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
Chinese battery manufacturer Greater Bay Technology (GBT) has started series production of all-solid-state battery cells at its plant near Guangzhou. The company claims this is a world first, as all benchmark players are still trialing pilot lines. GBT, a battery cell developer backed by automotive group GAC, has officially opened its first factory for solid-state […]
October 15, 2026
With the largest stand, featuring no fewer than 60 models, Stellantis is making a strong statement at the Paris Motor Show. And that showed across all brands. Today we’re looking at concepts from Alfa Romeo, DS, Lancia, and Opel. And then there’s also Leapmotor. Stellantis and Leapmotor are deepening their collaboration far beyond distribution. This […]
October 14, 2026
In the third quarter of this year, the BMW Group delivered 551,072 cars, down 6.3% from Q3 last year. In contrast, the group sold 110,257 all-electric cars worldwide, up 7.2% year on year. Sales grew significantly in Europe and Germany. However, in the first nine months, the electric-vehicle balance sheet still showed a deficit. In […]
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
Stellantis’ biggest Italian brand, Fiat, brought a modern Italian piazza to the Paris Motor Show. Open, colorful, and welcoming, the stand shows the brand’s latest models and concepts in a meeting place inspired by everyday Italian life. Since 2021, Fiat has been Stellantis’ leading brand by volume, and in 2026 it has already sold more […]
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
Peugeot presented two electric concept vehicles at the Paris Motor Show: The E-T16 Concept draws inspiration from the 205 T16 rally car and is said to reference the new E-208 in its interior. The RCZ Vision represents an electric reinterpretation of the RCZ Coupe, featuring a solid-state battery. Like many other European brands in the […]
October 13, 2026
At the 2026 Paris Motor Show, Citroën is reviving an icon by unveiling the 2CV Concept, “a modern, ingenious and refreshing response to the mobility challenges of tomorrow”, as Citroën puts it. Inspired by the spirit of the original, this concept embodies the core values that have always defined the 2CV: affordability, lightness, practicality, versatility, […]
October 12, 2026
The Antwerp-based. shipping group CMB.TECH has launched the world’s first dry bulk carrier powered by ammonia. The vessel Mineral Europa has set sail on its maiden voyage to Australia. It is a Newcastlemax, an ore and coal carrier with a deadweight tonnage of approximately 210,000 metric tons. “The Mineral Europa heralds the fifth revolution in […]
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 12, 2026
Today is the press day at the Paris Motor Show; the show will be open to the public from tomorrow until the 18th. On the eve of the Paris Motor Show, Stellantis welcomed guests and media to “The Night Before”, an exclusive event at the iconic Hangar Y, in Paris. The event unveiled Stellantis’ vision […]
October 12, 2026
Russia’s electric-car and plug-in-hybrid market is booming, partly fuelled by petrol shortages following Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries. President Vladimir Putin now wants the country to develop cutting-edge battery technologies, as state-owned Rosatom opens its second gigafactory. But Russia’s EV ambitions face an uncomfortable reality: much of its electric-car industry still depends on Chinese […]
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 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
In the coming weeks, the French train manufacturer Alstom will build the last M7 double-decker railcars for the NMBS/SNCB railway company in Bruges. The last of the 751 ordered cars is expected to be ready by the end of the year, but after that, it is a complete unknown – or at best, full of question […]
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
Jaguar has officially unveiled its long-awaited Type 01 purely electric car in New York on Tuesday, October 6. The manufacturer is attempting to repeat the past, not with copycat styling from its bin of classics, but with a car so bold it turns heads like the sleek E-Type sports car once did. The Type 01 […]
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
BMW will significantly increase its use of generic components and reduce reliance on bespoke parts as it seeks to lower costs and improve profitability, reflecting a strategy that has helped Chinese automakers gain a competitive edge. The strategy will be a ‘key lever’ in improving BMW’s earnings, the company told investors at its capital markets […]
