July 01, 2022
Volvo Cars announced today it will establish a third manufacturing plant in Europe. The new state-of-the-art plant in Kosice, Slovakia, will be climate neutral and build only electric cars, underpinning the company’s ambition to become fully electric by 2030 and climate-neutral by 2040. By picking Slovakia as the location for its new plant, Volvo Cars […]
July 01, 2022
Tesla’s share of the EV market is projected to collapse from 70% today to 11% in 2025. Bank of America analyst John Murphy announced the number one EV maker’s shrinking market share in his annual Car Wars forecast. Does losing dominance in its home country mean Tesla is going to march backwards? According to Murphy, […]
July 01, 2022
Mercedes-Benz is injecting an extra two billion euros to prepare its network of European production plants for the brand to go all-electric by the end of the decade – ‘wherever market conditions allow.’ The German carmaker reshuffles production of the future product portfolio focusing on three categories: Top End Luxury, Core Luxury, and Entry Luxury. […]
July 01, 2022
The tumultuous take-over saga at SsangYong has resulted in chemical-to-steel group KG becoming the new owner. The company outbid underclothing giant Ssangbangwool (SSB) and paid 950 billion won ($740 million) for the financially troubled Korean SUV specialist. The deal was conducted by biddings that needed the approval of the Seoul Bankruptcy court. Based on pricing, […]
July 01, 2022
Not everyone is suffering from the supply shortage and the effects of the war in Ukraine. Big energy companies like TotalEnergies or maritime transport companies like CMA CGM register astronomic benefits. To avoid surtaxes, they propose ‘gifts’ to the average consumers. Total Energies will lower its gas prices along motorways by 12 euro cents per […]
July 01, 2022
The ‘i’conic BMW i3 ends its production with just over 250 000 units produced in the eight and a half years of its existence. It has never been as popular as now, but BMW has other plans with its Leipzig factory, and, more importantly, the model didn’t make money. The small i3, BMW’s first fully […]
June 30, 2022
The Belgian gas net manager Fluxys and the Norwegian energy company Equinox are analyzing the feasibility of an undersea pipeline for the transport and storage of CO2 in the Norwegian gas fields. The pipeline would connect Zeebrugge and Norway and cover a distance of 1 000 km. Industrial CO2, captured in Zeebrugge, could then be […]
June 30, 2022
Audi has started building its first plant dedicated to EVs in the Chinese metropolis Changchun, one of the largest automotive regions in the country. The site partners with state-owned carmaker FAW and will manufacture models based on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) for the local market. The new factory is built on 150 hectares and […]
June 30, 2022
Citroën is developing an additional model to be positioned between the existing C4 and the C5 X. The new model will be baptised C4 X and will feature a 100% electric drive. Depending on the market, versions with combustion engines will also be offered for sale. In practice, the C4 X is an evolution based […]
June 30, 2022
Norwegian battery-maker Freyr has received approval from its board to expand its plans for a Gigafactory in the country’s north. Called Arctic Giga, the plant is projected to raise its annual capacity to 29 GWh. The clearance for the larger-than-planned scale was announced simultaneously with Norway’s first official battery strategy. Giga Arctic is Freyr’s – […]
June 30, 2022
Citroën has recently communicated that their My Ami Beach Buggy, a limited edition of 50 units, sold out in just 17 minutes and 28 seconds. A minimal, limited edition, so it was obvious from the beginning that the offer couldn’t match the nearly 1 800 signs of interest the French brand received. Still, such instant […]
June 30, 2022
Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis, says being worried about the soaring energy tariffs. Add to that the steeply rising prices for raw materials, and you have a perfect storm that the car boss wants to counter with a 360° vision of mastering its total energy consumption and production. We have had the coronavirus, we still […]
June 29, 2022
Rail freight company Lineas will fit more than 5 000 wagons with silent brake blocks with the support of the Belgian federal government. The investment of 2,18 million euros is part of the ‘Retrofit Project’ and should give rail freight a much-needed boost. The government’s ambition is to double the freight transported by rail by […]
June 29, 2022
The organizer of the Brussels Motor Show, Febiac, has announced that the anniversary edition (100) will be memorable. From 13 to 22 January 2023, the 100th edition will take place at the Brussels expo premises, and Febiac promises some ‘specific experiences’ next to the ‘normal’ show to put the anniversary into perspective. “Many brands already […]
June 28, 2022
Further details have emerged on the EV cars jointly developed by electronics giant Huawei, battery-maker CATL, and car manufacturer Avatr. Based on a new platform using cell-to-pack (CTP) batteries, four EV models are on the agenda by 2025. In addition, the architecture enables different body types and drivelines. The collaboration between these big Chinese industrial […]
