BMW delivers 20% fewer BEVs in Q1 2026 due to the Chinese and US markets

April 17, 2026

BMW Group delivered 87,458 BEVs globally in the first quarter of 2026. This represents a 20.1% drop compared to the same period last year. The main reason is the declining sales in China and the US. The order intake for electric vehicles in Europe looks significantly better, thanks to the new iX3. BMW’s battery-electric vehicle […]

VW sees global decline in BEV deliveries in Q1 2026

April 15, 2026

The Volkswagen Group delivered around 200,000 battery-electric vehicles in the first quarter of 2026, down eight per cent year-on-year. Strong double-digit growth in Europe was not enough to compensate for sharp declines in China and the United States. In the first quarter of 2026, the Volkswagen Group recorded a notable decline in global battery-electric vehicle […]

T&E: Car industry demands could cost the EU €74 billion extra

April 15, 2026

According to the NGO Transport & Environment (T&E), the latest demands of the European car industry for weaker climate targets could result in an extra €74bn of oil imports, “just as interest in buying EVs reaches new peaks”.That’s according to T&E analysis of a leaked position paper issued by the Association of European Car Manufacturers […]

VW Group’s Q1 global sales down 4%; Europe up, China and U.S. slide

April 15, 2026

The VW Group continues to suffer from weak international sales (-4%), particularly in China and the United States, the German carmaker said in Wolfsburg on Monday. BEV deliveries were down 8% year on year. Globally, this pushed the number of deliveries across the VW Group in the time period between January and March down to […]

Stellantis cuts another 650 jobs at its Opel development center in Rüsselsheim

April 13, 2026

Last Friday, car manufacturing group Stellantis announced another cut in its engineering crew at the Opel Research & Development center in Rüsselsheim. This means that only 1,000 R&D jobs remain near Opel’s general headquarters in Germany. In other countries, however, Stellantis plans to hire new engineering talent, including some 2,000 in the U.S. and 700 […]

Volkswagen delays rollout of additional EV models in the U.S. (Update)

April 13, 2026

Volkswagen plans to launch new electric models from its core VW brand in the U.S. only toward the end of the decade, keeping the focus on the ID.4 and ID. Buzz in the meantime. VW U.S. chief Kjell Gruner also sees no market potential for the upcoming compact ID. Every1 in the U.S., despite its […]

Cupra Raval launched: the most sporty compact BEV in the VW Group

April 10, 2026

At the Volkswagen Group, four electric compact cars are ready for launch. The Cupra Raval, the first production model of an upcoming compact electric car family, is now in the spotlight. It will be joined by the ID. Polo and ID. Cross, and by the Skoda Epiq. The Raval is the sporty-looking option of the […]

Innovative hydrogen tank technology symbolizes BMW’s technology-neutral approach

April 09, 2026

The BMW Group is adopting a new, innovative hydrogen tank technology for the BMW iX5 Hydrogen, symbolizing the manufacturer’s technology-neutral approach and offering five different drive systems in one single model. The new arrangement and size of the tanks enable a higher range of up to 750 km. The new ‘BMW Hydrogen Flat Storage’ system […]

Updated BMW i7 will use Gen6 batteries from Rimac

April 09, 2026

BMW Group is partnering with Rimac Technology to equip the updated all-electric BMW i7 with Gen6 cylindrical battery cells, targeting higher energy density, increased range, and faster charging. Production of the new high-voltage battery system will take place in Croatia ahead of the i7’s debut at Auto China 2026. At the core of the new […]

Renault honors Louis Schweitzer and unifies its charging ecosystem as ‘Plug Inn’

April 08, 2026

Renault Group pays tribute to its former Chairman and CEO, who passed away on November 6, 2025, by naming the Le Mans site (France), the Group’s chassis center of excellence, after him. Meanwhile, the group opens a new chapter in its electric journey by bringing together all of its charging activities and related services under […]

World Car of the Year 2026 is the BMW iX3

April 02, 2026

At the New York International Auto Show, the World Car Awards for 2026 have been revealed. It was the 22nd time that a car obtained the title of World Car of the Year, and this year it was the new BMW iX3, the first of the ‘Neue Klasse’, that won. The World Car Awards are […]

Belux car sales up 8.8% in March, almost 54% of them electrified

April 02, 2026

According to data from the federal public service Mobility and the sector federation Febiac, 43,733 new cars were registered in Belgium and Luxembourg, an increase of 8.8% compared to last year. In the first three months (YTD), 113,805 new cars were sold, a 5.9% decrease from the same period last year. Most noticeable in March: […]

Is the new Citroën 2CV finally coming?

