July 17, 2025
A recent long-term test by Germany’s largest automobile club, ADAC, provides a reassuring answer on the long-term health of a popular fully electric car, the Volkswagen ID.3. After putting the electric hatchback through a four-year, 160,000 km endurance test, the results look very promising. The key finding was remarkable: the high-voltage battery still had a […]
July 17, 2025
France is heading towards a fourth lawsuit in the Dieselgate saga. After Volkswagen, Peugeot-Citroën, and Renault, it’s Fiat-Chrysler’s turn to be investigated for fraudulent software in some of their diesel cars. The manufacturer contests “the entire jurisdictional argumentation”. Fiat-Chrysler is suspected of having commercialised between 2014 and 2017 diesel vehicles of the brands Fiat, Alfa […]
July 17, 2025
Renault Group has named its recently appointed CFO, Duncan Minto, as interim CEO to replace Luca de Meo, who is leaving the automaker to run the luxury group Kering. Minto will run the company alongside Renault Group Chairman Jean-Dominique Senard, Renault said in a news release on July 15. It said the search for a […]
July 15, 2025
System operator Elia has put the finishing touches to the high-voltage BRABO III grid. The new grid is almost complete with the completion of mast number 58. It should be effectively powered by early 2026, which will support industry in the Port of Antwerp. “This reinforcement is necessary because demand for electricity in the port […]
July 15, 2025
According to the analysis of sector federations Febiac and Traxio, the Belgian car market saw 608,426 cars sold in the first half of 2025. 234,616 of them were new ones (-10.9%), 373,810 were second-hand (+0.9%). In both markets, electrification evolves further. BMW and Dacia are the winners when looking at the specific models. With the […]
July 14, 2025
The Traton Group, Volkswagen Group’s heavy commercial vehicle subsidiary, has reported a slightly positive sales result for Q2 2025. A total of 80,000 vehicles were sold, compared to 79,000 units in Q2 2024, but the first half of 2025 stays in the red, and the market remains uncertain, not just in the US. Traton Group […]
July 14, 2025
Volkswagen and SAIC close their joint plant in Nanjing, China. Production has already come to a standstill. In Nanjing, the partners had mainly built combustion models such as the VW Passat and Skoda Superb. Production is now moving to a nearby plant. There had already been rumors last year about the closure of the plant […]
July 14, 2025
The Paris prosecutor’s office has asked for a third lawsuit in the so-called dieselgate scandal. After Volkswagen and Peugeot-Citroën (part of Stellantis now), it’s Renault’s turn. The French manufacturer denies any infringement. Renault has supposedly “specially calibrated” Euro 5 and Euro 6 vehicles sold between 2009 and 2017 to pass the legal tests, but they […]
July 11, 2025
There’s a scientific consensus that electric vehicles are the cleanest form of propulsion. A new study by the International Council on Clean Transportation now shows that their climate advantage is growing faster than previously assumed. Today’s EVs sold in Europe emit 73% fewer greenhouse gases over their lifetime compared to petrol cars. The reason is […]
July 11, 2025
Hyundai presented the new Ioniq 6 N at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in West Sussex, England. This marks Hyundai’s second high-performance EV following the Ioniq 5. In terms of technical specifications, the performance offshoot of the Ioniq 6 offers an output of 478 kW and 770 Nm of torque (with N Grin Boost), 175 […]
July 11, 2025
German car manufacturer BMW Group reported a 0.5% decline in sales for the first half of the year, marking a positive sign amid the country’s ongoing automotive sector crisis, which is being intensified by competition from China. The group clearly increased EV sales, but the growth in this area is slowing. The premium carmaker, which […]
July 10, 2025
The Mazda 6 was briefly absent from the European market. At the beginning of the year, the fully electric successor made its European debut at the Brussels Motor Show. This second half of the year, it comes into the market, and we were able to drive it. The newcomer is based on the Chinese Chang’an […]
July 10, 2025
The Volkswagen Group recorded 465,500 BEV deliveries worldwide in the first half of 2025, 47% more than in the same period of last year. The VW Group’s electric cars were in demand in the USA and especially in Europe; however, there was a sharp decline in China. The 465,500 electric cars delivered in the first […]
July 09, 2025
Kia has confirmed plans for a sub-€25,000 electric city car as part of its upcoming EV line-up, alongside a next-generation SDV platform and range-extender technology for larger models. The brand continues to balance EVs, hybrids, and combustion engines to meet global demand. Kia is preparing an entry-level electric city car to launch before the end […]
July 09, 2025
Walloon industrial group John Cockerill has received approval from the Belfort Commercial Court for its acquisition of McPhy. That French company produces electrolyzers to produce green hydrogen, which can be used, among other things, as fuel for various modes of transportation. With the acquisition, John Cockerill Hydrogen aims to create a world champion in hydrogen […]