June 28, 2022
Only a week after Audi proudly announced that it is the market leader in Belgium in terms of pure electric vehicles, the e-tron assembled in Vorst (Brussels) appears to be completely sold out on the Belgian market. Audi is experiencing an excellent year in terms of electrically powered models. During the first months of 2022, […]
June 28, 2022
The Walloon government has reached an agreement on the new car taxation scheme that was already due for a certain time. Normally, the whole scheme should come into effect from 1 September 2023 onward and totally implemented by 2026. As well road tax and registration tax will be revised, the global ‘tax pressure’ should stay […]
June 27, 2022
Stellantis has invested €50 million in Vulcan Energy Resources. As such, it becomes the second-largest shareholder of the German-Australian lithium producer with an 8% stake. Vulcan and Stellantis have also extended their binding offtake agreement for lithium hydroxide by five to ten years, up to 2035. It has been known that Stellantis is betting on […]
June 27, 2022
More than 5 000 units of Toyota’s first fully electric model, the bZ4X, and Subaru’s sister model Solterra are being recalled because of a serious safety problem. In sharp turns with sudden braking, the wheel hub bolts can loosen to the point where the wheel can detach from the vehicle. Some 2 700 Toyota bZ4X […]
June 24, 2022
Tesla’s most recent Gigafactories in Austin and Berlin are heavy cash burners because they don’t manufacture enough models. CEO of the electric carmaker, Elon Musk, said that the losses piled up to billions in a video interview with the Tesla Owners of Silicon Valley fan club. “Money furnaces”, was the exact phrasing from Musk. Cost […]
June 24, 2022
The Belgian investment company Alcopa (owned by the Moorkens family) sells the remaining 40% of its shares in Astara Western Europe (formerly Alcomotive). Alcopa was active in the car importing and distributing business since its founding by Albert Moorkens and his wife Constance in 1937 but sold already 60% of its automotive division to Spanish […]
June 24, 2022
On a trip from Stuttgart to Silverstone, the ‘most efficient Mercedes-Benz ever’ breaks its own efficiency record and drives 1 202 km on a single battery charge. Thanks to its innovative thermal management system, the Vision EQXX prototype car achieved an amazing average electricity consumption of 8,3 kWh/100 km. Following its record-breaking maiden trip from […]
June 24, 2022
BMW has inaugurated its state-of-the-art new EV plant in Shenyang, China. Plant Lydia, as it is called, produces for BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd an extended, fully electric version of the classic 3-Series we know, but exclusively for China. Plant Lydia is the first BMW Group plant fully planned and simulated in the virtual world from […]
June 23, 2022
Belgian Umicore will invest half a billion euros in a new EV battery recycling plant in Europe, the biggest in the world. The location is yet to be decided, defined by good logistics and the availability of schooled personnel. It should be operational by 2026 and recycle 150 000 tons per year. The investment is […]
June 23, 2022
In a second vote on the climate ambitions of the European Commission, assembled under the ‘Fit for 55‘ umbrella, the European Parliament has agreed with the remaining issues and measures to reduce greenhouse gases by 55% in 2030. A central issue is the reform and the enlargement of the Emission Trade System. The European car […]
June 23, 2022
Ford Europe has chosen its Valencia plant in Spain as the preferred location for vehicle assembly, based on a next-generation electric vehicle architecture. Valencia has been preferred over the Saarlouis plant in Germany. “Pending product approval, the Valencia plant could produce breakthrough electric and connected vehicles beginning later this decade, says a Ford press release. […]
June 22, 2022
The Russian car manufacturer, Avtovaz, entirely in Russian hands since Renault has left, has started production again and launched a (very) basic version of its Granta, the cheapest car on the Russian market, also due to its lack of essential safety devices. Although the Granta Classic has been spent a little facelift and is equipped […]
June 21, 2022
Germany’s biggest union in the automotive industry, IG Metall, warns of social tensions and disquiet at Tesla’s only European factory in Berlin. The American company tries to lure in new workers with higher paychecks than those of the 5 000 people already on the payroll and who earn not enough. According to the union, discontent […]
June 21, 2022
Swedish truck builder Volvo Trucks has unveiled its first heavy-weight fuel cell electric truck with a range of more than 1 000 km and two 300 kW generating fuel cells on board to handle up to 65 tons of weight. Refueling takes only 15 minutes as a regular diesel truck. Cellcentric will provide the fuel […]
June 21, 2022
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) commented on the latest EU plans, part of the ‘Fit for 55’ climate package. Regarding the regulations for private/non-public charging infrastructure, the Commission has to be more ambitious. Of course, ACEA welcomes the European Commission’s proposal to review the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) as part of the […]
