September 16, 2024
In China, details of the new Lynk & Co Z20 have prematurely leaked through the Ministry of Industry. The launch should be in Europe in October and in China at the Guangzhou Auto Show in November. This fully electric model is presumed to come to Europe as the Lynk & Co 02, as a second […]
September 16, 2024
In response to the (unofficial) ACEA proposal to the European Commission to delay the 2025 emission targets for two years, Stellantis boss Carlos Tavares said, “It would be surreal to change the rules now.” “Everyone has known about the rules for a long time and has had time to prepare, and so now it’s time […]
September 13, 2024
BMW Group’s Battery Cel Competence Center (BCCC) in Munich and the University of Zagreb’s Regional Center of Excellence for Robotic Technology are jointly developing solutions to improve the production of battery cells using Artificial Intelligence. Doctoral candidates and students at the University of Zagreb are collecting and structuring existing production data to identify particular patterns […]
September 13, 2024
According to a new study by research firm Transport&Mobility Leuven (TML), the Belgian bicycle economy is worth nearly a billion euros and has experienced growth of some 90% over the past eight years. Along with the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany, Belgium is one of the largest cycling countries in the world. Many car manufacturers see […]
September 13, 2024
Chinese carmakers making inroads with car factories in West Europe are met with warnings from their home administration. Beijing fears technical know-how drainage and a “wrong” reward over import tariffs, so domestic car brands are asked for caution. Despite these flagging signals, BYD will continue constructing its EV plant in Turkey. Beijing has warned its […]
September 13, 2024
You can’t have enough leverage in today’s daunting automotive landscape. General Motors, already in a close tie-up with Japanese brand Honda, is adding Hyundai to its list of partners. Both carmakers have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore a range of potential joint ventures. These include vehicle development, production, and the exploration of […]
September 13, 2024
Early in the morning on Friday, ‘white smoke’ came out of the negotiations between unions and management, which decided the factory would restart next Tuesday—first in the body and paint shop, later in the whole factory. From Tuesday on, the finished Audi Q8 e-trons will start delivering again to the dealerships, and the workers will […]
September 11, 2024
Tensions with unions are rising in Wolfsburg. Volkswagen has announced the termination of a 30-year-old job security agreement, signaling a significant shift in its labor policies and setting the stage for potential layoffs starting next July. The main culprits are declining car sales, a disappointing return on investment over low EV adoption, and increased competition. […]
September 11, 2024
In the wake of establishing a new European Commission, Italy and Spain are urging officials to revise the policies concerning the scheduled ban on combustion engine sales and the import tariffs for Chinese carmakers. Italy wants to accelerate the planned revision to the 2035 ban, which it calls ‘absurd’, while Spain calls for a less […]
September 10, 2024
The Brussels holding company D’Ieteren, known among other things as an importer of Volkswagen and car glass repairer Carglass, will eventually, after seven generations, be owned by only one branch of the family: Nicolas D’Ieteren and his investment vehicle, Nayarit. The latter is buying out his nephew Olivier Périer and his holding company, SPDG Group. […]
September 10, 2024
Volkswagen faces unprecedented challenges as it struggles to navigate an increasingly harsh economic landscape. It is facing plant closures in its home country and has replaced the Financial Director, as slow EV sales and rising competition are slowly strangling Europe’s number one car brand. CEO Oliver Blume says the challenging situation is “one we’ve never […]
September 10, 2024
BYD has launched an updated version of its flagship sedan. For 2025, the Han gets a new, fifth-generation hybrid system, a LiDAR option for the first time, and an 800-volt architecture for the electric variant. BYD also takes this mid-life refresh as an opportunity to lower the starting price to 165,800 yuan or around €21,000. […]
September 09, 2024
The oil price has dropped significantly again. A barrel of US WTI oil now costs 67.67 dollars, after the peak in April of around 87 dollars per barrel. A barrel of Brent North Sea oil now costs about 71 dollars a barrel, down from more than 90 dollars in April. The price drop, the lowest […]
September 06, 2024
As rumored before, BMW and Toyota officially announced their deepened partnership in developing a broader range of hydrogen cars on Thursday 5th of September. The first offspring that the collaboration for the next generation of fuel cell technology will bear is a mass-produced BMW FCEV by 2028. “The result of this collaborative effort will be […]
September 06, 2024
The Daimler Truck Supervisory Board has appointed Karin Rådström, the current CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks, as the new CEO of the entire Daimler Truck group. She succeeds Martin Daum, who leaves the company after 37 years of service. This is the first time in the company’s history that a woman has held the top spot. […]
