December 12, 2023
More details about the fake manual transmission for electric cars developed by Toyota have emerged from a recently published patent application. Toyota’s alibi gearbox could have up to 14 simulated gears. In a recent article about Toyota’s financial forecasts and EV strategy, we mentioned the plans for a ‘manual transmission’ Toyota has been experimenting with […]
December 12, 2023
The German automotive supplier Bosch is considering significant job cuts in its powertrain division. Bosch is considering cutting up to 1 500 jobs in development, administration, and sales, said a spokeswoman on Monday. A report in the specialized German magazine Automobilwoche triggered the announcement. The shift of the automotive industry away from combustion engines and […]
December 11, 2023
Belgian industrial entrepreneur Guido Dumarey has finished his third acquisition this year, with the take-over of the British Woodall Nicholson group. That group comprises six specialist vehicle brands, from accessible transport and electric buses, over police cars and ambulances to ceremonial limos and hearses. Dumarey will continue the business with 367 employees. The six companies, […]
December 11, 2023
According to the often well-informed German newspaper Handelsblatt, Volkswagen is considering collaborating with Renault to develop and produce the sub-20 000-euro car. Both companies declined to comment on these rumors from sources familiar with the matter. According to Handelsblatt, VW is talking to potential partners, but Renault is definitely one of them. At the moment, […]
December 08, 2023
BMW Group Belux, the BMW, Mini, and BMW Motorrad importer in Belgium and Luxembourg, is investing almost €30 million in the complete renovation and rethinking of its headquarters in Bornem (Antwerp province), known as the BMW campus. When everything has been refurbished, the 400 BMW Belux employees will be joined by 180 colleagues of BMW’s […]
December 08, 2023
Airlines expect to carry 4,7 billion passengers next year, a historic record dixit the International Air Transport Association (IATA). According to the umbrella organization, the airline industry will also post a net profit of 25,7 billion dollars in 2024, a slight improvement on the 23,3 billion dollars the industry is most likely to post this […]
December 07, 2023
General Motors CEO Mary Barra has officially declared that the next-generation Chevrolet Bolt EV will hit the streets in 2025, following the model’s temporary cancellation and a successor question. Building upon its reputation of affordability, the new generation will be equipped with cheaper LFP batteries. While Barra did not delve into the nitty gritty about […]
December 07, 2023
In a meeting on Wednesday at the Renault headquarters, the four Alliance leaders tried to reassure the outside world of their determination to create a future for the Alliance between Mitsubishi, Nissan, and Renault. “The future of the Alliance is ‘exciting’, ‘resilient’, and ‘innovative’,” the four stressed. “This Alliance is more flexible, open, eager, and […]
December 07, 2023
Fiat’s low-cost electric model has been named: not Panda but Pandina. This cousin to the Citroën ë-C3 is set to be produced in Kragujevac, Serbia, for a starting price of around 20 000 euros. A mild hybrid version is also coming for around 15 000 euros. Meanwhile, Stellantis promises to maintain a production target of […]
December 07, 2023
Before Christmas, Volkswagen wants to be in the clear about its restructuring plans, seeking savings of 10 billion euros. The company aims to cut one-fifth of its administrative staff, save 20% on payroll, and has abandoned plans for a new R&D site. The cost-cutting measures apply exclusively to the brand Volkswagen, which is suffering the […]
December 07, 2023
Renault Group is launching a plan to transform its industrial base fundamentally. Between now and 2027, it is seeking to cut production costs per vehicle by 30% for internal combustion vehicles (ICE) and 50% for electric vehicles (BEV). Renault Group’s Industrial Metaverse will play a vital role in the transformation, enabling the Group to accelerate […]
December 06, 2023
The coming Mini Cooper SE electric 3-door model will also be available in the John Cooper Works trim to emphasize the brand’s racing history. With 160 kW and 330 Newton meters of maximum torque, the more powerful Mini Cooper SE version can sprint from 0 to 100 kph in 6,7 seconds and offers a range […]
December 06, 2023
After the successful giant strike against the Detroit Big Three, the United Auto Workers (UAW) initiated a high-stakes campaign to unionize Tesla and a dozen non-unionized car companies. The move for the American EV maker comes on top of a spreading union fight in the Scandinavian countries, where Denmark’s largest trade union has joined with […]
December 06, 2023
US-based battery start-up Our Next Energy (ONE) announces that a BMW iX prototype with its proprietary Gemini dual-chemistry battery managed an impressive 608,1 miles (978,6 km) range. Despite the higher range, ONE’s battery pack occupies the same space as the iX original battery pack. Furthermore, the company’s innovative technology reduces lithium use by up to […]
December 06, 2023
The current (and re-elected) president of the European Car Manufacturers Association (ACEA), Luca de Meo, has called for European ‘Kei Cars’ as one of the solutions to boost electric car sales and solve acute urban mobility problems. De Meo did so in his speech at the ACEA headquarters in Brussels while presenting the lobbying group’s […]
