Belux car registrations down 13% in January due to company cars

February 04, 2025

The number of car registrations in Belgium and Luxembourg was down 13% in January compared to last year. According to data from the Federal Service Mobility and Transport and Importer Federation Febiac, this decrease is due to a 23.8% regress in company car registrations. Individual buyers bought 11.7% more cars. This means the Belgian car […]

Does Musk effect materializes as Tesla sales nosedive in key markets?

February 04, 2025

Tesla is facing a significant downturn in sales across major markets, marking a challenging start to 2025 for the EV giant. In Belgium, registrations plummeted 44.8%, but also in the Netherlands, France, and Germany sales slid to their lowest level in over a year. The backdrop is noticeably bigger than its rivals. It seems that […]

Antwerp Classic Car Event welcomed back in heart of LEZ

February 03, 2025

Looser Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in Flanders allows the Antwerp Classic Car Event (ACCE) to return to its roots at the Cockerill Quay on the borders of the Scheldt River in the Antwerp city center on 3 and 4 May of this year. Some 15,000 car enthusiasts are expected to come and see some 1,000 […]

De Lijn’s shared Blue-Bikes are growing strongly

February 03, 2025

Flemish shared bike provider Blue-bike, owned by public transport operator De Lijn, experienced its most vigorous membership growth last year since its inception in 2011. The more than 45,000 members also made a record number of rides, at just over 377,000. Blue-bike, known for the slogan ‘Always a bike at the tip of your fingers,’ […]

Deme and Jan De Nul win key contracts for Nordlicht offshore wind projects

February 03, 2025

Belgian dredging and maritime construction companies Deme and Jan De Nul have won contracts for two new offshore wind farms – Nordlicht 1 and 2 – in the German North Sea. When operational, they will provide power to approximately 1.7 million German households. The two wind farms will be located in a zone 85 kilometers […]

Antwerp drone transport company ADLC raises €2 million for expansion

February 03, 2025

Antwerp-based transport company ADLC, which offers transportation by drones to companies, has raised 2 million euros in fresh capital. With that additional money, the company plans to further expand its services in the maritime and offshore industry. From now on, DronePort in Sint-Truiden, at the former air force base in Brustum, Limburg, will also be […]

Next shake-up at Stellantis top management

February 03, 2025

Bloomberg reported on Sunday that car manufacturing group Stellantis is planning another management shake-up after CEO Carlos Tavares’s sudden ousting at the end of last year. According to people who are familiar with the matter, CSO Yves Bonnefont and Peugeot CEO Linda Jackson are losing their positions. Stellantis confirmed that a few hours ago. In […]

Kia confirms EV2 launch for beginning next year, EV4 spied

February 03, 2025

The ramp-up towards compact affordable EVs is taking shape as Kia confirms it will officially launch the EV2 in January 2026. The announcement, made during the company’s full-year 2024 earnings call, marks a significant milestone for Kia’s “EVs for all” strategy, which aims to rapidly increase its electric car share. The importance of these small […]

IATA: ‘Never as many airline passengers as in 2024’

January 31, 2025

Travel by air has never been more popular. Last year, airlines worldwide counted around 4.89 billion passengers, an improvement from the record of 4.54 billion in 2019, the International Organization of Airlines (IATA) announced. The average aircraft load factor reached 83.5%, which is also a record. IATA expects global air traffic to increase by 8% […]

Chinese GWM’s Confidence Auto sets sights on superluxury market

January 31, 2025

Great Wall Motor (GWM) is making another play for the premium segment by launching a new luxury vehicle brand, Confidence Auto. Positioned above its existing brands – Haval, WEY, Tank, and Ora – Confidence Auto is set to compete directly with BYD’s high-end Yangwang brand and Hongqi from FAW. GWM applied for the Confidence Auto […]

Hyundai unveils two rickshaw concepts to electrify India

January 31, 2025

Hyundai is looking to enter the Indian mobility market, not with affordable EVs like the Inster, but rather with specific vehicles made for the busy streets of Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore: electric rickshaws. The Korean manufacturer showed the E3W and E4W concepts at Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 and plans to partner with local manufacturer […]

Alfa Romeo scales back its 2027 fully electric ambitions

January 31, 2025

Alfa Romeo is reversing course on its ambitious all-electric plans, opting instead for a multi-energy strategy as it battles declining sales and a shifting global EV market. The Italian automaker, which initially aimed to be fully electric by 2027, will now offer a mix of gasoline, hybrid, and electric powertrains in its future lineup. The […]

EU boss von der Leyen prioritizes car industry problems (Update)

