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
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 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
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 […]
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
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 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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
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 […]
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 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
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 […]
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 […]
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
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
November 06, 2023
It’s a sign of the times. Besides the iron-strong profits of the third quarter, Ferrari’s results unveiled that 51% of sales have a plug-in hybrid driveline. It’s the first time in the brand’s history that electrification has outperformed gasoline-only versions. Ferrari further acknowledged that development work on its all-electric model is progressing ahead of schedule. […]
November 06, 2023
In the third quarter of 2023, BMW Group delivered 621 699 vehicles, 5,8% more than the year before. Turnover increased by 3,4% to €38,5 billion, but the net benefit decreased by 7,7%. The latter was a reason for some to talk about disappointing results, while shares nevertheless went up 3,5% last Friday. Blowing hot and […]
November 03, 2023
Hedin Automotive, the Swedish multi-brand retailer and recent importer of the Chinese brand Hongqi in Belgium offers 50 hours of chauffeur service to clients buying a Hongqi E-HS9. The owner of a new Hongqi receives a voucher after purchasing a E-HS9 with a personal code to be used in an application of Get Driven, a […]
November 03, 2023
The all-new Skoda Superb has finally been revealed after months of teasers, and most of the technical data are already out in the open. The new model builds on the Superb’s strengths, with more space, practical details, and a more capable plug-in hybrid version. In terms of powertrains, customers can choose between five ICE options […]
November 03, 2023
Toyota Motor Corp. raised its full-year outlook Wednesday due to the windfall from a weaker yen, as it reported record earnings for the first half of the fiscal year (2023-2024) on solid post-pandemic vehicle sales in all major markets. At the same time, Toyota is switching the focus of its hydrogen fuel-cell technology development from passenger cars […]
November 02, 2023
Back in 1983, there was no shortage of visionary ideas at Honda as the company marketed a tiny but unique two-wheeler called the Motocompo, which grew into a cult object. It was a foldable scooter that the owner could fit in the trunk of his car and use for urban runabouts long before the ‘last […]
November 02, 2023
Hardly any other VW model is as synonymous with the company car as the Passat estate, often called Variant. Recently, the new ICE Passat was announced, and Volkswagen confirmed it would only bring it as an estate version because of its popularity in the professional car world. But just now, Volkswagen also showed the first […]
November 02, 2023
For 2023, the Japanese renamed their Tokyo Motor Show to the Japan Mobility Show. Strangely enough, we’ve never seen so many sports car concepts in a row for a long time. We had to go back almost twenty-five years to see such an abundance. It was in 1989, when the Tokyo Motor Show moved to […]
November 01, 2023
MAN Truck & Bus has made its long-distance eTGX and distribution eTGS electric trucks available for sale, with the first units scheduled for delivery in 2024. Both models feature a modular battery pack, megawatt charging, and an 800 km range. Back in 2021, MAN started the development of its electric future with the eMobility Center […]
November 01, 2023
For a specific time already, Volkswagen’s software division Cariad has been behind schedule. The new solution for the problem is striking: instead of catching up with more staff, there is a threat of large-scale job cuts and further delays, says a media report. According to reports by the German publication Manager Magazin, new Cariad boss […]
October 31, 2023
French carmaker Renault and equipment manufacturer Valeo have come together to create the next-generation electric motor. Nicknamed E7A, this wound motor doesn’t require any rare earth in its construction. Thirty percent more compact than the unit currently powering the Renault Megane E-Tech Electric, the all-in-one E7A motor can produce up to 200 kW and is […]
October 30, 2023
Australian hydrogen vehicle start-up H2X has partnered with Austrian motorcycle and sports car manufacturer KTM to develop lightweight body and chassis elements for H2X’s hydrogen fuel cell van. The ‘Origami’ modular chassis allows the H2X ‘Darling’ to have multiple body options. We first heard from H2X in October 2022, when it tried to homologate its […]
October 27, 2023
At the Japan Mobility Show, alongside the premiere of the updated 2024 MX-5, Mazda unveiled the Iconic SP. This concept car marries a dual rotary powertrain with an EV platform, a powertrain approach Mazda recently debuted in the Mazda MX-30 R-EV, an EV with a range extender. “The Mazda Iconic SP is a compact sports […]
October 27, 2023
Stellantis has bought a stake of 20% in the Chinese start-up for electric vehicles Leapmotor. Beyond reinforcing its grip on the Chinese market, the car giant has also stepped into a joint venture for export to nearby Asian countries and Europe. The deal is worth 1,5 billion euros. The news was rumored already since summer. […]
October 27, 2023
BMW is now producing the first battery cell samples, which it will use in the New Class models from 2025. Production occurs at the manufacturer’s new Cell Manufacturing Competence Center (CMCC) in Parsdorf, Germany. Operations at BMW’s competence center for battery cell manufacturing east of Munich have been underway since May. The facility spans an […]
