November 26, 2025
The Volkswagen Group has completed the final expansion stage of its Technology and Innovation Center (VCTC) in Hefei. This will enable Volkswagen to independently develop complete vehicle projects and technologies for the Chinese market. The new operational facilities of the Volkswagen Group China Technology Company (VCTC) expand local research and development capabilities by combining software […]
November 26, 2025
When Renault unveiled its new Twingo E-Tech, the surprise wasn’t just the cute, legendary car itself. It was also the story behind it: how the French carmaker had to rewrite European car design rules to fight back and develop a strong alternative to the Chinese competition. A really affordable car in a segment that other […]
November 26, 2025
Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius is apparently seeking a second term as president of the European Car Manufacturer Association ACEA. The ACEA president is elected annually, and an extension is possible, which Källenius now appears to intend. The rumors were reported by the German business publication Handelsblatt, citing industry sources. Typically, the ACEA president serves a […]
November 26, 2025
According to the data of the European Car Manufacturers Association ACEA, there were 5.8% more cars registered in October compared to the same month in 2024. Year-to-date, there’s a slight progress of 1.4%, mainly due to the positive last four months. The battery-electric car market share reached 16.4% YTD, yet it is still below the […]
November 26, 2025
At last week’s Solutrans trade show in Lyon, Renault Trucks finally pulled the wraps off what it had promised earlier as its spearhead for long-distance electric freight. The new E-Tech T 780 and its payload-focused sibling, the E-Tech T 585, build upon the architecture developed by Volvo Trucks. The new trucks aim at convincing logistics […]
November 25, 2025
From 2027, the air passenger tax in Belgium will increase for flights over 500 kilometers from €5 to €10 per departing passenger. This is the second time in this legislative period that the federal government will increase the tax on airline tickets. Brussels Airlines points out that it cannot pay the additional tax out of its […]
November 25, 2025
Hyundai’s Luxury Genesis division now has its own performance sub-brand: Magma. Somewhere, sometime in 2026, you’ll be able to buy the first production car from Genesis’ Magma division, the GV60 Magma you see here. Everything started in 2023 with the GV80 Coupé Concept, where we first saw the flaming-Cheeto orange/red that is Magma’s signature color. […]
November 25, 2025
The Flemish Road Safety Foundation (VSV) has launched a new online campaign about the safe use of e-scooters. The ‘Slim op de e-step’ campaign (smart on the e-scooter) is primarily aimed at young people (18 to 30) and parents of underage (13 to 18) e-scooter users. E-scooters have been a common sight on the streets […]
November 25, 2025
Ford Trucks is preparing to enter a new chapter in its history with the launch of the F-LINE E, the company’s first fully electric heavy truck, first unveiled to the public at the Solutrans commercial vehicle show in Lyon in late 2025. The choice of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg as pioneers reflects both strategic […]
November 25, 2025
Before the end of the year, the Peugeot family must decide who will represent them on the Stellantis Board. Currently, Robert Peugeot (75) is the Vice-President of the Board, representing the PSA part of the group. At the same time, Agnelli heir John Elkann is the President of the Stellantis Board, representing the FCA interests. […]
November 25, 2025
GAC has begun building its Aion V electric SUV at Magna Steyr’s plant in Graz. While giving the Austrian contract manufacturer fresh volume after a series of wind-downs, this is one of the first actual Chinese passenger cars produced in Europe. While the Aion V isn’t a common sight on Belgian roads, the midsize electric […]
November 24, 2025
Belgian railway infrastructure manager Infrabel is allocating 200 million euros to strengthen the infrastructure for the transport of heavy military equipment, according to RTL info. The money will mainly be used to reinforce bridges, widen tunnels, and develop new tracks, particularly around the ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge. The investment is in line with the European […]
November 24, 2025
BYD has moved decisively into the global lead in battery-electric vehicle sales, widening the gap with Tesla and signalling a shift in the balance of power in the world’s largest and most contested segment of the auto market. New data for the third quarter of 2025 shows BYD selling more than 582,000 BEVs worldwide, comfortably […]
November 24, 2025
What was supposed to be the climate summit of truth ended this weekend in Belém, Brazil, with a highly vague closing statement that offered no concrete commitments. In other words, COP30 in Belém ended with a weak but not-zero deal. It modestly advances climate finance and “just transition” issues, but ducks the central question of a phase-out […]
November 24, 2025
AUDI, the China-only EV offshoot of the brand, is preparing to broaden its lineup. At the Guangzhou Auto Show, a second model was previewed. Predictably, the concept previews the addition of an SUV, joining the E5 Sportback. The new vehicle, called the AUDI E SUV Concept, is the second product from Audi’s sub-brand developed with […]
November 24, 2025