September 06, 2024
Renault has unveiled a new concept car that reimagines a classic from its past: the Renault R17 Electric Restomod. Based on the sporty Renault 17 coupé from the 1970s, this modernized electric version was developed in collaboration with French designer Ora Ito. The R17 Electric Restomod is to remain a one-off and will make its […]
September 05, 2024
It sways the news headlines: the European car industry is facing one of the most challenging times in its 130-year history: reinventing itself in the much-needed energy transition while facing cutthroat competition from China. Still, EU car production jumped in 2023, nearing 15 million vehicles—nearly two million more than the previous year. China is the […]
September 04, 2024
Kia has unveiled the EV3, a new compact SUV with electric drive. The 4.30-meter-long model adopts many elements of the large EV9 inside and out; the platform is essentially the same. In Belgium, only the long-range version was available in August, starting at a special price of €39,090 (instead of 41,190) to be eligible for […]
September 04, 2024
Maxus Motors, part of the Chinese conglomerate SAIC, is bringing two new models in its commercial vehicle range to the IAA Transportation in Hannover later this month: the eTerron9, an electric ‘performance’ pickup, and the eDeliver5, a relatively compact electric van. Both models should join the Maxus model range by the end of the year. […]
September 04, 2024
Nearly two years after its unveiling, the Volvo EX90 is starting to reach customers. Software delays postponed the launch of the electric 7-seater SUV by around a year. The first United States and Europe customers are getting their cars this month, with deliveries ramping up between Q4 2024 and Q1 2025. The Volvo EX90 is […]
September 04, 2024
Cupra, a Volkswagen Group brand, has revealed the new Terramar. Unlike the brand’s new Tavascan, the new mid-size SUV isn’t electric. It shares its platform and powertrains with the new VW Tiguan, including a new plug-in hybrid powertrain with up to 100 km of range. The Tavascan, designed in Spain but built in China and […]
September 03, 2024
While the rest of Europe reports discouraging figures, Norway continues to set new benchmarks in electric vehicle adoption. In August, more than 94 percent of all new passenger cars registered were electric, a new record for the world’s forerunner in the EV transition. “This looks very promising to reach 100% as of January,” reacted secretary […]
September 03, 2024
According to the data of the sector federation, Febiac, 29,333 cars were registered in Belgium and Luxembourg in August 2024, a regress of -20,3% compared to the same month last year. Cumulated over the previous eight months, this means a decrease of 3.3% overall. It is noticeable that the segment of individual buyers is still […]
September 02, 2024
Tesla plans to start mass production of a seven-seat version of the Model Y at its Giga Shanghai plant in October, with the updated electric SUV set for launch in the Chinese markets. However, according to the National Business Daily, the new Model Y variant has already completed homologation for the European Union market. Officially, […]
September 02, 2024
What had become apparent over the past few days is now official: BYD is taking sales in Germany into its own hands. To this end, the Chinese car manufacturer founded BYD Automotive GmbH and took over Hedin Electric Mobility, the Hedin subsidiary previously responsible for BYD imports. There were increasing signs that BYD was dissatisfied […]
August 30, 2024
Polestar, the electric car brand of Geely and Volvo, announced the appointment of Michael Lohscheller as its new CEO. In October, he will succeed long-term CEO Thomas Ingenlath, who has held the position since 2017. The new appointment comes shortly after another significant change at the top of the board. On on October 1st, Lohscheller […]
August 30, 2024
It’s been a long runner-up toward the official release of Smart’s largest and most advanced model. After the showstopper concept at the Beijing Autoshow and the leaked images from the Chinese regulator, Smart has now cleared the official pictures and specifications on the #5. The all-electric SUV hits the heart of the electric car market, […]
August 30, 2024
According to data from ACEA, the European Manufacturers Association, new EU car registrations saw a modest increase (+0.2%) in July 2024. However, there were mixed results across the region’s four major markets: Italy (+4.7%) and Spain (+3.4%) recorded moderate gains, while the French (-2.3%) and German (-2.1%) markets experienced declines. Seven months into 2024, new […]
August 29, 2024
Chery Automobile, China’s fifth-biggest automaker with over 1.88 million vehicles sold worldwide last year, says it will take on Belgium from the end of Q4 2024 with two models: the Omoda 5 EV and the Jaecoo 7 PHEV. Officially, three dealers, one in Genk, one in Liège, and one in Luxemburg, were already presented, but […]
August 28, 2024
Sources familiar with the matter said on Tuesday that Toyota Motor Corp. and BMW AG will expand their tie-up in fuel cell vehicle (FCEV) operations in a bid to increase the competitiveness of their hydrogen-powered cars. Under the deeper partnership, which is due to be announced on September 5th, Toyota will provide key components, such […]