April 01, 2026

With retro design very popular these days and new EU regulations promoting small European EVs, the time may have come for a modern version of the iconic Citroën 2CV. Rumors have it that Citroën wants to surprise everybody at the next Paris Motor Show in October with an entirely new 2CV Concept. Citroen’s new CEO, […]

Massimo Fumarola is the new VP Strategy & Product Performance at Alpine

April 01, 2026

Alpine announces today the appointment of Massimo Fumarola as Vice President Strategy & Product Performance, effective on 1st April 2026. He will join the Alpine Management Committee and report directly to Philippe Krief, the brand’s Chief Executive Officer. Sovany Ang, who previously held this position, is taking on other responsibilities within Renault Group. 30 years […]

Flemish Mobility Minister pushes through with car inspection reforms

March 30, 2026

Despite criticism from all sides, Flemish Mobility Minister Annick De Ridder (N-VA) is pushing through her plans to reorganize the car inspection. The Minister wants to change and simplify the system because, in her eyes, it’s ‘gold-plated’ and asks too much of the common Flemish car owner. The most important changes are the abolition of […]

Geely integrates European engineering centers

March 30, 2026

The Chinese car manufacturer Geely is restructuring its European development activities by consolidating operations in Sweden and Germany under the new Geely Technology Europe unit. The move is intended to strengthen the region’s role within the group’s global development network. The move comes at the same time as the arrival of Geely-branded cars in Europe. […]

VW ID.Polo’s real face revealed in online leak (update)

March 27, 2026

Weeks before the official launch, pictures have leaked on the internet of the new ID.Polo, Volkswagen’s highly anticipated €25,000 EV model. Even the more powerful GTI was unveiled at what appeared to be an internal presentation in Wolfsburg. The interior and the back of the car remain undisclosed. The pictures reveal what the camouflaged versions […]

Skoda to end sales in China in 2026

March 26, 2026

Czech carmaker Skoda, part of the Volkswagen Group, will officially exit China by mid-year, underscoring the challenges foreign brands face amid fierce competition in the world’s largest auto market. Struggling to keep pace with China’s rapid shift toward electric vehicles (EVs), Skoda will withdraw from the market by mid-2026, Reuters reported Wednesday, citing the company. Before […]

Germany bets with new plan on EVs to close climate gap

March 26, 2026

Germany’s Environment Minister Carsten Schneider has unveiled the Climate Protection Program 2026. The government’s joint plan sets out strategic decisions to achieve climate neutrality, including measures to expand electric mobility. Germany is legally committed to achieving greenhouse gas neutrality by 2045. Under the Federal Climate Protection Act, emissions must be cut by at least 65% […]

VW Group plans recall of around 100,000 BEVs

March 25, 2026

The Volkswagen Group plans to recall several electric models based on the MEB platform. According to the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA or Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt), this affects 74,579 units globally of the ID. 3, ID. 4, ID. 5, and ID. Buzz, and ID. Buzz Cargo series, as well as 19,452 Cupra Born vehicles. The issue […]

EU car registrations in February up 1.4%, BEV share 18.8% YTD

March 25, 2026

In January-February 2026, year-to-date (YTD), new EU car registrations fell by 1.2% compared to the same period last year, easing the challenging start to the year witnessed in January (-3.9%). In February alone, sales rose by 1.4%. The battery-electric car market share reached 18.8% YTD, highlighting the continued potential for further growth. These are data […]

Renault plans to build electric Scenic and Rafale in Spain from 2028

March 24, 2026

Renault’s plans for electric vehicle production in Spain are taking shape. The French automaker intends to accommodate three new models at its Palencia plant, including two fully electric series and one range-extender model. So far, Renault has been manufacturing its electric vehicles in France. Speculation had already emerged in recent months that Renault was considering […]

The Brussels Motor Show will also be organized in 2027

March 23, 2026

The past Brussels Motor Show (BMS) in January was a big success, according to the organizers. That’s why they wanted to communicate as soon as possible that the next edition will be held in January 2027 and that they will make some adaptations to make it even more successful. The event will take place from […]