July 09, 2025
Kia’s new EV5 mid-sized SUV, built on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform, delivers up to 530 km range, fast charging, V2L/V2G power capabilities, and advanced safety. It is scheduled to launch in Korea and Europe in late 2025; pricing is not yet available. Kia’s EV5 is a fully electric mid-sized SUV built on Hyundai Motor Group’s dedicated […]
July 08, 2025
According to a new study by the clean transport and energy lobbying group Transport & Environment (T&E), the European car industry, which is responsible for €330 billion of the EU’s GDP and employs three million people directly or indirectly, faces an agonizing choice. It can boost and ramp up EV production with proper EU support, […]
July 07, 2025
On Saturday, tech billionaire and Tesla-boss Elon Musk announced the creation of a new political party in the United States on X: the America Party. President Trump touts Musk’s move as “ridiculous” and says her former best ‘buddy’ has gone “completely off the rails”. Musk says he wants to wipe out the Republicans and Democrats […]
July 04, 2025
BMW is gearing up to launch production of its ‘Neue Klasse’ series of vehicles. In September, at the IAA, the iX3 will be launched as the first vehicle of this class. To meet nearly the entire global demand for electric drives, BMW’s factory in Steyr was upgraded to produce both combustion engines and electric drives. […]
July 04, 2025
Changan Automobile, one of China’s largest state-owned automakers, is accelerating its push into Europe. The carmaker has confirmed its intention to build its first manufacturing facility on the continent as part of a broader strategy to grow its electric vehicle footprint. The mounting trade barriers have persuaded the carmaker to localize operations. “We are committed […]
July 04, 2025
The recall problems at Stellantis don’t stop. Following issues with the PureTech gasoline engines and Takata airbags, the manufacturer is forced to recall nearly a million cars equipped with the 1.5 BlueHDi diesel engine. The timing chain has flaws and is prone to failure, which can potentially lead to an engine breakdown. Some 930,700 vehicles […]
July 03, 2025
Polestar is staking its European future on a new production strategy that focuses on local manufacturing for regional markets. The Swedish electric performance brand, owned by China’s Geely, confirmed this week that its upcoming Polestar 7 will roll off the lines at Volvo Cars’ under-construction factory in Košice, Slovakia. The 7 marks the premium brand’s […]
July 03, 2025
More than three years after the car carrier Felicity Ace vanished beneath the Atlantic with nearly 4,000 luxury vehicles on board, a German court has begun hearing what could become a landmark test of who’s responsible for the risks of electric vehicle logistics. The trial, which opened this week in Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, pits the […]
July 03, 2025
Stellantis is warning of potential factory closures across Europe as the automaker struggles to align with the European Union’s increasingly stringent CO₂ emissions targets. The alarm was sounded this week by Jean-Philippe Imparato, the group’s Europe chief, who described the situation as “just months away from a drama” if no regulatory adjustments are made before […]
July 03, 2025
On Wednesday, 2 July, the Belgian Federal Minister of Mobility, Climate, and Ecological Transition, Jean-Luc Crucke, and the Mayor of Bornem, Greet De Bruyn, accompanied BMW Group Belux CEO Alexander Wehr to leave an ‘imprint’ at the launch of the rebuild of BMW’s headquarters in Bornem. The plans were announced at the end of 2023 […]
July 02, 2025
In June 2025, the figures of the federal service Mobility & Transport and Febiac show a 16.4% decrease in registrations in Belgium and Luxembourg, with 41,527 newly registered cars. Cumulatively, 234,616 cars were newly registered during the first six months of 2025, representing a 10.9% decrease compared to the same period in 2024. Noticeable is […]
July 01, 2025
Mitsubishi Motors aims to sell 75,000 to 80,000 vehicles annually in Europe, a gain of 20 to 30 percent over last year, with the help of two new Renault-sourced models that arrive in 2025, regional CEO Frank Krol told the specialized magazine Automotive News Europe. It’s also thinking of (re)introducing some of its own Japanese […]
July 01, 2025
Volkswagen has increased its stake in US partner Rivian. A second payment of one billion US dollars (approximately €850 million) became due on June 30, following Rivian’s achievement of the targets agreed upon in the contract. Meanwhile, the group also thinks about a new ‘Nova’ platform for its ICE/PHEV luxury and supercars. VW had invested […]
June 30, 2025
Frédéric Dunon, the CEO of the high-voltage grid operator Elia, warns that if the government does not intervene, the electricity supply will be compromised by 2035. “A clear energy strategy is urgently needed,” he says. “We need to know which energy mix we want: do we want more offshore wind energy, more nuclear energy, and […]
June 30, 2025
BMW has to recall more than 70,000 electric vehicles in the U.S. due to a software issue with the electric motor. It could lead to a sudden loss of propulsion while driving, increasing the risk of an accident. The i4, i5, i7, and iX model series are affected. As is customary in the United States, […]
