November 05, 2026
If you ever need proof that the EV transition is closing in on the point of ‘really happening now’, look no further than the finalists for the prestigious 2027 European Car of the Year award. All seven finalists are full-battery electric vehicles (BEVs). The seven finalists, in alphabetical order, are the BMW iX3, the Cupra […]
November 04, 2026
Automotive supplier Schaeffler plans to cut about 2,660 jobs in Germany and another 800 positions across the rest of Europe. The measure is part of a ‘cost improvement program’ aimed at saving Schaeffler around €300 million annually. The austerity drive is also related to electromobility. With these measures, Schaeffler is responding to the crisis in […]
November 04, 2026
After more than a year of negotiations, Iveco is now officially owned by Tata. Following its purchase of Jaguar Land Rover, the Indian industrial group has acquired another piece of European industrial heritage. The deal must help Iveco to accelerate its strides in zero-emission transport. A takeover target. That is how Iveco had been viewed […]
November 04, 2026
Renault is expanding its involvement in military technology once again. Less than five months after CEO François Provost insisted that the French carmaker would not become a defense company, Renault has unveiled its third military drone partnership, this time with Belgium’s John Cockerill. The result is Forefront Concept, an electrically powered ground robot designed for […]
November 03, 2026
Belgium’s new-car market shrank by almost 6% in October, reflecting a wider slowdown also visible in the Netherlands. France and Germany, meanwhile, are recovering, helped by growing electric-car demand. Behind Belgium’s disappointing figures lies another transformation: traditional brands are losing ground, Chinese competitors are advancing, and motorcycles are booming while commercial vehicles struggle. Belgium registered […]
November 03, 2026
Dacia unveiled its new Striker in July, promising a spacious family crossover for less than €25,000. Now that Belgian order books have opened, the Romanian Renault Group brand has gone one better: prices start at just €22,490, some €2,500 below the initial indication. The aggressive pricing puts the 4.62-meter Striker firmly in the territory of […]
November 02, 2026
Last week’s serious train accident in Urda, Spain, has reignited the debate over train and rail safety. Particular attention is on the European Train Control System (ETCS), a European project aimed at standardizing and improving rail safety. But the rollout is proceeding much more slowly than expected. To address this, some are looking to The […]
November 02, 2026
Charging an electric car in Belgium can cost more than twice as much at one public charger as at another. Belgian mobility organization VAB calls it the ‘Wild West’ and wants maximum tariffs. Belgian Consumer Protection Minister Rob Beenders has responded by calling for stricter European rules to make charging prices simpler and more transparent, […]
November 02, 2026
Volkswagen is temporarily pausing development work on the future ID. Golf. The automaker cites cost pressure as the reason and plans to resume work as soon as it secures the necessary investments. Volkswagen has temporarily suspended development work on the electric ID. Golf. Brand CEO Thomas Schäfer first announced the pause in an internal interview, […]
October 30, 2026
Kia will build its first hydrogen-powered vehicle from 2029, a fuel-cell version of the Carnival minivan. It is the first time the car maker has committed to building a hydrogen driveline, putting it in the same camp as sister brand Hyundai, where Toyota and BMW remain. Kia’s hydrogen surfaced unusually. Where automotive news these days […]
October 30, 2026
Chinese EV manufacturer XPENG has launched its new L05 family SUV at a remarkably low starting price of $21,720 in China. The nearly 4.9-meter-long electric crossover promises generous space, advanced AI technology, and up to 635 km of range. It is also coming to Belgium in 2027, with European specifications and prices to be revealed […]
October 29, 2026
A total of 68 people have been killed so far in yesterday’s severe collision between 2 high-speed trains in Spain. The investigation into the causes of the train crash is in full swing, but all signs point to possible human error. The accident is believed to have been caused by an “inexplicable” and “wrong” decision […]
October 29, 2026
For decades, Chinese carmakers learned how to build cars from European, Japanese, and American manufacturers. Today, that relationship is increasingly reversing, with European manufacturers turning to China for batteries, electronics, and software. At its annual congress in Suzhou, the China Society of Automotive Engineers (China-SAE) unveiled ten technological developments expected to reach important milestones in […]
October 29, 2026
After a first failed attempt to conquer the European market, Chinese manufacturer Great Wall Motor (GWM) is taking a second chance. It will start vehicle production in Bulgaria in the first quarter of 2027, plans to launch 10 new models over 2 years, and expand into multiple European markets, including Belgium. GWM has been active […]
October 29, 2026
In the third quarter of 2026, battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales hit record highs across Europe, with 13 of 27 EU countries posting their highest-ever quarterly BEV sales. BEVs are now the top powertrain sold in 11 European countries. Of course, markets still differ significantly. The BEV share in newly registered cars ranges from 4.5% […]
October 29, 2026
