August 17, 2026
NIO has opened the first of its fifth-generation battery-swap stations in China, finally giving the compact Firefly access to the company’s swapping network. It is an important step for NIO’s technology, but one European Firefly owners should not get too excited about. In Belgium and the Netherlands, swapping is unlikely to become part of the […]
August 14, 2026
Chinese premium EV brand Zeekr has appointed Dieter Hannes as Country Manager for Belgium and Luxembourg, effective 12 August. His arrival marks a new phase for the Geely-owned brand, shifting up one gear. After spending its first months building a dealer network and making itself known, Zeekr now has to convert that footprint into meaningful […]
August 14, 2026
General Motors has confirmed that the Chevrolet brand will stop selling new cars in the Chinese market. Meanwhile, GM is clarifying that the brand will continue production within the country but will shift its strategic focus toward exporting vehicles to international markets outside of the United States. The move caps a brutal sales slide for the […]
August 13, 2026
To European eyes, the Ti 3 looks almost as if BYD has put 30 years of compact 4×4 design into a blender. There is plenty of five-door first-generation Toyota RAV4 in its proportions, some Opel Frontera in the upright flanks and chunky wheel arches, and touches of Suzuki Vitara and Land Rover Defender in the […]
August 13, 2026
A C919 aircraft from the Chinese state-owned company Comac made its first international flight yesterday between Beijing and Mongolia. The flight marks an important milestone for China: after all, the C919 is set to compete with the Airbus A320 and the Boeing 737 MAX, medium-sized aircraft that have dominated the market for decades. Yet this […]
August 12, 2026
BYD’s latest Seal 06 is becoming much more relevant to Europe than the bargain-priced Chinese EV we wrote about last year. The 2027 model combines a larger battery, 800-volt architecture, much faster charging, and up to 630 km of Chinese range, while its domestic entry price has barely moved. When BYD launched the full-electric Seal […]
August 12, 2026
The Dutch companies of bicycle giant Accell Group, owner of brands including Batavus, Sparta, Koga, Babboe and Raleigh, have been declared bankrupt by the Amsterdam District Court. The decision comes less than a week after the group was granted a suspension of payments and marks a rapid escalation of its financial crisis. Court-appointed administrators Thijs […]
August 12, 2026
The Belgian army will stop buying Chinese-built service cars for its top brass from September, citing growing concerns over espionage and cybersecurity. The decision means the DS 9, a French-branded luxury saloon built exclusively in China, will no longer be procured for the general staff. The case illustrates how quickly the security debate around connected […]
August 11, 2026
SAIC-Volkswagen has filed for approval of the ID. Era 5X compact SUV in China. It is Volkswagen’s first model based on the Compact Main Platform and the first fully electric vehicle in the China-specific ID. Era series. It also sits in one of Europe’s core SUV segments and will come to Europe, followed by other […]
August 11, 2026
BYD has officially revealed the Fang Cheng Bao Ti9, a giant six-seat plug-in hybrid SUV. It features two 200 kW electric motors, a 66.5 kWh battery, and one particularly intriguing figure for Europe: its maximum authorized mass is 3,495 kg, just five kilograms below the 3.5-ton limit for a standard Category B driving license. For […]
August 10, 2026
The Belgian Interfederal Screening Committee, a body tasked with ensuring that major investments by foreign, non-European organizations do not lead to geopolitical surprises, has decided to block the acquisition of the Ostend-based helicopter operator Noordzee Helikopters Vlaanderen (NHV) by a Chinese investor. These concerns relate to “risks to national security, Belgium’s strategic interests, and possible […]
August 10, 2026
BMW is starting production of the new i3 this month with a claim that is less spectacular than range, acceleration, or charging speed, but potentially more important for the future of the car industry. Its Neue Klasse electronics architecture cuts around 600 meters of wiring and concentrates much of the car’s computing power in just […]
August 07, 2026
Just over nine weeks before its official premiere at the Paris Motor Show, the new Smart #2 has been exposed by Chinese regulatory filings. The virtually undisguised production car appears six weeks after Smart Europe CEO Wolfgang Ufer told Newmobility.news that it would initially be built in China, but European production will definitely be discussed. […]
August 04, 2026
Leapmotor is preparing to launch the A05 in China on August 10, a compact electric hatchback that will be sold internationally as the B03. With dimensions close to the Geely E2, two LFP batteries, and a potential European price near €20,000, it could become one of the sharpest value propositions in Europe’s affordable EV market. […]
August 03, 2026
Xpeng began teasing the G9L SUV in China on Monday, deepening its bet on the large SUV market after the GX flagship. The Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker calls the G9L a “global 5-seater tech flagship”, making it another SUV aimed at the global market after the GX and the Mona L03. Xpeng said the […]
