MINI’s electric turn fuels its growth from niche to core business

January 12, 2026

MINI’s performance in 2025 offers an interesting case study for policymakers following the transition of Europe’s automotive sector. While much of the industry struggled with declining volumes, rising costs, and uncertainty around electrification, the BMW Group’s compact brand managed to grow. Global MINI deliveries increased by 17.7 percent to 288,290 vehicles, with electrification emerging as […]

Traxio & Febiac: ‘Used motorcycle market 2025 rebounds, new market stable’

January 12, 2026

New motorcycle registrations fell by 12.2% in 2025 (to 24,872 units) compared to 2024. However, 2024 was the best year of the past 15 years. The sector expects a strong start to 2026, thanks in part to the Brussels Auto Show, where nearly 20 motorcycle brands will be represented this year and at least 310 […]

Kia debuts its affordable EV2 electric car in Brussels

January 12, 2026

Kia kicks off the new year with the unveiling of the EV2, its affordable electric car designed to drive adoption among the broadest audience. At the Brussels Motor Show, the world premiere was a key driver of its international appeal. Unveiled to the public in Brussels during the press day last Friday, the Kia EV2 […]

810 km on a charge: Volvo’s all-new EX60 aims to crush range anxiety

January 09, 2026

Volvo Cars is raising the stakes in the crowded compact electric SUV market with its upcoming EX60. The battery-powered successor to its bestselling XC60 will travel farther and charge faster than any electric Volvo before. The EX60, set for full disclosure on January 21, is positioned as a critical model for Volvo as it tries […]

Longer range lifts Volkswagen electric Transporter’s appeal for fleets

January 09, 2026

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has refreshed its electric Transporter and Caravelle with a larger usable battery, faster charging, and an all-wheel-drive option. This should align the vans better with the needs of fleet buyers who demand electric light commercial vehicles to move beyond city-only duties. A lack of incentives and demanding use cases are hampering the […]

Alpine extends its distribution network in Belgium

January 08, 2026

Reinforced by its recent sales successes, Alpine is substantially enlarging its dealer network in Belgium. “This strategic enlargement follows the dynamic growth curve of Alpine and shows that Alpine wants to be even closer to its customers to deploy its electric portfolio progressively,” says the importer, Renault Belgium. Alpine already has ‘Alpine Stores’ in Antwerp, […]

Former Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath returns to Volvo Cars

January 08, 2026

Volvo Cars announces the appointment of Thomas Ingenlath as Chief Design Officer, effective 1 February 2026. Meanwhile, Volvo also reported its December sales and 2025 results. “The appointment of Thomas Ingenlath marks the return of one of the most influential designers in the company’s recent history and reinforces Volvo Cars’ leadership in design,” Volvo proudly […]

Norwegian car sales are now (as good as) fully electric

January 06, 2026

Norway closed out 2025 with a milestone: nearly 100% of electric car registrations. The country has officially reached its long-standing target: a new car fleet free of tailpipe emissions. Simultaneously, the share of electric cars on Norwegian roads now overshadows that of diesel cars. Norway’s new-car market shattered records in 2025, both in total sales […]

‘Belgian used car market hits best results since 2006’

January 06, 2026

Last year, the Belgian second-hand car market achieved its best results since 2006. While the new car market continues to decline, the volume of used cars remains stable at a historically high level. Registrations increased by 0.9% (+6,194 units) after consecutive years of growth and a very strong 2024. In December alone, 59,090 used cars were registered, […]

EV interest rebounds among Belgian households, BNP survey suggests

January 06, 2026

Nearly one in five Belgian households now report considering a switch to a fully electric car within the next two years, while almost a quarter already drive some form of electrified vehicle. These are some of the figures BNP Paribas Fortis presents prominently in its latest mobility survey, released ahead of the opening of the […]

Renault bigger than Stellantis in France

January 06, 2026

In a French car market that decreases by another 5% in 2025 (YOY), Renault Group has sold more cars than Stellantis in the hexagon: it has reached almost 26.4% market share selling Renaults, Dacias, and Alpines, against 25.8% of share for the 14 Stellantis brands. If one counts LCVs into the equation, Stellantis is still […]

Dutch drivers flock to Belgium to fill up, paying 40 cents less per liter

January 05, 2026

At the start of this year, fuel prices in Belgium are at their lowest level since the peak prices of 2022. The official maximum prices for fuel have become a lot cheaper than they were a year ago. The fact that prices at the pump in Belgium are so low has not gone unnoticed by […]

