Renault taps Michelin executive for key finance role

October 07, 2026

Renault Group has appointed Carine Damois as its new Chief Financial Officer, bringing in an experienced finance executive from Michelin as CEO François Provost continues to shape his leadership team. She will take up the position on November 14. Damois has been Deputy CFO of Michelin since 2021 and has more than 20 years of […]

Jaguar Type 01: ‘And now for something completely different’

October 07, 2026

Jaguar has officially unveiled its long-awaited Type 01 purely electric car in New York on Tuesday, October 6. The manufacturer is attempting to repeat the past, not with copycat styling from its bin of classics, but with a car so bold it turns heads like the sleek E-Type sports car once did. The Type 01 […]

Renault doubles down on ‘Made in France’ EVs with another €13 billion

October 06, 2026

Renault is doubling down on its French industrial base. In an interview with France Inter, CEO François Provost said the group intends to invest more than €10 billion in France over the next five years, mainly in electric mobility and more affordable cars. Renault had already put a more precise figure on that commitment in […]

BMW wants more standardized parts for higher efficiency

October 06, 2026

BMW will significantly increase its use of generic components and reduce reliance on bespoke parts as it seeks to lower costs and improve profitability, reflecting a strategy that has helped Chinese automakers gain a competitive edge. The strategy will be a ‘key lever’ in improving BMW’s earnings, the company told investors at its capital markets […]

Skoda Octavia pioneers brand’s full hybrid tech

October 06, 2026

After mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, Skoda now adds two ‘full hybrid’ variants to its Octavia offering. It’s a first for Skoda and still a rarity within the Volkswagen Group, although that is likely to change. Since its launch in 1996, exactly 30 years ago, the Skoda Octavia has been offered with an extensive […]

Volvo Cars drops 2026 forecast; Stefan Fesser returns to Volvo Ghent

October 05, 2026

Volvo Cars reported global sales of 141,609 cars in the third quarter of 2026, down 10.7% from the same period last year. Sales during the quarter were impacted by a further deterioration in market conditions in China, where industry volumes remained under significant pressure, as well as a slower-than-expected recovery in the U.S. As a […]

BMW Group: ‘Strengthen resilience, enhance competitiveness’

October 05, 2026

The BMW Group provided a first glimpse of its plans at its Capital Market Day 2026. The aim is to strengthen the company’s resilience and enhance the competitiveness of its structures. In this way, the BMW Group is preparing to face increasingly challenging market conditions in the years ahead. To achieve this, the company is […]

MG: a Chinese challenger in fast-growing European electric bus market

October 02, 2026

After entering the European market with cars under the MG brand, the Chinese SAIC group is now bringing electric buses to the old continent under the same brand name. And the specifications could give the competition reason to worry. MG Commercial has announced it will start selling electric buses in Europe. There is a growing […]

BMW has plans for an entry-level BEV i1 and is preparing the iX4

October 02, 2026

At its Capital Market Day 2026, the BMW Group provided deep insights into its corporate strategy. Among other announcements, the Munich-based automaker said it will unveil the all-electric iX4 later this year and plans to launch an electric compact car based on the Neue Klasse platform the year after next. The model will likely be […]

Belgium and Engie buy another month for nuclear takeover talks

October 01, 2026

No decision will be made on October 1 regarding the possible nationalization of the nuclear reactors in Belgium operated by energy giant Engie. The Belgian government and Engie have agreed to postpone the deadline for negotiations on a possible takeover until November 4. According to the joint statement from the Prime Minister, the Ministry of […]

‘Made in Germany’ remains BMW’s belief, with €2 billion in new investments

October 01, 2026

The BMW Group is investing around €2 billion in vehicle production and battery manufacturing to underscore Germany’s importance as a production hub. The company is ensuring that its plants are ready for the next generation of the BMW 3 Series. The 3 Series has been the heart of the BMW brand for over 50 years. […]

Stellantis pauses production due to battery shortage

October 01, 2026

Stellantis is halting production at its French plants in Sochaux, Rennes, and Mulhouse for at least one week. In two cases, this is due to EV battery shortages, as supplier ACC struggles to meet demand for its nickel-based long-range batteries. According to Reuters, the plants in Sochaux and Rennes are temporarily halting production due to […]

T&E: ‘E-trucks are already cheaper to operate today

September 30, 2026

Electric trucks deliver a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) in six out of nine major EU markets, which together account for 46% of all new heavy trucks sold in the EU, a new T&E report shows. In the Netherlands and Germany, savings can reach €100,000 and €85,000 respectively over five years, with electric trucks […]

