Stellantis to build next-generation EVs in Mulhouse, France

May 28, 2026

France has presented its national electrification strategy. As part of the plan, President Emmanuel Macron announced that Stellantis will invest more than one billion euros in producing a new generation of electric vehicles at its Mulhouse plant from 2029 onward. This week, President Macron hosted representatives from industry and politics at the ‘Réunion de l’équipe […]

Volvo makes charging at Tesla’s network easier for its drivers

May 28, 2026

Volvo EV owners in Europe are getting a meaningful charging improvement while traveling longer distances. Starting in the autumn of this year, drivers will be able to access, initiate, and pay for sessions at Tesla Supercharger stations without the need for a separate app. No, Tesla allowing rival brands to its Supercharger network in Europe […]

New Lancia Gamma crossover SUV comes in Autumn

May 28, 2026

Lancia has unveiled the first images of the New Gamma crossover, the model “that marks a key step in the brand’s evolution”. Designed, engineered, and developed in Italy, the New Lancia Gamma is produced at the Melfi plant, one of the most advanced manufacturing sites within the Stellantis Group. The first vehicles are already undergoing […]

Polestar pushes back 6 electric roadster – maybe for good

May 28, 2026

The Polestar 6 is near ready. The design is finalized, and the development work is mostly concluded. All Polestar needs to do is start production, so it seems. However, don’t expect to see it on the road any time soon. Until market conditions improve, the starting lights remain firmly red. Granted, the 6 isn’t Polestar’s […]

Former VW CEO Herbert Diess plans to build electric tractors

May 28, 2026

Former Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess plans to launch a new mid-range electric tractor next year. To this end, he has founded Diess E-Agrartechnik AG, based in Munich. One of the unique features of the e-tractor is expected to be a swappable battery system enabling 24/7 operation. Herbert Diess is undoubtedly enjoying an active retirement: after […]

Tesla Cybercab certified as the most efficient EV ever built 

May 27, 2026

The Tesla Cybercab leaves every other production EV in the dust when it comes to frugality. For robotaxi economics, its record consumption is genuinely significant. For everything else, context is more important. Tesla’s Cybercab has been officially certified by the US EPA at 165 Wh per mile. Converted to the European WLTP standard, this would […]

EU car registrations up 5.1% in April, one fifth fully electric

May 27, 2026

In April 2026, year-to-date (YTD) new EU car registrations increased by 4.2%, despite ongoing geopolitical factors heightening uncertainty and downside risks, according to data from the European Car Manufacturers Association (ACEA). In April only, the market increased 5.1% (YOY). “The market continued to benefit from strong consumer demand for a range of electrified technologies, supported […]

BYD launches Dolphin G DM-i: the smallest plug-in hybrid in Belgium 

May 27, 2026

BYD is bringing plug-in hybrid technology to the B-segment, a class that until now has been bypassed or abandoned by car makers. The Dolphin G DM-i aims squarely at Europe’s B-segment. Not only is this the first model BYD has developed specifically for overseas markets, but it is also the only PHEV currently on sale […]

Gust from the past: Renault revives Rafale aircraft behind its SUV name

May 27, 2026

Renault has put one of the most evocative names in its back catalog back into the air. Almost 90 years after entering French aviation history, the Renault Caudron Rafale C.460 flew again on 23 and 24 May at the ‘Le Temps des Hélices’ air show at La Ferté-Alais, near Paris. The flight is more than […]

Landshut powers BMW’s EV catch-up and hydrogen bet

May 26, 2026

BMW Group Plant Landshut has started pre-series production of a hydrogen-specific version of its “Energy Master”, a key control unit for the future BMW iX5 Hydrogen. At the same time, the German site is commissioning a second production line for the battery-electric version of the same component, used in Neue Klasse models such as the […]

Ferrari unveils the electric Luce, do we see the ‘light’ at €550,000?

May 26, 2026

Ferrari has unveiled its first battery-electric vehicle, the Luce, revealing a potentially polarizing four-door fastback that departs sharply from the supercar maker’s tradition and heritage. The Luce, styled by former Apple design chief Jony Ive’s LoveFrom collective, abandons Ferrari’s signature looks for a simple, futuristic shape with floating aerodynamic elements and hidden taillights. ‘Deliberate decision’ […]

Xpeng rolls first series-produced robotaxi off the line

May 26, 2026

Chinese tech company and EV maker Xpeng has achieved a domestic first: a robotaxi built entirely with in-house technologies has entered series production. But rolling a vehicle off a production line might well be the easy part. The real test starts in the second half of 2026. Xpeng has officially rolled off the assembly line […]

