September 27, 2024
British chemical giant Ineos inaugurated the largest solar park in Wallonia on Thursday in Jemeppe-sur-Sambre, in the province of Namur. Over 100 guests, including Sophie Wilmès, Vice-President of the European Parliament, and Cécile Neven, Walloon Minister for Energy and the Air-Climate Plan, attended the inauguration. The Ineos Park will cover a 30-hectare zone—the equivalent of […]
September 27, 2024
Belgium’s automotive market outperforms most European markets in reducing CO₂ emissions from new cars. According to Febiac and the European Environment Agency data, Newspaper De Tijd reports that the average emissions from new cars in Belgium decreased by over 40% between 2019 and 2023. This is significantly better than the EU average reduction of 27%, […]
September 26, 2024
BYD marked a significant milestone on September 25th, as the Chinese automaker celebrated the production of its nine millionth new energy vehicle (NEV). The landmark car, a Yangwang U9 electric supercar, crowned the event. The achievement symbolizes BYD’s rapid growth and expansion in the electric vehicle market. Two months ago, BYD reached its eighth millionth […]
September 26, 2024
According to the mobility organization Touring, the average EV driver in Belgium is highly educated, has a higher-than-average income, and has a private parking spot for his car. Touring has realized the latest European Alternative Fuels Observatory (EAFO) survey in Belgium in cooperation with the Brussels VUB University and interrogated 1,356 Belgian drivers. 96 of […]
September 25, 2024
The first European Media Drive for the Leapmotor C10 and T03 models is currently taking place in Milan. The event marks Leapmotor International’s official debut in Europe. Meanwhile, the Chinese carmaker is already readying other models to enter the market. In October 2023, Leapmotor and Stellantis announced that Stellantis would invest around 1.5 billion euros […]
September 25, 2024
BMW just released more information about its model offer update for the autumn and winter of 2024. Just a few weeks after the new BMW 1 Series launches, another two model variants will be available from November 2024. At the same time, the line-up of drive systems for the BMW i5 Touring and BMW 5 […]
September 24, 2024
French carmaker Peugeot has finished homologating the new Long-Range versions of its electric SUVs. Thanks to a larger 96,9-kWh battery, the e-3008 now claims up to 700 km of range, while the 7-seater e-5008 follows with up to 668 km of range. The new 230 Long Range powertrain shared by the two electric SUVs features […]
September 24, 2024
Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt, Europe’s unicorn start-up in the electric vehicle (EV) battery market, announced it will cut 1,600 jobs. The number accounts for roughly 20% of its global workforce. The decision comes as the company faces significant financial challenges and a slowdown in the EV market. The cuts will disproportionately affect Sweden, with around […]
September 24, 2024
On Monday, due to national security concerns, the US Commerce Department proposed prohibiting essential Chinese software and hardware in connected vehicles on American roads. This move would effectively ban Chinese cars and trucks from the US market. The planned regulation, first reported by Reuters, would also force American and other major automakers to remove critical […]
September 24, 2024
August was a turbulent month for the European automotive market, with notable winners and losers among car manufacturers. Overall, vehicle sales dropped by 17%, as reported by Dataforce, but a few brands managed to defy the trend with impressive gains. Volvo’s soon-to-be-built-in Ghent EX30 continues its winning streak, while Chinese newcomer Omoda outperforms established names […]
September 23, 2024
Luxury automaker Mercedes-Benz has revised its annual profit target downward for the second time this year, citing a challenging economic climate, particularly in China. This revised forecast follows a similar downgrade earlier this year due to weak second-quarter results. As the headwinds for German car makers grow stronger by the day, Berlin has set up a […]
September 23, 2024
After 40 years, Volkswagen is no longer building Polo models in Europe. VW has ended its Polo production in Europe as it shifts its focus to smaller, more affordable EVs. Volkswagen has been building Polo models in Pamplona, Spain, since 1984. Over 8.4 million Polos have been assembled at the Pamplona plant as one of […]
September 20, 2024
An international conference aimed at boosting the revival of nuclear energy is started in Paris under the auspices of the OECD and the Swedish government. About 15 ministers from pro-nuclear countries are participating in the second edition of ‘Roadmaps to New Nuclear 2024’, which examines concrete ways to meet global commitments to increase nuclear power […]
September 20, 2024
Due to weak demand for cars with combustion engines, Volkswagen and its partner SAIC could close a factory in China. In the US, the carmaker has had to pause the production of the ID.4. Sales of ICE cars are dropping in the country, while electrified cars, the so-called new energy vehicles (NEVs) in China, dominate […]
September 20, 2024
The European Car Manufacturers Association (ACEA) calls for urgent action regarding the EU’s CO2 emission regulations “as demand for EVs declines”. On the other hand, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares again declares that relaxation would be wrong: “My guys are ready to fight.” He gets support from an unexpected side: BMW also says it plans to […]