August 03, 2026
Several sources and media outlets have reported that the planned 2026 production of the Ferrari Luce (± 500 units) is already sold out two months after its May launch. According to the Financial Times, the €550,000 model reportedly attracted particularly strong interest in China and among technology entrepreneurs in places such as Silicon Valley. Ferrari’s […]
August 03, 2026
Six weeks after announcing the E2 for Belgium, Geely has now confirmed the price, battery sizes, and launch timing of its compact electric hatchback. Pre-orders open on 3 August, with the first cars expected at Belgian dealers in September. The Belgian E2 starts at €19,490, including a €2,000 early-bird discount. Its regular entry price will […]
July 30, 2026
BMW Group is stepping up cost reductions and organizational reforms after a sharp deterioration in profitability during the first half of 2026. The German premium carmaker insists that demand remains healthy in Europe and that its Neue Klasse electric offensive is gaining momentum. Still, weaker sales and pricing in China, tariffs, and rising depreciation are […]
July 29, 2026
BMW is expanding its portfolio in China with an exclusive long-wheelbase version of the upcoming all-electric iX5. With a wheelbase extended by 130 millimeters, the Bavarian automaker is specifically targeting the high comfort and space demands in the Chinese rear-seat segment. The new BMW X5 celebrated its world premiere at the end of June, where […]
July 29, 2026
Zeekr has confirmed the European and Belgian launch of the 9X, a 5.24-meter luxury SUV that marks a major change of direction for the Geely-owned brand. Until now, Zeekr has presented itself in Europe as an electric-only premium brand. Its new flagship is a plug-in hybrid combining a 55.1 kWh battery, two electric motors, and […]
July 28, 2026
BYD has released the first official production images of the Da Han, a huge electric flagship saloon that moves the Chinese manufacturer into territory occupied in Europe by the Mercedes EQS, BMW i7, and Lucid Air. The model will make its public debut at the Chengdu Motor Show in August and sits above the existing […]
July 27, 2026
Volkswagen’s second-quarter net profit fell 32.9% from a year earlier to €1.54 billion, it said on Friday, as Europe’s largest carmaker continued to grapple with weak demand in China. The company’s net profit was down from €2.29 billion in the second quarter of 2025, when earnings had already fallen 36% from a year earlier. Group-wide […]
July 27, 2026
Lynk & Co has launched the 07 GT in China, a high-performance plug-in hybrid wagon with up to 523 hp and a claimed electric range of 200 km. More importantly for European buyers, the Geely-owned brand has confirmed that the model is planned for Europe in 2027. The 07 GT measures 4.85 meters in length, […]
July 27, 2026
BMW will manufacture the ‘Neue Klasse’ i3 and iX3 at its San Luis Potosí plant in Mexico from 2027. At the same time, the company is building a dedicated assembly facility for its sixth-generation high-voltage batteries at the site. In total, the carmaker is investing €800 million in expanding the plant. BMW will begin assembling […]
July 23, 2026
Ford and Geely Auto plan to form a manufacturing joint venture at Ford’s Valencia, Spain, plant, combining scale and factory utilization, to build Ford and Geely’s next-generation multi-energy vehicles. Under the proposed ownership structure, Ford will own 66% of the new entity and Geely Auto 34%. The partnership secures the future of the Valencia plant, […]
July 23, 2026
BYD’s premium Denza brand has revealed the cabin of the new Z9S, a 1,194 hp electric sports saloon positioned against the Porsche Taycan, Lucid Air, and Audi e-tron GT. Closely related to the Denza Z9GT, now available to order in Belgium from €101,000 as a plug-in hybrid and €115,000 as an EV, the Z9S is […]
July 22, 2026
Cumulative sales of Geely Auto’s popular small EV, the Xingyuan, have surpassed 800,000 units less than 2 years after the model was launched. Geely sub-brand Geely Galaxy announced the milestone on Thursday. The model is already available in multiple overseas markets, where it has been renamed the Geely EX2. The Xingyuan was the best-selling vehicle […]
July 22, 2026
Geely has unveiled what it calls the world’s first 16-in-1 intelligent electric drive, promising lower weight, reduced energy losses, and tighter control of almost every major electric powertrain function. The updated Lynk & Co 02 will be the first production model to use the technology, although a European launch has not yet been confirmed. In […]
July 21, 2026
Volvo Cars commits to the future of its Ghent factory, the Swedish car manufacturer’s headquarters announced on Wednesday. The company has reached an agreement with the Belgian federal and Flemish governments for support and financing measures totaling up to €119 million. The arrangements are documented in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The package aims to […]
July 15, 2026
BYD is simplifying its overseas brand structure as international markets become a central source of growth rather than an export sideline. The Chinese group will combine its Dynasty and Ocean ranges under the BYD name abroad, merge Denza’s and Fang Cheng Bao’s overseas operations, and keep ultra-luxury brand Yangwang independent. The reshuffle creates a clearer […]