Volkswagen to build LFP batteries in Europe together with Chinese Gotion

September 30, 2026

Volkswagen has agreed on new joint ventures with its Chinese battery partner Gotion to bring LFP production to Europe. The move must speed up the switch from NMC to cheaper LFP chemistries while complying with the European Commission’s new Made in Europe draft. The deal between VW and Gotion reorganizes three projects already under construction […]

Study: high-mileage electric cars refuse to wear out, obliterating used car fears

September 30, 2026

A study of millions of British vehicles has found that electric cars become more reliable than petrol cars exactly where used-car folklore says they become riskiest: at high mileage. New AutoMotive, an independent UK transport research organization, carried out the report. The company analyzed a large set of MOT tests – British for technical check-up […]

BMW launches new 3 Series: i3 shines with 900 km+ range

September 30, 2026

BMW has unveiled its new 3 Series, which for the first time includes an electric sedan, the i3. Based on the Neue Klasse platform, the i3 shares its technical toolkit with the iX3 SUV but pulls ahead on range. The Munich-based automaker is calling for a starting price of €59,900 in Germany (€58,450 in Belgium), […]

VW ID. Tiguan: LFP batteries to boost sales?

September 29, 2026

Volkswagen has confirmed what unions already leaked at the beginning of the year: its facelifted ID. 4 will return as the ID. Tiguan. The German carmaker has released camouflaged photos ahead of the world premiere in October, around the Paris Motor Show. Change in strategy As we reported back in January, IG Metall first let […]

Geely buys into Nio’s battery-swap division: a solution for your next Volvo?

September 29, 2026

Geely Auto, the mother company of Volvo and Polestar, has taken a 30% stake in Nio Power, the battery-swapping and charging unit of its Chinese rival. The interest seems bizarre. Barely a week earlier, Geely unveiled a fast-charging technology that makes swapping redundant. Only a few days ago, Geely unveiled a 2.2 Megawatt charger, topping […]

Trump administration weakens federal fuel economy standards in the U.S.

September 29, 2026

The Trump administration finalized a significant weakening of federal fuel economy standards for automobiles, rolling back a key policy that had pushed the industry to improve the efficiency of cars and trucks and sell more battery-electric vehicles. Automakers are expected to achieve a fleet average of 34.9 miles per gallon (mpg) for cars and light […]

BMW receives a prestigious award for its Gen6 battery

September 28, 2026

BMW’s Gen6 high-voltage battery, a key technology of the Neue Klasse, has been recognized as a “Global New Energy Vehicle Innovative Technology” at the 2026 World New Energy Vehicle Congress (WNEVC) in China. The judges recognized the key technologies of the BMW Gen6 high-voltage battery based on the new BMW round cells with a high-nickel […]

VW recalls over 2.8 million vehicles due to possible corrosion in steering mechanism

September 28, 2026

Germany’s largest car manufacturer, Volkswagen, is recalling nearly 3 million vehicles because of possible corrosion in the steering mechanism. The German Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) announced this, explaining that a bolt in the system can corrode and impair proper steering function. 2.16 million Volkswagens of the models Golf, Golf Variant, Tiguan, Touran, and Caddy, produced between 2013 […]

Geely joins charging arms race and makes 4 minute top-ups reality

September 25, 2026

Geely Auto has unveiled a 2.25-megawatt smart-charging system that charges its electric cars from 10 to 70% in four minutes and 30 seconds. That is roughly thirty seconds quicker than BYD’s latest Flash Charging 2.0 platform, the previous benchmark.  The company officially announced the record-breaking charging system at its Safety Center in Ningbo. It’s not […]

Infrabel and Siemens sign €215 million contract for Belgian digital rail

September 25, 2026

The Belgian rail network operator Infrabel has signed a new contract with Siemens Mobility to maintain, further develop, and modernize the Operational Control System (OCS), a digital system that ensures trains run safely and smoothly across the Belgian railway network. The framework agreement, worth 215 million euros, will run for 11 years and is also […]

Renault invests € 600 million in Spanish production plants

September 25, 2026

Renault has announced it will invest 600 million in two of its Spanish plants by 2030. This will allow the brand to produce new models and secure 6.000 jobs in the region. The goal is to prepare the group’s plants in Valladolid and Palencia to produce five new vehicles, including two electric cars. The investment […]