From Hefei to Brussels: NIO’s Belgian debut and Hedin’s EV bet

January 05, 2026

When the doors of the Brussels Motor Show open next Friday, the spotlight in Hall 7 will fall on two names that are still unfamiliar to most Belgian car buyers: NIO and Firefly. Their presence is more than just another brand launch at a crowded auto show. It marks Belgium’s official entry point into a […]

Belux registrations: an excellent December limits year decrease to -7.5%

January 05, 2026

According to data from the sector federation Febiac and the federal public service Mobility & Transport, December was a very good month (+23.2%) for new car registrations, limiting the decrease for the whole year compared to 2024 to -7.5%. In 2025, 414,770 new cars were registered in Belgium and Luxembourg, 33,507 fewer than last year, […]

Van Mossel Automotive Group to import Maserati in the Netherlands

December 31, 2025

On Monday, sports car manufacturer Maserati, part of the Stellantis Group, appointed Van Mossel Automotive Group as sales and service partner for the Netherlands. Van Mossel will open two new Maserati showrooms in 2026. Earlier this year, there was already a collaboration between Van Mossel and Maserati about the import and service of the brand […]

Dutch tighten fiscal screws, tilting EV-friendly balance toward Belgium

December 30, 2025

From 2026 onward, the Netherlands will tighten the fiscal screws on electric cars, steadily dismantling the generous incentives that once made it one of Europe’s most EV-friendly markets and shifting the balance toward countries such as Belgium. The most tangible change affects the motor vehicle tax (MRB). Fully electric passenger cars, which enjoyed a full […]

Is the VW ID. Buzz leaving the US?

December 29, 2025

Volkswagen has confirmed that there will be no 2026 model year for the ID. Buzz in the US. However, US plans for the MEB van have not been completely canceled; a revised model is expected to follow in 2027. Back in July, Volkswagen temporarily suspended deliveries of the ID. Buzz to the US. At the […]

VW abandons direct sales model in Europe

December 23, 2025

Volkswagen is discontinuing direct sales through the agency model for private customers across Europe. This means the distribution of electric vehicles will gradually return to the traditional dealership model. Almost exactly a year ago, VW decided that, from January 2026, battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) for private customers would return to the traditional dealer model in Germany […]

EU car registrations up 2.1% in November, +1.4% year-to-date

December 23, 2025

In November, EU car registrations rose 2.1% according to data from the European Car Manufacturers Association (ACEA). For the year to date (YTD), the rise is 1.4%. With the EFTA countries and the UK included, the increase is 2.4% and 1.9%, respectively. Despite the recent positive momentum, overall volumes remain well below pre-pandemic levels. The […]

Audi to scrap plans for its own US plant?

December 22, 2025

The Volkswagen Group has completed its planning round for the next five years, although with a delay, but has not yet presented any results. This is likely also due to the situation at Audi, where CEO Gernot Döllner is said to have abandoned plans for a standalone US plant, but not for Audis built in […]

Tesla residual values sink Dutch single-brand leasing firm MisterGreen

December 22, 2025

The Dutch leasing company MisterGreen, which built its entire business around Tesla vehicles, is winding down. Betting everything on one car manufacturer is a risk. The decline in car values has eroded the company’s financial health. MisterGreen is set to close after failing to survive a sharp drop in the value of its Tesla fleet, […]

BYD hits 15-million NEV milestone overtaking Tesla and VW combined

December 19, 2025

Chinese automaker BYD announced this week that cumulative output of its electric and plug-in hybrid models has reached 15 million units, a figure that now exceeds the combined lifetime electric-vehicle production of Tesla (8.1 million) and the Volkswagen Group (under 3 million). That acceleration mirrors what is happening across the global market. Recent analysis shows […]

Arval–Athlon talks point to a new 2.3 million-vehicle leasing giant

December 18, 2025

The announcement in an official press release on 18 December that BNP Paribas’ subsidiary, Arval, has entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire Athlon from Mercedes-Benz Group is widely seen as the next significant milestone in consolidating Europe’s vehicle leasing market. If completed, the transaction would create a full-service leasing group managing around 2.3 million vehicles, […]

Peugeot gets nostalgic and reboots the 103 moped

December 16, 2025

Peugeot is reaching for its two-wheeled past as it prepares to relaunch the 103, one of Europe’s most famous mopeds. But instead of pedal power, it comes with a battery pack this time. Set for launch next year, the reborn 103 blends familiar styling cues with modern tech.  For decades, the Peugeot 103 was a […]