July 14, 2026
The Belgian company John Cockerill Hydrogen has unveiled its first hydrogen electrolyzer designed and manufactured entirely in France. The unveiling took place in Belfort at McPhy’s industrial site, which John Cockerill Hydrogen acquired last year, along with some of its staff and patents. The 30-metric-ton unit enables the production of decarbonized hydrogen from water. Push […]
July 13, 2026
BYD has officially unveiled the European version of the Denza Z at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. CEO of BYD, Stella Li, and former F1 champion Jenson Button took the wraps off the sports car that intends to go head-to-head with the Porsche 911. Or rather, the Maserati GranTurismo Folgore. Because the driveline is fully […]
July 09, 2026
BYD has reached another symbolic milestone in its rapid rise as the world’s largest new energy vehicle manufacturer. On July 8, the Chinese carmaker announced that its 17 millionth NEV had rolled off the production line. The milestone car was the new Seal 08, the flagship sedan of BYD’s Ocean range, launched only days earlier […]
July 08, 2026
Renault CEO François Provost has put one of the European car industry’s most sensitive questions on the table: can small electric cars be profitable, or will Europe’s volume manufacturers be pushed out of their home market by Chinese competition? In an interview with Les Echos, the LVMH-owned French business daily widely read in political and […]
July 07, 2026
Leapmotor has opened the European order books for the B03X, the compact electric crossover it hopes will turn the Chinese brand from a niche newcomer into a serious contender in Europe’s volume EV market. At €24,900, the B03X will compete for the same buyers as Stellantis’ own Fiat Grande Panda Electric, Citroën ë-C3 Aircross, and […]
July 06, 2026
From January 1, 2027, China will abolish the annual vehicle tax exemption for plug-in hybrids, range-extender vehicles, and several classes of electrified commercial vehicles. BEV passenger cars, however, will remain tax-exempt as they are not subject to China’s displacement-based vehicle tax. As reported by CnEVPost, China’s Ministry of Finance, the State Taxation Administration, and the […]
July 06, 2026
BloombergNEF expects global electric-car sales to set another record in 2026, even as the United States moves sharply in the opposite direction. Its new Electric Vehicle Outlook forecasts 23.3 million passenger EV sales worldwide this year, 11% more than in 2025, giving plug-in cars a 27% share of the global new-car market. The headline is […]
July 03, 2026
As Tesla has registered its strongest second quarter on record, the negative spiral initiated by Musk seems to have been countered. The American EV maker is back on track, but BYD still outsold it by roughly 77,000 fully electric vehicles on a global level. According to figures published this week, Tesla delivered 480,126 units in […]
June 30, 2026
Stellantis is betting on Chinese Dongfeng to get Jeep back on track in Europe. In addition to greenlighting the import of the American Recon, the lineup will be completed in 2028 with a Chinese-built plug-in hybrid SUV. But Brussels is already drafting tariffs on the exact type of vehicle this partnership produces. Jeep’s European portfolio […]
June 30, 2026
XPeng will unveil its new Mona L03 in Beijing on 2 July, but China is only the first stop. Chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng has said the fastback SUV will travel to Europe shortly afterward for its global launch and the start of an official sales rollout. This makes the L03 far more than a […]
June 26, 2026
Polestar has been officially denied to sell cars in the United States as of 2027. After the brand withdrew from China due to low adoption, the luxury EV maker now also risks losing the world’s second-largest car market. The company will focus largely on Europe. But that is still the backyard of German premium. Polestar […]
June 26, 2026
China wants its vast electric-car fleet to become more than a transport revolution. Under its newly unveiled 15th five-year energy plan, Beijing aims to have EVs play a role in balancing a power system increasingly dominated by wind and solar. The plan, covering 2026 to 2030, targets a 50% share for non-fossil sources in electricity […]
June 24, 2026
Geely will introduce the E2 in Belgium after the summer, bringing one of China’s biggest recent EV successes to the crowded European small-car market. The compact five-door is intended to make Geely a player at the accessible end of the electric market, starting around €20,000, but final Belgian prices and several core technical details remain […]
June 23, 2026
At Silo’s Brussels, the former brewery complex beside the Willebroek Canal, Mazda Motor Belux last week gathered journalists, dealers, fleet managers, and other stakeholders for its Mazda Experience Days, putting the spotlight on the CX-6e that made its world debut at the Brussels Motor Show in January. The occasion was as much about strategy as […]
June 22, 2026
Volvo Cars CEO Hakan Samuelsson has made an explicit offer to his Chinese parent company. In an interview with Automobilwoche, Samuelsson said it would be “positive and possible” for Geely’s sibling brands to produce vehicles at Volvo’s European factories, including the Ghent, Belgium, plant. Samuelsson’s offer is a direct invitation for Geely Auto (the brand, […]