August 28, 2024
Nissan has unveiled some of its plans concerning solid-state battery technology, which will launch in a series-production EV by 2028. The Japanese manufacturer also hints that these smaller, more energy-dense batteries will be perfect for a sports car like the next-generation GT-R. Solid-state batteries are seen as the next big step in EV technology. Thanks […]
August 28, 2024
As of 1 October, Eddy Haesendonck is confirmed as CEO of Hedin Automotive for the whole Benelux region, while his colleague Henrik Lessèl, currently CEO of Hedin Belux, will become CEO of Hedin Germany, a fast-growing market for the Swedish group. In August 2022, Eddy Heasendonck, former CEO of BMW Belux, became CEO of Hedin […]
August 28, 2024
Xpeng is looking for a European production site because of the additional EU tariffs on imported electric cars from China. In addition, the Chinese start-up is intensifying its ongoing cooperation with Volkswagen. Xpeng’s CEO, He Xiaopeng, told Bloomberg that the company is initially selecting a production site in the EU and planning to set up […]
August 27, 2024
Volt Mobility, a commercial electric vehicle leasing company based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has ordered 3,000 Class 1 and Class 3 EV cargo vans and trucks from Mullen Automotive, a US-based company. The vehicles are meant to electrify last-mile delivery services in the Gulf Cooperation Council region (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, […]
August 27, 2024
SAIC Motor Corporation, the owner of the MG brand, which is currently the best-selling Chinese EV in Europe, is hatching a plan to export its popular MG4 model straight out of its Thai manufacturing plant to sail around the EU’s maximum 46.3% (36.3 % + 10%) import tax. According to Thai media, the factory was […]
August 27, 2024
Canada will implement a 100% surtax on all EVs made and imported from China from 1 October. Hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and fuel-cell vehicles are also included on the list. The list is long and includes any vehicle with at least an “electric motor as the motor for propulsion,” whether a bus, a truck, or a […]
August 26, 2024
Neta has officially launched the S Kombi, an all-electric estate made in China. It is offered in both range extender and full-electric versions. In the wake of the launch, the company announced that the 800-volt version would be built around the platform by battery manufacturer CATL. Despite its practical estate style, Neta has no plans […]
August 26, 2024
Chinese Build Your Dreams (BYD) jumped over Japanese carmakers Honda and Nissan in Q2 2024 to the seventh spot in the top ten of the world’s biggest car manufacturers. According to data from the automotive industry portal Marklines, it sold 980,000 units, a 40% growth, partly thanks to overseas sales. It tripled this year to […]
August 26, 2024
The global automotive industry is weakening, with German carmakers experiencing a continued decline in earnings during the first half of the year, according to a study by auditing and consulting firm EY released on Friday. German car giants Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz collectively earned €25.9 billion in operating profit (EBIT) from January to June, marking […]
August 23, 2024
A Honda executive has confirmed that the NSX supercar will soon get an electric successor. It will be built on Honda’s 0 Series EV platform, which aims to be as low-profile and light as possible, two essential characteristics for a sports car. Honda global executive vice president Shinji Aoyama told a round table of journalists […]
August 23, 2024
China’s automotive sector overcapacity is the root of its current trade tensions with the West. Though Beijing denies beefing up its production stock, a new German study has sized the capacity, highlighting the souped-up growth. And contrary to what one might think, the leading brand in production isn’t BYD. China’s automotive industry has rapidly expanded […]
August 22, 2024
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz was introduced to the U.S. market last year, and there is already a proposition for a camper conversion. At the same time, VW itself is hesitating to launch an ID. Buzz California camper version in Europe for fear of lack of demand. On the contrary, an American converter, Peace Vans, already […]
August 22, 2024
DSV, one of the largest transport companies in the world, based in Denmark, has ordered 300 electric trucks and 500 diesel and gas trucks from Volvo Trucks. This marks one of the largest orders of Volvo e-trucks to date, and the trucks will be delivered between 2024 and 2026. DSV is a Danish multinational specializing […]
August 22, 2024
Zeekr, Geely’s luxury electric car spin-off, has announced it will introduce a hybrid flagship to its line-up starting next year. Zeekr CEO Andy An confirmed the shift to combustion engine technology. It’s a watershed decision as the brand’s focus has been exclusively on battery electric vehicles until now. The trend of hybridized drivelines gaining more […]
August 22, 2024
Ford is recalibrating its electrification strategy yet again, canceling plans for a fully electric sport utility vehicle in a shift that may cost the carmaker around $1.9 billion. In addition to scrapping an all-electric three-row SUV that had already been delayed, Ford will postpone a next-generation electric pickup and reduce spending on EVs to 30% of […]
