June 11, 2024
D’Ieteren Automotive, the Belgian importer of all VW brands, received the green light from the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) for the takeover of the Porsche Centre East-Flanders in Sint-Martens-Latem. With that, it owns seven of the nine Porsche dealerships in Belgium. However, conditions apply to ensure fair competition. The BCA investigation showed ‘serious doubts’ about […]
June 10, 2024
Citroën has announced a plan for the future to streamline its model line-up, focusing on Europe’s primary market segments. CEO Thierry Koskas confirmed in an interview with Autocar that the brand will prioritize the B- and C-segments, phasing out smaller and larger models. Citroën’s future range will start with the B-segment C3, including its electric […]
June 07, 2024
The BMW 1 Series is entering its fourth model generation. With a modestly altered design presence, a revised drive portfolio, and improved chassis technology, the new BMW 1 Series has sharpened its profile, but further electrifcation was clearly not a priority. Efficient ICE engines with 48-volt mild hybrid technology are the closest the new car […]
June 07, 2024
Van specialist Maxus is widening its passenger car offering in Belgium. After the Uniq6 and Mifa 9, the smaller sibling of the latter is launched. Seating seven persons with ample interior space, the model aims to be the modern Renault Espace. The Chinese version with a swappable battery isn’t imported. Showing its more compact dimensions […]
June 06, 2024
France’s national rail operator, SNCF, is going to get an extra competitor. Backed by an investment fund, the new company Proxima plans to acquire 12 high-speed trains by the decade’s end to link Paris with Angers, Rennes, Nantes, and Bordeaux. Rachel Picard, co-founder and chief executive of Proxima, is well-known in the railway world. Until […]
June 06, 2024
In full transition to a mobility provider, D’Ieteren is taking a pioneering step by introducing tele-driving on Belgian roads. Partnering with Ush, the driverless vehicle arm of the company, and Poppy, Benelux’s largest car-share provider, operations are scheduled for later this year. The service must boost the efficiency and customer experience of car sharing. Ush […]
June 06, 2024
After the bulky Chinese Hongqi E-HS9 super-SUV, Hedin Automotive, the Swedish multi-brand retailer active in the Belux, will now start to import the luxury sedan Hongqi EH7. According to the press release, the Chinese luxury brand’s fully electric D-segment sedan sets a new standard for range, performance, and roominess. The car offers a range of […]
June 06, 2024
Volvo will launch the world’s first electric vehicle (EV) battery passport with its new EX90 electric SUV, which has finally gone into production. The move aims to provide customers with detailed information about the battery’s composition, material origins, carbon footprint, and usage. Despite many brands diluting their commitment to a deadline for an all-electric portfolio, Volvo’s […]
June 05, 2024
The first production model of the new Ford Explorer has rolled off the production line in Cologne and was also handed over directly to the first customer at the Cologne Electric Vehicle Centre. The second electric model from Cologne is due to follow this year. Also noticeable: Ford’s EV sales grew by 65% in May […]
June 05, 2024
Kia has set an ambitious target for the European market: achieving annual sales of 800,000 vehicles by 2028, with 85% of these vehicles powered by electrified drivetrains. The strategy was unveiled during a detailed presentation at a dealer convention held in Berlin. In the wake of the conquest of Chinese newcomers, one tends to forget […]
June 04, 2024
The big Stelato S9 luxury sedan, which debuted at the Beijing Auto Show in April, is now available to pre-order in China. Its domestic launch will take place in the coming months. The Stelato S9, BAIC BluePark’s and Huawei’s first jointly built electric model, promises an 800 km range. Pre-sales started in China on 31 […]
June 04, 2024
The BMW 3 Series has received a model-year update, while the 5 Series (Touring) range has been expanded with more powertrain options. In both cases, a large(r) high-voltage battery of 19.4/19.5 kWh makes the plug-in hybrid 330e and 530e more attractive, offering up to 101 kilometers of all-electric range. Following the facelifted 4 Series and […]
June 04, 2024