October 06, 2026
After mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, Skoda now adds two ‘full hybrid’ variants to its Octavia offering. It’s a first for Skoda and still a rarity within the Volkswagen Group, although that is likely to change. Since its launch in 1996, exactly 30 years ago, the Skoda Octavia has been offered with an extensive […]
October 05, 2026
Volvo Cars reported global sales of 141,609 cars in the third quarter of 2026, down 10.7% from the same period last year. Sales during the quarter were impacted by a further deterioration in market conditions in China, where industry volumes remained under significant pressure, as well as a slower-than-expected recovery in the U.S. As a […]
October 05, 2026
The BMW Group provided a first glimpse of its plans at its Capital Market Day 2026. The aim is to strengthen the company’s resilience and enhance the competitiveness of its structures. In this way, the BMW Group is preparing to face increasingly challenging market conditions in the years ahead. To achieve this, the company is […]
October 02, 2026
After entering the European market with cars under the MG brand, the Chinese SAIC group is now bringing electric buses to the old continent under the same brand name. And the specifications could give the competition reason to worry. MG Commercial has announced it will start selling electric buses in Europe. There is a growing […]
October 02, 2026
At its Capital Market Day 2026, the BMW Group provided deep insights into its corporate strategy. Among other announcements, the Munich-based automaker said it will unveil the all-electric iX4 later this year and plans to launch an electric compact car based on the Neue Klasse platform the year after next. The model will likely be […]
October 01, 2026
No decision will be made on October 1 regarding the possible nationalization of the nuclear reactors in Belgium operated by energy giant Engie. The Belgian government and Engie have agreed to postpone the deadline for negotiations on a possible takeover until November 4. According to the joint statement from the Prime Minister, the Ministry of […]
October 01, 2026
The BMW Group is investing around €2 billion in vehicle production and battery manufacturing to underscore Germany’s importance as a production hub. The company is ensuring that its plants are ready for the next generation of the BMW 3 Series. The 3 Series has been the heart of the BMW brand for over 50 years. […]
October 01, 2026
Stellantis is halting production at its French plants in Sochaux, Rennes, and Mulhouse for at least one week. In two cases, this is due to EV battery shortages, as supplier ACC struggles to meet demand for its nickel-based long-range batteries. According to Reuters, the plants in Sochaux and Rennes are temporarily halting production due to […]
September 30, 2026
Electric trucks deliver a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) in six out of nine major EU markets, which together account for 46% of all new heavy trucks sold in the EU, a new T&E report shows. In the Netherlands and Germany, savings can reach €100,000 and €85,000 respectively over five years, with electric trucks […]
September 30, 2026
Volkswagen has agreed on new joint ventures with its Chinese battery partner Gotion to bring LFP production to Europe. The move must speed up the switch from NMC to cheaper LFP chemistries while complying with the European Commission’s new Made in Europe draft. The deal between VW and Gotion reorganizes three projects already under construction […]
September 30, 2026
A study of millions of British vehicles has found that electric cars become more reliable than petrol cars exactly where used-car folklore says they become riskiest: at high mileage. New AutoMotive, an independent UK transport research organization, carried out the report. The company analyzed a large set of MOT tests – British for technical check-up […]
September 30, 2026
BMW has unveiled its new 3 Series, which for the first time includes an electric sedan, the i3. Based on the Neue Klasse platform, the i3 shares its technical toolkit with the iX3 SUV but pulls ahead on range. The Munich-based automaker is calling for a starting price of €59,900 in Germany (€58,450 in Belgium), […]
September 29, 2026
Volkswagen has confirmed what unions already leaked at the beginning of the year: its facelifted ID. 4 will return as the ID. Tiguan. The German carmaker has released camouflaged photos ahead of the world premiere in October, around the Paris Motor Show. Change in strategy As we reported back in January, IG Metall first let […]
