July 03, 2023
Dealer group Ghistelinck (Mercedes dealerships in West Flanders and the north of France) starts a partnership with United NRJ, owner of MIG Motors. It buys 50% of the shares of MIG Motors right now, and normally the other 50% of the shares will be purchased within the next five years. MIG Motors represents nine dealers […]
July 03, 2023
Wolfgang Bremm von Kleinsorgen (52) is the new CEO of Mercedes-Benz Belgium and Luxembourg and of Mercedes-Benz in the Netherlands as of 1 September. Bremm von Kleinsorgen, a German-speaking Luxemburger, already had a long career at the German manufacturer, starting with Mercedes-Benz Trucks in 1997. He is currently the Head of Mercedes-Benz for Central and […]
July 03, 2023
The Volkswagen Group also opens up to Tesla’s fast charging system in North America. VW’s charging infrastructure subsidiary Electrify America announces that it will integrate the NACS connection into its fast charging stations in the USA and Canada. While Volkswagen is still weighing its options to avoid losing US customers, Polestar confirmed the move entirely. […]
June 30, 2023
Renault delays the stock market introduction of its all-electric subbrand Ampere to the first half of 2024. The French car maker points to a less-than-ideal market climate, but the postponed launch of the all-electric R5 is also playing its part. Renault is pushing forward with a revolutionary plan to launch 18 new models by 2025, […]
June 30, 2023
At the beginning of the year, Polestar released a comprehensive facelift for the 2024 model year of the 2, including new e-motors and more powerful batteries. Variants with a single-motor switched to rear-wheel drive, analogous to the electric drive system update for the Volvo models XC40 and C40, technically a twinned model. There’s one big […]
June 30, 2023
Lotus has already revealed the final pricing and specifications of its Eletre electric ‘Hyper-SUV’, and the first all-electric Lotus is now available for configuration in Europe. Lotus is launching sales of the Eletre in parallel in Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland. In the UK, the electric SUV is […]
June 30, 2023
The Volkswagen Group has ousted Marcus Duesmann as CEO of Audi, as the brand falls short of its main rivals, Mercedes and BMW, on innovation. Duesmann will be replaced by an insider, Gernot Döllner, who takes over at the helm of the German luxury brand as of the 1st of September. Duesmanns replacement doesn’t come as […]
June 29, 2023
Following a troubled relationship with its investment and manufacturing partner Foxtron, electric pickup maker Lordstown Motors has filed for protection against debtors. In the eponymous town, the company had the Endurance assembled in a factory that it had sold to the Taiwanese firm. But as the latter allegedly broke the terms of an investment agreement, […]
June 29, 2023
Given the current level of performance of Renault Group, which is above initial expectations, the group upgrades its financial outlook for the full year 2023. It expects an operating margin between 7% and 8% (6% before) and an automotive-operational free cash flow superior to or equal to €2,5 billion (€2 billion previously). “This improvement is […]
June 28, 2023
According to the works council, Volkswagen has temporarily reduced the production of electric cars at its Emden plant. The reason for this is weakening sales. This apparently affects not only the ID.4 but also the production start-up of the new electric sedan ID.7. Demand is almost 30% below the planned initial production figures, it was […]
June 28, 2023
On Tuesday, the BMW Group took a significant step toward building electric vehicles in the United States as it broke ground for a new high-voltage battery assembly plant in Woodruff, South Carolina. The Woodruff plant will produce sixth-generation batteries to supply fully electric vehicles at nearby BMW Manufacturing in Spartanburg. More than 300 jobs will […]
June 28, 2023
As part of Volvo Cars’ aim to be a fully electric carmaker by 2030, Volvo joins Tesla, Ford, and GM in North America using the North American Charging Standard (NACS), recently launched by Tesla. “The company is the first European carmaker to sign an agreement with Tesla, giving current and future electric Volvo car drivers […]
June 28, 2023
Michelin and the French postal services are partnering for a two-year test of airless tires. A European-first, forty yellow ‘La Poste’ vans will be equipped with Michelin Utips tires by the end of 2024 in the Hauts-de-France region. Currently, this is the only airless tire being used on open public roads in Europe. With that, […]
June 28, 2023
Avesta Battery and Energy Engineering (ABEE), a Brussels-based start-up specializing in battery and energy technologies for e-mobility, plans to build a large-scale battery factory for electric vehicles in the Romanian city of Galați. That is what the ABEE founder and CEO Noshin Omar announced on Tuesday during a press conference in Ninove (Belgium), where Prime […]
June 28, 2023
The 14-brand-strong group, Stellantis, is launching a new ecosystem for electric vehicle charging under the umbrella of Free2Move Charge. The new entity will allow clients to install and finance home chargers, with options ranging from AC charging to Vehicle-2-grid (V2G) systems. Furthermore, it’ll give access to almost all of Europe’s charging points. The Stellantis group […]
June 27, 2023
