving taxi services in Europe. The project is planned to start in early 2026. The collaboration marks Uber’s first venture with a Chinese developer of robotaxis, and beyond its home markets in the US and China.  While Waymo already offers […]

Belgium misses deadline for climate plans again

May 05, 2025

Belgium will not be able to submit its National Energy and Climate Plan (NEKP) to the European Commission on May 12th, even though the Commission’s new deadline expires then. According to the cabinet of federal Climate Minister Jean-Luc Crucke (Les Engagés), the delay is due to Flanders. Belgium is now committed to submitting the plan […]

Stricter rules for super wind turbines in Flanders

May 05, 2025

Flemish Environment Minister Jo Brouns (CD&V) is introducing stricter distance rules for large wind turbines. This is reported by the newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws. For windmills higher than 200 meters, the distance to the first residence must from now on be at least three times the tip height. “Flanders is too small to place such […]

CO2 levels European aviation sector back to pre-Covid levels

April 29, 2025

CO2 emissions from planes taking off from a European airport last year are back almost at the same level as in 2019, before the Covid-19 crisis. So, Transport & Environment (T&E) reports. The NGO that fights for more environmentally friendly transportation calls the airlines’ promise to return greener after the coronavirus pandemic “a joke.” Last […]

BYD doubles profit, strengthens hold on EV market as Tesla struggles

April 28, 2025

Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD extended its lead in the global EV race with a record-setting first-quarter profit. The carmaker solidified its dominance at home while advancing its global ambitions. But over in Europe, the brand shifted strategy as it struggled with its dealership footprint.  The Shenzhen-based car maker’s net profit rose to 9.2 billion […]

Chery expands European footprint with two new brands: Lepar and Jetour

April 24, 2025

The Chery Group, one of China’s most important car exporters, didn’t fail to wow at the Shanghai Auto Show. As it stunned the local market with a flood of models, it also announced that it would bring two additional brands to Europe, aside from Jaecoo and Omoda. Lepas will compete with Dacia, while Jetour aims […]

Can Renault’s Embleme change how EVs are built and drive?

April 22, 2025

At first glance, the Renault Embleme looks like just another sleek European shooting brake, long, low, and a little futuristic. But hidden beneath that sculpted bodywork is an experiment that could rewrite the rules of car manufacturing.  The Embleme dazzled crowds at last year’s Paris Motor Show. But it is much more than a concept […]