Picture Search, the ‘shazam’ for cars

December 08, 2023

Luxembourg’s newest car classified site, mycar.lu, announces ‘Picture Search’, an innovative feature to the online car marketplace. It’s an advanced AI-powered tool that enables users to take pictures of any car they encounter on the street and instantly find the make and model on mycar.lu’s platform. “This cutting-edge development is set to revolutionize the way […]

GM confirms next-gen Chevrolet Bolt for 2025

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 […]

Electric Fiat Panda to be called Pandina, produced in Serbia

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 […]

New Mini Cooper EV will also have a sporty JCW version

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 […]

Traxio: ‘Used car registrations got boost in November’

December 06, 2023

Growth in the second-hand car market got another boost in November. Last month, 57 519 used cars were registered, 6,5% more than in 2022. The increase is 7,8% over the first eleven months of the year (46 231 units more than in 2022), but there is a deficit of 18 030 units compared to 2021. […]

ACEA president calls for ‘Kei cars’ in Europe

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 […]

The ‘new Saab’ will be an EV Electra

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 […]

Blue-bike gets more expensive

December 05, 2023

Most rides on a Blue-bike, a bike-sharing project of which the Flemish public transport company De Lijn is the main shareholder, will become one euro more expensive from next year. This is because the concession from the Flemish government will disappear. Indeed, for each 24-hour ride, the Flemish government has reimbursed one euro. From 1 […]

Fisker is having problems delivering its electric Ocean SUV

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 […]

Toyota about its electric future in Europe (part two)

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 […]

Toyota partly unveils electric offer in Europe

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 […]

It’s a family tradition: Toyota Hilux goes hybrid

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 […]

Tesla Cybertruck finally hits the showroom

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 […]

Renault beats the drum on electric R5

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 […]

Former Jaguar design boss introduces Skye concept

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- […]

Dacia electrifies its new, more upscale Duster

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 […]

Astara will import Seres in the Netherlands

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 […]

Chinese dominate VAB’s ‘Family Car of the Year 2024’

November 29, 2023

The 37th edition of Belgian mobility organization VAB’s ‘Family Car of the Year’ was dominated this year by the Chinese, with two out of three titles for the full-electric BYD Dolphin and the LPG-fueled BAIC X55. The Romanian Dacia Jogger 1.0 ECOG seven-seater grabbed gold in the ICE category below €25 000, again proving budget […]

The first electric BMW M3 will be called… iM3

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 […]

New Renault Twingo EV rumored to have brothers

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 […]

VW to develop affordable EVs for China (Update)

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, […]

Hyvia shows new hydrogen fuel cell for current Renault Master

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 […]

COTY jury has revealed its seven nominees for 2024

November 27, 2023

A while ago, the European Car of the Year (COTY) jury revealed the 28 models that comprised the long list of candidates for the European Car of the Year 2024. Yesterday, the jury announced the seven finalists. The winner will be revealed at the next Geneva International Motor Show on February 26th, 2024. The active […]

Private pickup registrations in Belgium slashed in half

November 27, 2023

The new fiscal rules for pickups, making them no longer exempt from registration taxes and losing the low annual road tax prerogative, have significantly affected their registrations this year. In Belgium, their popularity among private customers has dropped to a historically low level. In the first ten months of 2023, only 969 pickups were registered […]

Austrians offer cable-less homecharging by connecting plate underneath

November 27, 2023

Let’s be honest: juggling cables isn’t the most pleasant aspect of switching to e-mobility. As inductive charging still has to make its definitive mark, the Austrian companies Keba and Easelink now offer an intermediate step. You can charge your BEV at home without cables by attaching a plate underneath the car’s bodywork. Austrian electric charging […]

Porsche revamps Panamera with four E-Hybrid powertrains

November 27, 2023

Porsche has revamped its four-door sports sedan’s appearance with a more expressive sporting look and is to offer four variants of the E-Hybrid powertrain, the most popular version. The new Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid, ready at market launch in April 2024, will boost power to 500 kW (680 hp) with a new 140 kW electric motor […]

Nissan to build fully electric Qashqai and Juke in UK (update)

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 […]

Ora and Wey rebranded as Great Wall Motor in Europe

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 […]

Volvo’s FH is first fully electric ‘Truck of the Year’

November 23, 2023

The Volvo’s zero-emission heavy-duty truck, the FH Electric, is the first to get the ‘Truck of the Year 2024’ Award, issued by a jury of 24 commercial vehicle journalists from major trucking magazines throughout Europe. The award is given to a truck introduced to the market in the previous twelve months, significantly contributing to road […]

Tesla lets you build your own Roadster

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 […]

Van Mossel expands into VW/D’Ieteren territory

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 […]

All-new Renault Master gets up to 410 km EV range

November 22, 2023

Renault has unveiled the fourth-generation Master. The large van gets an all-new look with improved aerodynamics, a completely revamped interior with the latest tech and safety features, and a second all-electric variant with up to 410 km of range. The all-new Master is available from spring 2024. After over 13 years on the road, the […]