September 20, 2024
According to the Flemish newspaper De Tijd, the Chinese car manufacturer Nio could be one of the candidates interested in taking over the Audi Brussels plant. However, NIO boss and founder William Li denies this. BYD is also rumored to be an interested party, and Belgium VW importer D’Ieteren which initially owned the factory before […]
September 18, 2024
Renault continues to pursue its nostalgic path. It presented the all-electric Estafette van study at IAA Transportation, and the new Renault Master with hydrogen drive was also on display at the same trade fair in Hanover. The Estafette Concept is an electric study intended to evoke memories of Renault’s iconic 1959 van of the same […]
September 18, 2024
BYD is presenting a new electric van tailored to the European market at Hanover’s IAA Transportation trade fair. The E-Vali is BYD’s entry into the electric 3.5 and 4.25-ton segment. The Chinese manufacturer has announced two lengths and two drive options for its electric van aimed at Europe. The shorter 3.5-tonner has a wheelbase of […]
September 17, 2024
Lotus has unveiled Theory 1, its first concept car, which, according to Lotus, embodies the future of intelligent performance vehicles. It’s part of The Lotus Theory, the company’s new design manifesto that will form the foundation for all future Lotus cars, encapsulated through three core principles: Digital, Natural, and Analogue (DNA). Digital stands for the […]
September 17, 2024
After reducing its stake in 2021, Mercedes-Benz has now completely exited Denza. This marks the end of a fairly long-standing German-Chinese partnership: in 2011, Daimler and the Chinese car manufacturer BYD founded the joint venture Denza to jointly produce low-cost cars for the Chinese market. The Mercedes-Benz Group is no longer involved in the Chinese […]
September 17, 2024
According to an NGO Transport & Environment (T&E) analysis, electric cars are expected to reach a 24% European market share as carmakers grow EV sales to meet the EU CO2 targets. “Car manufacturers have clear pathways to meet their EU climate targets next year due to the expected rapid growth in electric car sales,” says […]
September 16, 2024
In China, details of the new Lynk & Co Z20 have prematurely leaked through the Ministry of Industry. The launch should be in Europe in October and in China at the Guangzhou Auto Show in November. This fully electric model is presumed to come to Europe as the Lynk & Co 02, as a second […]
September 16, 2024
In response to the (unofficial) ACEA proposal to the European Commission to delay the 2025 emission targets for two years, Stellantis boss Carlos Tavares said, “It would be surreal to change the rules now.” “Everyone has known about the rules for a long time and has had time to prepare, and so now it’s time […]
September 13, 2024
BMW Group’s Battery Cel Competence Center (BCCC) in Munich and the University of Zagreb’s Regional Center of Excellence for Robotic Technology are jointly developing solutions to improve the production of battery cells using Artificial Intelligence. Doctoral candidates and students at the University of Zagreb are collecting and structuring existing production data to identify particular patterns […]
September 13, 2024
According to a new study by research firm Transport&Mobility Leuven (TML), the Belgian bicycle economy is worth nearly a billion euros and has experienced growth of some 90% over the past eight years. Along with the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany, Belgium is one of the largest cycling countries in the world. Many car manufacturers see […]
September 13, 2024
Chinese carmakers making inroads with car factories in West Europe are met with warnings from their home administration. Beijing fears technical know-how drainage and a “wrong” reward over import tariffs, so domestic car brands are asked for caution. Despite these flagging signals, BYD will continue constructing its EV plant in Turkey. Beijing has warned its […]
September 13, 2024
You can’t have enough leverage in today’s daunting automotive landscape. General Motors, already in a close tie-up with Japanese brand Honda, is adding Hyundai to its list of partners. Both carmakers have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore a range of potential joint ventures. These include vehicle development, production, and the exploration of […]
September 13, 2024
Early in the morning on Friday, ‘white smoke’ came out of the negotiations between unions and management, which decided the factory would restart next Tuesday—first in the body and paint shop, later in the whole factory. From Tuesday on, the finished Audi Q8 e-trons will start delivering again to the dealerships, and the workers will […]
September 11, 2024
Tensions with unions are rising in Wolfsburg. Volkswagen has announced the termination of a 30-year-old job security agreement, signaling a significant shift in its labor policies and setting the stage for potential layoffs starting next July. The main culprits are declining car sales, a disappointing return on investment over low EV adoption, and increased competition. […]
September 11, 2024
In the wake of establishing a new European Commission, Italy and Spain are urging officials to revise the policies concerning the scheduled ban on combustion engine sales and the import tariffs for Chinese carmakers. Italy wants to accelerate the planned revision to the 2035 ban, which it calls ‘absurd’, while Spain calls for a less […]