December 06, 2023
Symbio, the equally owned joint venture between French automotive supplier Forvia Group (Faurecia and Hella), French tire giant Michelin, and car manufacturing group Stellantis, has inaugurated its SymphonHy gigafactory on Tuesday in Saint-Fons, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in France. It’s Europe’s largest factory, with 700 employees to produce 16 000 hydrogen fuel cells initially, to […]
December 06, 2023
The electric vehicle manufacturer EV Electra has bought the rights to the Emily GT project, also called ‘the new Saab’, from NEVS (New Electric Vehicle Sweden) and could produce the sporty electric saloon in the former Saab factory in Trollhättan, Sweden. Last August, we reported about the Emily GT, citing that an ‘unknown investor’ had […]
December 05, 2023
The initial goal for Norway was to achieve a 50 percent market share for zero-emission trucks by 2030. Still, the Norwegian parliament (Storting) has asked the government to go for the full 100 percent in the 2024 budget agreement. This makes Norway the first country to set a concrete deadline for combustion-powered trucks. Whereas the […]
December 05, 2023
The electric car manufacturer Fisker is lowering its production forecast for 2023 once again. After last lowering its forecast to between 13 000 and 17 000 vehicles produced in 2023 as a whole, Fisker now only expects to produce just over 10 000 units. The reason given for this is the decision to produce fewer […]
December 05, 2023
Toyota wants to expand its range of electric cars in Europe to six models by 2026. That’s what we wrote on Monday, talking about the brand’s two concepts unveiled at its annual Kenshiki event in Brussels. But the Japanese company is also providing more details on its battery roadmap and hydrogen plans. With the presentation […]
December 04, 2023
At last week’s Toyota Motor Europe (TME) 2023 Kenshiki event, a team of global and European executives presented the company’s latest electrified products and technologies. Today, we’re paying attention to two new BEV concepts arriving in Europe reasonably soon. Toyota provided a preview of its future battery electric vehicle (BEV) strategy for Europe by unveiling […]
December 04, 2023
In a surprising move, the German government has given the green light to subsidize Sweden’s Northvolt battery plant Drei in northwest Germany with over €560 million. This announcement comes just weeks after the German government froze spending in the sector after a court ruling. The subsidies, totaling around €700 million, will be distributed over several […]
December 04, 2023
The stalling pickup market in the EU doesn’t refrain Toyota from introducing new powertrains in its famous workhorse. Slated for launch in 2024 is an electrified version of the 2.8-diesel engine. Though Toyota is a pioneer in hybrid drivetrains, the proposed solution in the Hilux remains modest. The Hilux Hybrid brings a 48-volt system to […]
December 04, 2023
Volkswagen plans to take back the reins for the electrification of its commercial vehicle fleet. Whereas the ID. Buzz and shared models with Ford are the main focus for now; from 2028, a new and entirely VW-developed electric van platform will electrify the entire range, from Caddy to Crafter. VW is falling behind slightly in […]
December 04, 2023
With 37 552 new cars registered in Belgium and Luxembourg, November was the best since 2017 and scored 26,1% higher than in 2022. For the first eleven months of the year, this means a total of 450 960 new cars registered, 32% more than last year for the same period. More than 47% of them […]
December 04, 2023
Belgium, Flanders, and Brussels must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 (compared to 1990). According to the Brussels Court of Appeal, these three governments have so far not done enough to protect citizens’ human rights. The Belgian climate policy violates two articles of the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantee the ‘right […]
December 01, 2023
Hyundai and Kia have presented a new wheel drive system called the Universal Wheel Drive System (‘Uni Wheel’ for short), designed for taxis, shuttle buses, and other special purpose vehicles of all sizes. The Uni Wheel creates extra space in electric vehicles by moving the reduction gear to the wheel hub. The Uni Wheel relocates […]
December 01, 2023
Geely, one of China’s top four-passenger car manufacturers and parent company to Volvo, is joining forces with Chinese NIO to co-develop swappable battery standards. That was unveiled by the two partners just a week after NIO signed a similar deal with another giant, Changan Automobile. In China, battery swapping is quite hot compared to the […]
December 01, 2023
After two years of delays and anticipation, Tesla’s digital showroom offers the highly controversial Cybertruck. CEO Elon Musk handed over the first customers’ vehicles during a special event on Thursday at the company’s headquarters in Austin, Texas. Though the looks and specs are spectacular, the Cybertruck also puts dark accolades around its promised range and […]
December 01, 2023
Renault will present the R5 E-tech electric, its B-segment EV, Zoe successor, and Renault 5 reminiscer at the Geneva Motor Show on the 26th of February. In anticipation, the manufacturer has already shown some details of the production version and launched a teaser campaign with an R 5 R Pass for early potential buyers. “Renault […]