Following the decision to withdraw production of the Q8 e-tron from Europe and relocate it to Mexico, the search is ongoing for alternatives for the Audi plant in Brussels. This could be a new high-luxury SUV EV, the assembly of batteries and other electric parts, or both. As the German publication Handelsblatt writes, citing negotiating […]
June 04, 2024
Sales of certain Japanese models, like the Mazda MX-5 RF and Toyota Yaris Cross, have been halted. Four Japanese automakers have been found liable for manipulating testing data. Toyota, Mazda, Suzuki, and Honda say they will do anything to comply and restore customer confidence. The new fraud scandal follows in the slipstream of the earlier […]
June 03, 2024
Volvo is expanding its range of emission-free construction machines with a battery-powered excavator and a set of wheel loaders. To keep them operational in remote areas, the company is introducing a mobile energy storage system for grid-independent recharging. At the showcase event, Volvo Days in Eskilstuna, Sweden, Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) introduced an array […]
June 03, 2024
Although many European manufacturers warn of Chinese competition and think they’re getting indirect subsidies, obstructing a level playing field, they also seem interested in partnerships with ‘the enemy’. Take Renault, for example: It will be running its ICE business (called Horse) with Geely, and now it’s partnering with another Chinese company to create the new […]
May 31, 2024
Volkswagen facelifted the ID.3 extensively precisely one year ago, but it churns out another update. The entry-level version Pure is back with a different battery, and peak power for DC charging has increased. Customers can choose a power hike – even as an after-purchase option. Nothing tells old from new on the outside. The facelift […]
May 31, 2024
Almost a year after the Chinese government first showed pictures of the upcoming Cadillac Optiq, the American manufacturer unveiled the mid-size electric SUV. The Optiq slots in below the Lyriq in Cadillac’s electric line-up and is also coming to Europe, likely in 2025. The Cadillac Optiq is a mid-size SUV with a length of 4.83 […]
May 31, 2024
Jeep’s first fully electric vehicle that stands on its own is the Wagoneer S. While it is not the first electrified vehicle by the manufacturer, it is the first that is not built based on a combustion model. Pictures of the car had already leaked out in January; now, the manufacturer has official ones, also […]
May 30, 2024
Even before the official market launch in August this year, Audi has announced a further drive variant for the Q6 e-tron. The rear-wheel drive increases the range and reduces the base price. However, the new Q6 e-tron Performance will not be the cheapest model in the Q6 range for long as another variant with a […]
May 30, 2024
Almost three months after filing for insolvency for a second time, the German electric car manufacturer e.Go has to call it quits. According to the insolvency administrator, business operations will be discontinued, and the company will be liquidated. The liquidation was unavoidable “because, despite intensive efforts, no buyer could be found to take over the […]
May 30, 2024
Febiac, the federation for the Automobile and Two-wheeler sector in the Belux, has announced that the Brussels Motor Show (BMS) will again take place next year. The show will not occur in January, as usual, but from Friday 14 till Sunday 23 February. After a year of absence, the board of Febiac, regrouping most automakers […]
May 28, 2024
Porsche took the wraps off the T-Hybrid, the first electrified version of its iconic 911 sportscar. Don’t expect it to be a Prius with nostalgic coachwork. The electric assistance is primarily used to boost performance, which is why the GTS is entitled to kick off the technology. There’s a good reason why Porsche keeps silent […]
May 28, 2024
Introduced in January, the Audi Q8 e-tron edition Dakar is now rolling off the assembly line at Audi Brussels, Belgium. The Q8 e-tron edition Dakar is the off-road-oriented first Audi EV available in showrooms. Named after the world-famous desert rally, the Audi Q8 e-tron edition Dakar is based on the Audi Q8 advanced 55 e-tron […]
May 27, 2024
Software République, an open innovation ecosystem for intelligent, safe, and sustainable mobility in which Renault is involved, has now presented the ‘U1st Vision’ concept vehicle. It is intended for neighborhood services and can, for example, be equipped as a doctor’s surgery on wheels. The ‘U1st’ demonstrator consists of two parts: a self-contained multi-service module (‘pop-up’) […]