Renault Twingo E-Tech Electric: Belgium gets the €19,500 price

December 16, 2025

Renault has put a number on its promise to democratise electric city cars. As promised, the new Twingo E-Tech Electric starts at €19,500 in Belgium, making it one of the very few fully electric cars from a mainstream European brand to slip under the symbolic €20,000 threshold. And that, more than any design cue or technical […]

Urban Cruiser is ready: Toyota’s answer to Europe’s compact EV boom

December 15, 2025

Toyota takes another step in the gradual expansion of its European electric vehicle range with the unveiling of the final all-new Urban Cruiser, a compact battery-electric SUV designed to compete in one of the continent’s fastest-growing segments. The model made its world premiere at the Brussels Motor Show earlier this year. Positioned below the bZ4X […]

BMW makes its battery bet clear with NMC recycling push

December 15, 2025

BMW has quietly drawn a strategic line in the fast-evolving battle over electric-vehicle batteries. With the commissioning of its new battery cell recycling facility in Bavaria, operated with circular-economy specialist Encory, the German carmaker is not only closing the loop on its electric drivetrains but also making a clear statement about which battery chemistry it […]

Skyworth wants to prove that budget-EVs can charge fast

December 13, 2025

Best known until now for televisions and household electronics, Chinese Skyworth has set its eyes on the Belgian car market. To stand out in the plethora of Chinese newcomers, the brand promises an 11-minute charge with grace from the 800-volt network. The question remains whether its K800V SUV can earn enough trust with sharp numbers […]

Car lobby wins battle to keep combustion engines alive in the EU after 2035

December 12, 2025

Europe will no longer hold on to its long-promised ban on new registrations of gasoline and diesel cars as of 2035. The Commission has settled for a rewrite, now demanding that the average vehicle sold will be obliged to emit 90% less CO2 after that deadline. Pitched as a measure to safeguard jobs in the […]

Smart #6 sedan looks fit for Europe, but probably won’t get here

December 08, 2025

Smart has unveiled the first official images of its new #6 sedan via China’s MIIT filings, confirming a significant shift in direction for the brand — one that points to a different trajectory than the one Smart follows in Europe. The #6 mirrors the plug-in hybrid approach of the Smart #5, underscoring how Smart China […]

Lexus confirms LFA return as electric halo, but no solid-state pack?

December 05, 2025

Lexus is officially resurrecting its most hallowed nameplate, but it is compliant with modern times. The screaming V10 engine that defined the original icon is swapped for a battery pack. While expectations are that this model will crown Toyota as one of the first legacy manufacturers to turn to solid-state battery packs, that part of […]

Fiat Grande Panda and Dacia Bigster winners of VAB’s family car election

December 05, 2025

For the 39th edition of the Family Car election by Flemish mobility club VAB, the participating journalists and VAB members could choose from two pricing categories. In the past, there was a third category for electric cars, but it has since been abolished as more affordable BEVs have entered the market. This year, (partial) electrification […]

New analysis offers a sharp snapshot of Europe’s fast-shifting EV market

December 05, 2025

Despite the (mostly German) carmakers’ lobbying to hit the brakes and give ICE another chance, Europe’s electric-vehicle landscape is shifting fast, and a new analysis from TradingPedia offers an unusually detailed snapshot of which brands and models are winning the race in 2025. TradingPedia, a Bulgarian financial analysis platform that frequently works with industry datasets, […]

Tesla Model Y records worst reliability score in a decade 

December 04, 2025

The Tesla Model Y has finished dead last in Germany’s TÜV Report 2026. The world’s best-selling EV recorded a defect rate of 17.3 percent for vehicles aged two to three years. The figure is nearly triple the segment average of 6.5 percent and represents the poorest performance among cars in this age group over the […]

Ford to replace Focus in European lineup with Bronco nameplate

December 04, 2025

To stabilize its shrinking European market share, Ford plans to leverage its most rugged American model. The carmaker is preparing to launch a Europe-exclusive version of the Bronco in 2027, but it will not feature a purely electric driveline. And don’t expect a rival for the upcoming small G-Class and baby Defender. Ford doesn’t shy […]

Nissan Belux deploys plans for 2026

December 03, 2025

A lot is going to happen for Nissan Belux in 2026. The recently launched Micra and Leaf are ready for sale; other BEVs are coming. Secondly, Nissan will again be present at the Brussels Motor Show (BMS) in January. Thirdly, Nissan Belux, part of Nissan eNEST (Benelux plus three Scandinavian countries), will be selling the […]