January 31, 2025

The European Commission is concerned about the future of the European Industry and has created a ‘Competivity Compass’ to address all related challenges. Meanwhile, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has made the problems of the EU car industry a ‘Chefsache,’ a ‘chief concern’ that she will handle personally. She has already sat around the […]

Renault shows electric demo car Filante Record 2025

January 30, 2025

Renault Filante Record 2025 is an electric demo car developed to maximize energy efficiency and set a new record for power consumption and range with an 87 kWh battery, i.e., the same capacity as the Scenic E-Tech electric. We’re talking about a single-seater with a streamlined body design for aerodynamic efficiency. The Renault Filante Record […]

After two decades of palavering London Heathrow gets third runway

January 30, 2025

London Heathrow Airport, Europe’s largest airport, will get a third runway. The British government has given the go-ahead for this. “A third runway at Heathrow will lead to growth, boost investment, and make the United Kingdom more open and connected,” said British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves. According to her, the runway, which will […]

Flexis (Renault-Volvo) unveils its software-defined electric van range

January 30, 2025

Flexis, a collaboration between Renault Group, Volvo Group (Trucks, not Cars), and CMA CGM, has unveiled its line-up of electric vans. The Panel Van, Cargo Van, and Step-In Van are all based on the same software-defined ‘skateboard’ platform and feature a high level of modularity, an efficient electric drivetrain, and future-proof technology. The name of […]

Tesla 2024 profit plummets 71% over cooldown, Musk sees future ‘bright’

January 30, 2025

Tesla reported a sharp decline in profitability for 2024, missing key financial expectations and experiencing its first annual sales drop in over a decade. Despite CEO Elon Musk’s optimistic projections for future growth, the company’s latest earnings report has raised concerns among investors and industry analysts. Tesla’s fourth-quarter net income fell by as much as […]

ALD Automotive/LeasePlan first to offer drone leasing

January 30, 2025

ALD Automotive/LeasePlan, the market leader in Belgium for full-service leasing, car rental, and fleet management, is the first mobility partner in Belgium to offer a leasing formula for drones. The drones are available in all shapes and sizes, can fly manually or automatically, and can be equipped with cameras, detection systems, or speakers. Multifunctional Drones […]

Eranovum to install 1,000 fast chargers in Belgium

January 29, 2025

Spanish charging station operator Eranovum wants to install more than 1,000 charging stations in Belgium over the next three years. The company says there are many opportunities, especially in Wallonia. In France, the company also wants to install 1,000 additional charging points this year, in addition to the 9,000 it targets in Spain by 2026. […]

EU’s longest indoor e-karting circuit to open on former Antwerp Opel site

January 29, 2025

Europe’s longest indoor e-karting circuit will be built on the former General Motors site north of Antwerp. Experience Factory will operate the circuit. It is not yet known when it will open. The circuit will be 1.1 km long and spread over three floors. It will accommodate 80 electric karts. The Italian Tony Kart is […]

Toyota lowers price with 70% to $17,000 to palm of its Mirai in US

January 29, 2025

It’s a fire sale for residents in California, US, who are leaning toward hydrogen mobility. To desperately revive interest in its hydrogen-powered Mirai, Toyota is increasing its discounts to a staggering 70%, making it one of the cheapest new cars in the US. The move underscores the challenges the Japanese automaker faces in promoting hydrogen […]

BMW gives its iX a (mostly technical) facelift

January 29, 2025

BMW, the Munich-based carmaker, has revealed the facelifted version of its iX flagship, focusing primarily on technical upgrades and making only minor adjustments to the design. The iX was revealed in 2020 as one of the first electric BMWs of the (then) new generation. The new SUV model wasn’t just fully electric; it featured a […]

Volvo looking for 350 new people to build EX30 in Ghent

January 29, 2025

While 2,900 employees will lose their jobs on February 28th, 2025, when the last Audi Q8 e-tron will be made at Audi Brussels, Belgium’s only remaining car factory, Volvo Car Gent is looking for 350 new people to start building the EX30 in Europe. Volvo announced in October last year its intention to build the […]

Honda-Nissan joint venture without Mitsubishi? (update)

January 29, 2025

Persistent rumors exist that Mitsubishi Motors, partly owned by Nissan, will not join the new holding Nissan-Honda. Mitsubishi seems to be planning to relaunch an EV in North America. Meanwhile, the Honda-Nissan deal faces serious problems in China. Although Nissan is still Mitsubishi Motors’ biggest shareholder, it seems the company is not ready to join […]