Antwerp has taken another step toward cleaner and quieter waste collection. The city officially put its first fully electric refuse truck into service, expanding its zero-emission ‘fleet’ of two hydrogen-powered vehicles. Across Europe and beyond, several recent case studies show that electric waste collection trucks are becoming increasingly competitive with their diesel counterparts. While the […]
November 24, 2025
Through attractive digital experiences, BMW Group aims to enhance the driving experience and encourage its customers to use their vehicles more efficiently. Recently, three pilots based on relatively small but positive incentives have been completed. The insights from these are promising. “Our initiatives in collaboration with cities include mobility research and piloting solutions, making driving […]
November 21, 2025
Ghent ranks third in the Copenhagenize Index of the world’s most bicycle-friendly cities, after Utrecht and Copenhagen. The index is compiled every two years by the Danish consultancy Copenhagenize Desing Co., an agency specializing in bicycle strategy, urban planning, and mobility, and is considered an international benchmark. Antwerp ranks eighth. Brussels, the only other Belgian […]
November 21, 2025
On January 1st, 2026, Magnus Nilsson will take over as the new CEO and plant manager of Volvo Car Gent from Stefan Fesser. After more than seven years, Stefan Fesser will take on a strategic role within the company. Magnus Nilsson (58) was born in Sweden. He has worked for Volvo Cars since 1988, in various […]
November 21, 2025
We already knew that men have a reputation for driving faster, but now Coyote, a pioneer in driver assistance, confirms this with its own research. In September, Coyote researchers collected data on the driving behavior of men and women in Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels. During this period, the average speed of women on highways in Flanders was […]
November 21, 2025
Chances are high that you’ve seen this S6 EV before. In the summer, this SUV was inadvertently published on Euro NCAP’s test publication pages ahead of its official reveal. MG has finally unwrapped the full specs of its latest addition to its electric portfolio. It’s an SUV destined for families who have outgrown the S5 […]
November 21, 2025
At the Los Angeles Auto Show, Hyundai unveiled the Crater, a compact off-road SUV concept that hints at a shift toward true trail capability. But unlike its American rivals, like the Ford Bronco, the driveline is entirely electric. Hyundai’s rugged trims have been mostly cosmetic so far. But the Crater concept indicates that the company […]
November 21, 2025
With the new Mokka GSe, which we drove on the roads north of Madrid and on the Jarama race circuit, Opel is doing something unusual in today’s EV market. Instead of chasing maximum range, fleet efficiency, or price-optimised urban mobility, the brand is deliberately injecting emotion and performance into one of its smallest electric SUVs. […]
November 21, 2025
Belgian trade unions are organizing three national days of action against government policy on November 24, 25, and 26. On Monday, November 24, they are calling for a rail strike. This will be followed by strikes in all public services and the education sector the next day. Finally, on Wednesday, November 26, the unions are […]
November 20, 2025
Ford has revealed details of the updated Puma Gen-E for 2026. The electric compact crossover is set to gain an increased range of more than 400 km thanks to a battery update, as well as Ford’s driver assistance system, BlueCruise. Although Ford has claimed the Gen-E will “become even better”, its announcement remains short on […]
November 20, 2025
According to several sources, primarily German, Mercedes is quietly shifting its model strategy. According to the German newspaper Handelsblatt, the ‘L-word’ (L for Luxury) has now become taboo, and the Stuttgart-based manufacturer is now reshifting its focus to ‘premium in all segments’. About three years ago, Mercedes announced that it would focus more on the […]
November 20, 2025
LEAP24, a Dutch provider of fast-charging stations, is causing a stir in the Netherlands by announcing weekend fast charging at just €0.24 per kWh, essentially the price of home charging. To compare, data shows that DC chargers over 50 kW average around €0.79 per kWh, with a typical range of €0.67 to €0.86 in 2025. […]
November 20, 2025
To enhance security and increase the EU’s deterrent capacity, Member States must be able to rapidly move large quantities of troops and equipment across the Union. This means there should be specific rules for cross-border military mobility, preferably without excessive administrative hassle. Currently, member states have their own rules and requirements, which make troop movements […]
November 20, 2025
The trial of Hugues Falys, a farmer from Hainaut, against TotalEnergies has begun before the Commercial Court of Tournai. At the beginning of 2024, with the support of Greenpeace and others, the farmer sued the French multinational for his role in climate change. The first climate case brought by a citizen against a multinational in […]
November 20, 2025
Porsche has unveiled its second electric SUV with the new Cayenne. In the Stuttgart-based company’s revised strategy, the Cayenne Electric is no longer the only way forward, but part of a ‘three-pronged drive strategy’ alongside combustion engines and hybrids. One thing remains clear: if you want to drive the most powerful Cayenne, there’s no getting […]