Plasman closes and exposes the slow death of Volvo Ghent’s supply chain

September 25, 2026

Canadian bumper manufacturer Plasman is closing its Ghent factory, costing more than 300 jobs. The announcement follows an earlier decision by axle-parts supplier Benteler to shut its nearby site next spring. The local supply network that once sustained Volvo’s assembly line is now effectively gone. But how come? Remaining production evaporated Plasman throwing in the […]

Bentley Torcal uncovered a little too early (update)

September 24, 2026

A few days before the official introduction of the first fully electric Bentley, the Torcal, a set of near-official pictures has leaked, thanks to the unstoppable hunger for exclusive news from sites like Cochespias. Bentley reacted by officially unveiling the car three days later, so in this update we replace the ‘spy photos’ with the […]

Volkswagen cuts ICE production while demand for affordable EVs takes off

September 24, 2026

Volkswagen is adjusting production at several German plants as demand shifts faster than expected from combustion cars toward electric vehicles. Wolfsburg will build fewer ICE cars than initially planned, while EV production in Emden and Zwickau is increasing.  “Turning point” The reversal is striking. Not so long ago, Volkswagen struggled with underutilized EV factories and […]

One in eight cars sold in the EU is now Chinese thanks to PHEVs

September 24, 2026

Chinese carmakers grabbed a record share of the European car market last month. But their advance is increasingly driven by plug-in hybrid sales. As many as one in three PHEVs now carry a Chinese badge. Chinese brands accounted for almost 12% of European new-car sales in August, according to figures from German market researcher Dataforce. […]

Nissan’s Twingo brother is called Pixo and starts in 2027

September 24, 2026

Nissan presents its electric microcar as the Pixo. It is closely related to the Renault Twingo Electric and the new Dacia Spring. All three electric vehicles will roll off the production line at the Renault plant in Novo Mesto, Slovenia. Nissan is scheduled to start deliveries of the Pixo in early 2027. Pricing remains a […]

First-ever Saudi carmaker Ceer Motors unveils two spectacular EVs

September 23, 2026

If you thought the Tesla Cybertruck looked extreme, think again. Meet the Exobot Sedan and SUV, the first models built by the Saudi-Arabian company Ceer Motors. Ceer Motors is a relatively new carmaker, founded in 2022. The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) backs it and aims to diversify the country’s economy and reduce its dependence […]

Leapmotor gets rid of the 12-volt battery in EVs

September 23, 2026

Chinese automaker Leapmotor is removing the 12-volt battery from its future electric cars, relying solely on the high-voltage battery. The new approach is part of a broader redesign of the company’s technical architecture, which will increase cars’ interior space. While electric cars have a high-voltage battery to feed their electric motor(s), they also have a […]

Hyundai Tucson sharpens up for its 5th generation

September 22, 2026

Hyundai has revealed its new Tucson at a South Korean media event. Design-wise, the 5th generation of the popular mid-size SUV takes a completely different direction from the current model, launched in 2020. Hyundai is planning a major global product offensive over the coming years, including more than 40 new models in Europe alone. They will […]

BMW adds a third shift to iX3 production due to high demand (also in the U.S.)

September 22, 2026

BMW has increased production of the iX3 at its Debrecen plant from two to three shifts this month, effectively moving to round-the-clock manufacturing. The reason is strong demand: BMW has already said that 100,000 orders for the iX3 have been placed in Europe alone, and BMW North America is accelerating the market launch of the […]

Toyota plans 400,000 factory robots: is human workforce at risk?

September 22, 2026

Humanoid robots are reshaping the factory floor, especially in China. Toyota is joining the bandwagon, targeting 400,000 units to modernize its production infrastructure. Can the bots take over from humans? Toyota has told investors it may need 400,000 robots and roughly 1 trillion yen ($6.4 billion) a year from 2028 to upgrade its factories. The […]

Hot autumn for German car industry

September 22, 2026

Car industry workers protested across Germany on Monday, calling on management at major brands including Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz to secure jobs and provide a future outlook. Meanwhile, these important German manufacturers warn of factory closures or additional cost cuts. “Just like here at Volkswagen, workers in the automotive and supply industries are gathering all over […]

Only minor Tesla self-driving accidents in Belgium, as fatal crashes reach peak in the U.S.