Already 100,000 electric Renault 5s produced in Douai

December 03, 2025

Renault’s Ampere ElectriCity plant in Douai has already built 100,000 examples of the Renault 5 E-Tech electric, launched in October 2024. The 100,000th vehicle, a Techno with a 52kWh battery (the most common level-trim/battery combination), was assembled last week. “A little over a year after its launch, the production of the 100,000th Renault 5 E-Tech […]

Belux car registrations in November: -11.8%

December 02, 2025

According to data from the sector federation Febiac and the Federal Public Service Mobility & Transport, 28,071 new cars were registered in November, 11.8% fewer than in the same month last year. Looking at the first 11 months of this year, sales went down 9.2% compared to the previous year. We see the same trend […]

Norway nears 100% electric sales with a lot of help from Tesla

December 02, 2025

Where the brand is being chewed out in the rest of Europe, Tesla has seized a decisive lead in electric car walhalla, Norway. As the country witnesses one of its strongest electric-vehicle surges, the American EV maker broke a previous record held by Volkswagen. Norway’s electric-vehicle market has entered another explosive phase, and Tesla is […]

Lizy’s used-car leasing proclaimed ‘Scale up of the Year 2025’

December 02, 2025

On Monday, the Brussels-based company Lizy, which specialises in the digital leasing of reconditioned used cars, received the ‘Scale-up of the Year 2025’ award, marking a milestone for a company that has reshaped one of Europe’s most traditional sectors. The award is granted by EY Belgium, in partnership with BNP Paribas Fortis, L’Echo, and De […]

Kia picks Brussels for its Europe-only ‘affordable’ EV2 world premiere

December 02, 2025

Kia officially confirmed on Tuesday that its all-new EV2 will make its world debut at the 2026 Brussels Motor Show in January 2026, a decision that places Europe firmly at the center of the brand’s electric ambitions. The EV2 has been designed from the start as a European car. It will be the smallest member […]

Geely drives its Galaxy M9 from Beijing to Paris and strips it down in public

December 02, 2025

Geely took to the legendary Paris-Beijing route – or rather, vice versa –  to make a point about the durability of its Galaxy M9 SUV. Tale to the story: the car not only reached its destination in good shape, but engineers also dismantled the model overtly to demonstrate its resilience.  Automakers typically prefer their vehicles to […]

Death of the subscription model: how Lynk & Co killed its revolution

December 01, 2025

When the Swedish-Chinese brand Lynk & Co was launched in Europe by its Belgian CEO, Alain Visser, it presented itself not simply as a new car brand, but as a corrective to everything outdated in the automotive world. Its message was evangelical: the age of car ownership was over, the future belonged to mobility, and […]

New hybrid Omoda 5 aims to succeed where the EV struggles

November 28, 2025

Omoda is expanding its European range with a hybrid version of the Omoda 5. The new HEV aims for the likes of the hybrid Kia Niro and the oddball Nissan Qashqai e-Power. It comes with a facelift and the hope of gaining more traction in the Belgian marketplace through a more classic take on electrification. […]

How Kia’s EV3 propels the brand to the front of Belgian EV market

November 26, 2025

On the Belgian car market, where company cars account for more than 60% of registrations, no electric model has made a louder entrance this year than the Kia EV3. With 39% of its cars sold being purely EVs, Kia scores higher than the Belgian market average of 33%. And by launching a new EV4, EV5, […]

VW completes its development center in Chinese Hefei

November 26, 2025

The Volkswagen Group has completed the final expansion stage of its Technology and Innovation Center (VCTC) in Hefei. This will enable Volkswagen to independently develop complete vehicle projects and technologies for the Chinese market. The new operational facilities of the Volkswagen Group China Technology Company (VCTC) expand local research and development capabilities by combining software […]

EU car registrations up 5.8% in October, EV share 16.4% and growing

November 26, 2025

According to the data of the European Car Manufacturers Association ACEA, there were 5.8% more cars registered in October compared to the same month in 2024. Year-to-date, there’s a slight progress of 1.4%, mainly due to the positive last four months. The battery-electric car market share reached 16.4% YTD, yet it is still below the […]

Renault Trucks debuts E-Tech long-hauler with a 600 km range

November 26, 2025

At last week’s Solutrans trade show in Lyon, Renault Trucks finally pulled the wraps off what it had promised earlier as its spearhead for long-distance electric freight. The new E-Tech T 780 and its payload-focused sibling, the E-Tech T 585, build upon the architecture developed by Volvo Trucks. The new trucks aim at convincing logistics […]

