August 22, 2025
The German start-up Voltfang, which repurposes electric vehicle (EV) batteries for stationary battery energy storage systems (BESS), opened its first factory on Tuesday. Old electric car batteries – typically those still retaining at least 80% of their original capacity – will be given a new life as a renewable energy storage facility. Businesses and households […]
August 22, 2025
Windrose Technology, the Chinese electric truck developer headquartered in Antwerp, might face insolvency. One of its senior executives publicly accused the company of failing to pay employees, while staging misleading announcements. Windrose’s Director of Customer Success and Operations, Kyle Maki, wrote on LinkedIn that the company is now 90 days behind on payroll and has […]
August 22, 2025
The Austrian motorcycle and sports car manufacturer KTM is in dire straits. It has to reorganize and sell its car division to Verlinvest, the investing firm of the well-known Belgian family De Mevius. KTM is known as a motorcycle manufacturer, but twenty years ago, it launched the X-Bow, a barchetta-style open sports car designed to […]
August 22, 2025
From January 2026, Volvo Car Gent will discontinue its own bus transport service for its approximately 6,500 employees. The decision to terminate the private bus service comes as no surprise: only 98 employees still use the service. The bus service had, therefore, become too expensive to continue. Together with the personnel department, a solution is […]
August 22, 2025
Porsche reportedly plans to shut down its battery unit, Cellforce, nearly. According to a media report from the German magazine Der Spiegel, all that will remain at the Cellforce site in Kirchentellinsfurt, Swabia, is “at best a small unit for research and development.” Porsche itself has declined to comment. Meanwhile, the sports car manufacturer seems […]
August 22, 2025
Indian vehicle manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra is rolling out an electric SUV that looks more at home in Gotham City than on Mumbai’s streets. Meet the BE 6 Batman Edition, a limited-run vehicle developed in partnership with Warner Bros. As Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy inspires it, it is very cinematic indeed. And it saves […]
August 21, 2025
Ford is promising more affordable electric vehicles, but it’s still looking to make a profit with EVs. After kicking off production at its new EV battery plant in Kentucky, Ford seems to be looking for customers other than itself and selling batteries to whoever wants them. According to a new report from Bloomberg, Ford’s battery […]
August 21, 2025
Elon Musk has quietly abandoned his brief attempt to carve out a new political movement in the US. According to the Wall Street Journal, he has shelved his plans for an “America Party”. However, it isn’t just Tesla’s struggle with falling sales, lawsuits, and deepening investor unease that has shaped its decision. The billionaire, who […]
August 21, 2025
South Korean carmaker Kia has started production of its EV4 full-electric hatchback at its Žilina plant in Slovakia. It’s the first Kia electric vehicle to be manufactured in Europe, although the factory itself opened in 2004, in a land that has rapidly become a ‘magnet’ for car factories. And there are good reasons why. Designed […]
August 20, 2025
As the saying goes: Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. And with the still marginal market share of electric trucks, odds are that many transporters haven’t yet experienced them in real life. That’s why Scania is bringing its fully electric range to 14 European cities between mid-August and mid-December. As not many incentives are […]
August 20, 2025
Tesla is reversing one of its most controversial design decisions. Two years after stripping the Model 3 of its traditional steering column stalks in the Highland refresh, the automaker is now reintroducing the turn signal lever—at least in China. The decision is not about giving customers options, but instead admitting a design flaw due to […]
August 20, 2025
The Antwerp-based maritime group CMB.TECH is acquiring Golden Ocean, the Norwegian dry bulk shipping company. The acquisition, not a traditional cash acquisition but a merger through a share exchange, was approved yesterday by Golden Ocean’s shareholders during an extraordinary general meeting in Hamilton, Bermuda’s capital. The merger will make CMB.TECH one of the largest listed […]
August 20, 2025
According to the French 24-hour rolling news channel, BFM TV, there is growing concern among Renault staff about possible drone production in France or Ukraine, as first suggested by the government in June. The channel, one of France’s most-watched news channels similar to CNN or Sky News, quoted a Force Ouvrière union representative saying: “Many […]
August 19, 2025
Chinese car manufacturer BYD’s new all-terrain circuit is the first of its kind in China, and it’s pretty wild. It’s more than a test track. The complex is essentially a playground for electric vehicles with indoor dunes, ice fields, off-road mountains, and high-speed racetracks. It even has a pool. It shouldn’t be open only to […]
August 19, 2025
At the event in Emden, where a VW top brass handed over the 1.5 millionth ID. model, VW sales chief Martin Sander was calling for greater government support to accelerate the shift to electric vehicles. Meanwhile, VW introduced a power hike on its ID.3 EV by subscription. First reactions aren’t that enthusiastic. “We need a […]