September 10, 2024
The Brussels holding company D’Ieteren, known among other things as an importer of Volkswagen and car glass repairer Carglass, will eventually, after seven generations, be owned by only one branch of the family: Nicolas D’Ieteren and his investment vehicle, Nayarit. The latter is buying out his nephew Olivier Périer and his holding company, SPDG Group. […]
September 10, 2024
Volkswagen faces unprecedented challenges as it struggles to navigate an increasingly harsh economic landscape. It is facing plant closures in its home country and has replaced the Financial Director, as slow EV sales and rising competition are slowly strangling Europe’s number one car brand. CEO Oliver Blume says the challenging situation is “one we’ve never […]
September 10, 2024
BYD has launched an updated version of its flagship sedan. For 2025, the Han gets a new, fifth-generation hybrid system, a LiDAR option for the first time, and an 800-volt architecture for the electric variant. BYD also takes this mid-life refresh as an opportunity to lower the starting price to 165,800 yuan or around €21,000. […]
September 09, 2024
The oil price has dropped significantly again. A barrel of US WTI oil now costs 67.67 dollars, after the peak in April of around 87 dollars per barrel. A barrel of Brent North Sea oil now costs about 71 dollars a barrel, down from more than 90 dollars in April. The price drop, the lowest […]
September 06, 2024
As rumored before, BMW and Toyota officially announced their deepened partnership in developing a broader range of hydrogen cars on Thursday 5th of September. The first offspring that the collaboration for the next generation of fuel cell technology will bear is a mass-produced BMW FCEV by 2028. “The result of this collaborative effort will be […]
September 06, 2024
The Daimler Truck Supervisory Board has appointed Karin Rådström, the current CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks, as the new CEO of the entire Daimler Truck group. She succeeds Martin Daum, who leaves the company after 37 years of service. This is the first time in the company’s history that a woman has held the top spot. […]
September 06, 2024
Renault has unveiled a new concept car that reimagines a classic from its past: the Renault R17 Electric Restomod. Based on the sporty Renault 17 coupé from the 1970s, this modernized electric version was developed in collaboration with French designer Ora Ito. The R17 Electric Restomod is to remain a one-off and will make its […]
September 05, 2024
It sways the news headlines: the European car industry is facing one of the most challenging times in its 130-year history: reinventing itself in the much-needed energy transition while facing cutthroat competition from China. Still, EU car production jumped in 2023, nearing 15 million vehicles—nearly two million more than the previous year. China is the […]
September 04, 2024
Kia has unveiled the EV3, a new compact SUV with electric drive. The 4.30-meter-long model adopts many elements of the large EV9 inside and out; the platform is essentially the same. In Belgium, only the long-range version was available in August, starting at a special price of €39,090 (instead of 41,190) to be eligible for […]
September 04, 2024
Maxus Motors, part of the Chinese conglomerate SAIC, is bringing two new models in its commercial vehicle range to the IAA Transportation in Hannover later this month: the eTerron9, an electric ‘performance’ pickup, and the eDeliver5, a relatively compact electric van. Both models should join the Maxus model range by the end of the year. […]
September 04, 2024
Nearly two years after its unveiling, the Volvo EX90 is starting to reach customers. Software delays postponed the launch of the electric 7-seater SUV by around a year. The first United States and Europe customers are getting their cars this month, with deliveries ramping up between Q4 2024 and Q1 2025. The Volvo EX90 is […]
September 04, 2024
Cupra, a Volkswagen Group brand, has revealed the new Terramar. Unlike the brand’s new Tavascan, the new mid-size SUV isn’t electric. It shares its platform and powertrains with the new VW Tiguan, including a new plug-in hybrid powertrain with up to 100 km of range. The Tavascan, designed in Spain but built in China and […]
September 03, 2024
While the rest of Europe reports discouraging figures, Norway continues to set new benchmarks in electric vehicle adoption. In August, more than 94 percent of all new passenger cars registered were electric, a new record for the world’s forerunner in the EV transition. “This looks very promising to reach 100% as of January,” reacted secretary […]
September 03, 2024
According to the data of the sector federation, Febiac, 29,333 cars were registered in Belgium and Luxembourg in August 2024, a regress of -20,3% compared to the same month last year. Cumulated over the previous eight months, this means a decrease of 3.3% overall. It is noticeable that the segment of individual buyers is still […]
September 02, 2024
Tesla plans to start mass production of a seven-seat version of the Model Y at its Giga Shanghai plant in October, with the updated electric SUV set for launch in the Chinese markets. However, according to the National Business Daily, the new Model Y variant has already completed homologation for the European Union market. Officially, […]
