October 30, 2024
The distribution network rates on household electricity bills, which account for approximately one-third of the total cost, may increase by 31 percent next year. According to some initial calculations, this would amount to an average of more than 100 euros extra per year. For the third year in a row, electricity network rates are increasing. […]
October 30, 2024
Chinese smartphone brand Xiaomi and also making a successful entry as an electric carmaker, proudly announces that its SU7 Ultra prototype has become the fastest 4-door car on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. It recorded a time of 6 minutes 46.874 seconds, making it quicker than the Ferrari 296 GTB, the Porsche 918 Spyder, or the Rimac […]
October 30, 2024
The curtain falls on Audi Brussels: the date of death is ‘officially’ fixed at February 28th, 2025. Or is there still one stalk of straw to grasp? Eventually, a new potential investor surfaced from several possible overtakers contacted by Audi management: a ‘mystery’ commercial vehicle—truck and bus—manufacturer. Audi confirmed on Tuesday that the factory would […]
October 29, 2024
Volvo Group (the parent company of Volvo Trucks and Renault Trucks) and Daimler Truck (Mercedes-Benz Trucks) have signed a binding agreement for their new joint venture to develop a software-defined vehicle platform, which was announced earlier this year. After regulatory approvals, the new company is expected to be founded in the first half of 2025. […]
October 29, 2024
Works Council Chairwoman Daniela Cavallo has provided further details on the planned savings in the Volkswagen Group ahead of the next round of negotiations. The Board of Management allegedly wants to close up to three plants, downsize all others, divest core areas, and implement massive salary cuts. This would also affect electric car production. “This […]
October 28, 2024
As tensions escalate over European Union tariffs on electric vehicles, Bloomberg reports that China is pressing its automakers from the backroom to halt their expansion plans into Europe. Beijing allegedly advises Chinese car manufacturers to stop pursuing new production sites in the EU and avoid signing further agreements while negotiations with Brussels are ongoing. In […]
October 28, 2024
According to sector federation Febiac, the market share of pure electric cars in Belgium and Luxembourg is still growing. During the first nine months of this year, 27% of registrations were purely electric, a 7.4% increase compared to 2023. Of course, the most significant factor in this positive electric result is the company car segment, […]
October 25, 2024
Scout Motors, a subsidiary of Volkswagen Group, has unveiled two new flagship electric off-roaders for the US market. The SUV Traveler and its pickup counterpart, the Terra, sit on the same electric body-on-frame platform, providing up to 350 miles (563 km) of range. A range-extender option brings that range to up to 800 km. Both […]
October 25, 2024
With a turnover of €10.7 billion (+1.8%), Renault Group is swimming against the tide in automotive land. Thanks to many new models, sales decreased less than the market average. That’s why it maintains its forecast for 2024, with an operational margin of 7.5% and a free cash flow of over € 2.5 billion. “Our third-quarter […]
October 25, 2024
Tesla surprised investors and analysts by posting bigger-than-expected profits for the third quarter of 2024. Though the EV maker boosted deliveries in the past three months, the money comes from unexpected income like CO2 credits, cost cutting, and “services and others.” Interestingly, Elon Musk never favored the latter as an important revenue stream. Tesla exceeded […]
October 24, 2024
Is lithium the new gold mine for Arkansas after oil? Researchers have discovered that an underground brine reservoir in the southern US state may contain as much as 5 to 19 million tons of lithium. Lithium is a crucial raw material for electric vehicle batteries. The amount of lithium in the Arkansas beds would be […]
October 24, 2024
Jim Farley, Ford’s CEO and boss of the world’s sixth-biggest car company, with 177.000 people working for him, made a striking confession: He has been driving a Chinese Xiaomi SU7 fully electric car around Detroit for the last six months and doesn’t want to give it up. “It’s fantastic and is made by a smartphone […]
October 24, 2024
Despite good Q3 sales results, Volvo is warning of a ‘cold winter’ in sales for the last quarter of this year and even deep into 2025. Meanwhile, the sales of electrified vehicles almost reach half of the total sales, and pure electric sales represent one-quarter of these total sales. Volvo Cars reported a core operating […]
October 24, 2024
Dutch electric bus manufacturer Ebusco’s lawsuit in summary proceedings over the payment for 45 buses turns out to be a damp squib. The Dutch judge ruled that public transport company Qbuzz has the right to cancel the order, even when the buses are mostly ready for delivery. The court also allowed Qbuzz to keep the […]
October 23, 2024
Autoservizi Troiani, an Italian public transport operator, has ordered 110 electric Mercedes-Benz eCitaro buses to deploy in the east part of Rome, which will all be delivered by mid-2026. Part of these e-buses will use the “next-generation” NMC4 batteries, which promise more range and a longer lifespan. Autoservizi Troiani first ordered 40 hybrid Mercedes Citaro […]