Renault Group’s electric car sales surged by almost 85% in the third quarter of 2026, helping the French manufacturer maintain revenue despite selling 6% fewer vehicles. But behind these figures lies a growing contrast: Renault’s electric models are gaining momentum, while Dacia is losing ground despite the Sandero remaining one of Europe’s best-selling cars. Renault […]
October 28, 2026
With diesel prices at an all-time high, electrification of vans, trucks, and buses is making real progress, according to the latest ACEA figures. But not all vehicle segments and countries are moving at the same pace. Belgium is lagging, and the truck market is too. Regardless of fuel type, the commercial vehicle market performed relatively […]
October 28, 2026
Stellantis is slowly finding its feet again under CEO Antonio Filosa, with global losses shrinking dramatically and sales picking up. But Europe remains the weak spot in its recovery. Despite selling more cars and recording a spectacular increase in electric vehicle sales, the group is losing money in its home market. The challenge is no […]
October 28, 2026
Volkswagen is reportedly considering equipping up to 75% of its future European mainstream models with an electronic architecture developed in China in partnership with Xpeng. The move could save billions of euros but threaten its expensive partnership with American EV maker Rivian. It also raises questions about European homologation, cybersecurity, and European carmakers’ growing dependence […]
October 27, 2026
What happens when a Chinese luxury car brand leaves behind the technology partner that helped define its identity? Chery is preparing to bring its premium Luxeed marque to international markets, including Europe, with six electrified models. But there is a remarkable twist: unlike their Chinese counterparts, the export versions will feature none of Huawei’s sophisticated […]
October 27, 2026
Just over a year ago, we reported that China EV Marketplace (CEVM) had stopped selling used electric vehicles in Europe because of quality concerns. Now the importer is embracing that market, claiming it sold 7,900 pre-owned cars to European customers in nine months. With discounts reaching 40%, used Chinese EVs offer a potentially attractive alternative […]
October 26, 2026
Volvo Cars will cut 2,500 jobs, mostly in its home country of Sweden, as the group seeks to slash costs amid tough competition from Chinese automakers and as tariffs and weak demand hit U.S. sales. The company, majority-owned by China’s Geely, reported an adjusted operating loss of 3.7 billion Swedish crowns (€333 million) for the […]
October 26, 2026
Renault CEO François Provost wants Nissan, Mitsubishi, and Ford to give cars built on Renault platforms a more distinctive identity. His comments go beyond a criticism of the Nissan Micra’s resemblance to the Renault 5. They highlight how the traditional Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance is gradually evolving into a broader network of industrial partnerships, with Renault increasingly […]
October 26, 2026
New research by HR specialist Group S finds that men are favored over women for company cars. In Belgium, women drive company cars worth an average of €5,300 less than their male colleagues. The average company car price for men is €49,000, compared with €43,699 for women. The average catalog price difference is 10,8% lower […]
October 23, 2026
BMW, Toyota, and Hyundai insist hydrogen cars still have a future, even as battery-electric vehicles become cheaper, faster-charging, and capable of traveling further. At a driving event in Halle, Belgium, journalists could put that claim to the test. Meanwhile, the Belgian hydrogen sector warned of falling behind its neighboring countries. Driving BMW’s hydrogen-powered iX5 through […]
October 23, 2026
The environmental NGO Transport & Environment (T&E) says that the gap between plug-in hybrids’ official CO₂ figures and their real-world emissions is widening, undermining claims about their climate benefits and leaving consumers duped. On the other hand, T&E notes that a rapid transition to electric company cars could create 344,000 EU jobs by 2030. T&E urges […]
October 22, 2026
CATL has unveiled a rather intriguing range extender for electric trucks. The architecture doesn’t use a combustion engine; instead, it uses a dual-battery system that pairs a large, swappable main pack with a small, permanently installed reserve battery. On paper, it is a neat fix for range anxiety, but almost everything that makes it work […]
October 22, 2026
Tesla has fallen out of the top ten of the world’s most innovative EV makers for the first time in the ranking’s ten-year history, dropping from sixth to eleventh. The Center of Automotive Management (CAM), which publishes the biannual Electromobility Report, now crowns the Geely Group as the most innovative battery-electric manufacturer. In 2016, when […]
October 22, 2026
The new EU passenger car market shows notable resilience. According to the European Association of Car Manufacturers (ACEA), car registrations rose 9.3% in September and 5.7% year-to-date, despite a challenging macroeconomic environment marked by persistently rising energy prices and geopolitical headwinds. Demand for a range of electrified vehicles remained strong, particularly in major European markets, […]
October 21, 2026
As Toyota celebrates 60 years of its Corolla, the world’s best-selling car nameplate with more than 57 million units sold, the Japanese manufacturer is reportedly preparing to build its next generation in China from 2028, including a fully electric version. But while Toyota is accelerating its transition to electric mobility, an important question remains unanswered: […]
October 21, 2026