Stellantis bets on Land Rover and Dongfeng to regain market share

May 25, 2026

In the wake of his first Investor Day as CEO, Antonio Filosa already presents two cornerstone deals of his strategic turnaround plan: one plans to build Voyah models at the French Citroën factory in Rennes, the other opens the door to a Jeep for the US, developed and built together with Land Rover. Stellantis needs […]

Kia Belux launches two AWD versions of the EV5 SUV

May 25, 2026

Kia Belux is expanding its EV5 lineup with two new versions, both four-wheel-drive. These top versions were developed to meet customer demand for greater performance and versatility. This means a second motor is installed in the rear, increasing the total power output to 195 kW (265 hp) and torque to 385 Nm for the base […]

Filosa’s fix for Stellantis: Opel and Citroën step back, USA steps up

May 22, 2026

Stellantis unveiled a €60 billion five-year strategy at its Investor Day in Auburn Hills yesterday. The plan bets heavily on North America, demotes European brands Opel and Citroën, and leans on Chinese manufacturing partners to fill underutilized factory capacity. The markets were not convinced: the stock dropped more than 6%. After posting a net loss […]

Mercedes-AMG’s new fully electric GT4-Door Coupé makes noise

May 21, 2026

Mercedes-AMG has unveiled the all-electric ‘GT 4-Door Coupé ‘with up to 860 kW of output and a peak charging capacity of more than 600 kW. Orders for the high-performance model will open in the coming days, initially with the GT 63 and GT 55 powertrain variants. And for sports car lovers who are missing the […]

BMW Motorrad Vision K18, BMW’s new ‘vision bike’

May 20, 2026

BMW Motorrad has presented the Vision K18, a vision bike that is designed to offer “a confident outlook on a new expression of performance, luxury and dynamism”. The Vision bike has been unveiled to the public for the first time at the exclusive Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on Lake Como. “Conceived as a one-off vision […]

Xiaomi teases Audi and Porsche again with Nürburgring SUV record

May 20, 2026

Xiaomi has upset the Germans once again in their own backyard. The Xiaomi YU7 GT, which is set to be officially announced tomorrow, has broken the SUV record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. With its 7:34.931 lap time, it left the Audi RS Q8 and the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT Coupé in the dust. After setting […]

Electra undercuts home rates for fast charging – but not always and not everywhere

May 20, 2026

The French charging point operator (CPO) Electra is the first major player in Belgium to tie public charging costs to time-of-use logic. This means that off-peak rates will be offered that are lower than the average Belgian household electricity tariff. This scheme provides a new windfall for environments where charging is constrained by practical caveats, […]

Skoda Epiq is VW Group’s third compact EV offering

May 20, 2026

Following the Volkswagen ID. Polo and the Cupra Raval, the Volkswagen Group is introducing the Skoda Epiq as the third model in its new family of electric small cars. Prices are set to start at €26,290 in Belgium, but most likely only more expensive models will be available initially, starting with a ‘First Edition’. The […]

EV adoption: emerging markets overtake established leaders

May 20, 2026

According to new data from the International Council on Clean Transportation ICCT, zero- and low-emission architectures accounted for a quarter of all global light-duty vehicle sales in 2025. While established markets show significant variation, emerging economies — particularly in Southeast Asia — are rapidly accelerating the e-mobility transition. The global electrification of light-duty vehicles, combining […]

New Hyundai Mobis electric powertrain designed for competitors too 

May 19, 2026

Hyundai’s supplier unit, Hyundai Mobis, has unveiled a new generation of electric powertrain. It’s a modular system that integrates a motor, inverter, and reduction gearbox into a single compact unit. The driveline is specifically designed to cut costs and boost time-to-market, and will also be made available for brands outside the Hyundai Group.  The PE […]

Alpine confirms growth in 2026

May 19, 2026

After a triple-digit growth record in 2025, the Alpine brand continues to grow worldwide in 2026, recording a +54.7% increase in sales (3,246 vehicles) in Q1 2026. In particular, the brand continues to expand sales in Europe (+53.9%) with 3,096 units. This growth is strongly driven by the UK’s excellent performance (+1,595.2%), which confirms its […]

Stellantis to build affordable E-Car in Naples from 2028

May 19, 2026

Stellantis is gearing up for its E-Car project and has officially announced a family of small, affordable, all-electric vehicles for multiple group brands. Production has been assigned to its Pomigliano d’Arco plant in Italy, near Naples, with a 2028 start date.  For nearly a year, the E-Car has circulated as a concept: after a joint […]