September 21, 2026

Flanders Minister of Mobility, Annick De Ridder (NV-A), has published the first safety data from three months of Tesla’s supervised self-driving system on Belgian roads. The encouraging results report only five minor incidents. At the same time, FSD had its deadliest month in the US.  Since June, owners of Teslas equipped with FSD are allowed […]

The new Volvo boss will be current Skoda CEO Klaus Zellmer

September 21, 2026

Skoda CEO Klaus Zellmer, who has led the Volkswagen Group subsidiary to record profits while expanding its full-electric lineup, will succeed Hakan Samuelsson as chief executive officer and president at Volvo Cars. The appointment aims to bring proven leadership in electrification and profitability as Volvo navigates intense competition in premium electric vehicles and prepares to […]

EV Belgium: ‘Belgian drivers to save €1.8 billion per year from 2030’

September 18, 2026

According to EV Belgium, Belgium’s Electric Vehicle Association, current fossil fuel pump prices demonstrate, above all, that Belgium must look beyond temporary measures when oil prices rise. For EV Belgium, this trend confirms that the transition to electric mobility is no longer merely a climate issue, but also, increasingly, a matter of purchasing power, energy […]

New Audi A4 e-tron delayed until 2029?

September 18, 2026

Audi has seemingly postponed production of the all-electric Audi A4 e-tron to the first half of 2029. The reason, once again, appears to be issues with introducing the Volkswagen Group’s new SSP electric architecture. First introduced in 1994, the Audi A4’s model history has confused some customers in recent years: Audi changed its naming convention, […]

A corruption trial started against Ghosn and Dati in Paris

September 18, 2026

Former Renault and Alliance car executive Carlos Ghosn, who faces charges of corruption and influence-peddling in France, did not appear in court in Paris at the start of his trial on Wednesday. No lawyer appeared in court on behalf of the 72-year-old, who has fled to Lebanon, where he holds citizenship. The former Renault-Nissan chief […]

“Bright future for Ghent”: Volvo confirms production volume from a second brand

September 17, 2026

Volvo’s Gent factory is saved. During the Strategy 2026 call, the carmaker has confirmed that a second brand will roll off its production lines in the near future. No concrete names were unveiled, but a Geely-model seems most likely. No factory closures The employees at Volvo Car Gent can take a sigh of relief. During […]

VW ID.3 Neo: GTX becomes GTI

September 17, 2026

Volkswagen has revealed the ID.3 GTI, based on the ID.3 Neo. When it comes to market in the spring of 2027, it will be the brand’s second electric GTI after the Polo, and the most powerful GTI ever made. It will also be the first rear-wheel-drive GTI ever. The ID.3 GTI uses VW’s MEB+ with […]

Toyota wants 76% fewer parts to increase profitability

September 17, 2026

Fierce competition in the automotive world, with Chinese brands aggressively trying to expand to the rest of the world, is forcing legacy brands to reconsider their strategies. Toyota’s new CEO, Kenta Kon, thinks he has part of the answer: fewer parts. Kon, who replaced Koji Sato earlier this year, wants to lower production costs to […]

Nissan kicks off the popular Kicks in Europe to battle the Chinese

September 17, 2026

It has sold 1.8 million units across 70 countries since it was launched ten years ago. Still, it never made it to European shores. Until now. Nissan will build the Kicks in the UK to fill the slot from the outgoing combustion-engined Juke. But it’s a different type of species. Manufactured at the Sunderland plant […]

Already 100,000 BMW iX3 orders in Europe alone

September 17, 2026

A year after the premiere of the new BMW iX3, the company has announced that 100,000 customers in Europe alone have ordered the vehicle. BMW said this is the best first-year start any of its models have ever experienced. The company also said there is strong interest in the electric car in other markets such […]

Li Auto: European debut at Paris Motor Show 2026

September 16, 2026

Chinese manufacturer Li Auto has confirmed its presence at this year’s Paris Motor Show in October. It will show the European version of its electric Li i6 SUV, and detail its further plans for the brand. There seems to be no end to the number of Chinese manufacturers wanting to expand to Europe. Next in […]

IAA: European trucks crack 700 km range but Chinese steal the limelight

September 15, 2026

The IAA Transportation in Hannover shows how quickly electric trucks are shifting gears: beyond regional deliveries into long-haul and even heavy transport. European manufacturers are pushing range and payload, but Chinese – and one famous American – newcomers are turning the technological race into a commercial battle. Change in the making Electric trucks have been […]

Stellantis’ box of tricks: BOW concept marks a logistics pivot

September 15, 2026

Stellantis Pro One revealed the autonomous BOW delivery concept at the IAA Transportation in Hannover. This delivery pod offers a glimpse of a future where selling vans and services will be replaced by a complete logistics ecosystem. The BOW, or Box On Wheels, wasn’t a surpise unveiling. Stellantis Pro One already teased the innovative concept […]