Tesla has achieved its best-ever sales month in Europe, with the Model Y and Model 3 claiming the top two positions among all cars sold in September. The Model Y also leads Europe’s nine-month sales ranking. Meanwhile, Elon Musk has confirmed that Tesla and SpaceX are exploring a merger that could create a $3.5 trillion […]
October 21, 2026
BYD has officially launched its second-generation Seagull in China, combining five-minute charging with a price under €10,000. Even more remarkably, the entry-level version starts at around €8,400, despite being much larger and better equipped than its predecessor. Could the next European Dolphin Surf challenge the continent’s cheapest electric cars below €20,000? BYD launched the new […]
October 20, 2026
Renault Group CEO François Provost has openly challenged Britain’s plans to phase out new gasoline and diesel cars by 2030, calling the idea of banning non-electric vehicles ‘stupid’. His comments are striking from the head of a manufacturer investing billions in electric mobility, but they reflect Renault’s increasingly pragmatic approach to electrification. Speaking to The […]
October 19, 2026
Chinese automotive giant Changan is expanding its European offensive with the NEVO Q05, an affordable electric family SUV offering up to 450 km of range. Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show, it will reach European showrooms in early 2027. Meanwhile, Changan is adding plug-in hybrids to its Deepal range and exploring production in Europe. But […]
October 19, 2026
Belgian trade union leader Frank Moreels will become president of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) on January 1, 2027. He will lead one of the world’s most influential international labor organizations, representing 16.6 million workers across shipping, ports, road transport, aviation, railways and logistics. The appointment was formally confirmed by ITF’s Executive Board during […]
October 16, 2026
France and Germany have struck a provisional deal to soften Europe’s 2035 emissions rules in exchange for stronger protection of European car production. Although it still requires approval from other EU countries and the European Parliament, the compromise between the bloc’s two largest economies significantly increases its chances of becoming law. But Toyota, whose European […]
October 15, 2026
BMW plans to establish state-of-the-art production of power electronics and inverter components at its Steyr plant in Austria by 2029. This initiative aims to strengthen the Steyr plant’s technological expertise, increase value creation within the company, and further anchor key electric-mobility know-how in Austria. By the planned start of production in summer 2029, BMW aims […]
October 15, 2026
At the Paris Motor Show, Avatr confirmed rumors that it will enter Europe next year, starting in select markets. Within three years, the brand promises six models in the higher end of the market. But it risks becoming a leap of faith, reminiscent of Hongqi’s failed plans. Launching first in Norway and Spain, Avatr will […]
October 15, 2026
Just a few years ago, European aircraft manufacturer Airbus wasn’t particularly concerned about the rise of Chinese aircraft manufacturer Comac. These days, however, Airbus is carefully adjusting its language. “Hardly a week goes by without us discussing competition in China,” said Lars Wagner, Airbus’s Head of Commercial Aircraft, during a recent press conference in Toulouse. […]
October 15, 2026
The Portuguese government has chosen Lufthansa as TAP’s strategic partner. Lufthansa is acquiring a 44.9% minority stake in TAP Air Portugal, winning it from Air France-KLM. The deal is valued at approximately 1.2 billion euros. By choosing Lufthansa, the German group, which already owns Swiss, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, and ITA Airways, will expand its presence […]
October 14, 2026
Electric cars are becoming an unexpected buffer against the global oil crisis. In the Benelux alone, EVs now displace an estimated $1 billion in oil annually, according to the energy think tank Ember. Across the EU, electric mobility avoided $3.1 billion in oil consumption in just six months. And with battery-electric cars accounting for more […]
October 14, 2026
Automotive Cells Company (ACC) has celebrated its five-millionth French-made battery cell, just as shareholder Stellantis prepares to temporarily halt production at two factories because of insufficient battery supplies. So, behind the motor show glamour, mass production still has some caveats. How can a battery supplier meet its contractual commitments and still leave its biggest customer […]
October 13, 2026
The European Commission has selected 46 new strategic projects to strengthen the extraction, processing, and recycling of critical raw materials in the European Union, to reduce dependence on countries such as China. Two Belgian projects – one by Umicore in Hoboken and one by Comet Traitements in La Louvière – were also selected, as were […]
October 13, 2026
BYD is bringing its ultra-fast Flash Charging technology to its European model range with the new Atto 8, a seven-seat electric SUV unveiled at the Paris Motor Show. Known in China as the Tang L, it takes over the flagship position currently occupied by the Tang, sold in Belgium from €72,000. Offering up to 653 […]
October 13, 2026
As announced by the brand on many occasions, Smart kept its promise and revealed the production version of the #2 at the Paris Motor Show. Compared to its predecessor, the range has doubled, but the price has remained the same. Is the new two-seater a remedy for inflation? Adamant fans will not be disappointed. The […]