November 30, 2023
With Skye, Callum Designs, the company of former Jaguar design boss Ian Callum, presents the concept of an all-terrain electric vehicle with all-wheel drive in the style of an electric buggy with a roof. Technical details are not yet available. “Callum Skye is a high-performance multi-terrain electric vehicle created for discerning owners seeking extraordinary on- […]
November 30, 2023
Orders for the Honda e have stalled in Europe. Due to slow sales and a strong customer preference for all-electric SUVs, the Japanese carmaker is readdressing its strategy for battery-powered mobility. In the lower categories, it is prioritizing zero-emission scooters and motorbikes. In 2020, Honda boldly entered the electric vehicle market with a small but […]
November 30, 2023
Introducing the next generation Duster, Dacia is venturing into new territory with the third generation of its popular SUV that has dominated European sales since 2010. For the first time in its lineage, the driveline features assistance from a battery pack in the form of a hybrid version (HEV). The cladding on the bodywork is […]
November 30, 2023
On the eve of the COP 28 climate conference, and in the run-up to EU elections next year, the President of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), Luca de Meo, unveiled a manifesto and roadmap for a competitive mobility ecosystem, co-signed by the CEOs of Europe’s major vehicle manufacturers. “Our sector is in the midst […]
November 30, 2023
On Thursday, BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd. and Mercedes-Benz Group China Ltd. announced that they had agreed to establish a 50/50 joint venture in China to operate a high-power charging network. The aim is to provide Chinese customers with premium charging services. The joint venture aims to establish a network of at least 1 000 high-power […]
November 29, 2023
Astara Western Europe, formerly Alcopa but now part of the Spanish ‘open mobility company’ Astara, becomes the importer of the Chinese Seres car brand in the Netherlands. According to Astara, it fits into its strategy to promote electric mobility. The focus of the deal is to implement a solid dealer network and to become a […]
November 29, 2023
When the iconic sports saloon finally goes electric, it will be called BMW iM3. This model name has just been filed by BMW with the EU Intellectual Property Office, hinting at a sporty variant of the Neue Klasse electric saloon coming in 2025. We already knew BMW was working on a next-gen electric architecture for […]
November 29, 2023
The Iveco Group has been granted a 500 million euro loan from the European Investment Bank to allow the Italian truck and bus maker to invest in the electrification of its products and to work toward solutions for autonomous driving. Most of the investment will go to Iveco’s Turin and Foggia plants. This is not […]
November 29, 2023
Reports state that Volkswagen has turned to Austrian Magna Steyr. The company, famous for assembling the Mercedes G-Class, will help the German group develop its future Scout electric pickup truck and rugged SUV. Local newspaper, Kleine Zeitung, reports a 450-million-euro deal. Volkswagen announced the return of the Scout brand last year, along with the confirmation […]
November 29, 2023
A few weeks ago, Renault presented its EV plan for Ampere, with no less than seven new electric vehicles in the pipeline. The Twingo ‘Legend was most noticeable, ‘ the all-new successor to the current Twingo Electric. Rumors have it that it will have a twin brother from Smart (#2) and be the base for […]
November 29, 2023
Volkswagen is reportedly planning its own vehicle platform (derived from the current MEB) in China for low-cost electric cars to meet local customer needs better – as many components as possible are to be sourced from China. Only later would the platform possibly be used in other countries. The German newspaper Handelsblatt reported the development, […]
November 28, 2023
Hyvia, the joint venture between Renault and Plug for hydrogen technology, has unveiled the new H2-Tech hydrogen fuel cell architecture for the current Renault Master van. A next-gen platform for the new Renault Master is coming in 2025. While we saw the launch of the all-new Renault Master, with a new battery-electric powertrain offering up […]
November 28, 2023
Mercedes-Benz opened its first European Charging Hub in Mannheim, Germany, after opening one in the US and two in China earlier this year. The hub offers 300 kW charging for up to six vehicles and is near a Mercedes dealership. Over 200 Mercedes-branded charging points are coming in Europe by the end of 2024. Earlier […]
November 28, 2023
British engineering company and sports car manufacturer Lotus, under the wings of the Chinese Geely Group, has launched its own DC fast-charging infrastructure in China with chargers up to 450 kW and a modular unit for charging up to four vehicles at once. The company is committed to becoming an all-electric global luxury technology brand […]
November 27, 2023
At the same time as analyzing the BEV sales in Europe and, especially, Germany, the German Center of Automotive Management (CAM) was also paying attention to the largest car market in the world, China. Where BEV sales in Europe between January and October 2023 amounted to 1,63 million passenger cars, an increase of 45% compared […]
November 27, 2023