BYD’s Sea Lion 07 adds to Ocean tidal wave of products

November 21, 2023

BYD has expanded its Ocean line-up of vehicles even further with the Sea Lion 07, a new electric coupé-SUV that kicks off a new subcategory within the Ocean series. The mid-size SUV is set to compete with the Tesla Model Y in size but with a much more affordable price tag. The BYD Sea Lion […]

Li Mega MPV adds to influx of Chinese electric minivans

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 […]

Lucid Gravity is the first SUV of the American EV brand

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 […]

Zeekr launches its 007 sedan in China

November 20, 2023

Geely’s new premium brand Zeekr, a sister company to Lynk & Co and likewise co-developed in Sweden, has launched its first fully electric sedan, the Zeekr 007, at the Guangzhou auto show. In less than 30 minutes, over 5.000 preorders were registered for this 4,8 m long sedan that sprints in 5,4 to 2.84 seconds […]

Amazon becomes Hyundai dealer with online sales

November 17, 2023

Amazon has announced its foray into the online vehicle sales arena, initiating a partnership with Hyundai, which is set to start in 2024. Customers will be able to browse and purchase Hyundai vehicles directly on Amazon.com. The service is restricted to the US for the time being. On the opening day of the LA Auto […]

ABB wants to simplify charging payments acquiring Vourity

November 17, 2023

ABB E-Mobility, part of the Swiss/Swedish ABB Group, has acquired the Swedish start-up Vourity. The latter’s cloud-based technology is designed to simplify payment at charging stations for electric cars with various payment options. ABB is also securing essential technical expertise with the take-over. The acquisition of Vourity enables ABB to integrate the payment terminal with […]

China’s newest four-door, four-seat electric hypercar: HiPhi A

November 17, 2023

The premium electric car brand HiPhi from Chinese manufacturer Human Horizons has unveiled the HiPhi A, a 960 kW/1 287 hp four-door, four-seat electric hypercar. However, it will take some time from the premiere at the Guangzhou Auto Show to the start of production. According to the press release, the HiPhi A should be able […]

VW slows down EV production and wants to reduce costs

November 16, 2023

This week, Volkswagen has canceled one shift on the line producing the VW ID.3 and Cupra Born at its plant in Zwickau, Germany, due to low demand. The same may happen at the second production line if the market does not change. Meanwhile, VW boss Thomas Schäfer is brooding on a cost reduction plan for […]

All-electric Astra Sports Tourer misses out on Belgian EV bonus

November 16, 2023

Opel has officially started taking orders in Belgium for the highly anticipated Astra Sports Tourer Electric, ahead of the Peugeot e-308 Electric. Its price is lower than a comparable version from the plug-in hybrid series. However, as the roomier cargo space, compared to the five-door, raises the bill by 2 000 euros, it overshoots the […]

Ampere plans seven EVs by 2031, one under €20.000 (update)

November 16, 2023

As a prequel to its Capital Market Day around Ampere, organized on Wednesday, November 15th, in the afternoon by the Renault Group, Renault’s electric arm is already uncovering its plans for the years to come. These include seven EVs on the market by 2031, one of them a small EV, called the Twingo ‘Legend’, to […]

Toyota borrows e-Proace MAX from Stellantis, shows HiAce on hydrogen

November 15, 2023

Toyota has expanded its European commercial vehicle line-up with the Proace MAX, a derivative from Stellantis’ Fiat Ducato/Peugeot Boxer/Citroën Jumper/Opel Movano quartet. It features six body configurations and up to 420 all-electric range. On the other side of the world, the Japanese manufacturer has revealed a HiAce passenger van with a hydrogen combustion engine. In […]

Polestar 4 production has started

November 15, 2023

Geely’s daughter and exclusive EV manufacturer, Polestar, confirmed on Wednesday the successful start of production of Polestar 4, with first deliveries to customers in China expected before the end of 2023. The official launch in all other Polestar markets is planned for early 2024, with customer deliveries in these markets expected within the same year. […]

Huawei’s Avatr 12 launched: 700-km range and no rear window

November 14, 2023

Avatr, the collaboration between Changan, CATL, and Huawei, has released its second model: the four-door coupé Avatr 12, following the SUV Avatr 11. It features a 700-km range, lots of high-end equipment, and up to 578 hp, with deliveries starting in December. 2022 saw the launch of Avatr with the Avatr 11, a large premium […]

BMW stops ICE production in Germany

November 14, 2023

BMW has ended the production of internal combustion engines at its main plant in Munich. The long-announced step was taken to make room for the production of electric cars at their biggest Bavarian plant. The manufacturer has wholly relocated the production of combustion engines to Steyr in Austria and Hams Hall in the UK. BMW […]

Lancia to return on six European markets

November 13, 2023

Stellantis’s daughter Lancia confirms its return to Belgium and Luxembourg on the occasion of the presentation of Lancia Pu+Ra HPE at the Residence of the Italian Ambassador in Brussels. Other European countries to return to are the Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain, and Portugal. The iconic Italian brand has a history of 117 years but disappeared […]