October 23, 2024
To mark the 25th anniversary of the original A2, Audi is showcasing an A2 e-tron, an A2 that has been converted into an electric vehicle by a bunch of Audi apprentices. Although this is a one-off created for the anniversary, Audi is planning a new entry-level electric model below the Q4 e-tron, likely to be […]
October 23, 2024
The Swiss manufacturer Softcar has unveiled a lightweight L7e electric car with four seats. It weighs 640 kilograms, including the battery, and is said to have a range of 200 kilometers. Prices start from €23,000. All vehicles in the L7e class have one thing in common: they can travel at a maximum speed of 90 […]
October 22, 2024
According to a new study by the green group Transport & Environment (T&E), subsidies for gasoline and diesel company cars cost taxpayers €42 billion every year in the five biggest EU countries alone. The study by ERM, commissioned by T&E, calculates the effects of the four tax benefits traditionally given to company cars: benefit-in-kind, depreciation […]
October 22, 2024
Mercedes-Benz has finally opened its own battery recycling plant in Kuppenheim, southern Germany, using Primobius’s technology. It’s Europe’s first battery recycling plant using an integrated mechanical-hydrometallurgical process: shredding battery modules and chemically washing out and drying ‘precious’ materials. The company expects more than a 96 percent recovery rate for valuable and scarce raw materials such […]
October 22, 2024
The European Car Manufacturers Association (ACEA) data show that in September 2024, new EU car registrations continued their downward trajectory (-6.1%), with negative results across three of the region’s four major markets. France declined by -11.1%, Italy by -10.7%, and the German market regressed by 7%. On the other hand, Spain experienced a rebound (+6.3%). […]
October 21, 2024
At the Paris Motor Show, Renault also presented an entire EV ecosystem. It has shown up with a fleet of electric vehicles covering everything from the road to the sea and even the sky. The concept vehicles were showcased with the Renault 4 E-Tech launch. Renault not only presented the R4 E-Tech for the first […]
October 21, 2024
Volvo Group, the Swedish manufacturer of Volvo Trucks, Renault Trucks, and Mack Trucks, has announced a hefty profit drop for the third quarter of this year. Due to slowing demand in the freight and construction segments, the forecasts for 2025 are also not very optimistic. Volvo Group earned an adjusted operational profit of 14.1 billion […]
October 21, 2024
Hyundai Mobis, a leading parts supplier for Hyundai, is taking in-car screen technology to the next level with its latest innovation: a full-width holographic windshield display. Developed in partnership with German optical giant Zeiss, this new technology could revolutionize how drivers and passengers interact with their vehicles by transforming the entire windshield into a transparent […]
October 21, 2024
Romanian low-cost carmaker Dacia is taking a knife to EV prices, with a little help from the Flemish government. With the incentive from Flanders, the new Dacia Spring base version is available from €7,545.50. It’s more than half the price when the small electric car was launched. The Dacia Spring has always been the cheapest […]
October 21, 2024
Specialized news magazine Automotive News communicated this week that the fate of the Audi factory in Brussels was sealed. The factory will be closed, and all 3,000 employees will be laid off. Maybe the spectacular message comes a bit too early. A recent statement by Audi COO Gerd Walker has fueled it. Until now, Volkswagen […]
October 18, 2024
Elon Musk has promoted Omead Afshar, previously seen as his “chief of staff” at Tesla, to a high-ranking executive role, marking a significant leadership change at the automaker. Afshar, who faced controversy in 2022, now assumes the position of Vice President of Operations in North America and Europe, overseeing Tesla’s sales and manufacturing in these […]
October 18, 2024
BMW CEO Oliver Zipse’s latest stance against the sales ban on combustion-engined cars by 2035 might reignite the discussion surrounding a political revision on the EU level. According to the top executive, keeping the combustion engine running is the best remedy for remaining competitive in the face of mounting Chinese competition. President of the European […]
October 17, 2024
Stellantis said on Wednesday that its consolidated global shipments in the third quarter have dropped to 1.148 million units, a 20% decrease compared to the same period in 2023. The Franco-Italian automaker said in a note that the fall in deliveries was higher than underlying sales, which are estimated to have dropped by 15%. This […]
October 17, 2024
Geely’s premium electric vehicle brand Zeekr is preparing to officially unveil its new mid-sized MPV, the Zeekr MIX, on October 23. With display models arriving in showrooms around the same time, the MIX is expected to generate significant attention due to its advanced design and family-oriented features. The Zeekr MIX, which is also headed to […]
October 17, 2024
South Korean car manufacturer Hyundai wanted to present something new at the Paris Motor Show, so this week, it premiered the Inster Cross in the French metropolis. Hyundai says it’s a version of the small city dweller “with a more outdoor look”. The regular Inster, based on the little Casper with a combustion engine available […]