Ford plans 5 new cars for Europe, made in Europe

May 19, 2026

Ford plans to introduce five entirely new passenger car models by the end of 2029, all manufactured in Europe for the European market. These include a fully electric compact car, a small electric SUV, and three models available with various powertrain options. Ford has provided further details about its European plans: before the end of […]

VW ID. Polo also comes as a GTI (Update)

May 19, 2026

Volkswagen is bringing the GTI into the electric era while drawing heavily on the badge’s heritage. A red stripe, tartan trim, and GTI mode meet 166 kW, an adaptive chassis, and a front-axle differential lock. The manufacturer will open pre-sales for the ID. Polo GTI in autumn at prices starting just below €39,000 in Germany. […]

Stellantis taps into China to build Peugeots and Jeeps for Europe

May 18, 2026

Faced with contracting market share and overcapacity, Stellantis is reconfiguring its global strategy by leaning heavily on its historic Chinese partner, Dongfeng. The two automotive groups have announced a strategic agreement to produce new electrified vehicles in China for export. It shows how Western legacy automakers are increasingly relying on Chinese manufacturing efficiencies. When Peugeot-Citroën […]

Vision BMW Alpina study hints at the future of BMW’s new sub-brand

May 18, 2026

Revealed at the 2026 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, the Vision BMW Alpina is a design study that heralds a new chapter for a brand, now entirely under the BMW flag, defined by sophistication and the mastery of both performance and comfort. “Alpina has always represented a very specific idea of performance and refinement, where speed […]

Humble Hauler challenges Einride’s grip on autonomous freight

May 18, 2026

For the past several years, discussions surrounding driverless, cab-less electric freight have been heavily dominated by a single European player: Sweden’s Einride. Now, a well-funded Californian challenger emerges. Humble proposes an alternative to Einride’s established ‘Pod’ architecture. Its arrival launches a new phase of competition in autonomous port and yard logistics. San Francisco-based start-up Humble […]

BMW changes guard as Zipse hands Neue Klasse challenge to Nedeljković

May 15, 2026

BMW has formally changed CEOs at its 106th Annual General Meeting in Munich, with Oliver Zipse handing over the chairmanship of the Board of Management to Milan Nedeljković on 14 May. The move, announced earlier, ends Zipse’s term on the board and closes a 35-year career at the Bavarian carmaker, seven of them as CEO. […]

Kia’s electric successor to the Stinger is entangled in a cost struggle

May 15, 2026

Kia is eager to revive the Stinger in electric guise. Not in the least to boost its emotional and design appeal, but also to diversify its electric portfolio beyond volume-selling SUVs. However, it seems that the high engineering costs for a dedicated performance EV are currently preventing a production greenlight. Kia is actively exploring a […]

Flanders allows Tesla’s FSD Supervised on public roads

May 13, 2026

Following the regulatory approval in the Netherlands, Tesla is officially allowed to expand its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) to Belgian roads. However, as regulatory barriers across Europe are being lowered, the automaker is simultaneously overhauling the pricing model for its assisted-driving package. The Netherlands has triggered the regulatory domino effect under EU law, and it is […]

Is Mazda pivoting to hybrids in the near future?

May 13, 2026

Japanese car manufacturer Mazda will delay the launch of its first dedicated electric vehicle by two years to 2029, reduce EV investment by nearly half, and pivot to hybrids and China-made electrified products as changing US and European regulatory policies reshape automaker strategies. But unlike other carmakers that booked billions in charges for switching course, […]

Renault adds a ‘beach adventurer’ to its R4 Electric portfolio

May 13, 2026

Following the Savane 4×4 Concept last year, Renault is unveiling a new variation of the Renault 4 Electric at the 2026 Roland-Garros French Open: Renault 4 JP4x4 Concept. A fresh take on the Plein Air and JP4 versions of the original Renault 4, ‘Renault 4 JP4x4 Concept’ is a modern beach car, an adventure-seeking leisure […]

The robotaxi has arrived in Europe… if you live in Zagreb

May 12, 2026

Verne, the Zagreb startup backed by Mate Rimac, has launched the continent’s first commercial self-driving ride service. The dream of joining the United States and China is European. But don’t be mistaken: the underlying tech is Chinese. Since last April, citizens of Zagreb have had an interesting option for their morning commute. The Croatian autonomous […]

Europe’s battery dream dies even more as Morrow capitulates

May 12, 2026

Battery cell maker Morrow has filed for bankruptcy. The collapse of another promising cell manufacturer exposes how Europe talks about industrial sovereignty but refuses to guarantee the conditions for it. Green mobility group Transport & Environment takes notice and warns that the continent could lose 34 companies the size of Northvolt if political action remains […]