In the first ten months of this year, Germany accounted for a quarter of new European BEV registrations and just under a fifth of new PHEV registrations. This is revealed by a new car sales analysis by the Center of Automotive Management (CAM). In its latest report, the German Center of Automotive Management looks at […]
November 27, 2023
Stellantis has officially inaugurated its recycling center in Turin. The ‘Sustainera Circular Economy Hub’ is located at the Mirafiori plant. In the newly established center, embracing a circular economy approach, the workforce focuses on remanufacturing motors, gearboxes, and high-voltage batteries for electric vehicles (EVs), and overhauling and dismantling vehicles. The recycling center, worth an investment […]
November 27, 2023
Nissan will build an all-electric version of its best-selling models, the Qashqai and Juke, in its Sunderland factory in the UK. The news first brought by British free-to-air television news channel Sky News was confirmed by Nissan on Friday. New is the announcement that to have enough batteries, Nissan’s EV36Zero hub will require a third […]
November 24, 2023
Don’t stick to Ora and Wey only as from 2024, but say ‘Great Wall Motors’. The Chinese group is rebranding its model line-up. The previous brand names are set to become product lines, while Great Wall Motor (GWM) will serve as the title brand. The Ora Cat, for example, will be called Great Wall Motor […]
November 23, 2023
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has announced the full open-sourcing of its original Roadster design and engineering, making R&D documents accessible to the public. This move comes over a decade after discontinuing the original Roadster, which kickstarted the Tesla business and served as a mule for fund-raising. Insiders wonder whether this move is tied to the […]
November 23, 2023
The Belgian real estate developer VGP has bought more than half of the 100-year-old production site of Adam Opel AG in Rüsselsheim. VGP wants to transform the site near the Frankfurt Airport into a huge business park. VGP buys three parcels of terrain totaling 700 000 square meters or 70 hectares from Stellantis, the mother […]
November 23, 2023
The EU Parliament has voted on new CO2 standards for trucks and buses and is now ready for negotiations with the EU member states. The Parliament has largely adopted the positions of the EU Commission but added a loophole for e-fuels in trucks. The MEPs agree with the Commission’s proposal presented in February that only […]
November 22, 2023
Van Mossel Group, already the biggest car retailer in the Belux, expands its brand portfolio for the first time with VW Group brands by overtaking Garage Mertens, a renowned car dealer in Eastern Flanders with dealerships in Sint-Niklaas, Lokeren, and Dendermonde. Van Mossel is already selling 25 car brands in Belgium. Exceptions were the Toyota/Lexus […]
November 22, 2023
European-American carmaker Stellantis and the world’s biggest battery manufacturer, Chinese CATL, announced on Tuesday the signing of a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the local supply of LFP battery cells and modules to power Stellantis’ B and C-segment electric vehicles in Europe. Lithium-iron-phosphate batteries have a long service life and higher thermal stability and […]
November 22, 2023
“If leasing companies electrify their fleets earlier, 18 million more households in the EU will have earlier access to cheaper EVs and save on their car spending,” claims the NGO Transport & Environment (T&E). “At current electrification rates, 33 million households in the EU will have access to second-hand electric cars from today until 2035,” […]
November 21, 2023
With a 14% share in new car sales from January to October 2023, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have overtaken diesel cars’ cumulative share (13,9%) in the European Union for the first time. Registration of BEVs increased by 36,3% in October to reach 121 808 units. Belgium (+143%) and Denmark (+100,7%) contributed quite a bit to […]
November 20, 2023
Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (Geely Holding), China’s largest private-owned automotive group, has decided to release more shareholdings in Volvo Car Group. Geely offered some 100 million shares of Volvo Car Group at a list price of 37 Swedish crowns, resulting in a sales transaction of some €322 million. Thirty-seven crowns are 9% under the closing […]
November 20, 2023
Li Auto, a Chinese car manufacturer founded in 2015, has unveiled its first battery-electric model: the Li Mega MPV. This seven-seater adds to the recent influx of electric minivans made in China. However, Li Auto promises low energy consumption and super-fast charging thanks to an 800 V CATL Qilin battery. The Li Mega is the […]
November 20, 2023
Industrial start-up Verkor officially laid the foundation for its cutting-edge Gigafactory in Dunkirk (France). The Prime Minister of France, Elisabeth Borne, attended the inaugural ceremony. The facility aims to produce high-performance electric batteries, for which it received a substantial investment of 659 million euros approved by the European Commission. Verkor’s Gigafactory, slated for operation by […]
November 20, 2023
The Californian EV maker Lucid has officially presented its all-electric SUV at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The Gravity will go into production in late 2024, while Lucid expects a starting price for the electric SUV of under 80 000 dollars. According to the manufacturer, the Gravity builds on the Lucid Air sedan, creating “a […]