Skoda has unveiled some technical details of its next-generation Kodiaq family SUV, which will get a plug-in hybrid drivetrain for the first time. The model is launching before the end of 2023 and should share its technical basis with the future Superb. The second-generation Skoda Kodiaq will build on the practical strengths of its predecessor, […]
June 27, 2023
French sportscar builder, Alpine, has confirmed its electric ambitions for the future. By 2030, the brand will have launched seven fully electric cars, including a future A110 coupé, a roadster, and a new A310 4-seat coupé, to sit on a new dedicated platform. In Formula 1, Alpine Racing Ltd. gets a €200 million investment to […]
June 27, 2023
Prepping for its first battery-powered model in 2025, the British sports carmaker has announced a partnership with American EV start-up Lucid for the supply of batteries and powertrain technology. For Lucid, which gains a 4% stake in Aston Martin in return, it’s the first partnership of this kind. While combustion-engine parts can easily be shared […]
June 27, 2023
Mobia, the overarching partnership between the car sector federations Febiac, Traxio, and Renta, warns of a shortage in public charging points in Belgium if we don’t have an additional 100 installed every day between now and 2030. As taxation rules on cars change in a few days and not only ICE cars but also plug-in […]
June 26, 2023
Toyota has revealed the production version of its second-generation C-HR, which shares the striking design and plug-in hybrid drivetrain of the recently launched Prius. The development work of this hybrid crossover was done by Toyota’s R&D Center in Zaventem, Belgium, while the production of the model will come from Europe. De design of this new […]
June 26, 2023
In an open letter to the EU, 41 firms call for bigger ambitions on the greening of transportation in the logistics sector. Among the companies are Heineken, Nike, the Colruyt Group, and shippers like DFDS and Maersk. They say that increasing the targets will lower costs and make it easier to decarbonize fleets. More precisely, […]
June 23, 2023
The US Department of Energy (DOE) plans to loan $9,2 billion to the joint venture BlueOval SK between Ford Motor and South Korean battery maker SK On for its battery plants in Kentucky and Tennessee. A massive loan that nearly matches the $11,4 billion the companies themselves are investing in the project. It marks the […]
June 23, 2023
At the Goodwood Festival of Speed, British EV start-up McMurtry stunned the crowds breaking the hill climb record. The blistering run has spawned the necessary interest in this 1 000 bhp single-seater so that the Spéirling Pure will go into production. As a supercar for the modern ages, the Spéirling Pure builds its performance upon […]
June 23, 2023
The French charging infrastructure specialist Electra has opened its first fast-charging station in Belgium at the shopping site of Maasmechelen Village (in the east of Limburg province). Electra is teaming up with LSGI Group, one of the largest developers and operators of large shopping malls, to build these stations in places where many people come […]
June 23, 2023
Smart has announced another variant of its Smart #1 electric model. The #1 Pulse is planned to hit German roads still in 2023. This will be the second all-wheel-drive variant next to the Brabus offshoot and top model. Orders can be placed now in the ‘Bundesrepublik’ at prices starting at €46 490. Other European markets […]
June 22, 2023
Belgian Energy Minister Tinne Van der Straeten (Groen) wants more large battery farms to store energy temporarily. The minister also plans to provide subsidies for it. With the growing amount of energy from solar panels and wind farms, she expects much storage capacity will be needed to maintain balance on the grid. Solar and wind […]
June 22, 2023
After a long wait, Opel has finally finished the development of its Astra Electric, which means we got to drive it. Thanks to its new Nidec electric motor, the compact hatchback promises, quite frankly, astonishing efficiency figures. Or is it too good to be true? In the battle between the technically similar e-308 and Astra […]
June 22, 2023
Panasonic and Mazda announced they have agreed to enter into discussions on establishing a medium- to long-term partnership for automotive batteries with round cells. The tentative language suits Mazda’s relatively relaxed approach towards electrification, yet the timeline also fits. Mazda said it would commence “concrete discussions” with a view toward Panasonic Energy supplying the carmaker […]
June 22, 2023
The Volvo FL and FE Electric distribution trucks have received a significant battery upgrade, offering 42% more capacity and increasing the range to 450 km. According to Volvo Trucks, this significantly increases the usability of these electric trucks, making them suitable to “replace our customers’ entire fleet of diesel city trucks”. The FL and FE […]
June 22, 2023
Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume presented its vast reorganization plan for the group on Wednesday at the group’s Capital Markets Day. A severe cost-cutting exercise is needed to remain competitive, and the group wants to increase electric sales in China and the U.S. “If the bulk of our revenues still comes from Europe, the growth […]
June 22, 2023