Fewer trains to Brussels Airport in February and March

January 28, 2025

Due to track works, there will be fewer trains to Brussels Airport train station from February 1st to 21st and the weekend of March 1st and 2nd. A transfer or bus connection will be necessary for specific trips. Railroad manager Infrabel is renewing the tracks in Zaventem for the airport connection. In addition, a switch […]

Paralympian sues Belgian rail for no train access by wheelchair

January 28, 2025

Belgian Paralympic boccia player Francis Rombouts has filed a lawsuit against the public railroad company NMBS/SNCB because he cannot take the train in his hometown of Tielen. The case, dragging on for years, was heard yesterday at the Brussels Court of Appeal. And to make it even more painful, Rombouts could not enter the courtroom […]

New stamp commemorates 100 years of first flight Belgium-Congo

January 28, 2025

The very first flight to Congo took off from Belgium on Thursday, February 12th, 100 years ago. Especially for this anniversary, a milestone for Belgian aviation, bpost is issuing a unique stamp. Two truly Belgian companies, bpost and Brussels Airlines, are joining forces for this purpose. The new stamp features a photo montage of the […]

ANWB: ‘26% more breakdowns involving EVs’

January 28, 2025

The Dutch Road Assistance service Wegenwacht was called 1,355,000 times last year – an average of 37,000 daily interventions or two per minute. Ten years ago, there were ‘only’ 1.1 million. The most common breakdowns were a defective battery, flat tires, and problems with the alternator. However, with the higher number of electric cars on […]

Hongqi unveils a BMW i5 rival: the Tiangong 05 sedan

January 28, 2025

China superluxury brand Hongqi has unveiled the Tiangong 05, a pure electric sedan the size of a BMW i5 and the second model in its Tiangong series, which is compatible with battery swapping technology. A market launch is scheduled for later this year, but whether the model will be exported to Europe remains unconfirmed. The […]

PwC: Belgium easily outpaces global 14% rise in BEV sales in 2024

January 28, 2025

According to a recent study by consulting company PwC, global sales of battery electric vehicles climbed to 10.4 million units in 2024, a 14% increase from the previous year. Despite this growth, regional variations highlight the uneven adoption of electric vehicles worldwide, with China firmly in the lead in absolute numbers. However, Belgium beats China […]

VW to produce Chinese cars in Europe via joint venture?

January 28, 2025

Rumors have it that Volkswagen could enter into a joint venture with a Chinese car manufacturer in Europe to produce the latter’s cars in its underutilized plants. Two top managers have spoken out in favor of such a move. Audi boss Gernot Döllner is apparently open to offering surplus capacity in VW plants to Chinese […]

Airbus shuts down mega-plane cargo daughter Beluga Transport

January 27, 2025

European aircraft maker Airbus is ceasing operations with Airbus Beluga Transport (AiBT), its cargo company, for exceptional transport. The company used specially developed megaplanes, ‘Beluga ST’. It involved 75 jobs. “Global demand for cargo transport by aircraft remains strong,” said Airbus. “But we have found that certain activities have shifted to shipping.” In addition, the […]

Audi Q6 e-tron offroad concept looks for EV driving fun on ice

January 27, 2025

At the F.A.T. Ice Race in Kitzbühel, Austria, Audi is showcasing a new concept car based on its latest electric SUV, the Q6 e-tron. This off-road concept has been fitted with custom-made portal axles to increase significantly the Q6’s terrain-driving potential, transforming the family vehicle into a “highly emotive car.” The F.A.T. Ice Race is […]

Elia presses pause button to halve energy island costs

January 27, 2025

Princess Elisabeth Energy Island’s estimated costs in the North Sea doubled to 7.5 billion euros instead of the original 2.2 billion when Energy Minister Tinne Van der Straeten (Green) launched the plan. This has led to criticism from the business world and raised questions in parliament about the costs and financial consequences for families and […]

Tesla Model Y ‘Juniper’: a €9,000 surprise for Belgian buyers

January 27, 2025

After unveiling the Chinese version, Tesla officially introduced the new Model Y Juniper in Belgium. A series of upgrades are introduced to safeguard the SUV’s leading position in sales. Deliveries are set to begin in March, as the Grünheide factory in Germany has already commenced production. But Belgian prices show a steep 9,000 euros increase […]

Voyah Courage kicks off global journey, charges into Norway first

January 27, 2025

Shipments of the Voyah Courage, Dongfeng Motor’s premium electric SUV, have officially kicked off. The first batch of vehicles has left China for Europe. The car is Voyah’s first global EV and will debut in Norway before launching in other European markets. The first batch of vehicles departed for Norway via the China-Europe freight train, […]