September 02, 2024
What had become apparent over the past few days is now official: BYD is taking sales in Germany into its own hands. To this end, the Chinese car manufacturer founded BYD Automotive GmbH and took over Hedin Electric Mobility, the Hedin subsidiary previously responsible for BYD imports. There were increasing signs that BYD was dissatisfied […]
August 30, 2024
Polestar, the electric car brand of Geely and Volvo, announced the appointment of Michael Lohscheller as its new CEO. In October, he will succeed long-term CEO Thomas Ingenlath, who has held the position since 2017. The new appointment comes shortly after another significant change at the top of the board. On on October 1st, Lohscheller […]
August 30, 2024
It’s been a long runner-up toward the official release of Smart’s largest and most advanced model. After the showstopper concept at the Beijing Autoshow and the leaked images from the Chinese regulator, Smart has now cleared the official pictures and specifications on the #5. The all-electric SUV hits the heart of the electric car market, […]
August 30, 2024
According to data from ACEA, the European Manufacturers Association, new EU car registrations saw a modest increase (+0.2%) in July 2024. However, there were mixed results across the region’s four major markets: Italy (+4.7%) and Spain (+3.4%) recorded moderate gains, while the French (-2.3%) and German (-2.1%) markets experienced declines. Seven months into 2024, new […]
August 29, 2024
Chery Automobile, China’s fifth-biggest automaker with over 1.88 million vehicles sold worldwide last year, says it will take on Belgium from the end of Q4 2024 with two models: the Omoda 5 EV and the Jaecoo 7 PHEV. Officially, three dealers, one in Genk, one in Liège, and one in Luxemburg, were already presented, but […]
August 28, 2024
Sources familiar with the matter said on Tuesday that Toyota Motor Corp. and BMW AG will expand their tie-up in fuel cell vehicle (FCEV) operations in a bid to increase the competitiveness of their hydrogen-powered cars. Under the deeper partnership, which is due to be announced on September 5th, Toyota will provide key components, such […]
August 28, 2024
Nissan has unveiled some of its plans concerning solid-state battery technology, which will launch in a series-production EV by 2028. The Japanese manufacturer also hints that these smaller, more energy-dense batteries will be perfect for a sports car like the next-generation GT-R. Solid-state batteries are seen as the next big step in EV technology. Thanks […]
August 28, 2024
As of 1 October, Eddy Haesendonck is confirmed as CEO of Hedin Automotive for the whole Benelux region, while his colleague Henrik Lessèl, currently CEO of Hedin Belux, will become CEO of Hedin Germany, a fast-growing market for the Swedish group. In August 2022, Eddy Heasendonck, former CEO of BMW Belux, became CEO of Hedin […]
August 28, 2024
Xpeng is looking for a European production site because of the additional EU tariffs on imported electric cars from China. In addition, the Chinese start-up is intensifying its ongoing cooperation with Volkswagen. Xpeng’s CEO, He Xiaopeng, told Bloomberg that the company is initially selecting a production site in the EU and planning to set up […]
August 27, 2024
Volt Mobility, a commercial electric vehicle leasing company based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has ordered 3,000 Class 1 and Class 3 EV cargo vans and trucks from Mullen Automotive, a US-based company. The vehicles are meant to electrify last-mile delivery services in the Gulf Cooperation Council region (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, […]
August 27, 2024
SAIC Motor Corporation, the owner of the MG brand, which is currently the best-selling Chinese EV in Europe, is hatching a plan to export its popular MG4 model straight out of its Thai manufacturing plant to sail around the EU’s maximum 46.3% (36.3 % + 10%) import tax. According to Thai media, the factory was […]
August 27, 2024
Canada will implement a 100% surtax on all EVs made and imported from China from 1 October. Hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and fuel-cell vehicles are also included on the list. The list is long and includes any vehicle with at least an “electric motor as the motor for propulsion,” whether a bus, a truck, or a […]
August 26, 2024
Neta has officially launched the S Kombi, an all-electric estate made in China. It is offered in both range extender and full-electric versions. In the wake of the launch, the company announced that the 800-volt version would be built around the platform by battery manufacturer CATL. Despite its practical estate style, Neta has no plans […]
August 26, 2024
Chinese Build Your Dreams (BYD) jumped over Japanese carmakers Honda and Nissan in Q2 2024 to the seventh spot in the top ten of the world’s biggest car manufacturers. According to data from the automotive industry portal Marklines, it sold 980,000 units, a 40% growth, partly thanks to overseas sales. It tripled this year to […]
August 26, 2024
The global automotive industry is weakening, with German carmakers experiencing a continued decline in earnings during the first half of the year, according to a study by auditing and consulting firm EY released on Friday. German car giants Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz collectively earned €25.9 billion in operating profit (EBIT) from January to June, marking […]
