All-electric KGM Musso goes head-on with Maxus T90 (update)

May 21, 2025

The Chinese Maxus T90, the first all-electric pickup in Belgium, is getting stiff and rugged competition from South Korea. Neither Kia nor Hyundai is stepping up on an emission-free alternative for the utilitarian market, but KGM—formerly known as Ssangyong—adds a Musso with a traction battery to its range. It will be available in Belgium as […]

Van Mossel unveils Europe’s largest MG showroom

May 20, 2025

Despite the EU’s stringent import duties, MG’s export ambitions haven’t withered. Last week, Europe’s number one Chinese brand opened its largest brand store to date in Roermond, the Netherlands. The flagship showroom is designed to anchor the brand’s identity against the backdrop of shifting consumer priorities. The new site, developed in partnership with Dutch dealership […]

Powerdot pledges €40m to reach top-three fast-charging networks in Belgium

May 19, 2025

Portuguese electric vehicle charging firm Powerdot is ramping up its European ambitions, pledging €140 million to expand fast-charging infrastructure across France and Belgium. The move was announced at this year’s Choose France summit, the government-backed initiative designed to woo foreign investment. The company is earmarking €100 million for France and €40 million for Belgium in […]

Geely profits triple over soaring China sales

May 19, 2025

The Chinese holding company Geely posted a sharp rise in first-quarter profit. Record sales and cost controls helped the automaker tighten its grip on its fast-moving domestic market. But in the near future, the Chinese car group, which owns Volvo, Polestar, and others, will face mounting export pressures and, consequently, push for a corporate restructuring. […]

Toyota adds estate version ‘Touring’ to bZ4X offer

May 16, 2025

Toyota is set to launch an estate car version of its all-electric SUV model, the bZ4X, next year. It will be called the BZ4X Touring and will be 14 cm longer than the standard car. Its European launch is planned for the first half of 2026. The bZ4X Touring features 33% more trunk space than […]

IEA: one in four new cars will be electric in 2025

May 15, 2025

According to the latest report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), electric vehicle sales are on course to top 20 million globally in 2025, marking a significant milestone for the automotive sector. This figure translates to one in every four new cars sold this year being electric—a remarkable rise considering the lingering economic uncertainty and […]

Skoda sharpens up its range with new Enyaq RS duo

May 14, 2025

Skoda is doubling down on the performance EV segment with the refreshed Enyaq RS and Enyaq Coupé RS, which now complete the Czech automaker’s facelifted Enyaq lineup. Featuring sharper styling, enhanced performance, and upgraded tech, the RS variants target buyers looking for electric SUVs with a sportier edge without compromising the brand’s notorious everyday usability. […]

China at turning point: electrified vehicles dominate car sales for first time

May 13, 2025

Electrified cars have overtaken gasoline and diesel models in China’s vast passenger car market for the first time. In March, so-called new energy vehicles (NEVs), which include battery-electric and plug-in hybrid models, accounted for 51.1% of all retail car sales in the country. The milestone signals not just the rapid maturation of China’s electric vehicle […]

BYD e7: this is the world’s most affordable full-size EV

May 13, 2025

BYD’s latest all-electric saloon, the e7, has quietly begun arriving at dealerships across China after it was previously leaked. The e7 is expected to be priced very low, potentially starting at 70,000 yuan or under €10,000, making it one of the world’s most affordable full-sized EV sedans. The model offers a stripped-down but capable alternative […]

Cadillac’s €300,000 Celestiq: the most exclusive car no one asked for

May 09, 2025

Cadillac’s hand-built electric flagship, the Celestiq, was meant to mark the return of American automotive grandeur. Instead, it risks becoming an expensive ghost — rarer than a Bugatti, but not by the board’s initial plan. Nearly three years since its glitzy announcement, fewer than 25 buyers have committed to the €300,000 EV, and even that […]

UK manages to salvage a 10% tariff deal on cars with Trump

May 09, 2025

With more drama than some critics feel is appropriate, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump announced a deal that brings the 27% tariff on British cars imported into the US virtually back to 10% like before and slashes the 25% tariff on steel. The price: 13.000 tons of tax-free US beef […]

Sharp redesign for Toyota Corolla Cross and first-ever GR Sport

May 09, 2025

Toyota has refreshed the styling of its five-year-old Corolla Cross, enhanced cabin comfort, and introduced a GR Sport variant for the first time in the European lineup. The updated model will arrive in summer 2025, with the GR Sport following in the fall. Positioned between the C-HR and RAV4, the Corolla Cross was initially seen […]