American LanzaTech to build first SAF plant for Europe in Ghent

May 12, 2026

American company LanzaTech has chosen North Sea Port in Ghent as the site for its first European plant to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) using alcohol-to-jet technology. The project involves an investment of 500 million euros. The plant is expected to create 50 permanent jobs, in addition to approximately 300 jobs during the three-year construction […]

The VinFast trilogy (2): Vietnam’s electric bus gamble rolls toward Europe

May 12, 2026

After building artificial lagoons, universities, hospitals, shopping malls, and entire private cities across Vietnam, Vingroup is now attempting something even more ambitious: exporting Vietnamese-built electric buses to Europe. Just a short drive from the monumental Vinhomes developments outside Hanoi, VinFast’s sprawling industrial complex in Hải Phòng reveals another side of the conglomerate’s ambitions. Next to […]

Honda’s first loss in history makes CEO Mibe change his entire strategy

May 12, 2026

Honda’s automotive strategy is unraveling worldwide as CEO Toshihiro Mibe tears up his old plan and draws up a new one in the face of the company’s first-ever full-year loss. Honda Motor Co.’s recent retreats on several fronts will be in the spotlight May 14, when Mibe announces a new roadmap focused on hybrid vehicles […]

Van Mossel is largest car sales group in Belgium

May 11, 2026

Last year, the car dealer group Van Mossel became the biggest car seller in Belgium. The group overtook importer D’Ieteren, which had been the most important car seller in this country for years. According to data from dealer data analyst Aumacon, requested by De Tijd, Van Mossel recorded 32,500 new-car registrations in 2025, while D’ieteren […]

Opel develops electric SUV with Leapmotor technology

May 11, 2026

The German Stellantis brand Opel has now officially confirmed the joint development of a new electric SUV with Leapmotor. The new model will use key components from Leapmotor and is set to roll off the production line at the Spanish plant in Zaragoza alongside the Opel Corsa from 2028. From the second half of this […]

EV retreat: Porsche shuts down battery, e-bike and software subsidiaries 

May 11, 2026

Porsche has decided to wind down three non-core divisions, resulting in the loss of over 500 jobs. The closures are part of a sweeping strategic reversal that is stripping Porsche of the electromobility ventures it spent years building. The way forward seems to be the backview mirror for the German sports car maker. Germany’s most […]

Stellantis and Leapmotor tighten their collaboration

May 11, 2026

Last Friday, Stellantis and Leapmotor announced they are exploring expanding their strategic partnership through a series of initiatives to build on the early success of their collaboration. Meanwhile,  Stellantis’ German brand, Opel, has now officially confirmed the joint development of a new electric SUV with Leapmotor. We’ll report on that in detail in a separate […]

The VinFast trilogy (1): building a private imperium in communist Vietnam

May 11, 2026

Vietnam does not usually come to mind when discussing global industrial powerhouses. Yet on the eastern outskirts of Hanoi, an empire has emerged that increasingly shapes how modern Vietnam lives, moves, studies, shops, and dreams. VinFast, the new EV brand with a whole lineup of cars and its own electric buses, is now trying to […]

Is Geely choosing Valencia over Ghent for European production?

May 08, 2026

While its subsidiary Volvo is struggling with overcapacity, and the Ghent factory needs relevance through the production of Chinese models, the Spanish outlet La Tribuna de Automocion reports that the mother company Geely is in talks to buy a part of Ford’s plant in Spain. Chinese brands are boosting their manufacturing ambitions in Europe to […]

Europe makes tachographs mandatory for cross-border vans

May 08, 2026

From July, the delivery van’s dashboard enters a new era. Europe has issued a regulatory requirement that forces millions of light commercial vehicles to comply with the same standard as trucks: a tachograph. The new law, coming soon, is likely to cause a bottleneck at aftermarket equipment firms. Picture a plumber from Ghent. He crosses […]

MG leads the trend of Chinese car makers to import their cars themselves

May 08, 2026

Chinese brand MG (part of SAIC Motor) and the Belgian importer Astara have reached an agreement under which MG Europe will import its cars itself as of the first of July. Meanwhile, the second-largest Chinese car brand in Belgium, BYD, is considering doing the same. The distribution of MG in Belgium and Luxembourg will be […]

BMW Group produces its two-millionth BEV, iX3 demand soars

May 08, 2026

A BMW i5 M60 xDrive sedan assembled at Plant Dingolfing is the BMW Group’s two-millionth all-electric vehicle. The anniversary vehicle is going to a customer in Spain. Meanwhile, Group CEO Oliver Zipse revealed that there are already more than 50,000 pre-orders for the iX3 ‘Neue Klasse’. Plant Dingolfing began series production of all-electric automobiles in […]