June 27, 2025
Tesla has dismissed one of its most senior executives amid its sales debacle and growing unease over CEO Elon Musk’s polarizing public profile. Omead Afshar, a long-time confidant of Musk and head of operations for North America and Europe, was quietly let go, according to Forbes. The departure reflects deepening turbulence within the electric vehicle […]
June 27, 2025
Mercedes-AMG has presented the CONCEPT AMG GT XX, a technology platform featuring axial flux motors and a newly developed high-voltage battery. Delivering over 1,000 kW of system output, the concept previews a fully electric four-door performance model scheduled for series production in 2026, based on the AMG.EA platform. “The CONCEPT AMG GT XX is the […]
June 26, 2025
Walloon industrial group John Cockerill has completed a 166 million euros capital increase. With that much-needed money, it intends to pursue its strategic development plan around hydrogen, and thus the production of its electrolyzers. Among others, the semi-public investment company SFPIM and gas grid operator Fluxys are stepping into the project. John Cockerill Hydrogen had […]
June 26, 2025
According to the data of the European car manufacturers’ association, ACEA, new car registrations increased by 1.6% in May, compared to the same month last year. EV sales rose 25% last month. For the first five months, there was a slight decrease of 0.6% due to fewer sales in the first three months of this […]
June 25, 2025
The French government has ordered the immediate immobilization of 800,000 additional vehicles because of the presence of possibly lethal Takata airbags. All car brands are involved in the massive and urgent recall that is now needed. Last week, French car manufacturer Citroën initiated a ‘stop drive’ for all its C3 and DS3 models produced between […]
June 25, 2025
Renault is gathering its collection of historic vehicles, artworks, and archival documents in a new exhibition center outside Paris, at the landmark Flins site, set to open in 2027. The public will be able to explore the brand’s unique heritage through tours and themed exhibitions. This ambitious project aims to showcase the brand’s 125-year history […]
June 24, 2025
Honda is set to launch its Fastport fleet-as-a-service company at Eurobike in Frankfurt later this week. The micromobility venture will sell the Fastport eQuad, a pedal-assist electric quadricycle designed for last-mile urban deliveries, which is built in the US and is specifically designed for North America and Europe. Honda already manufactures cars, motorbikes, and engines […]
June 24, 2025
The US Supreme Court has revived a challenge by fuel producers against California’s strict vehicle emissions rules, casting doubt on the state’s planned 2035 ban on new gasoline cars. The ruling could significantly impact EV policy leadership in the largest US car market. The conservative-dominated Supreme Court has granted fuel producers the right to challenge […]
June 23, 2025
VW is said to be toying with the idea of a particularly high-performance ID.2 R, which could become the brand’s first model to feature all-wheel drive using in-wheel motors. Should VW give the green light, the ID.2 R would sit above the already confirmed ID.2 GTI in the line-up and potentially even be pitched against […]
June 23, 2025
As of today, Antonio Filosa has started as the new CEO of Stellantis. After three weeks of visiting Stellantis factories, R&D centers, and offices worldwide, he officially started his new job by reshuffling his management team. Meanwhile, important decisions are to be made soon as the world’s fourth-largest car manufacturer has to recover from an […]
June 20, 2025
Audi CEO Gernot Döllner has confirmed that the brand has reversed its 2021 decision to phase out the production of cars with combustion engines (ICE) by 2033. The German carmaker no longer makes promises and communicates fixed deadlines “in the spirit of flexibility”. In an interview with the English car magazine Autocar, Döllner emphasised that […]
June 20, 2025
Ford has issued a global stop-sale on its electric Mustang Mach-E as it grapples with a potentially serious safety issue that may prevent the doors from unlocking, putting occupants at risk of being trapped. The recall affects nearly 317,000 vehicles spanning model years 2021 to 2025, raising fresh concerns among customers and dealers about delivery […]
June 20, 2025
MOIA, Volkswagen Group’s autonomous ride-sharing subsidiary, has unveiled the series production version of the VW ID. Buzz AD. The self-driving electric minivan is now available for sale to mobility providers and comes complete with all necessary software solutions and operator assistance. MOIA was founded in 2016 as part of Volkswagen’s ADMT (Autonomous Driving Mobility and […]
June 19, 2025
In an unprecedented attempt to unravel years of climate policy, US President Donald Trump has launched a renewed offensive against electric vehicle mandates and state-level emissions rules. His move sets the stage for a bitter legal clash with clean car advocate California and its allies. On top of that, the two Chambers of Congress have […]
June 19, 2025
The 102nd edition of the Brussels Motor Show (BMS), to take place from January 9 through January 18, will not only show cars and vans but also motorbikes. This will be the first re-entrance of exhibitors of motorized two-wheelers since 2020. Yesterday, BMS organizer Febiac held its annual general assembly, and there, the federation of […]