Kia’s electric van offensive moves up a size with the PV7

September 15, 2026

Fleet buyers just got a serious alternative: the Kia PV7 offers more cargo space, longer range and faster charging than current midsize rivals. The longer version taps in on the success of the PV5, which has rapidly become Europe’s best-selling small electric van. Kia has unveiled the PV7 at IAA Transportation in Hannover. The XL […]

Trump wants to allow Chinese EVs to be built in U.S. but on one condition

September 15, 2026

President Donald Trump has said in a television interview that he is prepared to allow Chinese carmakers to build electric vehicles in the United States. Yet, the US auto industry is demanding precisely the opposite: a complete legislative ban on Chinese vehicles. Is President Trump backtracking on the hardlined opposition against Chinese cars? In an […]

Renault learns ‘China speed’ just as China starts hitting the brakes

September 14, 2026

Renault will not follow Chinese rivals into ever-shorter vehicle development cycles. CEO François Provost says around two years is effectively the lower limit for an all-new platform and its first model if the French group wants to preserve proper testing, validation and quality. That is a striking line for a company that has spent the […]

Geely plans to chase BYD in Europe with 1.800 kW megawatt chargers

September 11, 2026

After BYD, Geely is joining the race to superfast charging. The company claims it is running test cars in China filling up in five minutes at 1.800 kW superchargers. Europe is also on the radar. Tesla once built an empire by selling electric cars accompanied by the charging stations that power them and that could […]

Kia launches sporty GT-versions of its EV3, EV4 and EV5

September 10, 2026

After showing its expanded electric GT line-up at the Brussels Motor Show 2026, Kia now officially launches the sportier versions of the EV3, EV4 and EV5. Kia wants to tailor to all needs with its electric vehicle line-up, from compact affordable cars like the EV2 and vans like the PV5 to big SUV’s like the […]

The China Syndrome: Ford needs Beijing more than Trump grants it

September 10, 2026

The White House thinks Ford has gone soft on Beijing. But CEO Jim Farley believes that Chinese players are ahead of the game and that you need to join them cause you can’t beat them. The paradox keeps Ford in a tight space. US Transport Secretary Sean Duffy fired off a letter this week demanding […]

VW ID. Buzz Cargo LWB: higher load volume and range

September 09, 2026

Volkswagen is preparing to launch a long-wheelbase version of its ID. Buzz Cargo. The LWB passenger version is already available, but now the van-version follows suit. At a brand event in Berlin, Volkswagen has unveiled a long wheelbase version of its electric ID. Buzz Cargo van. The longer wheelbase will bring several improvements for professional […]

Europe’s largest CO2 capture plant inaugurated in the Netherlands

September 09, 2026

The Norwegian fertilizer giant Yara inaugurated Europe’s largest CO2 capture plant on Monday in Sluiskil (the Netherlands), near the Belgian border.  The aim is to capture up to 800,000 tons of CO2 from its ammonia production every year, or about 0.5 percent of the Netherlands’ total annual emissions, and store it permanently.  The plant completes […]

Maserati in advanced talks with Chinese Huawei to build cars together

September 09, 2026

As the electric Folgore strategy has failed on the Italian trident brand, the car maker has reached out to the Chinese smart-car tech company Huawei and the manufacturer JAC to explore a collaboration. The question is what this could entail for the brand’s defined Italian luxury image, as well as its prospects on the US […]

Renault hires Nissan veteran Diernaz as new global marketing chief

September 09, 2026

Renault has appointed former Nissan and General Motors executive Jean-Pierre Diernaz as its new global marketing chief. At first sight, it looks like another management reshuffle. But Diernaz’s long Nissan history and the fact that he will report directly to Fabrice Cambolive give the appointment a broader significance. Diernaz becomes Vice-President Renault Brand Global Marketing […]

VW swaps cabriolets for air defence to save German factory

September 08, 2026

Volkswagen is preparing one of the most striking industrial conversions of Germany’s post-war era. Its Osnabrück plant, best known today for the T-Roc Cabriolet, is set to stop building cars in summer 2027 and gradually become a competence center for security and defense systems. VW has agreed key terms with the state of Lower Saxony […]

Create a free account, or log in.

Gain access to read this article, plus limited free content.

Yes! I would like to receive new content and updates.