Polestar to offer battery health certificate to second-hand buyers

May 08, 2025

Polestar is introducing official battery health certificates for used versions of its Polestar 2 electric car. The new offer must calm nerves across Europe’s struggling second-hand EV market. The Electric car maker says the new certificate will help ease fears over battery life and falling used EV prices. The certificate will become mandatory in the […]

Traxio: ‘+18.8% used speed pedelecs registered in April’

May 07, 2025

In April, the number of registrations of new speed pedelecs increased slightly by +0.3% to 1,150 units, and more growth is emerging thanks to additional registrations by federal civil servants and education staff. “The wider access to bicycle leasing for government staff will have an even more positive impact on the figures in the coming […]

Plunging used EV prices force leasing sector to rethink business model

May 07, 2025

Retail prices for electric vehicles in Belgium dropped nearly 12 percent year-over-year in Q1 2025. The numbers affirm the ongoing trend of low interest in zero-emission cars on the secondhand market. As the mismatch between supply and demand grows, leasing companies seek to reassess their residual value strategies. Will corporate vehicles become increasingly more expensive? […]

Ferrari in top form won’t bother its clients with Trump’s tariffs

May 07, 2025

Italian sports carmaker Ferrari is in roaring good health. Net revenues in the first three months of 2025 topped 1.79 billion, up 13.0% versus the prior year, and total shipments of 3,593 cars were 33 more than in the same period last year. Ferrari will announce six new models, which include the newly launched 296 […]

Hyundai-Kia’s plan of attack amid global headwinds: a lot more affordable EVs

May 06, 2025

South Korean management reads Julius Caesar. As attack is the best defense, the Hyundai group plans to launch a major product push to combat the economic cooldown and Trump tariffs. Most particularly in the lower regions of the electric category. What’s coming, as the fifth largest carmaker retools its strategy to stay competitive in a […]

Traxio: ‘Private individual demand pushes up used car market by 1.8%’

May 06, 2025

The used car market continues to grow, with 63,710 registrations in April (+1.8%, and +18.7% compared with April 2023). This steady growth underlines the market’s resilience, which is supported by continued demand from private individuals. The used car market represents 90.4% registrations by private individuals, who often do not have the means to purchase an expensive […]

800 km range, 800 V charging: the all-new electric Mercedes CLA (update)

May 05, 2025

Mercedes has officially opened the online configurator for its groundbreaking all-new CLA. As for now, only the 250+ and 350 4Matic can be ordered in Belgium, with a starting price of 56.870 euros. Entry-level versions –  set to lower the price considerably thanks to the integration of a cheaper LFP battery -, will be added by […]

Tesla board mulls leadership change amid steep sales drop

May 05, 2025

Should Elon Musk stay or should he go? Many have lately asked this question for Tesla, as the car company suffers a massive sales and revenue drop due to the CEO’s political endeavors. According to American media, the board has actively been scouting for a replacement. A month after reporting a staggering 71 percent drop […]

Omoda unveils Europe-bound 3, rival to the Kia EV3

April 29, 2025

Chery’s Omoda grabs spotlights while the Shanghai Auto Show runs full steam. The brand took veils of one further model that is bound to be exported to Europe and Belgium. The Omoda 3 is a sharply styled compact crossover that targets younger buyers and competitors like the Kia EV3 and MG4.  The Omoda 3 wasn’t […]

BYD doubles profit, strengthens hold on EV market as Tesla struggles

April 28, 2025

Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD extended its lead in the global EV race with a record-setting first-quarter profit. The carmaker solidified its dominance at home while advancing its global ambitions. But over in Europe, the brand shifted strategy as it struggled with its dealership footprint.  The Shenzhen-based car maker’s net profit rose to 9.2 billion […]

Alliance partners Renault and Nissan score very differently in Q1 2025

April 25, 2025

The two most important members of the Alliance, Renault and Nissan, posted very different results for Q1 2025. Renault holds strong in a challenging environment, while Nissan is struggling to survive and is still looking for a partner. Renault Group recorded 564,980 sales in 2025 Q1, up 2.9% versus 2024 Q1. In Europe, Group sales […]

Chery expands European footprint with two new brands: Lepar and Jetour

April 24, 2025

The Chery Group, one of China’s most important car exporters, didn’t fail to wow at the Shanghai Auto Show. As it stunned the local market with a flood of models, it also announced that it would bring two additional brands to Europe, aside from Jaecoo and Omoda. Lepas will compete with Dacia, while Jetour aims […]