BMW i4 gets phased out, Rolls-Royce slows down electrification plans

March 20, 2026

That the new BMW i3 is replacing the ‘old’ i4 comes as no surprise. Shortly after the design premiere of the electric 3 Series BMW, reports are emerging of the i4’s impending end of production; only the exact timing remains unclear. Meanwhile, Rolls-Royce is stepping back from its plan to go all-electric by 2030, as […]

Factor One, the Bugatti on two wheels

March 19, 2026

A lot of (mostly premium) car manufacturers did a little sidestep and already have their own bike or a small portfolio of pedal-driven two-wheelers. But when Bugatti launches one, it has to be a little special. Hence, Factor One. Bugatti has partnered with Factor Bikes, a high-performance bicycle manufacturer and engineering-first brand, “in a groundbreaking […]

Bentley sees profits dwindle, and cuts in employment

March 18, 2026

Volkswagen’s high-end luxury brand, Bentley, plans to cut 275 jobs (6% of its workforce). The operational benefit has decreased from €373 million to €216 million (-42.1%). The manufacturer justifies the decision by citing US import tariffs under the Trump administration, declining sales in China, and slow demand for electric vehicles. The last argument is somewhat […]

Volkswagen’s ID. Cross will start at €28,000

March 18, 2026

Volkswagen has announced an entry price of around €28,000 for the ID. Cross, which will launch in the European market starting in autumn 2026. Unlike the ID. Polo, however, it will initially not be available with the most powerful ‘GTI’ performance level. After journalists were allowed to test-drive camouflaged prototypes of the ID. Polo during […]

Is Stellantis seeking more partners in Europe?

March 16, 2026

The global automotive group Stellantis is reportedly reviewing its investments in Europe and engaging in discussions with competitors about potential cooperation and brand stakes. While Stellantis denies rumors of a breakup, it does not refute the alleged search for partners. According to insiders, Stellantis is exploring partnerships with financially strong Chinese companies to support its […]

High demand for BMW iX3, new iX1 is coming in 2027

March 16, 2026

BMW has already switched production of the all-electric BMW iX3 at its Debrecen plant in Hungary to two-shift operation due to high demand. The automaker confirmed this in its announcement of its 2025 business figures. The move comes as no surprise, as the Munich-based manufacturer had repeatedly highlighted the strong order intake for the first […]

VW updates ID.3 and calls it ID.3 Neo

March 13, 2026

Volkswagen is releasing significant facelifts for its existing MEB models. Now, the Wolfsburg-based automaker is also bringing the successor of the ID.3, its first ID. model, out of the shadows, though only slightly. It will have its world premiere in mid-April under the new name, ID.3 Neo,  and with new features. The company remains tight-lipped […]

Ford Explorer gets an update, Belgian Ford dealers join forces

March 12, 2026

Ford Europe has now provided more details about the improved version of its electric SUV model, the Explorer, announced in January. At the same time, order books are opening, and the new (Standard Range) variant with LFP battery is available, at least in Germany, from a list price of €39,990. Meanwhile, three established Belgian Ford […]

BMW Group Belux donates 13 new cars to technical schools

March 12, 2026

BMW Group Belux has once again confirmed its tradition of bringing technical education into contact with the latest technology by donating 13 brand-new cars to technical schools across the country. Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele and Voka (Flemish entrepreneurs’ network) CEO Frank Beckx attended the ceremony. The newest donation brings BMW Belgium’s total to more than […]

Raymond Wittmann is the new head of BMW production

March 12, 2026

The BMW Supervisory Board has appointed current Strategy Chief Raymond Wittman as a new member of the Board of Management. At the Annual General Meeting in May, he will take over the Production division when current Production Board Member Milan Nedeljković assumes the position of Chairman of the Board. It had already been confirmed last […]

Mercedes presents new VLE van

March 11, 2026

With the VLE, Mercedes-Benz Vans is launching the successor to the V-Class and EQV while simultaneously debuting its new electric van platform, VAN.EA. Already in the summer of last year, Mercedes-Benz was preparing the launch with press coverage of a prototype road trip from Stuttgart to Rome to prove its capability for long-term journeys. The […]

Renault’s FutuReady plan: prudent optimism

March 11, 2026

On Tuesday, Renault Group CEO François Provost presented the new plan for the future, ‘FutuReady’, the successor to Renaulution, the brainchild of its flamboyant predecessor, Luca de Meo. As the new CEO put it, the new plan is characterized by pragmatic optimism. In these hard times for the automotive industry, Renault wants to grow to […]