August 18, 2025
Geely Group’s Livan Automotive has pulled the covers off its latest entry in China’s booming micro-EV segment. It bears a name that is all too familiar to the Belgian public: the Livan Smurf, named after the beloved comic characters from Peyo, is a compact, four-seat hatchback priced to compete directly with bestsellers like the Wuling […]
August 18, 2025
Following Håkan Samuelsson’s return to the CEO position in the spring, Volvo Cars has made further changes to its top management team. In addition, there will be managers responsible for the individual product lines in the future. In March, Volvo’s board of directors dismissed CEO Jim Rowan and appointed his predecessor, Håkan Samuelsson, as his successor […]
August 18, 2025
Volkswagen and its Chinese partner Xpeng have been developing a joint E/E architecture, set to be integrated into the Wolfsburg-based carmaker’s EV platforms CMP and MEB. Now, both companies have decided to extend the partnership to include plug-in hybrids and internal combustion engine models. These will be plug-in hybrid and ICE models sold exclusively in […]
August 18, 2025
A new ‘Center for Special and Individual Paintwork’ is about to be built at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing. Over the next two years, an investment of more than €30 million will enable the construction of a new southern extension to the existing paint shop. Construction is scheduled to commence in September 2025, with the new […]
August 14, 2025
According to Bloomberg, BNP Paribas is in late-stage negotiations with Mercedes over the acquisition of its European leasing subsidiary Athlon. The deal would further consolidate the fleet management landscape after ALD Automotive and LeasePlan merged to Ayvens. Earlier this year, news broke that Mercedes was scouting for a possible buyer for its leasing arm, Athlon, […]
August 14, 2025
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has once again lowered its global oil demand growth forecast for 2025 to 680,000 barrels per day (bpd), down from previous estimates of around 700,000 bpd. This reflects oversupply and weak consumption across major economies like China, India, and Brazil. This marks the slowest demand growth since 2009, excluding the impact […]
August 13, 2025
A new kind of charging station is cropping up in the US — and you can’t miss it. Quite literally. Dubbed ‘EV totems’, these tall poles pair electric vehicle chargers with high-definition advertising screens mounted several meters above the ground. The idea is part infrastructure upgrade, part digital billboard. Blink, the American firm rolling out […]
August 13, 2025
Daimler Truck, Volvo Group, Paccar, and Traton have sued California over its obligation to follow the state’s emissions rules, joining US President Trump in the war against EV mandates. The truck manufacturers want to follow the less stringent federal regulations and disregard the state-level emissions rules that have been in place for decades. In June, […]
August 13, 2025
BMW plans to expand its lineup with a rugged utility model to challenge the iconic Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Production of the rock crawler is scheduled for the second half of 2029 at BMW’s plant in Greer, South Carolina, US, two people with knowledge of the plan told Automotive News. A BMW spokesperson declined to comment on […]
August 13, 2025
According to Arval Mobility Observatory, three smaller BEVs lead the list of most ordered company cars at leasing and mobility solutions company Arval. Although the BMW iX1 remained the number one in the second half of 2024, it has now been overtaken by the Kia EV3 and the Skoda Enyaq. “We knew these smaller BEVs […]
August 12, 2025
The head of German carmaker Mercedes-Benz has highlighted the challenges facing the company in an interview with the German business newspaper Handelsblatt. CEO Ola Källenius, also the current President of ACEA, warns of a European car market collapse if the ban on ICE vehicles in 2035 is implemented. Källenius proposes to drop an actual date […]
August 12, 2025
After 28 years, the curtain is coming down in the Netherlands on one of the world’s most iconic hybrids: the Toyota Prius. From September, the model will be removed from the line-up. Outside the Netherlands, the Prius will remain in production and on sale. The decision draws particular attention as the current generation of the […]
August 12, 2025
At Ford, they’re talking about a new ‘Model T moment’. That’s how important they estimate the venue of the ‘Universal EV Platform’ linked with a new production system that reduces weight, parts, and cost. The American car manufacturer is preparing to launch a family of affordable electric vehicles based on this new Ford Universal EV […]
August 12, 2025
Global lithium markets are surging after the world’s largest battery manufacturer, China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), suspended operations at one of the country’s biggest mines. The shutdown followed after the Beijing administration blocked the mine’s permit to curb industrial overcapacity. The Jianxiawo mine is no small working field. It accounts for an estimated 5-6% of […]
August 11, 2025
Summer is only halfway over, but last Sunday, last year’s Belgian record of 408 hours of negative electricity prices was broken. This means that once again, we generated more electricity than we consumed, causing the price to drop so much that it fell below zero euros. A significant factor contributing to these frequent negative prices […]