Tesla struggling with plunging profits, Musk promises to refocus on business

April 23, 2025

Confirming expectations, Tesla’s finances have fared poorly at the start of 2025. The pioneering EV maker saw net income fall by 71% to just $409 million during the first quarter. If it weren’t for regulatory credits, the company would report losses, which means that its car-making business is currently in the red. Musk wants to […]

Dutch Flynt bets on 500 km range to shake up EU’s commercial van market

April 23, 2025

Is Europe’s light commercial vehicle market poised for disruption? Flynt, a Dutch-based startup with Chinese manufacturing muscle, unveils its first fully electric van. With its blend of European market insight and Chinese EV technology, the newcomer is betting big on clean urban logistics while meeting the hard-nosed demands of fleet operators. The company’s first model, […]

Analysis of Belgian new car market for Q1 2025

April 17, 2025

According to data from the sector federation, Febiac, and the government services, 120,940 new cars were registered during the first quarter of 2025, a decrease of 10.5% compared to 2024. We already showed these results earlier; now is the time to get into the details about who buys what. In 2023 and 2024, Belgium had […]

Global electrified vehicle sales grew 29% in Q1 2025

April 16, 2025

Rho Motion, a leading EV research house, revealed that 1.7 million electric vehicles were sold globally in March 2025, with 4.1 million sold in Q1 2025. The EV market grew by 29% in March 2025 compared to March 2024 and increased by 40% compared to February 2025. For Q1 overall, the growth rate was also […]

Renault refreshes Scenic E-Tech Electric, adds one pedal driving

April 11, 2025

Renault is on a winning streak, with good results and increasing brand recognition. The French carmaker is setting a high tempo to keep up the good work. A first update to the Scenic E-Tech Electric, which debuted only one year ago, serves as proof. The electric family SUV receives a raft of minor upgrades, from […]

Survey: Belgian drivers cool on EVs, skepticism grows

April 10, 2025

Belgian private drivers are avoiding electric vehicles. They cite cost, lack of infrastructure, and doubts about sustainability, even as the country embraces broader changes in mobility trends. According to the 2025 Mobility Barometer by insurer Europ Assistance, 62 percent of respondents say their next car won’t be electric, a 10 percent increase from last year. […]

Chinese automakers, led by BYD, surge in Europe thanks to PHEVs

April 09, 2025

Chinese automakers posted a significant sales gain in Europe this February, shrugging off mounting trade pressure from the European Union. Leaning into plug-in hybrids has helped them offset the punitive EU tariffs. BYD, in particular, is leading the charge — topping domestic sales, previewing record-breaking profits, and deepening its presence in key European markets. The […]

VAB’s ‘drivetrain choice’ test shows high need for user education

April 09, 2025

What kind of drivetrain will we choose for our next car? Plain-old gasoline, hybrid, or electric? It’s often a question about actual needs, economics, and practicality, which most families wrestle with. In reality, 44% of family drivers have no idea of their mobility profile, and a third don’t even know how much their current car […]

UK softens EV mandate, extends hybrid sales to 2035

April 08, 2025

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has confirmed that hybrid vehicles will remain on sale in the UK until 2035 to mitigate the Trump tariffs and shield British automakers from their ripple effects. This is an extension of the previous 2030 ban, which Starmer reinforced as he took office. The ban on new gasoline and diesel […]

KG Motors from Japan bets big on a tiny EV

April 08, 2025

Urban focus, one seat, and no emissions from a battery driveline are the main features of the Mibot from KG Motors. This Japanese start-up wants to reinvent electric mobility by lifting the kei car into a new era. The dimensions are so small that the vehicle fits into a panel van. Japan must cope with […]

Mazda’s China-built 6e begins export production amid tariff headwinds

April 07, 2025

Mazda has officially launched export production of the Mazda 6e, its China-built electric sedan aimed at global markets, including Europe and Southeast Asia. The first units rolled off the production line at the Changan Mazda plant in Nanjing last week. It signals the company’s renewed push into the international EV market, as the carmaker hasn’t […]

Belgium next on wish list Geely’s premium brand Zeekr

April 07, 2025

Two years after introducing the brand in its homeland, Sweden, and EV forerunner The Netherlands, and one year later in Norway, Chinese-Swedish Zeekr is targeting Belgium as the next European country for its expansion. In summer, together with the official launch of its luxury SUV 7X in Europe, the third model to come to the […]