June 21, 2022
BMW Group has announced that it will also develop and produce the next generation of electric drives at its main engine plant in Steyr, Upper Austria, from 2025. The plant will be converted to produce 600 000 of the new generation e-drives per year. In Steyr, BMW wants to manufacture the rotor, stator, gearbox, inverter, […]
June 20, 2022
California-based electric start-up Faraday Future will be able to launch its debut FF 91 model without additional funding during the third quarter of 2022, CEO Carsten Breitfeld told Reuters news agency. However, he said the company would need additional capital later this year. Faraday Future expects to produce between 6 000 and 8 000 units […]
June 20, 2022
The joint venture between Sony and Honda for electric cars and mobility services announced in March is becoming more concrete. It will be called Sony Honda Mobility, based in Tokyo, and will be owned equally by both companies with an initial investment of 10 billion yen (about 7o million euros). The official establishment of the […]
June 17, 2022
Last year, appointed CEO of Ferrari, Benedetto Vigna, unveiled his strategic plan for the world’s most profitable carmaker at a shareholders’ meeting yesterday. By 2026, the sportscar manufacturer wants to boost revenue to 6,7 billion euros, from the 4,8 billion expected this year, driven by the launch of 15 new products and electrification of 60%. […]
June 17, 2022
Belgian gas grid operator Fluxys and the French company GRTgaz are joining forces to develop an open-access low-carbon hydrogen transmission system between the two countries. In this context, they have launched a call for building a pipeline network of some 70 km between the industrial zones of Valenciennes in France and Mons in Belgium. Fluxys […]
June 17, 2022
The premium full-electric Geely daughter Polestar is continuing to grow. Over 32 000 customer orders have been registered globally for Polestar 2 since 2022. That’s an increase of 290% versus the same period in 2021. The brand is also expanding its market coverage and preparing to launch three other models. Meanwhile, the manufacturer has started […]
June 17, 2022
Since the US number one car manufacturer sold Opel/Vauxhall to Stellantis five years ago, its presence on the old continent has been minimal. However, that could change in the (electric) future. GM CEO Mary Barra has recently declared that she thought her company was ready to return to Europe. If so, that will be with […]
June 16, 2022
In the US, Ford will recall some 49 000 Mustang Mach-E EVs for a possible battery problem. As a result, the manufacturer has asked its dealers to temporarily stop the delivery of new orders. The measure will also apply to the cars delivered in Europe. Meanwhile, Ford is facing a more significant problem: due to […]
June 15, 2022
Despite an ownership battle in the background, SsangYong doesn’t refrain from looking ahead. The South-Korean niche player presents the Torres, a rugged and bold-looking SUV slotting between the Korando and Rexton that will also feature a fully electric version. Technical details are sparse, but it is clear that struggling SsangYong isn’t throwing in the towel. […]
June 15, 2022
Schaeffler presented an innovative drive unit for electric vehicles at the Electric Vehicle Symposium in Oslo. Schaeffler says that the ‘four in one electric axle’ system is compact and up to 14% more economical than a “conventionally” built electric vehicle. Schaeffler is a major supplier of automotive components. The group with Scandinavian roots began with […]
June 15, 2022
Michigan (US) based battery start-up Our Next Energy (ONE) has signed an agreement with BMW Group to integrate its Gemini battery technology into a BMW iX. A prototype is to be completed by the end of this year and can then drive 600 miles or 965 kilometers on one charge. BMW Group is one of […]
June 14, 2022
As emissions from internal combustion engines (ICE) are reduced due to stricter standards and electrification, other sources of pollution such as brake and tire dust are taking the lead. For example, rubber tires emitting while wearing fine particles into the air are thousands of times more polluting than tailpipe emissions from (recent) cars. New research […]
June 14, 2022
According to the German newspaper Handelsblatt, the board of directors of BMW is discussing whether it should export its Chinese-made Mini EVs to the United States. The strategic U-turn follows after a road show where BMW gave a sneak preview of the zero-emission Mini to American dealers. Officially, the Bavarian carmaker denies the plan, but […]
June 14, 2022
Car manufacturing group Stellantis (a fusion between FCA and PSA) has announced that it will withdraw from the European manufacturers association (ACEA) before the end of the year. The group and its relentless boss Carlos Tavares are not happy with the way ACEA has failed to influence the EU decision on banning all ICE cars […]
June 13, 2022
Following a pilot phase in Nuremberg and “overwhelmingly” positive feedback from customers, Audi has decided to expand its concept of charging hubs and take it beyond the German borders. Swiss Zurich is the next place where a mobile charging lounge of this type will be constructed, with Berlin and Salzburg shortly after. Remember Audi’s charging […]
June 13, 2022