October 13, 2026
Renault has fully unveiled its electric E-Space Concept at the Paris Motor Show, revealing a futuristic six-seat interior that looks more like a living room than a conventional car. While the French manufacturer still has no plans to produce the MPV itself, it confirms that one of its most striking innovations, the 1.13-meter-wide OpenR Panorama […]
October 12, 2026
Tesla has abandoned one of its most controversial marketing claims in Europe. Its ‘Full Self-Driving (Supervised)’ software is now called ‘Tesla Assisted Driving’, following a compromise with the German government. But the change is more than cosmetic: it could help unlock the European market for Tesla’s advanced driving software, despite disagreements over speeding, safety and […]
October 12, 2026
Tens of thousands of people returned to the streets of Brussels on Sunday in one of Belgium’s largest climate demonstrations since the historic school strikes of 2019. Police counted 45,000 participants, while organizers estimated 60,000, roughly twice last year’s turnout. Yet the renewed mobilization comes as climate ambitions increasingly compete with economic pressures, wars, and […]
October 12, 2026
Europe has reached a preliminary agreement with China to restrict rapidly growing imports of Chinese hybrid cars, potentially cutting future shipments by more than half. But while Brussels celebrates a trade breakthrough, Beijing insists exports can continue growing. Meanwhile, a new Allianz Trade study suggests Europe’s automotive crisis is partly self-inflicted. Will protectionism give European […]
October 09, 2026
Renault’s strategy to make its electric models more affordable is taking shape. Following similar improvements to the Renault 5 in August, the French carmaker is introducing a new entry-level Renault 4 with a smaller LFP battery, a less powerful electric motor and a Belgian starting price of €27,600. That is €2,300 below the Renault 4’s […]
October 09, 2026
A dispute over a €365,000 invoice prompted the Dutch vehicle regulator RDW to scale back parts of its safety review of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) Supervised system, according to internal correspondence obtained by Reuters. The revelations raise fresh questions about the transparency and independence of Europe’s approval process, as Tesla pushes regulators to clear its […]
October 09, 2026
The reborn Freelander brand, jointly developed by Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and China’s Chery, has officially confirmed Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands among its European target markets. But the international Freelander 8 will be considerably different from the powerful Chinese version: its battery is almost halved, while output drops from 818 to 617 hp. As […]
October 08, 2026
After the Chinese government rejects voluntary export limits on hybrid cars to the EU, the European Commission is reportedly considering a quota combined with tariffs to achieve this. Rather than imposing blanket tariffs, Bloomberg sources indicate tariffs could be imposed on cars when their volume exceeds a certain level, creating a trade imbalance. After previously […]
October 08, 2026
European electric car drivers are venturing further afield than ever, with Austria and Italy recording spectacular growth in holiday charging sessions. But while range anxiety is fading, unpredictable charging bills remain a headache. One Dutch driver even received a bill exceeding €400 for a single charging session in Paris. New figures from the Dutch motoring […]
October 08, 2026
BMW continues to expand its ‘Neue Klasse’ family with the new iX4, a sporty electric SUV coupé positioned between the iX3 and the larger iX5. The model will launch in three all-wheel-drive variants, including the 450 kW iX4 M60 xDrive top version, which will also arrive in the iX3. Prices for the iX4 start at […]
October 07, 2026
Renault Group has appointed Carine Damois as its new Chief Financial Officer, bringing in an experienced finance executive from Michelin as CEO François Provost continues to shape his leadership team. She will take up the position on November 14. Damois has been Deputy CFO of Michelin since 2021 and has more than 20 years of […]
October 07, 2026
Renault spent the past decade gradually turning its pioneering Espace people carrier into an SUV. Now it seems to be reconsidering that decision. The new electric E-Space Concept goes back to the one-box proportions, spacious cabin and family-focused philosophy of the 1984 original. The concept will make its public debut at the Paris Motor Show […]
October 06, 2026
At a Port Summit in Meise, the ports of Flanders, the Netherlands, and North Rhine-Westphalia signed an agreement to collaborate more closely and effectively in the future, particularly in circular value chains and automated freight transport. Together, the ports and the surrounding industrial area form the European Union’s largest economic and logistical hub, generating about […]
October 06, 2026
Renault is doubling down on its French industrial base. In an interview with France Inter, CEO François Provost said the group intends to invest more than €10 billion in France over the next five years, mainly in electric mobility and more affordable cars. Renault had already put a more precise figure on that commitment in […]
October 06, 2026
Britain is weighing tariffs of up to 45 percent on Chinese electric cars, mirroring the EU duties. The trigger isn’t a sudden shift to protectionism. Brussels is threatening London with the loss of access to the EU market if nothing changes. Chinese brands are soaring in the UK, benefiting from tariff-free access. With the Jaecoo […]