November 20, 2025
South Korean Kia’s PV5 has clinched the International Van of the Year 2026 title, an achievement that marks more than just another trophy in the light-commercial segment. It signals a generational shift in the European van market, one that has long been dominated by established European players and incremental updates rather than step-changes. What makes […]
November 19, 2025
Jeep is taking battery power off-road with the 2026 Recon, its first trail-rated electric vehicle. The 650-hp Recon was built to handle rugged terrain, with plenty of torque to overcome obstacles in the wilderness. It offers up to 400 km of driving range and accelerates to 100 kph in less than four seconds. Product blitz […]
November 19, 2025
On Tuesday evening, Belgium and Brazil signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the sidelines of the reception for the Belgian delegation at the UN climate summit COP30 in Belém, Brazil, on cooperation in green hydrogen. Green hydrogen, generated in Brazil, will flow to Belgium in the future, and Belgium will, in turn, use its know-how […]
November 19, 2025
The Brussels public transport company MIVB/STIB has taken delivery of the first brand-new Tram New Generation (TNG). This extended 42-meter version will run on the transport network from 2026. Before it can be put into service, the tram still must pass several tests. The tram, built at the Alstom factory in Vienna, arrived at the […]
November 19, 2025
Last year, Belgium’s four public transport companies recorded 5,908 cases of physical and verbal aggression against their staff. That is an average of more than 16 cases per day, or an increase of approximately 5.5% compared to 2023. According to NMBS/SNCB, Flemish De Lijn, Brussels MIVB/STIB, and Walloon LETEC, the number of aggression cases has […]
November 19, 2025
Belgium ranks 37th on the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI), the annual ranking of climate performance by environmental NGOs. This means the country has dropped two places compared to last year. The CCPI evaluates the climate‐mitigation performance of 63 countries plus the European Union (EU) — together covering more than 90 % of global greenhouse […]
November 19, 2025
Leapmotor, the only 10-year-old Chinese electric carmaker backed by Stellantis, is about to launch a new compact crossover, the A10, with an all-electric powertrain. It will be positioned to directly compete with BYD’s Atto 2, with an expected price between 80,000 and 100,000 yuan (9,710 and 12,137 euros). This could be an essential player in […]
November 19, 2025
Renault unveiled the production version of the new Trafic E-Tech Electric at Solutrans 2025 in Lyon (18 to 22 November). The all-electric panel van is the brand’s first vehicle based on Ampere’s flexible, scalable SDV (Software Defined Vehicle) architecture. Another first for the brand is the 800V technology, which is being used in a Renault […]
November 18, 2025
The German car manufacturer Audi, part of the VW Group, is apparently planning a new SUV model exclusively for the US market. The vehicle is also to be built locally, with the VW brand Scout assisting with technology and production. Rumors about Audi developing its own model for the U.S. market have been circulating for […]
November 18, 2025
The city of Antwerp has drawn up its first specific ‘pedestrian program’. The program aims to increase the number of journeys made on foot. The program is an important part of the desired ‘modal shift’, in which journeys by private car are replaced as much as possible by more sustainable alternatives. Because “if we make […]
November 18, 2025
On Monday, the Flemish Road Safety Foundation (Vlaamse Stichting Verkeerskunde, VSV) and the federal road police launched a campaign in Gentbrugge to increase seat belt use among truck drivers. Not an unnecessary campaign, it turns out, because one in nine truck drivers seldom buckles up. The campaign’s slogan in Dutch is “Een echte draagt ‘m” […]
November 18, 2025
A new international survey by the Global EV Alliance suggests the electric-vehicle landscape is being shaped as much by politics and perception as by product and pricing. As for car brands, 41% of buyers are reluctant to buy Tesla due to political concerns, while one in ten opposes cars made in China. The Global EV […]
November 18, 2025
Renault Group and Nissan are in talks to revive their faltering alliance following leadership changes at the two automakers and struggles at Nissan, The Financial Times reported. Citing people familiar with the discussions, the FT reported on November 17th that Luca de Meo’s departure last summer had spurred the talks. De Meo was replaced by […]
November 18, 2025
Six out of ten people involved in a traffic accident experience symptoms of depression afterwards. In 4 out of 10 cases, these symptoms even persist 10 years later. The Flemish Traffic Safety Institute Vias reached this conclusion after surveying around fifty traffic victims and the same number of family members. This was in the context […]
November 18, 2025
The Walloon Road Safety Council (CSWSR) has presented its action plan to reduce the number of road deaths in Wallonia. Among the most important proposals in the seven-point plan is a speed reduction on regional roads from 90 to 70 km/h, as in Flanders. Another important pillar: better compliance with speed limits, supported by a […]
November 17, 2025