October 16, 2024
The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) has published a study on the CO2 reduction requirements of the ten largest car manufacturers to comply with the EU’s fleet limits for 2025. On average, manufacturers must increase their BEV share by a maximum of twelve percentage points, from 16% in 2023 to around 28% by 2025. […]
October 16, 2024
Stellantis brand Citroën presented the upcoming C5 Aircross as a concept car at the Paris Motor Show. The carmaker will also launch it with a purely electric drive. The revised ë-C4 and ë-C4 X were also on display. The C5 Aircross Concept shown in Paris features several design elements common to show cars of this […]
October 15, 2024
Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said on Monday at the Paris Motor Show that he is not ruling out future job cuts. “I am not ruling out anything,” Tavares told French radio station RTL when asked whether he intended to cut jobs. Tavares was in the French capital for the Paris Motor Show, which runs until […]
October 15, 2024
Leapmotor International entered the Paris Motor Show today with the global debut of the B10, the first model in its new B-series. “This launch marks a critical milestone in Leapmotor’s global expansion, as the company accelerates its efforts to provide accessible, high-tech electric vehicles (EVs) across Europe and beyond,” says the press release from partner […]
October 14, 2024
Gigacasting has been touted as the go-to manufacturing innovation for cost-efficient EV production. After Tesla introduced the technique, many carmakers followed its lead or planned to do so. But after doing the math, Stellantis has decided to sidestep the adoption of gig casting in favor of more flexible, quickly implementable solutions. A missed opportunity? Arnaud […]
October 14, 2024
Renault is also showing the production version of its new R4 at the Paris Motor Show. The press release says the Renault 4 E-Tech electric “takes up a natural position in the B segment, just above Renault 5 E-Tech electric. ” Slightly bigger and roomier than the Renault 5 E-Tech electric, its positioning is similar […]
October 14, 2024
Citroën has introduced a refreshed version of the Ami microcar at the 2024 Paris Motor Show, marking the vehicle’s fourth anniversary with notable design updates and a new buggy concept. The updated Ami, known for its quirky style and high accessibility to youngsters, now boasts a “more sympathetic and mature” front design, restyled to pay […]
October 14, 2024
French energy giant Engie is pulling the plug on its Dutch charger daughter EVBox seven years after acquiring it and accumulating €800 million in loss. Attempts failed to find someone to take over the ailing company that installed 550 thousands of charging points worldwide and claims a +20,000 business customer base. The decision, like a […]
October 14, 2024
Just before the start of this year’s Paris Motor Show, Renault’s sports car subsidiary, Alpine, invited guests to the presentation of the A390_β. Without the Greek letter in its name, the production version is scheduled for market launch next year. We were allowed to look at this ‘beta version’ and gain insight into Alpine’s electrification […]
October 11, 2024
As of now, the Stellantis group is definitely and officially in search of a new CEO. Its creator and current CEO, Carlos Tavares, will end his mandate in early 2026, and it will not be renewed. Meanwhile, the current boss has reshuffled his management in the wake of the group’s receding sales and profit figures […]
October 11, 2024
The BMW Group increased its deliveries of all-electric vehicles in the third quarter by 10.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Across all BMW brands, the manufacturer delivered a total of 103,440 electric vehicles. In total, for the first nine months of 2024, BMW Group delivered 1,754,158 units, 4.5% less than the year. “This […]
October 11, 2024
Renault will publicly unveil the Mobilize Duo or the next-generation Twizy at the Paris Motor Show. Like its spiritual forefather, it’s also available in a cargo version dubbed Bento. As cities worldwide strive for cleaner air and reduced traffic congestion, these two compact yet versatile electric vehicles want to earmark the future of city transportation […]
October 10, 2024
In seven years, Volvo Cars’ factory in Ghent, Belgium, has produced one million XC40s (and derivatives). The car was Volvo’s first compact premium SUV and also became the first EV for the Swedes with a fully electric version. In 2025, it will be joined by Volvo’s latest small EV to date, the EX30, which is […]
October 10, 2024
General Motors’ Ultium battery brand name will be discontinued as the company shifts toward incorporating different battery types and chemistries in its electric vehicle (EV) lineup. The move comes as GM aims to cut EV production costs and address the challenges of scaling battery production. Kurt Kelty, GM’s VP of batteries (and a former Tesla […]
October 10, 2024
Rio Tinto Group, the world’s second-largest mining group, is to buy U.S. lithium producer Arcadium Lithium Plc. The British-Australian group is putting 6,7 billion dollars, or 6,1 billion euros, on the table for the acquisition. This is Rio Tinto’s largest deal in 17 years. With the acquisition, the group is betting heavily on lithium, a […]
October 10, 2024