August 11, 2025
BYD’s luxury performance brand Yangwang is preparing to unleash one of the most powerful electric cars ever built. New regulatory filings in China reveal a Track Edition of its U9 supercar boasting more than 3,000 hp. Lotus Evija and Rimac Nevera: beware! China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) regularly discloses models ahead of […]
August 11, 2025
Energy company Engie has successfully fired up its new combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant in Flémalle, near Liège, for the first time, completing extensive tests of all essential systems. The first ignition marks the transition from the construction phase to the operational testing phase. By November, the plant is expected to add approximately 875 […]
August 11, 2025
As part of its 2024 joint venture with BAIC, Beijing Hyundai will launch the EO in September, its first EV developed specifically for China. The production model of the electric SUV, formerly known as the Elexio, will be called the EO and is scheduled to hit the Chinese market in September 2025. Beijing Hyundai reportedly […]
August 11, 2025
Tesla will be a no-show at next month’s IAA Mobility trade fair in Munich, a striking absence from one of Europe’s most high-profile automotive events. The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), which organizes the biennial show, confirmed the U.S. electric vehicle maker’s decision but did not explain. Tesla hasn’t commented officially yet on […]
August 11, 2025
The Chinese technology group and recent electric car manufacturer Xiaomi has hired Kai Langer, former head of design at BMW i. Kai Langer worked for BMW for over 20 years and joined Xiaomi on August 1st. Langer will remain based in Munich, where Xiaomi operates a research and development center. Langer’s exact role at Xiaomi […]
August 08, 2025
The deepening ties between General Motors and Hyundai for the American market are materializing. Their new vehicle collaboration will kick off with a jointly developed electric van launching by 2028 in the US, followed by four additional zero-emission models. The van—intended to sit beneath GM’s existing BrightDrop lineup—will be based on a Hyundai platform, likely […]
August 08, 2025
Lyten, a US-based battery start-up backed by Stellantis, has agreed to acquire the remaining assets of the collapsed Swedish battery maker Northvolt. The company stated that it aims to continue the plans already in place by previous management. The buy-in restores Europe’s faltering ambitions of building a homegrown battery industry, although under American wings. The […]
August 07, 2025
Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng has set a new internal sales record with the launch of its new-generation P7 saloon, drawing more than 10,000 pre-orders just 6 minutes and 37 seconds after bookings opened. The response marks the fastest uptake for any Xpeng model to date. It highlights Xpeng as a new force to be […]
August 06, 2025
Its size and bulky design speak against it, but General Motors managed to set a record with a range for the Chevrolet Silverado EV. The pickup clocked up an astonishing 1,059.2 miles, or 1,705 kilometers, on a single charge. That’s the longest distance ever driven by an electric road car without plugging in. That figure, […]
August 06, 2025
Polestar’s presence in China, once considered a crucial pillar of its global electric vehicle ambitions, is rapidly eroding. The Swedish-Chinese brand has seen its retail footprint in the country shrink to a single store in Shanghai, while online sales have been suspended and test drives are only available by phone appointment. For many observers, this […]
August 05, 2025
Adrian Mardell, CEO of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), wants to retire after around three years in the top job. Under his leadership, the British manufacturer achieved its highest profit in ten years, significantly reduced its debts, and recently undertook a controversial rebranding of the Jaguar brand. JLR is changing CEOs at a perilous time. Mardell […]
August 05, 2025
The best-selling Mercedes-Benz SUV is going electric, and it’s bringing a new style with it. Mercedes promises the new GLC EV “redefines” the face of the luxury brand. At the same time, it serves as a signal of Mercedes’ powertrain diversification. It’s no secret that Mercedes-Benz’s somewhat egg-shaped EQ electric cars haven’t caught on. Despite […]
August 05, 2025
Harley-Davidson, the storied American motorcycle maker known as much for its rumbling engines as its rebel image, has appointed Artie Starrs (48) as its next boss. But the move comes not from a position of strength, but under pressure. The unrest in the company’s boardroom and among its loyal, yet disillusioned, followers runs deep. Starrs […]
August 05, 2025
Volvo has been producing the European version of the EX30 in Belgium since April. Now it is gearing up the production of the model in its Ghent factory. Meanwhile, Volvo’s July sales were down again, 14% less than in the same period last year. The production acceleration of the EX30 in Ghent is not only […]
August 05, 2025
Renault will stay resolute in its commitment to full-hybrid (HEVs) and electric cars (BEVs), essentially dismissing the usefulness of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) as it transitions to a fully electrified range. Renault has just been crowned the number two car manufacturer in Europe, behind Volkswagen, but now ahead of Toyota, in the first half of 2025. […]