Renaulution plan becomes futuREady

March 10, 2026

Renault Group is moving into higher gear, turning its successful ‘Renaulution’ plan into a system aimed at being both sustainable and global. With the new strategic plan ‘futuREady’, the Group aims to maintain its growth momentum and become the reference European carmaker. ‘futuREady‘ revolves around the product and the customer experience, technological innovation, and operational […]

ACEA pleads for a stronger EU automotive package

March 09, 2026

Against the backdrop of “intensifying global competition, fragile supply chains, and rising protectionism”, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) Light-Duty Vehicle Board met last Thursday to assess the conditions required for Europe to maintain its global automotive leadership. “Europe risks losing its edge, both as an attractive place to invest and as an industrial location, […]

BMW completes winter tests for new i3

March 09, 2026

BMW has completed the final winter testing phase for the upcoming i3 ahead of its design premiere on 18 March. Prototypes of the second model in the Neue Klasse are currently undergoing extensive validation at BMW’s winter testing center in Arjeplog, Sweden. The latest tests no longer focus on functional checks or thermal management, which […]

Continental reported a net loss for 2025

March 05, 2026

German automotive supplier Continental reported on Wednesday that sales declined and that a net loss was registered for the full year of 2025. In addition, the company anticipates a decrease in sales for fiscal 2026. For fiscal 2025, the company posted a net loss of €165 million, or €0.83 per share, compared with a profit […]

EU unveils ‘Industrial Accelerator Act’

March 05, 2026

EU Industry Commissioner Stéphane Séjourné has unveiled the long-awaited ‘Industrial Accelerator Act’. With this industrial strategy, the EU Commission aims to boost domestic production, create jobs, and reduce the EU’s dependence on the USA and China. This will impact numerous sectors, including the automotive industry. Officially, the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) is presented as a […]

The BMW iX4 SUV Coupe is coming

March 04, 2026

The 2027 iX4 is set to join BMW’s electric vehicle lineup soon, bringing a new coupe SUV-like style to the family. Ahead of its debut, the 2027 BMW iX4 was spotted testing, giving us a first look at what to expect. BMW is overhauling its lineup with several new additions this year. After some of […]

Toyota and Stellantis may withdraw from Tesla CO₂ pool

March 04, 2026

Until now, the European CO₂ pool centered on Tesla has been a major conglomerate of automakers, including Ford, Mazda, Honda, Toyota, and Stellantis. However, for 2026, two major manufacturers, Toyota and Stellantis, may withdraw from this pool, two of Tesla’s largest financial contributors to this scheme. At the EU level, manufacturers can join so-called CO₂ […]

Belux car registrations down 7.7% in February, petrol gains share

March 03, 2026

According to data from the sector federation, Febiac, and the federal public service Mobility and Transport, 37,075 new cars were registered in February 2026, 7.7% fewer than in February 2025. For the first two months of 2026, the market shrinks by 13.2%. Once again, it’s the professional market that is entirely responsible for the regression. […]

BMW and CATL partner for the upcoming EU battery passport

March 02, 2026

Chinese battery giant CATL and premium car manufacturer BMW aim to deepen their existing partnership. In a new letter of intent, the focus is specifically on data exchange: Both parties intend to make progress in cross-border data transfer through pilot projects, with an eye on the upcoming battery passport requirements in the EU. BMW and […]

Audi reshuffles sales team in North America and Asia

March 02, 2026

Sales are not going so well for Audi in some important foreign markets, both for combustion engines and electric cars. Ingolstadt is now responding and has announced a series of management changes in key markets, including China and North America. In its announcement, Audi refers to a ‘coordinated management rotation’ designed to ensure a smooth […]

BMW introduces ‘Physical AI’ in its iFactory

March 02, 2026

The BMW Group is advancing the digitalisation and use of artificial intelligence in production. A key element in this effort is ‘Physical AI’, which combines digital artificial intelligence (AI) with real machines and robots. This enables intelligent systems such as humanoid robots to be integrated into real-world production processes. First time in Europe For the […]

T&E: ‘EU fleets law could boost EV sales’

February 25, 2026

According to new T&E research, a new EU law to electrify the vehicle fleets of large companies could deliver 57% of the electric vehicle (EV) sales that carmakers need in 2030. While carmakers claim there is insufficient EV demand to meet their 2030 EU CO2 targets, T&E’s analysis shows that an ambitious company cars law […]