September 29, 2026
Geely Auto, the mother company of Volvo and Polestar, has taken a 30% stake in Nio Power, the battery-swapping and charging unit of its Chinese rival. The interest seems bizarre. Barely a week earlier, Geely unveiled a fast-charging technology that makes swapping redundant. Only a few days ago, Geely unveiled a 2.2 Megawatt charger, topping […]
September 29, 2026
The Trump administration finalized a significant weakening of federal fuel economy standards for automobiles, rolling back a key policy that had pushed the industry to improve the efficiency of cars and trucks and sell more battery-electric vehicles. Automakers are expected to achieve a fleet average of 34.9 miles per gallon (mpg) for cars and light […]
September 28, 2026
BMW’s Gen6 high-voltage battery, a key technology of the Neue Klasse, has been recognized as a “Global New Energy Vehicle Innovative Technology” at the 2026 World New Energy Vehicle Congress (WNEVC) in China. The judges recognized the key technologies of the BMW Gen6 high-voltage battery based on the new BMW round cells with a high-nickel […]
September 28, 2026
Germany’s largest car manufacturer, Volkswagen, is recalling nearly 3 million vehicles because of possible corrosion in the steering mechanism. The German Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) announced this, explaining that a bolt in the system can corrode and impair proper steering function. 2.16 million Volkswagens of the models Golf, Golf Variant, Tiguan, Touran, and Caddy, produced between 2013 […]
September 25, 2026
Geely Auto has unveiled a 2.25-megawatt smart-charging system that charges its electric cars from 10 to 70% in four minutes and 30 seconds. That is roughly thirty seconds quicker than BYD’s latest Flash Charging 2.0 platform, the previous benchmark. The company officially announced the record-breaking charging system at its Safety Center in Ningbo. It’s not […]
September 25, 2026
The Belgian rail network operator Infrabel has signed a new contract with Siemens Mobility to maintain, further develop, and modernize the Operational Control System (OCS), a digital system that ensures trains run safely and smoothly across the Belgian railway network. The framework agreement, worth 215 million euros, will run for 11 years and is also […]
September 25, 2026
Renault has announced it will invest 600 million in two of its Spanish plants by 2030. This will allow the brand to produce new models and secure 6.000 jobs in the region. The goal is to prepare the group’s plants in Valladolid and Palencia to produce five new vehicles, including two electric cars. The investment […]
September 25, 2026
Canadian bumper manufacturer Plasman is closing its Ghent factory, costing more than 300 jobs. The announcement follows an earlier decision by axle-parts supplier Benteler to shut its nearby site next spring. The local supply network that once sustained Volvo’s assembly line is now effectively gone. But how come? Remaining production evaporated Plasman throwing in the […]
September 24, 2026
A few days before the official introduction of the first fully electric Bentley, the Torcal, a set of near-official pictures has leaked, thanks to the unstoppable hunger for exclusive news from sites like Cochespias. Bentley reacted by officially unveiling the car three days later, so in this update we replace the ‘spy photos’ with the […]
September 24, 2026
Volkswagen is adjusting production at several German plants as demand shifts faster than expected from combustion cars toward electric vehicles. Wolfsburg will build fewer ICE cars than initially planned, while EV production in Emden and Zwickau is increasing. “Turning point” The reversal is striking. Not so long ago, Volkswagen struggled with underutilized EV factories and […]
September 24, 2026
Chinese carmakers grabbed a record share of the European car market last month. But their advance is increasingly driven by plug-in hybrid sales. As many as one in three PHEVs now carry a Chinese badge. Chinese brands accounted for almost 12% of European new-car sales in August, according to figures from German market researcher Dataforce. […]
September 24, 2026
Nissan presents its electric microcar as the Pixo. It is closely related to the Renault Twingo Electric and the new Dacia Spring. All three electric vehicles will roll off the production line at the Renault plant in Novo Mesto, Slovenia. Nissan is scheduled to start deliveries of the Pixo in early 2027. Pricing remains a […]