In May 2023, the EU car market saw a significant increase in passenger car registrations, with nearly 1 million units, marking an 18,5% growth from the previous year, according to the figures of the European car manufacturers association (ACEA). This is the tenth consecutive month of growth. All the EU’s four largest markets grew, with […]
June 21, 2023
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) calls for a three-year postponement to restrictive rules on EU-UK electric vehicle trade, set to come into force in six months. Otherwise, tariffs could total € 4,3 billion, potentially reducing electric vehicle production by some 480 000 units, according to ACEA. Goods exported under EU free-trade agreements must comply […]
June 21, 2023
French energy provider, Engie, launches Vianeo. Under this new brand dedicated to electric mobility, the company aims to develop 12 000 electric charge points across France by 2025. In addition to that, the company confirms that “about one hundred” fast chargers will be built in Belgium too. Engie isn’t one to miss the transition to […]
June 21, 2023
Daimler Truck has celebrated the build of its 1 000th eCitaro electric low-floor bus for city use, available in fixed and articulated variants. Now, the Mannheim plant is gearing up for the hydrogen variant of the eCitaro, which uses a fuel cell as a range extender. The Mercedes-Benz eCitaro has been in production since 2018, […]
June 21, 2023
On Tuesday, June 20th, global materials technology and recycling group Umicore inaugurated one of the world’s most advanced solid-state battery material prototyping facilities in Olen (Belgium). Solid-state batteries are expected to propel electric mobility and complement Umicore’s world-leading portfolio of battery materials technologies. The new 600 m² facilities with state-of-the-art installations and equipment support the […]
June 21, 2023
Car manufacturing group Stellantis, the world’s number four, and Taiwanese contract manufacturer Foxconn have announced the formation of SiliconAuto, an equally owned joint venture for developing and selling advanced semiconductors, particularly for electric vehicles. Like Stellantis, SiliconAuto will be headquartered in the Netherlands and is expected to supply the automotive industry, including Stellantis and Foxconn, […]
June 21, 2023
Renault has unveiled the senior management team for its EV and software subsidiary Ampere. Luca de Meo, currently CEO of the Renault Group, will personally take charge of the new management team, and two managers will join him to handle day-to-day operations. Josep Maria Recasens and Vincent Piquet will be appointed Chief Operating Officer and […]
June 20, 2023
Indian low-cost airline IndiGo has ordered 500 Airbus A320 aircraft. By volume, this is the largest contract ever concluded in civil aviation. The contract represents a theoretical list price of 55 billion dollars. The aircraft are to be delivered between 2030 and 2035. And Walloon aviation company Sonaca also sings the “largest contract in its […]
June 20, 2023
Porsche looks likely to produce high-performance battery cells on a much larger scale than previously planned. The German carmaker will no longer do so with its partner Customcells but on its own. The Cellforce Group, the battery joint venture between Porsche and Customcells, is said to have been completely overtaken by Porsche in May. 20 […]
June 20, 2023
After launching the Han, Tang, and Atto 3 in Europe late last year, the Chinese EV leader BYD (Build Your Dreams) is expanding its European portfolio with two more models previously launched in China: the Dolphin hatchback and the Seal sedan. The Dolphin, the first to be deliverable from the fourth quarter of 2023, is […]
June 20, 2023
Dacia allegedly wants to offer the next generation of its most popular small car as an electric model from 2027 or 2028. It could even become a BEV-only model, some British media report. The new-generation Sandero is expected to be based on the CMF-BEV platform, which will also be used by the full-electric Renault 5, […]
June 20, 2023
Citroën will be the first to launch a small, affordable EV costing less than €25 000. The ë-C3 will be available in Spring 2024, earlier than already announced competitors like the VW ID.2 and the Renault 5 Electric. The affordability of an EV in the lower segments is a big concern for car manufacturers. Until […]
June 19, 2023
Indian-born Ashwani Gupta, Nissan’s COO, will leave the company by the end of this month. In a short press release, Gupta is mentioned as one of the fathers of Nissan’s recent resurgence but also that he leaves “to pursue other challenges or opportunities”. Ashwani Gupta (52) arrived in the highest ranks of the Nissan management […]
June 19, 2023
Chinese carmaker BYD eyes one-tenth of the electric vehicle market in Germany. The ambition was made public by its sales director Lars Pauly, who didn’t commit to timing for the target. BYD’s commercial start in dedicated markets in Europe is very fresh. But the brand obviously aims to make its mark. “We want to have […]
June 19, 2023
According to the European Court of Auditors, Europe’s plan of becoming a world leader in battery development and production is at risk. The stakes are high. If Europe fails in shaping up, the energy transition can falter, while it might also affect the 2035 ban on combustion engines. In 2018, the European Union issued the Battery […]
June 19, 2023