There will be a Brussels Motor Show in January 2026

April 07, 2025

Sector federation Febiac, the organizer of the Brussels Motor Show (BMS), has officially announced that the 2026 edition (the 102nd) will be held next January from the 9th to the 18th at the Brussels Expo premises. “We are happy to announce today that Febiac will organize the 102nd Motor Show,” says Freddy De Mulder, Febiac’s […]

Skoda unwraps fastest production model yet: Elroq RS

April 04, 2025

Skoda has officially launched its fastest production car ever — and it’s not a sedan or a hot hatch. It’s the Elroq RS, a beefed up version of its compact electric crossover that combines everyday practicality with a big shot of performance. Unveiled at Milan Design Week, the Elroq RS builds on the recently introduced […]

Hyundai gives Ioniq 6 a sleek overhaul and teases high-performance N

April 03, 2025

At the 2025 Seoul Mobility Show, Hyundai unveiled a significantly redesigned Ioniq 6. The new look is even sleeker, resulting in a more aggressive version of its all-electric sedan. The refresh comes just two years after the model’s original debut and marks a bold design rethink to boost sales, which have been lagging behind its […]

From star to scandal: Tesla sales freefall all over Europe

April 02, 2025

Tesla is facing a deepening crisis across Europe. Its sales keep plummeting, and the brand is experiencing increased politicized action. Once the undisputed leader of the electric revolution, Tesla is now struggling to hold its ground in key European markets. Sales have fallen to their lowest in four years in countries like France, Sweden, and […]

BYD teases new e7 electric sedan as affordable alternative to Seal

March 31, 2025

BYD is riding a wave of new model releases. This time, the Chinese car and battery maker teases with pictures of the e7, a mid-size all-electric sedan that blends cost-efficiency with practicality. While official specs remain restricted, there’s a strong indication of the vehicle’s place in BYD’s growing lineup. The Chinese automaker revealed the e7 […]

Peugeot to revive GTi badge with electric e-208 hot hatch

March 28, 2025

Peugeot is returning its famed GTi badge, but not as you know it. This time, it’s attached to an all-electric version of the 208 supermini, marking the brand’s first foray into sporty EVs. The carmaker’s newly appointed CEO, Alain Favey, confirmed the move and said the revival is part of an effort to reconnect with […]

Trump’s tariffs are particularly destructive for German carmakers

March 28, 2025

President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 25% tariff increase on all imported automobiles—set to take effect next week—has ignited sharp reactions across the global automotive industry, triggering concerns among European, Japanese, Korean, and even American manufacturers. Tesla seems to have gained the most from these measures, but Western and Asian countries are warning of […]

Trade war intensifies as Trump slaps 25% tariffs on car imports

March 27, 2025

The global auto industry braces for disruption after President Donald Trump officially confirmed his plan to impose 25% tariffs on imported vehicles and car parts. Critics say this could destabilize supply chains, raise consumer prices, and strain international trade alliances. Even a close ally of Trump, Elon Musk, warned on his social media channel X […]

MG ZS EV successor S5EV to wash ashore in April in UK first

March 27, 2025

SAIC, the mother company of the now Chinese MG brand, unwrapped last October in China the fully electric MG ES5, a compact SUV, to succeed in the currently still popular MG ZS EV in Europe. And it’s ready to wash ashore on the Old Continent in the UK first, in April, for a base price […]

BYD blasts past Tesla with record sales surge

March 25, 2025

BYD has surpassed Tesla in annual revenue for the first time, cementing its status as the new driving force in the global EV industry. The Chinese automaker reported a record revenue for 2024, up nearly 30 percent from the last year. Windfall was particularly advantageous in its home market. Where Tesla posted revenue of €90.5 […]

Why BMW sells more EVs than Mercedes and Audi combined?

March 24, 2025

In January, BMW Group announced it continued its growth path in 2024, delivering 426,594 fully electric vehicles to customers and achieving BEV-sales growth of +13.5 %. Now that more figures are available of its all-time competitors at the premium home front, Mercedes and Audi, it’s clear that they sold more EVs than those two combined. […]

Traxio Velo: ‘Bicycle sales declining, but industry remains optimistic’

March 22, 2025

With 540,356 bikes sold, bicycle sales in Belgium have declined for the second consecutive year. Mobility federation Traxio Velo announced this at the Bike Brussels trade fair opening at Tour & Taxis, which runs until Sunday. However, this slight 4.75% drop isn’t necessarily a cause for concern, says Frank Glorieux, General Secretary of Traxio Velo. […]