August 04, 2025
Negotiations between 175 countries will begin tomorrow in Geneva, Switzerland, on an international and historic treaty aimed at drastically reducing plastic pollution. A legally binding treaty is expected to be ready within two weeks, marking a breakthrough comparable to the Paris Climate Agreement. Plastic pollution is a massive environmental problem. From plastic bags in the stomachs of sea […]
August 04, 2025
According to the Federal government service Mobility & Transport and the sector federation Febiac, 31,613 new cars have been registered in July 2025, 1.7% less than in the same month last year. Once again, the individual buyers bought more cars (+7.3%), while the professional market decreased again (-7.4%). Looking at the first seven months of […]
August 04, 2025
On the last day of July, Renault Group communicated its financial results for the first half of 2025. They weren’t exactly rosy, but the manufacturer still performed better than a lot of its competitors. On his first day as new CEO, François Provost promised ‘continuity and perseverance’. Renault Group announced on Thursday an adjusted benefit […]
August 01, 2025
BMW reported a sharp drop in first-half profits on Thursday, weighed down by US tariffs, currency headwinds from the dollar, and challenging business conditions in China. The Munich-based automaker reported a post-tax profit of €4 billion, down 29% from the same period last year, marking the third consecutive decline in the first half for the […]
August 01, 2025
Peter Kronschnabl, a senior figure from the BMW Group, has been appointed as the MD of Genesis Motor Europe. He takes over from Xavier Martinet, President & CEO of Hyundai Motor Europe, who previously served as interim Managing Director for Genesis MotorEurope. According to Genesis, Kronschnabl will head up the premium South Korean EV brand’s […]
July 31, 2025
New Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa promised “tough decisions” to turn around the money-losing automaker, a raft of new and returning models, and a fresh executive team eager to “roll up our sleeves” and build on encouraging signs in the first half of 2025. But he and CFO Doug Ostermann, speaking to analysts on July 29 from Stellantis […]
July 30, 2025
Our assumptions earlier today that François Provost would be nominated as the new CEO of the Renault Group have been confirmed. The official announcement came late in the afternoon. “The Renault Group Board of Directors, meeting today (Wednesday, July 30) under the chairmanship of Jean-Dominique Senard, decided, following recommendation from the Governance and Remuneration Committee, […]
July 30, 2025
An analysis by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) of CO2 fleet emissions for new cars in H1 of 2025 shows that the car industry currently exceeds the EU limit by nine percent. This breach should actually trigger fines payable to the European Union. Due to the recent flexibilisation, that will not happen. The […]
July 30, 2025
Every category of commercial vehicles has faced negative results in the first half of 2025 in Europe. Vans and trucks suffered the most, but buses have remained relatively stable, thanks to their large share of electrification. However, the sector warns that the conditions are still not suitable for the mass adoption of electrified heavy commercial […]
July 30, 2025
According to Bloomberg and Le Figaro, the Renault board will announce today that François Provost, Chief Purchasing Officer at Renault, will be appointed to a new position as CEO of the Renault Group, in succession to Luca de Meo, who left the group suddenly to lead the Kering luxury group. One could say that Provost […]
July 29, 2025
Global sales of electric cars are picking up speed again, driven by strong growth in China and renewed momentum in Europe, according to a new analysis by consulting firm PwC. In the first half of the year, more than 5.9 million battery electric vehicles (BEVs) were registered worldwide, a 37% increase compared to the same […]
July 29, 2025
It was already known that the Flemish government provides compensation support to major CO2 emitters. But according to the newspaper De Standaard, that support has increased from 36 million euros in 2019 to almost 270 million euros today. The top 10 beneficiaries include large companies, such as ArcelorMittal, BASF, ExxonMobil, and TotalEnergies. The support concerns the […]
July 29, 2025
Stellantis has lured away Gilles Vidal, design chief at Renault, from its main French competitor. As head of design, Vidal will oversee the future design steps for all the European brands, including LCVs, at Stellantis. The move, announced last Friday, is a homecoming for Vidal, who spent 25 years as a designer at Citroën and […]
July 29, 2025
The FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) has extended its partnership with the all-electric racing series Formula E by ten years. Formula E will thus remain the exclusive, fully electric, single-seater category with FIA World Championship status, at least until 2048. While manufacturers and fans are mainly looking ahead to the next season starting in December […]
July 28, 2025
The German parcel and postal group DHL has doubled its fleet of electric Ford vans with the addition of 2,400 units, bringing the total to 4,900 vehicles. In total, DHL has a fleet of 35,000 e-vans in Germany. Both the larger Ford E-Transit and the more compact E-Transit Custom are part of this new expansion. […]