Canoo unveils military-based American Bulldog electric pickup

November 13, 2023

EV start-up Canoo has unveiled a new model based on its Multi-Purpose platform: the American Bulldog, a rugged-looking electric pickup truck based on the Screaming Eagle built for the US Army in 2022. But the question remains whether Canoo will live long enough to produce the model. Canoo has had its fair share of uncertainty. […]

Volvo EM90 Minivan is coming soon (Update)

November 13, 2023

Volvo has finally launched its electric minivan EM90, a close brother to the Zeekr 009. With the EM90, Volvo wants to bring a new style standard to the MPV segment. Inside, the EM90 is designed to be a living room on the move. “With the EM90, we’re taking Volvo Cars’ heritage and leadership in safety […]

BMW starts Mini production in Germany

November 13, 2023

BMW started the series production of the new Mini Countryman and its all-electric offshoot in Leipzig. It is the first time a Mini model is being made in Germany. The new Mini Countryman is scheduled to hit dealerships on 17 February 2024. It is also the first time the BMW Group produces Mini and BMW […]

New Peugeot E-Rifter leads LCV overhaul at Stellantis

November 10, 2023

Peugeot is the first brand from the Stellantis Group to release details and specs of its revised all-electric minivan E-Rifter. The same changes, which are a tad underwhelming, will soon be followed by the Fiat e-Doblo, Citroën ë-Berlingo, and Opel Combo Electric. It’s part of Stellantis One Pro strategy, regrouping all its LCVs under one […]

Electric Rimac Nevera fastest car to drive in reverse

November 10, 2023

The Rimac Nevera never stops breaking barriers and world records. After beating 24 records, the electric supercar has become the fastest car to drive…in reverse. On a test track in Germany, it went at 275,74 km/hour backward, thus breaking the official Guinness World Record. Rimac isn’t like any other carmaker. Not only did it manage […]

Renault will build the all-new Polestar 4 in Korea

November 10, 2023

Polestar, Volvo and Geely’s luxury electric vehicle subsidiary, has released its latest financial results and unveiled new strategic initiatives during the much-anticipated Polestar Day event in Santa Monica, California. Guess who’s building Polestar’s latest model, the 4? Polestar Day is a platform for the company to present its technology strategy and innovations to media, investors, […]

Switzerland scraps tax exemption for electric cars

November 09, 2023

Switzerland is stepping on the brakes and will eliminate the tax exemption for imported electric vehicles. The move aims at bolstering tax revenue for its road infrastructure. The Swiss Automobile Importers Association reacts with disappointment and fears that it will undermine the uptake of electric mobility in the country. The exemption policy has been in […]

Audi kicks off electric motor production for new-gen BEVs

November 09, 2023

Audi’s Györ plant in Hungary has kickstarted electric motor manufacturing for the Premium Platform Electric (PPE). These cutting-edge electric motors will debut in the Audi Q6 e-tron and, later on, in forthcoming new models like the A6 e-tron and A4, which will be battery-only, including future Porsche cars. Audi is in full pace to commence […]

Renault: Ampere starts, Alliance struggles

November 09, 2023

The third chapter in Renault Group’s strategic plan Revolution: the ‘electric arm’ Ampere was launched on November 1st. Meanwhile, Renault and the Alliance partners Nissan and Mitsubishi struggle to get the ‘new’ Alliance going. Renault Group created Ampere, “a new model of an automotive company”, aiming to become the European leader in the high-growth market […]

T&E: ‘Carmakers hiked the prices of small cars unreasonably’

November 08, 2023

The NGO Transport & Environment (T&E) is furious. The European car manufacturers (ACEA) are fiercely contesting the future Euro 7 standard because it would cost too much. Still, they’ve hiked the prices of their cars substantially, especially of the smaller ones, says a new T&E analysis. “Europe’s five biggest carmakers have raised the prices of […]

Tesla’s cheaper €25.000 model to be built in Germany?

November 07, 2023

According to sources quoted by the Reuters press agency, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has told employees at the Grünheide gigafactory near Berlin (Germany) that he plans to install a second production line, aside from that of the Model Y, to build the long-expected ‘affordable’ Tesla under €25 000. Tesla declined to comment, and the ‘source […]

Tata to use JLR’s EMA platform for EVs

November 06, 2023

Tata Passenger Electric Mobility (TPEM) and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), both wholly owned subsidiaries of Tata Motors Limited (TML), have signed an agreement to share JLR’s new platform for EVs, called EMA. It will first be used in the Avinya, which, as it turns out, will not remain a single EV but become a ‘Premium […]

Hoverboard inventor takes same two-wheel concept to cars

November 06, 2023

Shane Chen, the inventor of the Hoverboard, a two-wheeled self-balancing scooter that became popular in the mid-2010s, has devised a similar solution for cars. A two-wheeled approach would simplify steering suspension and improve efficiency, according to Chen. But how does it work? It may look a bit silly, but the Shane – named after its […]