June 19, 2025
The infamous Takata airbag scandal, which began in 2014, has resurfaced in the automotive world. Due to a deadly incident last week in France, Citroën is immobilizing all its C3 and DS3 models in the whole of Europe. 441,000 vehicles are concerned. Last week, a 37-year-old woman died on a French motorway near Reims in […]
June 18, 2025
Nissan has pulled the sheet off its Leaf today. The name is an obligation: in 2010, the first generation of the compact car was one of the earliest electric vehicles (EVs). Now Nissan is presenting the third generation. On a new platform and with ambitious range promises. The order books are due to open in […]
June 18, 2025
The much-needed capital injection of 80 to 100 million euros that John Cockerill in Seraing is looking forward to to save its hydrogen division appears to be on the way. So reports the business newspaper L’Echo. In the past, John Cockerill Hydrogen already raised 230 million euros from various investors, but that money quickly ran […]
June 17, 2025
On June 16th, four of Europe’s leading nuclear technology organizations – Ansaldo Nucleare, Enea, Rete, and SCK CEN – signed the creation of the Eagles Consortium, a newly established alliance, whose goal is to develop and commercialize Eagles-300, a next-generation lead-cooled Small Modular Reactor (SMR). The Belgian-Italian-Romanian consortium aims to introduce a new nuclear production […]
June 17, 2025
In its annual Global Automaker Rating, the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) assessed how the 21 largest original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are progressing in their transition to electric vehicles. It shows the force with which China’s OEMs are shaking up the market. Since 2023, the ICCT has presented an annual manufacturer assessment of the […]
June 16, 2025
Ample, a California-based battery swapping company, is launching the ‘Japan Commercial EV Battery Swapping Project’ in Tokyo together with Mitsubishi and Yamato Transport. A fleet of 150 electric trucks and vans will be deployed for daily commercial operations, powered by 14 battery swapping stations located throughout the city. Ample was founded in 2014 and aims […]
June 16, 2025
Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo leaves the French car manufacturer. He also leaves the automotive industry to become CEO of Kering, a luxury conglomerate that regroups brands like Gucci, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, and Bottega Veneta. A dry announcement of the Renault Group on Sunday evening rocked the automotive world and especially the whole of […]
June 16, 2025
Dutch charging provider Allego has fulfilled its promise and is now offering Plug&Charge technology across its ultra-fast charging network in Europe. The convenience eliminates the need for apps and cards, providing a seamless charging experience. Following in the footsteps of charging point operators like Ionity, Allego has an edge. It pioneers the latest communication protocol. […]
June 13, 2025
The BMW Group is industrialising its ‘Virtual Factory’, with production planners continuously scaling applications in the digital twins of over 30 production sites to accelerate production planning worldwide. What once required several weeks of real-world modifications and testing can now be precisely simulated in the BMW Group’s Virtual Factory. To create optimal conditions for upcoming […]
June 13, 2025
Drivers of high-fronted cars are unable to see children as old as nine, tests find. The hood height of new vehicles in Europe is increasing by half a centimeter a year, on average, driven by the growth in SUV sales, new research assembled by Transport & Environment (T&E) finds. The trend is part of the […]
June 13, 2025
Marelli, a major automotive supplier to Nissan, Stellantis, and other companies, has approximately 50,000 employees worldwide across 170 facilities. It filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US beginning this week. It says to be one of the first major victims of the tariff wars due to its import/export-focused business. Under Chapter 11, a […]
June 13, 2025
The iX3 is the first BMW model based on the ‘Neue Klasse’ and will be unveiled at the IAA Mobility in September. The Munich-based company is providing some closer insights into the test drives with the prototypes, including fast charging with up to 400 kW. “Longer range, faster charging, an all-new display and operating concept, […]
June 12, 2025
How do they do it? While one of the main complaints in Europe about electric cars is that it’s impossible to build a compact, fully electric vehicle that is affordable and profitable, the Chinese prove the opposite. Latest example: Chery’s QQ Domi compact city car was launched in China at a starting price of 59,900 […]
June 12, 2025
A Republican-led push in the US Congress threatens to blow a hole in one of Tesla’s most lucrative sources of profit: the sale of carbon and fuel economy credits. If the bill gets approved, it would deprive the electric vehicle maker of billions in future revenue. No wonder Tesla CEO Elon Musk slashed the proposal, […]
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 […]