At the 35th (EVS) Electric Vehicle Symposium in Oslo, German Vitesco Technologies, a spin-off from Continental, presented a new generation of electric motors. These no longer use a permanent magnet, but a second (controlled) electromagnetic field to bring the motor in motion. With this technology, far fewer rare earth metals are required for their manufacture. […]
June 10, 2022
Is solar power coming into the automotive business too? The Dutch manufacturer Lightyear has rebaptized its One into 0 (zero) and is ready for launch. Meanwhile, at the Ford proving grounds in Lommel, the Belgian Agoria Solar team is prepared to attack the world record (most km in 12 hours) with their BluePoint Atlas. During […]
June 09, 2022
The Albany, New York-based company Plug Power will build a factory in the port of Antwerp on the former Opel site, NextGen District, to produce green hydrogen, zero-carbon fuel created using renewable energy and electrolysis. The investment will amount to almost 300 million euros. The Port of Antwerp wants to convert the gigantic 11-hectare site […]
June 09, 2022
Porsche has taken over Fazua, a light and compact drive systems manufacturer for e-bikes. The take-over follows Porsche earlier taking a 20-per cent stake in the German start-up. It is also part of a drive at Porsche to expand the e-bike business. Fazua, based in Ottobrunn, near Munich, is considered by Porsche a ‘pioneer in […]
June 09, 2022
Belgian bus manufacturer Van Hool has just launched a new model range of zero-emission public transport buses and coaches for local transport at the Paris European Mobility Expo. Bus manufacturer VanHool is a family business from Belgian Koningshooikt (near the city of Lier), 75 years old in 2022, and primarily builds vehicles for Europe and […]
June 09, 2022
Dr. Alexander W. Wehr is moving to Belgium to become President and CEO of BMW Group Belux. He will succeed Eddy Haesendonck, who decided to leave the BMW Group. Stefan Reiff succeeds Wehr as Vice President of Customer, Brand, and Sales at BMW Motorrad. “Due to his extensive international sales expertise, Alexander Wehr is ideally […]
June 09, 2022
At the ‘Unstoppable Impulse Event’ in Sitges near Barcelona, Cupra previewed three electrified models to be launched before 2025. Mother company Seat unveils that way that its sporty/luxury sub-brand will lead the electrification path for the Spanish division of the VW Group. “For now, electrification is still a little bit expensive. So we think we […]
June 08, 2022
Hyundai will soon cease production of the first Ioniq, the model that received a name that became the electric sub-brand afterward. According to the South Korean carmaker, the model’s production, which is available as a BEV, PHEV, and HEV, will end at the Ulsan plant in July. The Ioniq was launched in 2016, and since […]
June 08, 2022
Fiat has announced in a press release that a new Doblò will soon be available on the Belgian market. This third generation of the famous van will also be offered with an electric drivetrain. The renewal of the Doblò fits in the rationalization of the product range within the Stellantis group. Following Fiat’s integration into […]
June 08, 2022
As for the North American market, Ford joins the growing list of car makers that sells electric models from the factory at fixed prices. Jim Farley announced at the Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference but didn’t specify when the Model e branch responsible for all zero-emission Fords would start with the new distribution model nor when […]
June 08, 2022
Geely’s daughter and Volvo’s sister Polestar has revealed the first entire picture of its Polestar 3, its first SUV. There’s also a date announced for the car’s world debut. It will be October 2022, the month when orders can also be taken. Production will start in early 2023. Other information on the new Polestar is […]
June 07, 2022
As of 1 September 2022, Sigrid de Vries will assume the position as the European car and truck manufacturers association’s new Director-General, following a decision by the ACEA Board of Directors. She will manage the association that unites Europe’s 16 major car, truck, van, and bus makers at the EU level. Concerning the Alternative Fuels […]
June 07, 2022
The Denver-based start-up Solid Power, backed by Ford and BMW, announced it would be starting production of the first solid-state batteries for automotive testing on an EV cell pilot line. Solid-state batteries promise more energy density at a lower cost, hence longer ranges for electric vehicles soon. The pilot line is designed to produce large-format […]
June 07, 2022
Next week, the Fisker Ocean debuts in Europe. From now on, American customers can reserve Fisker’s second model, the Pear (for Personal Electric Automotive Revolution). The Californian carmaker works with the Chinese contract manufacturer Foxconn to produce the all-electric city car. The first models are scheduled for delivery in 2024. Customers could pre-order the Fisker […]
June 07, 2022
May hasn’t brought relief for the car market in Belgium and Luxembourg. Compared to the same month last year, car sales declined by 16,7%, for the first five months of this year, the cumulated regress attains 16%. We see the same tendency in other countries. Norway remains an (electric) exception but sees hybrid car sales […]