May 27, 2024
Peugeot has announced a groundbreaking shift in its vehicle design, set to debut in 2026 with the introduction of a rectangular steering wheel. The French car maker unveiled the decision to start marketing its innovative feature, ‘Hypersquare’, at the Parisian technology show Vivatech. It will be gradually implemented across Peugeot’s entire range as of 2026. […]
May 27, 2024
The radical Hyundai N Vision 74 concept will evolve into the world’s first road-legal hydrogen supercar and serve as a halo car for the South Korean brand. Several media reports suggest that Hyundai is planning on a surprise for friend and foe by producing the world’s first road-legal hydrogen supercar, the N74. Following its concept […]
May 24, 2024
BYD has presented a new electric double-decker bus, first for the British market. The BD11 features a next-generation chassis but is also powered by BYD’s blade battery. With this move, BYD is leveraging synergies between its automotive and bus businesses. BYD presented the BD11 in London, where it is also expected to find its highest […]
May 24, 2024
By the end of next year, EV drivers will be able to access 130 (ultra) fast-charging points on Flemish motorways. Actually, there are already 95 of them available. “With this, the Flemish government will meet its target of installing every 25 km charging infrastructure along or close to motorways by the end of 2025,” says […]
May 23, 2024
Jeep expands the Avenger range with the 4xe, an all-wheel-drive version that benefits from hybrid propulsion. The brand aims to enlarge the success story of its smallest model by offering a version that sits closer to its heritage. Initially, the Jeep Avenger debuted as an electric vehicle (EV) in mid-2023 and was crowned Car of […]
May 23, 2024
In some countries, Germany, for example, there is a renewed interest in plug-in hybrids. From its facelifted eight-generation Golf, Volkswagen now proposes two PHEV variants with electric ranges of up to 140 kilometers. In January, Volkswagen presented its facelifted Golf 8 to the public and announced a new PHEV generation simultaneously. VW first unveiled what […]
May 22, 2024
The Bricklin 3EV is a new and extravagant vehicle sprouted from the mind of American businessman Malcolm Bricklin and his company Visionary Vehicles. It is a front-wheel-drive, three-wheeled electric car with body-on-frame construction and a mid-mounted battery. Malcolm Bricklin is mainly known for the SV-1, a strange gullwing-door coupé that has been dubbed one of […]
May 22, 2024
Japanese truck manufacturer Hino Trucks (Toyota) and Norwegian zero-emission powertrain and storage specialist Hexagon Purus have joined forces to create Tern, a new zero-emission truck brand aimed at the US market. Their first RC8 model was unveiled at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo in Las Vegas. The Tern RC8 is a short-haul battery-electric truck that […]
May 21, 2024
Stellantis’ premium subsidiary, DS Automobiles, is considering launching a radically designed electric sedan with unique styling and excellent aerodynamics. As part of its efforts to further distance itself from and position itself above Citroën, DS is looking to launch a radical new electric sedan later this decade. Featuring retro styling inspired by the legendary Citroën […]
May 21, 2024
According to insider information, VW and Renault have abandoned their talks about a possible cooperation for small electric cars. Around a month ago, there were already indications that the negotiations to jointly develop EVs at target prices of less than 20,000 euros were stagnating. Rumors persisted for months that the Franco-German cooperation on small cars […]
May 21, 2024
The small but sporty EV off-roader designed by Ian Callum, the Callum Skye, is now ready to order. The Callum Skye is the first EV from Ian Callum, the iconic British car designer’s own design and engineering firm after he left Jaguar, where he was heading design for decades. The car will be revealed at […]
May 16, 2024
ABB E-Mobility has presented its new A400 HPC charging station. According to ABB, it is characterised by particularly high reliability and user-friendliness. It offers two connections with 200 kW continuous charging power each or up to 400 kW for a single vehicle. The new product is an alternative to ABB’s HPC charging stations from the […]
May 16, 2024