Tesla recalls entire Cybertruck fleet over panels flying off 

March 21, 2025

Tesla has met its recall, which an over-the-air update can’t fix. The company must reserve all 46,096 Cybertrucks built to date after reports that stainless-steel body panels could detach while driving due to faulty adhesive. This raised safety concerns and further complicated the electric pickup’s rocky launch. The American National Highway Traffic Safety Administration disclosed […]

Sluggish China sales and trade tariffs increase headwind for BMW

March 17, 2025

Releasing its 2024 financial results, BMW’s net profit plummeted by over a third last year. The German automaker warns of continued headwinds from trade tariffs and sluggish demand in China.  The Bavarian company reported a 36.9% drop in net profit to €7.68 billion ($8.32 billion), in line with market expectations and German competitors. However, geopolitical […]

Volkswagen: CEO’s pay rises while profits fall

March 12, 2025

Volkswagen’s profit dwindled by one-third last year due to slow demand and a cooldown in the Chinese market. But the salary of its CEO, Oliver Blume, rose. Will the near future relieve the ongoing problems at the German car giant? Volkswagen’s net profit plummeted 30.6% in 2024 to €12.39 billion. Europe’s largest automaker grapples with […]

Tesla in freefall: stock tanks as sales crash worldwide

March 12, 2025

Tesla shares tumbled more than 15% on Monday, suffering their worst single-day drop since 2020. The electric vehicle maker is grappling with plunging sales, and its valuation has been halved since December to roughly $700 billion (€640 billion). The trend marks a dramatic reversal from the optimism that followed Donald Trump’s election victory. To help […]

Maserati pulls the plug on electric MC20 due to zero interest

March 07, 2025

Maserati has officially canceled the MC20 Folgore, its long-planned all-electric supercar, due to a lack of demand. A company spokesperson confirmed the decision, which comes as the Italian luxury automaker faces a financial downturn and reevaluates its electrification strategy. Initially slated to be one of six electric Maseratis set to hit showrooms in the short […]

Luxury meets lightning: Volvo unveils the ES90 electric sedan

March 06, 2025

After the first teaser info, and a leak of a picture from Volvo’s Belgian division yesterday, the Swedish car maker finally took the wraps off its new sedan ES90. It’s the first all-electric offering from Volvo in this segment. And the Swedes tried their best to give the Audi A6 e-Tron, BMW i5 and Mercedes […]

Polestar secures €420 million and investigates relocating production

March 04, 2025

Swedish-Chinese electric carmaker Polestar has secured a new loan of up to $450 million (€420 million) as it grapples with ongoing financial pressures and strives to turn a profit by 2026. Local Chinese media also reported that the company aims to downscale its Chinese operations and relocate production to South Korea, Europe or the US. […]

Volvo Belgium accidently leaks new ES90, its ‘master charger’

March 04, 2025

As Volvo gears up for the full release of its new flagship sedan, ES90, tomorrow, the Belgian division accidentally uploaded an image of the latest model on its web page. The electric sedan, which is bound to break the brand’s barriers in charging and autonomy, unveils itself as a mix between the Polestar 2 and […]

J.D. Power: US EV owners rank BMW iX and Hyundai Ioniq 6 as top

March 03, 2025

The latest J.D. Power 2025 US Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Ownership Study reveals a marked increase in EV owner satisfaction, with BMW emerging as the undisputed leader in the premium segment. The BMW iX secured the highest satisfaction score among electric vehicle (EV) owners, followed closely by the BMW i4, underscoring the brand’s dominance from […]

Tesla faces 45.2% decline in EU due to competition and Musk’s escapades

February 26, 2025

Tesla’s dominance in the European electric vehicle market took a significant hit in January 2025, as the company saw a staggering 45.2% drop in sales compared to the same period in 2024. New data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) reveal that Tesla sold just under 10,000 units in the region last month, down […]

Huawei and SAIC partner to launch new EV brand Shangjie

February 18, 2025

Chinese tech giant Huawei and automotive leader SAIC Motor are set to debut their first co-developed electric vehicle under the newly established brand Shangjie. According to reports from local media, the inaugural Shangjie model will be derived from SAIC’s sub-brand Roewe, specifically the ES39 project. Like Sony in Japan (with Afeela), Huawei in China is […]

Audi revives Q4 40 e-tron with new entry-level powertrain

February 12, 2025

To boost the sales volume of its most accessible electric model, Audi is reintroducing the 40 designations to its Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-Tron lineup. However, it receives a revamped powertrain to improve efficiency while lowering the price threshold. In late 2023, Audi made a series of technical upgrades to the Q4 e-tron range, […]

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