June 22, 2026
According to German newspaper Handelsblatt, the European Commission has finalized a proposal for punitive tariffs on plug-in hybrids made in China. These bread-and-butter models could face a similar fate to their counterparts with full-electric drivelines. However, the percentages would be lower. Europe set out to punish Chinese electric cars. Instead, it created a market for […]
June 22, 2026
At the Beijing Motor Show, Smart unveiled the concept that matters most to its renaissance under new German-Chinese ownership: the #2. Will the successor make an impact just as quirky, revolutionary, and safe as the legendary original, or has modern reality overruled the formula? We find out in Rome, where the concept version hit European […]
June 19, 2026
At the annual general meeting, VW CEO Oliver Blume didn’t shy away from blunt words. Though the group is on track shedding 50,000 workforce, he stated that the “business model is no longer working today.” Volkswagen is struggling hard with the modern-day reality of car building, to the point that the question no longer is […]
June 18, 2026
BYD has officially released the Great Tang in China. This is not the successor of the Tang, but a more luxurious model positioned higher in the hierarchy. Its size and technology give it the allure of a limo in an SUV, though its price tells a different story. The BYD Great Tang doesn’t arrive empty-handed […]
June 17, 2026
To fool the camera detection systems on their Teslas while driving in automated mode, Chinese customers turn to fake plastic doll heads. Screwed onto the ceiling of their cars, they successfully trick the system into thinking the driver is alert. It’s not the first time the aftermarket has tried to outsmart the safety systems of […]
June 17, 2026
Global electric vehicle registrations reached around 1.8 million in May, according to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence data reported by Reuters. That was only 3% more than in May last year, bringing the first five months of 2026 to a modest 0.9% increase. On paper, that looks like a clear slowdown after years of double-digit growth. In […]
June 16, 2026
China aims to achieve a 40% market share for electric heavy trucks by 2030. That’s almost half of the national fleet sales in less than five years from now. And if the country’s new energy cars and vans, or renewable energy policy, are anything to go by, the People’s Republic does not do half measures […]
June 16, 2026
MG has unveiled the new MG 07 in China, a sleek, electrified fastback that gives a first indication of how the brand may further expand beyond SUVs and hatchbacks. The model has not been confirmed for Europe, but its timing is interesting. In Belgium and Luxembourg, MG is preparing to take over its own distribution […]
June 15, 2026
Solid-state batteries are often presented as the next great leap for electric cars, promising more range, faster charging, better safety, and perhaps lower costs. But Robin Zeng Yuqun, founder and chairman of CATL, the world’s largest EV battery maker, has given that optimism a reality check. And when such an authority speaks, it’s worth listening. […]
June 12, 2026
According to CarNewsChina, Dongfeng will start mass-producing its next-generation battery in the second half of this year and immediately start integrating it into vehicles. That would make it the first brand to offer solid-state at scale and could open opportunities for Peugeot, with whom the brand has strengthened its ties. But as with many battery […]
June 11, 2026
China’s rapid shift to electric and other new-energy vehicles reduced urban air pollution enough to prevent an estimated 262,000 premature deaths, according to a new peer-reviewed study published in Nature Health. The study’s researchers, published in May, compared actual pollution levels to a counterfactual scenario in which every vehicle on the road still ran on […]
June 09, 2026
The Pentagon has put some of China’s best-known technology and mobility companies on its Section 1260H list of “Chinese military companies”, adding a new geopolitical layer to the global expansion of Chinese car brands. The updated list includes Alibaba, Baidu, BYD, Nio, and battery maker CALB, alongside firms active in lidar, robotics, solar energy, semiconductors, […]
June 08, 2026
China wants its electric cars to become slimmer and more efficient after years in which bigger batteries, longer range claims, and SUV-style comfort features have made passenger cars larger and heavier. According to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, the average passenger car in China weighed 1,704 kg in 2024, roughly one-third more than in 2012. Some […]
June 05, 2026
Nissan and Chery have officially confirmed they are negotiating a potential contract manufacturing agreement for Chery passenger vehicles at Nissan’s Sunderland, UK, plant. Nissan had previously announced plans to reduce its own production at the factory to a single production line. As early as April, an unconfirmed report by the Financial Times claimed that Nissan […]
June 05, 2026
Lotus once promised to go fully electric by 2028. That plan is dead. To spearhead the new direction, the brand is releasing the Eletre X, a range-extender version of its SUV that was originally meant to be electric-only. “The EV penetration rate was not as good as we expected”, said Lotus CEO Feng Qingfeng to […]