Honda is gearing up to unveil its highly anticipated 0 Series EV lineup, marking a highly anticipated leap forward in the company’s electrification journey. Before the official launch of the first model in 2025, Honda provided a sneak peek of its latest technology at its global R&D center in Tochigi, Japan. The 0 Series must […]
October 10, 2024
Ratan Tata, the businessman who inherited one of India’s oldest conglomerates and transformed it through a string of eye-catching deals into a global empire, has died. He was 86. In 2008, he bought Jaguar Land Rover from Ford. Tata Group Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran announced his death in a statement, calling Tata “a truly uncommon leader […]
October 10, 2024
Dacia, already Europe’s leading B-segment brand, is entering the C-SUV segment with Bigster. This all-new vehicle illustrates Dacia’s core values: essential, eco-smart, robust, and outdoor. It will also be a lot cheaper than its main rivals. The all-new Bigster is tailored to the specific requirements of a still-growing SUV market. “Spiraling costs are an issue […]
October 09, 2024
Another Toyota and Subaru co-developed electric SUV is coming to the US, Europe, and Japan. The new electric SUV will join the current bZ4X and Solterra in the Japanese automaker’s global lineup. Toyota and Subaru worked together to launch the bZ4X and Solterra models in May 2022. These electric SUVs are based on the e-TNGA […]
October 08, 2024
Dutch transport company Arriva has ordered 157 new electric buses from VDL. Some buses will be built in the VDL factory in Roeselare, West Flanders. The 157 new-generation Citea buses are destined for the West Brabant region of the Netherlands. Financial details about the order are unknown, but the extra production will not involve new […]
October 08, 2024
The latest ‘Mobility in Figures 2024-2025’ (Mobiliteit in Cijfers) report of the Dutch automotive sector’s RAI and Bovag shows the Netherlands is still one of Europe’s leading countries in rapid electrification. On a total car fleet of 9.4 million, 1.3 million cars (14%) are fully electric or have a hybrid drivetrain. That’s four times more […]
October 08, 2024
Last Friday, the 27 EU member states voted on the Commission’s proposal to seriously increase the import tariffs on EVs produced in China. We already commented on this last week. Meanwhile, the Chinese have reacted, and the NGO T&E has commented interestingly. China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) has opposed the European Union’s additional tariffs on […]
October 08, 2024
Jeep’s commercial results in Europe at the end of September 2024 show a volume of registrations of 100,700 units, an increase of 3.5%, and a market share of 1%. “We are thrilled to announce that Jeep sales in Europe have surpassed 100,000 vehicles, demonstrating that our commitment to delivering a brand that embodies freedom and […]
October 07, 2024
In partnership with the waste management group Suez, Renault has announced ambitious plans to make its subsidiary ‘The Future is Neutral’, dedicated to the circular economy, a leading player in Europe. Suez becomes a shareholder in Renault’s branch, which will receive an injection of €140 million to boost its operations and objectives in circularity. During […]
October 07, 2024
On Saturday evening, a 60-meter-long memorial stone was unveiled on the former site of Ford Genk. It is a tribute to all generations of Ford employees. The work, designed by Design studio Brussels LOF in collaboration with illustrator Pieter Van Eenoge, tells Ford’s history in a concrete cartoon. The construction is an imposing bas-relief consisting […]
October 07, 2024
Are EV sales slowing down to near a standstill? Not in Belgium. Despite prevalent perception, EV sales are still soaring, with 96.233 new registrations in the first nine months of 2024, more than in the whole of 2023 (93,180). The same goes for second-hand EVs, 16,004 (January – September 2024) compared to 12,594 all year […]
October 07, 2024
This weekend, the 15th edition of the Zoute Grand Prix (ZGP) took place in Knokke on the Belgian coast. The (cristal) jubilee edition was also the first of a new era. After serious financial problems, the organization was taken over, and the event wanted to start on a clean sheet. That worked well, apparently, with […]
October 04, 2024
The plans were known before, but now French rail manufacturer Alstom has effectively received an order for 12 new-generation TGVs, as well as 15 years of maintenance, from the new French private train company Proxima. The order involves a sum of nearly 850 million euros. Proxima, one of France’s first independent high-speed train companies, plans […]
October 04, 2024
A week before its official premiere at the Paris Motor Show, Peugeot has already revealed the e-408, an electric variant of its mid-size crossover that will try to compete with the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2, among others. This addition means that almost every car available to order in Peugeot’s line-up now offers a […]
October 04, 2024
Tesla has reported strong production and delivery figures for the third quarter of 2024. After producing nearly 410,000 vehicles in the second quarter, the electric car giant boosted output to 469,796 units in Q3 and delivered 462,890 cars to customers. These numbers represent a 14.3% increase in production and a 4.3% rise in deliveries compared […]
