Factories at risk: Stellantis’s grim warning over van electrification lag

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 […]

BMW Group Belux starts rebuilding its headquarters in Bornem

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 […]

Belux car registrations -16.4% in June, -10.9% for th first six months in 2025

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 […]

Mitsubishi plans comeback in Europe with Renault-based models and others

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 […]

VW Group continues investing in Rivian, but also thinks at its ICE supercars

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 […]

Elia CEO warns for gigawatts of electricity shortages beyond 2035

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 […]

BMW has to recall 70,000 EVs in the U.S.

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, […]

Musk’s right hand at Tesla ousted over sales slide

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 […]

Mercedes-AMG shows AMG GT XX electric concept

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 […]

John Cockerill finds €116 million for hydrogen subsidiary

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 […]

EU car registrations up 1.6% in May, EVs increased by 25%

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 […]

Takata airbag crisis expands in France: 800,000 additional vehicles immobilized

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 […]

Renault Flins site to become exhibition center and art gallery

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 […]

Honda’s new last-mile solution is a pedal-assist quadricycle

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 […]

US Supreme Court threatens California’s law-making authority on EVs

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 […]

Volkswagen looking into in-wheel motors for ID.2 R version

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 […]

New Stellantis CEO confronted with big decisions reshuffles management

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 […]

No Audi deadline anymore for ICE phase-out

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 […]

Ford stops Mustang Mach-E sales as it can trap passengers with locked doors

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 […]

MOIA (VW) launches ready-to-use self-driving ID. Buzz AD

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 […]

Trump reignited war on EVs: a bitter legal clash with California (update)

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 […]

There will be motorbikes again at the Brussels Motor Show in 2026

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 […]

Citroën calls for immediate ‘stop drive’ of 441,000 C3 and DS3 cars (update)

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 […]

Nissan’s third generation Leaf is ready

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 […]

Lifebuoy for John Cockerill’s hydrogen electrolyser division?

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 […]

Eagles Consortium starts developing next-gen Small Modular Reactor

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 […]

ICCT: China-based OEMs expand their lead in EV market

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 […]

Mitsubishi and Ample team up for battery swapping in Tokyo

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 […]

Luca de Meo leaves Renault for luxury sector

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 […]

No app, no card, no hassle: Allego launches seamless EV charging

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. […]

BMW Group is industrializing its ‘Virtual Factory’

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 […]

T&E on road safety: ‘car hoods becoming 0.5 cm higher every year’

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 […]

Nissan supplier Marelli throws in the towel under Chapter 11

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 […]

BMW gives some insights on its ‘Neue Klasse’ iX3

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, […]

Compact, full EV and affordable: Chery’s QQ Domi shows how to do it

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 […]

Tesla’s carbon credit goldmine could run dry under new Trump bill

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, […]

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 […]

Merger between Daimler-Fuso and Hino-Toyota is official

June 11, 2025

Two years after announcing the memorandum of understanding, Daimler Truck and Toyota have concluded the agreements for the merger of their subsidiaries Mitsubishi Fuso and Hino Motors. The new company aims to start operations in April 2026 and will be publicly listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. In May 2023, Japanese truck manufacturers Hino and […]

Toyota’s new bZ5 takes on Tesla Model Y in China… at half the price

June 11, 2025

Toyota has officially launched its new all-electric bZ5 mid-size SUV in China, taking direct aim at Tesla’s Model Y — but at less than half the price. In a market where electric vehicle competition has become fierce, the Japanese automaker is relying heavily on local partnerships to bring affordable EVs to market. The bZ5 is […]

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 […]

Citroën now offers box van conversion for electric ë-Jumper

June 10, 2025

Citroën has expanded its body conversion offerings for the electric ë-Jumper full-size van. Next to the flatbed truck and tipper versions, a box van conversion is now available with factory support in Germany. All versions offer a powerful electric motor and a comfortable range of over 300 km. While Stellantis’ van range is not the […]

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, […]

BMW to build iX5, iX6, and iX7 electric SUVs in the U.S.

June 10, 2025

BMW will build the electric versions of the upcoming X5 and X7 SUVs, most likely called the iX5 and iX7, at its Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, the company confirmed to the specialized media Wards Auto. An iX6 coupe similar to the current X6 is expected to follow. This should give the company some peace […]

Volvo’s AI-powered seatbelt knows who you are

June 06, 2025

Volvo’s name remains virtually interchangeable with automotive safety, and once again, the company attempts to push the boundaries of protection for road users. Its latest innovation? An artificial intelligence-powered seatbelt that promises to adapt to every driver and passenger. It can evolve through software updates (OTA) long after the car is sold. The new “multi-adaptive […]

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 […]

Another car carrier fire raises alarm over EV safety at sea

June 05, 2025

A large car carrier packed with thousands of vehicles, including several hundred electric and hybrid models, is drifting and still smouldering in the Pacific Ocean. A blaze broke out on board – an incident that once again puts the spotlight on the growing safety concerns around transporting electrified vehicles by sea. The Morning Midas, a […]

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 […]

Geely Galaxy A7 EM-i revealed with over 2,000-km range

June 04, 2025

Geely’s sub-premium brand Galaxy has unveiled its latest model: the A7 EM-i sedan. It’s a hybrid model, boasting a combined range of over 2,000 km and a very low fuel consumption even when the battery is empty. A launch date has not yet been announced, but the Geely Galaxy A7 is expected to offer a […]

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 […]

Traxio: Belgian second-hand market down 8% in May

June 04, 2025

According to the mobility federation Traxio, the second-hand market in Belgium decreased by 8% in May 2025. Looking at the first five months of the year, the decrease in sales limited itself to just 1%. The question of whether the second-hand market is following the same path as the new car market remains unclear. The […]

Renault offers new full-hybrid engine in Captur and Symbioz

June 04, 2025

Renault presents a new 160 hp 1.8-tech full-hybrid engine with a 1.4 kWh battery, which will power the Captur and Symbioz. The advantages include increased power, enhanced responsiveness, and improved fuel economy, with CO2 emissions of 98 g/km for Symbioz and 99 g/km for Captur. In the same way as with the previous generation, 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 […]

Germany to initiate EV supporting measures again

June 04, 2025

The new German government appears to be rushing to launch the first subsidy measures for electric vehicles again. As part of a larger package, electric cars are to be made more attractive for companies. Special depreciation allowances are expected to be available from July. This is the result of a draft bill from the German […]

Cadillac boosts EV line-up with Vistiq as fifth model (update)

June 03, 2025

Cadillac is in a hurry to deploy a full-grown EV line-up. Its latest electric vehicle, the Vistiq, slots between the massive Escalade iQ and more compact Lyriq, lifting the number of announced battery-powered models to five (next to the Celestiq and Optiq). The Vistiq promises ample range and top-notch charging technology and is positioned as […]

IATA: fleet aging, fuel prices, and aircraft shortages threaten airline progress

June 03, 2025

Airlines have become slightly less optimistic about 2025. They now expect to carry just under five billion passengers, down from an earlier forecast of 5.22 billion, and generate $979 billion in revenue instead of the previously projected $1,000 billion. This update was shared by IATA, the global airline industry association, during its annual general meeting […]

Belux car registrations -11.7% in May, due to professional market decrease

June 03, 2025

According to data from the Federal Public Service Mobility & Transport and the sector federation Febiac, 34,338 new cars were registered in Belgium and Luxembourg in May 2025. That’s 11.7% less than last year in May. Once again, the decrease is entirely due to the regression of the professional market (_20.1%), while individual buyers bought […]

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