BMW and Tesla join Chinese EV-makers in trial against EU tariffs

January 27, 2025

A day before the deadline, three Chinese EV makers, BYD, Geely, and SAIC, and the China Chamber of Commerce (CME), filed challenges at the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in Luxembourg against the tariffs the EU is imposing on electric cars made in China. At the last minute, BMW and Tesla joined […]

Vias: ‘Vulnerable road users more often involved in EV accidents’

January 25, 2025

According to a new Traffic Safety Institute Vias study, the number of electric car accidents has increased significantly in the last few years. Although limited, the number of electric vehicles on the road has also increased considerably. The share of accidents involving an electric car in the total of accidents involving a passenger car is […]

Formula E finally introduces mid-race 600-kW recharging

January 25, 2025

After several delays, the FIA Formula E electric racing series is finally introducing mid-race fast-charging pitstops at the Jeddah E-Prix in Saudi Arabia in February. Drivers will have to take a mandatory pit stop, during which a 600-kW ultra-fast charger will provide a 10% energy boost. Ever since the introduction of the third-generation Formula E […]

EU considers EV-subsidies as electric lifeline for its auto industry

January 25, 2025

The European Union is developing a unified subsidy program to bolster its struggling electric vehicle market and counter China’s growing influence in the sector. European Commissioner for the Green Transition Teresa Ribera confirmed the initiative, which German Chancellor Olaf Scholz originally proposed a few months ago. The 6% drop in EV sales in Europe last […]

BMW CEO Oliver Zipse’s mandate will end in 2026

January 24, 2025

BMW Group CEO Oliver Zipse will not extend his contract beyond the summer of next year when it expires. The German Manager Magazin reported that he will stop mid-next year, citing a source familiar with the matter. “There will be no further contract extension,” the source is quoted. Zipse, who will be 62 by then […]

Austrians to make sustainable aviation fuel from frying oil at Antwerp Port

January 24, 2025

According to the Belgian business newspaper De Tijd, Austrian energy and chemical giant OMV has advanced plans to build a refinery in the port of Antwerp. At the Kallo plant, waste streams such as used frying oil and other vegetable or animal fats from the food and agricultural sectors could be converted into sustainable aviation […]

Dutch electric submarine water toy faster than a dolphin?

January 24, 2025

Dutch U-Boat Worx launched its upgraded ‘Super Sub,’ a luxury three-passenger electric submarine water toy it claims is now faster than a dolphin. According to Wikipedia, the company, based in Breda (Netherlands), is recognized as the foremost manufacturer of private submersibles globally, with over 60 submarines in operation. The Super Sub resembles an ultra-streamlined, suppository-like […]

What now, Stellantis?

January 24, 2025

At the Brussels Motor Show, we spoke with a couple of top managers at Stellantis. The group caused a small earthquake at the end of last year when CEO Tavares was suddenly ousted. It was the last devastating event in a very incidental 2024, resulting in fewer sales, loss of market share, and dwindling profits. […]

Segway-Ninebot launches seven new eKickScooters

January 23, 2025

Chinese manufacturer Segway-Ninebot, the global leader in e-scooters with more than 13 million Ninebot eKickScooters on the road, is launching its next generation of eKickScooters. Seven new models are involved. With that new generation, the quality, such as an improved suspension system and the driving range of almost every model, increases slightly again. Like all […]

Bidfood Netherlands orders 25 additional electric Renault Trucks

January 23, 2025

Dutch catering wholesale company Bidfood Netherlands, part of South African holding Bidcorp, is doubling its electric truck fleet with an order of 25 additional Renault Trucks E-Tech vehicles. This brings the total to 50 zero-emission trucks in its fleet. Bidfood has been running Renault Trucks E-Tech electric trucks since 2021. According to the manufacturer, the […]

‘China exported more than 15,000 new energy buses in 2024’

January 23, 2025

According to the Chinese bus industry website Chinabuses.org, Chinese manufacturers exported more than 15,000 ‘New Energy’ buses in 2024, including electric, plug-in hybrid, and hydrogen fuel cell buses. This represents an increase of 28.33% over 2023, with a sharp upswing in December 2024 alone. BYD is, like with new-energy passenger cars, the biggest manufacturer and […]

Charleroi Airport would get train station from new federal government

January 23, 2025

According to formateur Bart De Wever (N-VA), the so-called ‘Arizona coalition’ is gradually entering the final straight line for forming a new federal government. One notable mobility measure on the table is that Charleroi Airport would get a connection to the rail network. This is according to a leak to the newspaper La Libre Belgique, […]