Renault Group announces the appointment of Josep Maria Recasens as Chief Strategy, Product & Program Management Officer (SPPM), effective immediately. “This change is part of a drive to simplify the organisation in order to increase its agility and speed,” says the press release. Reporting to François Provost, CEO of Renault Group, and as a member […]
November 17, 2025
The Automotive Cells Company (ACC), the battery cell joint venture between Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz, and TotalEnergies, appears to be on the verge of permanently closing its factory in Termoli, Italy. An announcement could be made in a matter of weeks. The decision is imminent and could be officially announced by the end of this year or […]
November 17, 2025
Toyota Motor Corporation said last week it will invest up to $10 billion in the United States over the next five years, as the Japanese automaker ramps up battery production for hybrid and electric vehicles. The announcement was made as Toyota, the world’s largest automaker by volume, opened its first overseas plant dedicated to battery […]
November 17, 2025
The Vilvoorde police court has annulled the fine imposed on mobility expert Johan De Mol (Ghent University) for speeding because a private company co-finances the speed camera. The ruling could undermine the entire average speed check system, especially in Flanders. Flemish Minister of Mobility Annick De Ridder (N-VA) intends to study the ruling thoroughly and, […]
November 17, 2025
A major investigation in Germany has shed light on long-running concerns that electric cars might expose their occupants to unsafe levels of electromagnetic fields. The research team found that even at peak power demand, the readings stayed far below recognized health limits. Basically, electric cars are on par with trains, trams, and even conventional gasoline […]
November 17, 2025
The brain drain at Tesla is continuing. Two of its most visible vehicle program managers have left the company, including the chief of its best-selling car, the Model Y. The departures land at a moment when the automaker is reorienting itself around robotics and autonomous driving. Symbolically, the core automotive business shows further signs of […]
November 14, 2025
Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos’ space company, has launched another New Glenn rocket. On board is a scientific mission to study the planet Mars. The New Glenn has only one flight under its belt. In January, the rocket successfully placed dozens of tons of equipment into orbit around the Earth on its maiden voyage. However, the landing […]
November 14, 2025
In July 2026, the students of the Innoptus Solar Team (KU Leuven) will travel to the United States to participate in the American Solar Challenge. After a strong performance and third place in Australia in August 2025, the Belgian team wants to showcase Belgian innovation in America. For the first time, the Belgians are participating in […]
November 14, 2025
French multinational Air Liquide, a company with a strong focus on innovation and the energy transition, has started up an ammonia cracker in the Antwerp-Bruges port area. This is a pilot plant that cracks ammonia and converts it into hydrogen. According to Air Liquide, this is a world first, and the project will save more than […]
November 14, 2025
The European Parliament on Thursday backed a target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040 compared with 1990 levels, broadly aligning with the position agreed earlier by EU member states. 379 MEPs voted in favor, 248 against. The 2040 target is now legally enshrined as an intermediate step towards 2050, when the EU […]
November 14, 2025
As Chinese carmakers accelerate their push into global markets, Chery’s youth-oriented Omoda brand is preparing a two-pronged assault on Europe, strengthening its presence with two new electrified models. The company announced that the Omoda 5 will receive a new SHS-H hybrid variant later this year. At the same time, the all-new Omoda 4, unveiled at Chery’s […]
November 14, 2025
Despite the popularity of the (electric) bicycle, the car remains the Belgian’s favourite means of transport. Its share in our transport has generally remained stable over the past 25 years. However, the use of bicycles, especially e-bikes, continues to increase, as shown by the new, large-scale survey by the Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport, conducted from […]
November 14, 2025
A new study by the French Institut Mobilités en Transition (IMT) casts fresh doubt on the future of plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), arguing that prolonging their sale in Europe beyond 2035 would harm both household budgets and the continent’s climate ambitions. The study finds that for buyers of new vehicles, plug-in hybrids cost about 7% […]
November 14, 2025
The Flemish and Walloon governments reached an agreement at the beginning of this month with some of the largest CO2 emitters in Belgian industry on the capture, storage, and transport of carbon dioxide, also known as CCUS. The agreement was signed yesterday at building materials manufacturer Holcim in Obourg, near Mons, by Flemish Minister-President Matthias […]
November 13, 2025
Electricity will become an increasingly important energy source over the next ten years, according to the International Energy Agency. The agency expects electricity demand to grow by at least 40 percent between now and 2035. We will use more and more electricity for air conditioning, industry, electric mobility, data centers, and electric heating. The switch […]