Lexus unveils the TZ, a full- electric six-seater SUV

May 07, 2026

Lexus today presents the world premiere of the all-new TZ, a six-seat, fully electric premium SUV “that explores new horizons in traveling comfort and pleasure”. The Lexus TZ is revealed today ahead of its market launch in Europe in 2027. “The TZ is designed around the concept of the Driving Lounge, a seamless blending of […]

No driver, no excuse: robotaxis no longer escape fines

May 07, 2026

California is closing a years-old legal loophole that made driverless cars effectively untouchable by traffic police. Starting this summer, autonomous vehicle manufacturers can be fined directly for moving violations committed by their vehicles. The question is: aren’t robotaxis built to behave under all conditions?  For years, driverless cars in California operated in a gray zone. […]

Opel Corsa GSE joins other Stellantis hot EV hatches

May 06, 2026

In the ‘hot hatches’ category at Stellantis, the Opel Corsa GSE will join the Lancia Ypsilon HF and the Peugeot e-208 GTI in October, when it celebrates its official premiere at the Paris Motor Show. It will also be the smaller brother of the Mokka GSE in the Opel portfolio. The Corsa GSE will use […]

Is the BMW iX3 the new champion in long-distance driving?

May 06, 2026

Long-distance driving in an electric car has been a challenge for a long time. However, modern EVs have largely eliminated range anxiety for many people, thanks to larger batteries, more efficient drivetrains, faster charging, and range figures unheard of a decade ago. We’re now reaching a point where driving a latest-generation EV doesn’t come with […]

Amazon becomes a full-fledged logistics company

May 06, 2026

For two decades, the story of Amazon was about what it sold. From now on, the story is about how it moves its own and others’ goods, and for whom. Companies like DHL, FedEx, and UPS have a new, very serious concern. Amazon pulled back a curtain that few in the logistics industry wanted to […]

IEA warns: ‘Methane remains at very high levels’

May 06, 2026

Emissions of methane, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming, remain very high. The International Environment Agency (IEA) reported this on Monday during an international meeting in Paris, where its annual Global Methane Tracker report was presented. In 2025, record production from the fossil fuel sector (oil, coal, gas) was responsible for 35% of […]

Denso targets 2029 for inductive charging on public roads

May 05, 2026

Japan’s largest automotive supplier, Denso, is developing an inductive charging technology that could hit public roads by 2029. It could upend Japan’s charging infrastructure headache and make the charging cable and oversized battery packs relics of the past. With its highly urbanized profile, symbolized by highways on the eleventh floor of high-rise buildings, Japan is […]

Leapmotor eyes the premium segment, with a little help from Maserati?

May 04, 2026

Europe’s fastest-growing Chinese EV brand is planning a second, higher-priced label for 2027. Like BYD has Denza, Leapmotor wants its own luxury brand. More out of a necessity than a technical ambition. But can a budget brand pull it off? Leapmotor, the Stellantis-backed Chinese EV maker that last year posted its first annual profit, is […]

Stellantis sees (small) benefits again in Q1 2026 but continues its cost-control measures

May 04, 2026

Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa said the automaker will implement a global cost-cutting program as he seeks to build on his recovery plan, which delivered a €377 million first-quarter profit after a €387 million loss a year earlier. Filosa did not offer specifics about the cost-control measures, which he called the Value Creation Program, or VCP, […]

VW Group targets capacity reduction (Update)

May 04, 2026

At Volkswagen Group, underutilized and costly plants in Europe are under scrutiny. CEO Oliver Blume plans to reduce overcapacity in China and Europe while avoiding plant closures in Germany through ‘intelligent measures’. These measures can include selling plants to other industries or to (Chinese) competitors. Ex-Porsche boss and now VW Group CEO Oliver Blume describes […]

European auto industry back in the firing line as Trump reignites 25% tariff threat

May 04, 2026

The trade deal between the US and the EU, which was agreed just last summer, is already showing cracks. President Trump signals a return to the tariff playbook and proposes imposing a 25% duty on European cars and trucks. But this time the trigger is geopolitical as much as economic. Donald Trump’s tariff menace has […]

Is Volvo Ghent’s future at stake? (Update)

May 04, 2026

The fact that the Belgian federal government has set up a ‘task force’ to consider the future of Belgium’s only surviving large car assembly plant in Ghent, operated by Volvo, has set off several alarm bells. Despite the soothing words of Flemish Minister-President Mathias Diependaele, concerns are rising. The different rumors are also fed by […]

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