After reorganizing its C-segment cars with Mégane Electric, Arkana, and Austral, Renault now takes on the D-segment. It just launched the new Espace, and it is now followed by an ultimate flagship, the Rafale. When they hear the name Rafale, some will think of the French jetfighter with the same name, but Rafale is also […]
June 19, 2023
The Court of Appeal in Antwerp has decided that Tesla must repay a Belgian customer his Model S P100D, worth 158 600 euros. According to experts, there were severe shortcomings in driving comfort and safety. On top of that, the company has obstructed the investigation, the newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws writes. Four years ago, the […]
June 19, 2023
Three manufacturers of so-called L7e microcars, Microlino, City Transformer, and Circle Mobility, are forging a coalition to convince policymakers to push their products as a viable alternative for full-size cars, especially in cities. They’re considering specific taxation, subsidies, and exemptions for microcars in urban traffic and parking areas. The coalition that welcomes all other microcar […]
June 16, 2023
Mercedes-Benz has showcased its new Vision One-Eleven concept car. The low and sleek design arches back to the C111 prototypes of the 60s and 70s, incorporating it into Stuttgart’s recent ‘One-Bow’ shape specific to EVs. The new concept features a new axial flux motor from subsidiary YASA, supposedly lighter, smaller, and more powerful. Mercedes-Benz is […]
June 16, 2023
It looks like VDL Nedcar management in Born and the unions buried the hatchet after they reached an agreement on Tuesday evening on a substantially better social plan for the 3 950 people in the car factory who will probably lose their job. The employees, who struck for eight days, voted on Thursday in favor […]
June 15, 2023
Rolls-Royce is considering using hydrogen fuel cell technology over conventional batteries for its future electric cars once this technology is mature enough to be commercialized at scale for the high standards Rolls-Royce is claiming. The new Rolls-Royce Spectre made its European debut at the Concours d’Elegance event at Villa d’Este (Como Lake, Italy) last week. […]
June 14, 2023
Created only two years ago, Software République is staging the world premiere of a collaborative concept at the Viva Technology 2023 exhibition. H1st vision ( for ‘Human First vision’) incorporates functional and innovative technologies that illustrate its human-centered visions of future mobility. Software République is an open innovation ecosystem created by six large companies (Atos, […]
June 14, 2023
402 Automotive, a Dutch organizer of car shows and events, seems to want to fill the gap the cancellation of the Brussels Motor Show 2024 organized by sector federation Febiac has left. The Dutch event specialist wants to replace the Brussels Motor Show (BMS) with an ‘innovative car show’ with a lot of attention to […]
June 14, 2023
Daimler Truck has revealed the series production name of its eActros LongHaul battery-electric long-distance heavy truck. It will enter production in 2024 as the eActros 600, referring to its battery capacity and putting it above the eActros 300/400 electric distribution trucks. Daimler Truck unveiled its long-distance electric hauler’s ‘concept prototype’ in September 2022 at the […]
June 14, 2023
Petrolheads will immediately recognize this Nyobolt EV Concept as the contemporary version of the original Lotus Elise. Unsurprisingly, this little battery-powered roadster was designed by Julian Thomson, the same man who styled the original version. But instead of lap times, the promised charging time of six minutes stands out, or half the waiting time of […]
June 14, 2023
The all-electric Renault 5 will be the first Renault vehicle equipped with a bidirectional charger. The associated V2G service will be available from the launch of the Renault 5 in France and Germany in 2024 and in the UK in 2025. Renault is coordinating the introduction of bidirectional charging through its mobility brand Mobilize. In […]
June 13, 2023
Japanese carmaker Toyota finally seems to embrace the all-electric car and aims at several improved BEV batteries shortly, with an all-solid-state battery announced as soon as 2027. That one should allow a 1 200 km range, later up to 1 500 km, and fast charging from 10-80% in 10 minutes or less. Toyota sold only […]
June 13, 2023
After about 3,5 years, the Audi plant in Forest (Brussels) has built its 200 000th electric vehicle: a Soneira Red Q8 Sportback e-tron, the updated version of the original e-tron, which has been in production since late 2018. Later this year, the plant will also start building the smaller Q4 e-tron to meet global demand. […]
June 13, 2023
Ford has completed the $2 billion transformation of its Cologne (Germany) production facility, which will focus on EV production. The Ford Cologne Electric Vehicle Center will start production with the new Explorer, with another electric crossover soon to follow. Ford’s Cologne plant in Germany, which has been operating since 1930, building the Model A, has […]
June 13, 2023
According to sources talking to the specialized German newspaper Handelsblatt, Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume is preparing the biggest reorganization in the group’s history. A severe cost-cutting exercise is needed to remain competitive with the new Chinese players in the market and Tesla, for example. Lately, Volkswagen has been surpassed by BYD as the most […]