Californian Monarch robot EV-tractor to conquer Europe from Antwerp

January 23, 2025

The die is cast. The Californian Monarch Tractor, a pioneer in self-driving electric tractors, wants to conquer the European market from Belgium and has founded Monarch Tractor Europe NV, based in Antwerp, Belgium. Monarch Tractor is famous for its ‘smart’ tractors. The brand produces the world’s first fully electric tractor, for which the driver is […]

Ex-Opel boss to launch Polestar in France after settling DS dispute

January 23, 2025

Swedish-Chinese electric performance carmaker Polestar announced its long-anticipated market entry into France. It’s a key milestone in the company’s global expansion, as a legal dispute with Citroën over logo rights long banned the brand’s sales and operations. Polestar plans to begin operations in the French market in the summer of 2025, marking Polestar’s 27th market […]

Citroën could bring back the 2CV

January 23, 2025

Citroën allegedly wants to give the classic 2CV model a second life. Initial design work for a new electric edition of the 2CV is probably already underway, but the project is still at an early stage. Read: It has not yet been fully decided. Citroën also seems to be reacting to its competitor Renault, who […]

TIP launches world-first e-reefer trailer with solar and energy recovery

January 22, 2025

Dutch truck and trailer rental company TIP Group has created, together with SolarEdge e-Mobility and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Transport, the world’s first e-reefer trailer that combines solar, battery, and kinetic energy recovery, the Powered Trailer. This solution should provide emissions-free, temperature-controlled transport while also saving money. So-called “reefer” trailers are temperature-controlled trailers mainly used […]

De Lijn’s bus problem continues: 300 with more than 1 million km

January 22, 2025

Figures requested by Flemish member of parliament An Christaens (CD&V) show that the public transport company De Lijn has more than 300 buses with more than 1 million kilometers on the counter. Because of this outdated bus fleet, De Lijn is increasingly struggling with technical problems, and passengers are paying the toll. De Lijn has […]

Trump cancels Paris Climate Agreement: ‘denying reality?’

January 22, 2025

With the stroke of a pen, new US President Donald Trump has withdrawn the US from the Paris climate agreement. In doing so, Trump is responding to the concern among many Americans and Western citizens that the international promise to keep global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius will mainly disrupt current prosperity. “The United […]

Citroën’s Takata crisis deepens: massive recall in Europe

January 22, 2025

Citroën is expanding its recall of vehicles equipped with defective Takata airbags to cover 869,000 units across Europe. The massive recall affects popular models like the Citroën C3 and DS3, manufactured between 2009 and 2017, and will be rolled out in phases. The first phase, targeting 98,000 vehicles, kicks off at the end of this […]

EU new car registrations slightly higher (+0.8%) in 2024

January 22, 2025

In 2024, new car registrations rose slightly, increasing by 0.8% to around 10.6 million units. Spain continued to show resilience with a solid 7.1% growth rate. In contrast, declines were observed in France (-3.2%), Germany (-1%), and Italy, with a slight drop of 0.5%. In December 2024, new EU car registrations rose by 5.1%. Spain […]

Brussels Airport will sell green electricity to 100 neighboring families

January 21, 2025

Brussels Airport is launching a pilot project to sell the power generated by its solar panels to 100 households in four neighboring municipalities. The airport operator promises a discount of about 124 euros off an average household’s annual electric energy bill. Collaboration with energy platform Bolt The pilot project is being run in collaboration with […]

EU files WTO complaint against China over connectivity patents

January 21, 2025

The European Union has lodged a formal complaint with the World Trade Organization against China over what it calls “unfair and illegal” practices involving intellectual property rights. The complaint escalates ongoing trade tensions between the two economic giants following disputes over electric vehicle import tariffs and Chinese investigations into European industries. At the heart of […]

Hödlmayr starts using first electric car transport truck for Magna in Austria

January 21, 2025

Austrian transport company Hödlmayer has put its first electric truck for car transport into operation, transporting vehicles for Magna Steyr in Graz. This Mercedes eActros 300 is also Austria’s first electric car transporter, a type of transport where electrification is still rare. On January 9, 202, Hödlmayer first started using its Mercedes eActros 300 with […]

Chery’s Zongheng: the SUV that floats like a boat

January 21, 2025

Jetour, a sub-brand of Chery Automobile, has steep ambitions in its home country to mimic what Land Rover does in the UK and Jeep in the USA. A fresh teaser video of its upcoming luxury off-road vehicle series, Zongheng, shows a camouflaged vehicle sailing through the water like an amphibious car. This sets new benchmarks […]