GAC taps Magna Steyr in Austria for Aion V production

November 25, 2025

GAC has begun building its Aion V electric SUV at Magna Steyr’s plant in Graz. While giving the Austrian contract manufacturer fresh volume after a series of wind-downs, this is one of the first actual Chinese passenger cars produced in Europe. While the Aion V isn’t a common sight on Belgian roads, the midsize electric […]

Electric crown slips from Tesla’s grasp as BYD surges forward

November 24, 2025

BYD has moved decisively into the global lead in battery-electric vehicle sales, widening the gap with Tesla and signalling a shift in the balance of power in the world’s largest and most contested segment of the auto market. New data for the third quarter of 2025 shows BYD selling more than 582,000 BEVs worldwide, comfortably […]

MG pushes deeper into EV family market with roomier S6 EV

November 21, 2025

Chances are high that you’ve seen this S6 EV before. In the summer, this SUV was inadvertently published on Euro NCAP’s test publication pages ahead of its official reveal. MG has finally unwrapped the full specs of its latest addition to its electric portfolio. It’s an SUV destined for families who have outgrown the S5 […]

Fast charging at home prices: LEAP24 sparks Dutch competition

November 20, 2025

LEAP24, a Dutch provider of fast-charging stations, is causing a stir in the Netherlands by announcing weekend fast charging at just €0.24 per kWh, essentially the price of home charging. To compare, data shows that DC chargers over 50 kW average around €0.79 per kWh, with a typical range of €0.67 to €0.86 in 2025. […]

Global EV survey shows 41% won’t buy Tesla over ethical concerns

November 18, 2025

A new international survey by the Global EV Alliance suggests the electric-vehicle landscape is being shaped as much by politics and perception as by product and pricing. As for car brands, 41% of buyers are reluctant to buy Tesla due to political concerns, while one in ten opposes cars made in China. The Global EV […]

Top managers for Tesla’s highest-profile models step down

November 17, 2025

The brain drain at Tesla is continuing. Two of its most visible vehicle program managers have left the company, including the chief of its best-selling car, the Model Y. The departures land at a moment when the automaker is reorienting itself around robotics and autonomous driving. Symbolically, the core automotive business shows further signs of […]

VW’s Chinese ID. Unyx 08 is first car in Xpeng partnership

November 12, 2025

Volkswagen has released the first pictures and preliminary info on the ID. Unyx 08 in China, a five-meter electric SUV that represents not only the first product of its cooperation with Xpeng but also a deeper technological co-development with local partnerships in China. The ID. Unyx 08, developed under Volkswagen Anhui, is the production realization […]

Europe’s auto sector breathes again as Nexperia chip shipments resume

November 10, 2025

After weeks of rising concerns across Europe’s car industry, shipments of Nexperia semiconductors are moving again. It’s a relief for automakers but also a stark reminder of how fragile Europe’s industrial supplier network has become. Volkswagen, Continental spinoff Aumovio, and Bosch have all confirmed receiving new deliveries from the Chinese-owned chipmaker. The disruption began when […]

Toyota Hilux enters new era as all-electric pickup

November 10, 2025

Toyota’s indestructible Hilux, long defined by diesel torque and unshakeable dependability, is stepping into uncharted territory. The ninth-generation, on order as of December, marks the most significant shift in the model’s 55-year history with the arrival of a battery-electric version. Also, a hydrogen-powered model will follow. The fully electric Hilux BEV leads the launch, hitting […]

CAM study foresees significant growth for EVs in 2025

November 10, 2025

The latest ‘Electromobility Report’ from the Center of Automotive Management (CAM) in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany, shows that e-mobility worldwide has been experiencing a significant upswing so far this year. In the world regions most important to the automotive industry – China, Europe, and the USA – approximately 12.8 million highly electrified vehicles were sold from the […]

Renta: half of Belgium’s EVs are company leased, but private still lags

November 07, 2025

More than half of all electric cars on Belgian roads are leased or rented. According to new figures from the vehicle rental federation Renta, its members alone operate 195,990 fully electric cars, representing 51% of Belgium’s total EV fleet. The data highlight the crucial role of corporate leasing in driving the country’s vehicle electrification. Renta […]

Traxio: ‘Second-hand car market has an October dip’

November 05, 2025

The second-hand car market was quieter in October than last year, with a 2.8% decline to 65,351 units. In October 2024, 67,201 used cars were registered, 4,203 more than in October 2023. The used car market continues to perform well, with 621,316 used cars registered over the past 10 months, an increase of 0.5% compared […]