August 22, 2024
The EU Commission has presented the draft for the final additional tariffs on imported electric vehicles from China. The logic of the planned tariffs remains basically the same, but the respective tariff rates have been lowered slightly, and regulation is now also known for Tesla. Meanwhile, China has already reacted by opening an inquiry on […]
August 21, 2024
Chinese luxury car brand Denza, a joint venture between BYD and Mercedes-Benz, has officially launched its new Z9 GT. The flagship model, which takes the shape of a shooting brake, has up to 1,000 hp and 630 km of range. This new model will be critical in Denza’s international sales, as it should come to […]
August 21, 2024
Polestar’s SUV coupé 4 has finally hit the European streets. After presenting the model in the Spring of 2023, followed by the launch of production back in November and the sales launch in China, European customers are now getting their hands on Polestar’s latest model, expanding the model range up to three choices. 2024 didn’t […]
August 20, 2024
According to the Detroit News and Reuters, General Motors Co. is laying off more than 1,000 salaried employees globally in its software and services organization, including more than 600 employees working at its Global Technical Center in Warren (Michigan), to streamline its operations under new leadership. The layoffs represent about 1.3% of the company’s global […]
August 20, 2024
The Chinese car manufacturer Dongfeng Motor launched a new low-cost EV in Europe. Starting at around €23,000, the Dongfeng Nammi Box EV is one of the cheapest EVs in Europe at the moment. Dongfeng is one of China’s oldest and largest automakers. It was the second state-owned auto brand established following FAW. Dongfeng builds Nissan […]
August 19, 2024
Electric sports car manufacturer Rimac recently presented the hyper-GT Nevera and wants to develop a hyper-sports car based on it. Rimac has pursued this idea in the further development of its first Nevera model. The R model is even more powerful and, above all, equipped with a more dynamic chassis. And… it is strictly limited […]
August 19, 2024
According to data from South Korean market watcher SNE Research, hydrogen car sales are dropping fast worldwide. Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) experienced a marked decline in the first half of 2024, with sales falling by 34.1% compared to last year. The challenges for the FCEV industry keep growing. SNE Research says only 5,621 hydrogen […]
August 19, 2024
Lamborghini’s plan to become the first sports car brand with an entirely electrified line-up went live at the prestigious Monterey Car Week 2024, where the brand launched the Temerario. This all-new entry-level sports car replaces the Huracán. It aims to combine higher performance and higher sustainability with a plug-in hybrid driveline. Following the introduction of […]
August 19, 2024
Porsche is responding to the slower electric ramp-up. Following the recent changes in the production of the electric Taycan, the production of the combustion-powered Cayenne is also being extended. Meanwhile, it has acquired 32% of the shares of battery specialist Varta. Porsche has cautiously adjusted its target that more than 80% of cars delivered in […]
August 16, 2024
Acura, Honda’s premium North American brand, has unveiled the Performance EV Concept at Monterey Car Week. The electric SUV coupé previews a production model coming in 2025, built on Honda’s own EV platform and produced in Ohio at the Japanese manufacturer’s new EV Hub. It’s no secret that Honda has some catching up to do […]
August 16, 2024
A fire incident with an EV caused the South Korean Ministry of Transport to ask carmakers to disclose the names of their battery suppliers. Earlier this month, a fire broke out in the underground car park of an apartment complex in Incheon, South Korea. The fire was apparently caused by a Mercedes EQE. While the […]
August 16, 2024
While Mercedes is fully concentrated on launching the all-electric G-Class EV, the engineers from Arcade Cars are feasting on a throwback to the seventies. The London firm unveiled a GE230 featuring no tailpipe emissions through the conversion to battery power. But old habits die hard. The all-electric G-Class, officially known as the G580 with EQ […]
August 16, 2024
Alarm bells are ringing on both sides of the Atlantic over the free fall of used EV prices. Studies indicate these are up to 40% lower than a comparable gasoline car. Facing surging pressure on their profits, some leasing companies are threatening to exit EV adoption and return to the drivelines that keep their business […]
August 16, 2024
The BMW Group has entered into a strategic alliance in Mexico with Vemo, an operator of public charging stations. As part of the partnership, BMW is investing in constructing 144 new charging stations in the country. Other alliances in different South American countries will follow. The new charging points in Mexico are to be installed […]
August 16, 2024
American EV manufacturer Tesla removed the basic version of the Cybertruck, which costs $60,990, from the US configurator before the first deliveries of this variant began. Therefore, the new entry-level price for the electric stainless steel pickup is $99,990. Tesla CEO Elon Musk once promised the Cybertruck with a base price of $39,990, but it […]