Flemish plans for revising car inspection meet criticism

February 25, 2026

Flemish Mobility Minister Annick De Ridder  (N-VA) wants to reorganize and simplify the mandatory car inspection in the region. She wants it to be more consumer-friendly and offer higher-quality service. According to the Minister, the current organisational model of the vehicle inspection system in Flanders no longer meets contemporary citizens’ expectations regarding public authorities and […]

Renault partners with Basquevolt on lithium-metal cells

February 25, 2026

Renault’s Ampere division has signed a development agreement with Basquevolt to accelerate the development and validation of lithium-metal batteries for future electric vehicles. Lithium-metal batteries represent a major technological leap in energy density compared to current lithium-ion batteries with liquid electrolytes. The Renault Group claims that Basquevolt has already demonstrated its technology’s ability to achieve […]

EU car registrations fell 3.9% in January, BEV market share rose to 19.3%

February 24, 2026

According to data from the European Car Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), new EU car registrations fell by 3.9% year on year in January, marking a second consecutive challenging start to the year for the market. “The battery-electric car market share reached 19.3%, highlighting the continued potential for further growth,” states ACEA’s press release. “Hybrid-electric vehicles lead […]

Emmanuel Al Nawakil is the new CEO of Renault Belux

February 24, 2026

On the 1st of March, Emmanuel Al Nawakil starts as the new CEO of Renault Belgium and Luxembourg. He will succeed Martin Domise, who becomes Vice President, Renault Sales & Operations Europe-Maghreb. Emmanuel Al Nawakil was born in 1979 and studied at the E.M. Lyon Business School to become master of Science in Management. He […]

Renault to build BEVs in Spain?

February 23, 2026

The Renault Group is still evaluating plans to manufacture the next generation of compact electric vehicles at its Palencia, Spain, plant. The company has so far produced all its EVs in factories in France, but that will change in the future. This was confirmed by Renault CEO François Provost on Thursday, following the announcement of […]

Seat launches pilot production of Cupra Raval

February 23, 2026

The Spanish Volkswagen daughter Seat says it is in the final stages of preparing for series production of the Cupra Raval at its Martorell plant. The project has now entered the pre-series phase of industrialisation, during which processes and quality standards are validated under near-series conditions ahead of the start of full-scale production. In its announcement, […]

Renault’s good results overshadowed by recalculation of participation in Nissan

February 19, 2026

Today, Renault has published its yearly results. As expected, there’s a big difference between the Group’s results with or without ‘other operating income and expenses’. The former resulted in a positive figure of €715 million; the latter in a deficit of €10,931 million (or -€40.0 per share). Renault had to recalculate its 35% stake in […]

Audi will have a production version of the Concept C

February 19, 2026

When it presented its new coupé concept last year, Audi said it planned to bring the production version of the Concept C to the electric sports car platform of the Porsche Boxster and Cayman. However, after several delays and a change of CEO, these models remain uncertain at Zuffenhausen. Now, Audi clarifies: its own model […]

Mercedes-Benz sees net benefit halved in 2025 and recalls EQA/EQB (update)

February 18, 2026

Although not as precarious as for other car manufacturers, 2025 has been a complicated year for Mercedes-Benz. The German premium car manufacturer has een its net benefit almost halve while turnover decreased by 9%. Meanwhile, battery issues affecting the EQA and EQB have prompted global recalls. Mercedes-Benz has already begun replacing battery packs in North […]

Is VW planning a major additional cost-cutting program? (update)

February 18, 2026

According to several internal sources, the German specialized magazine Manager Magazin concludes that the Volkswagen Group is working on a new cost-cutting program targeting additional savings of up to €60 billion. Of course, economies at such a scale would involve reducing the workforce beyond the already announced 35,000 and, eventually, closing additional plants, following the […]

EU prepares ‘Europe first’ rules for EV subsidies

February 18, 2026

The European Commission is preparing legislation that would require electric vehicles to be assembled in the EU and source at least 70% of their components locally to qualify for state subsidies. The move could pave the way for a formal ‘Buy European’ industrial policy, recently called for by Volkswagen, Stellantis, and other European car manufacturers. […]

German premium brands adjust pricing strategies in China

February 16, 2026

In early 2026, China’s luxury passenger car market reached a critical inflexion point as traditional European premium brands collectively adjusted pricing strategies amid continued sales erosion in the world’s largest auto market, according to the influential local website 36kr. Data from the 2025 calendar year showed that cumulative China sales for BMW, Mercedes‑Benz, and Audi […]

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