September 23, 2026
If you thought the Tesla Cybertruck looked extreme, think again. Meet the Exobot Sedan and SUV, the first models built by the Saudi-Arabian company Ceer Motors. Ceer Motors is a relatively new carmaker, founded in 2022. The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) backs it and aims to diversify the country’s economy and reduce its dependence […]
September 23, 2026
Chinese automaker Leapmotor is removing the 12-volt battery from its future electric cars, relying solely on the high-voltage battery. The new approach is part of a broader redesign of the company’s technical architecture, which will increase cars’ interior space. While electric cars have a high-voltage battery to feed their electric motor(s), they also have a […]
September 22, 2026
Hyundai has revealed its new Tucson at a South Korean media event. Design-wise, the 5th generation of the popular mid-size SUV takes a completely different direction from the current model, launched in 2020. Hyundai is planning a major global product offensive over the coming years, including more than 40 new models in Europe alone. They will […]
September 22, 2026
BMW has increased production of the iX3 at its Debrecen plant from two to three shifts this month, effectively moving to round-the-clock manufacturing. The reason is strong demand: BMW has already said that 100,000 orders for the iX3 have been placed in Europe alone, and BMW North America is accelerating the market launch of the […]
September 22, 2026
Humanoid robots are reshaping the factory floor, especially in China. Toyota is joining the bandwagon, targeting 400,000 units to modernize its production infrastructure. Can the bots take over from humans? Toyota has told investors it may need 400,000 robots and roughly 1 trillion yen ($6.4 billion) a year from 2028 to upgrade its factories. The […]
September 22, 2026
Car industry workers protested across Germany on Monday, calling on management at major brands including Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz to secure jobs and provide a future outlook. Meanwhile, these important German manufacturers warn of factory closures or additional cost cuts. “Just like here at Volkswagen, workers in the automotive and supply industries are gathering all over […]
September 21, 2026
Flanders Minister of Mobility, Annick De Ridder (NV-A), has published the first safety data from three months of Tesla’s supervised self-driving system on Belgian roads. The encouraging results report only five minor incidents. At the same time, FSD had its deadliest month in the US. Since June, owners of Teslas equipped with FSD are allowed […]
September 21, 2026
Skoda CEO Klaus Zellmer, who has led the Volkswagen Group subsidiary to record profits while expanding its full-electric lineup, will succeed Hakan Samuelsson as chief executive officer and president at Volvo Cars. The appointment aims to bring proven leadership in electrification and profitability as Volvo navigates intense competition in premium electric vehicles and prepares to […]
September 18, 2026
According to EV Belgium, Belgium’s Electric Vehicle Association, current fossil fuel pump prices demonstrate, above all, that Belgium must look beyond temporary measures when oil prices rise. For EV Belgium, this trend confirms that the transition to electric mobility is no longer merely a climate issue, but also, increasingly, a matter of purchasing power, energy […]
September 18, 2026
Audi has seemingly postponed production of the all-electric Audi A4 e-tron to the first half of 2029. The reason, once again, appears to be issues with introducing the Volkswagen Group’s new SSP electric architecture. First introduced in 1994, the Audi A4’s model history has confused some customers in recent years: Audi changed its naming convention, […]
September 18, 2026
Former Renault and Alliance car executive Carlos Ghosn, who faces charges of corruption and influence-peddling in France, did not appear in court in Paris at the start of his trial on Wednesday. No lawyer appeared in court on behalf of the 72-year-old, who has fled to Lebanon, where he holds citizenship. The former Renault-Nissan chief […]
September 17, 2026
Volvo’s Gent factory is saved. During the Strategy 2026 call, the carmaker has confirmed that a second brand will roll off its production lines in the near future. No concrete names were unveiled, but a Geely-model seems most likely. No factory closures The employees at Volvo Car Gent can take a sigh of relief. During […]