Horse, Renault’s department for the further development of internal combustion engines, will sell 2.0-liter turbodiesel engines to Habas, one of Turkey’s largest companies, for use in light-commercial vehicles. The company has signed its first major contract with an outside company with an agreement to provide turbodiesel engines to the Turkish conglomerate Habas. The Renault turbodiesel engine […]
May 16, 2024
On Wednesday, Chinese premium carmaker NIO officially showed the world its first model of a completely new ‘affordable’ line, the Onvo L60. It is directly targeted to compete in China with Toyota’s RAV4 and the Tesla Model Y for 219,900 yuan (€27,890), which is 30,000 yuan (€3,820) cheaper than the latter. According to NIO founder […]
May 16, 2024
Parking service provider Parkopedia has expanded its partnership with BMW Group to provide EV drivers with additional EV Point of Interest data, enabling them to make more informed decisions about when and where to charge their vehicles. The new partnership is designed to provide EV drivers with photos and ratings for charging locations alongside Parkopedia-provided […]
May 15, 2024
Renault is adjusting its strategy toward autonomous vehicles. Regarding individual vehicles, Renault Group concentrates on the L2 or L2+ level for the moment. However, when it comes to public transportation, Renault Group sees the relevance of offering real autonomous vehicles. CTO Gilles Le Borgne said Renault Group would not aim for so-called SAE Level 3 […]
May 15, 2024
South Korean carmaker Kia has decided to spruce up its EV6 fully electric cross-over three years after its introduction. That car got the ‘Car of the Year 2022’ title, beating the Renault Mégane E-Tech and its sister brand Hyundai Ioniq 5. New ‘eyes’, a quieter and smoother ride, 19 km more range, and faster charging […]
May 15, 2024
The Stellantis Group and Chinese electric car manufacturer Leapmotor have finalized the establishment of their joint venture and announced that Leapmotor International would commence operations in Europe in September 2024. The market launch in Europe will initially start in France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Greece, and Romania. Both sides have announced that […]
May 14, 2024
Avatr, the joint venture between the Chinese state-owned manufacturer Changan and CATL, with Huawei as a major supplier, has unveiled its third model: the 07, a mid-size extended-range electric SUV. It follows the larger Avatr 11 SUV and Avatr 12 sedan and should rival the Tesla Model Y with a low price tag. With a […]
May 14, 2024
China’s biggest EV maker, BYD, has launched the Sea Lion 07, the first of a new Ocean-array SUV model product line. It is built on an upgraded e-Platform EVO 3.0, offering a ‘higher level of integration, stronger powertrain, and charging performance’. In China, the Sea Lion will cost 189,800 yuan (€24,220) and is targeted—once again—against […]
May 14, 2024
Mercedes-Benz is apparently putting the brakes on investment with a change of course. According to a media report, it is no longer developing its electric platform ‘MB.EA-Large’. From 2028, the Stuttgarters actually wanted to electrify the new generation of their largest saloons and SUVs based on this architecture. The German newspaper Handelsblatt cites four insiders […]
May 13, 2024
The VW ID.1 could arrive as the final VW e-up! successor later this decade. Volkswagen has begun initial planning but faces challenges in bringing the new electric city car to the market. The slowdown in EV sales is not one of them. Meanwhile, after confirming the launch of an all-new Golf EV, Volkswagen has started […]
May 13, 2024
Despite slumping sales for hydrogen cars worldwide, Hyundai is set to introduce an all-new version of its hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), the Nexo, by the second quarter of 2025. This is the first major update since the model’s debut in 2018. Introduced in early 2018, the Nexo has remained on the market without […]
May 13, 2024
With Lancia’s comeback in the Benelux, Stellantis is introducing three premium brands. The new fully electric version (a mild hybrid follows later) can be ordered now in Belgium for € 34,500. According to Milosz Tomanek, the Vice President of premium brands at Stellantis Belux and the MD of Lancia, Lancia is the epitome of Italian […]
May 10, 2024
Chinese automaker NIO has celebrated the 500,000th car, an ES8, rolling off the production lines of its F2 plant at NeoPark in Hefei, the capital of east China’s Anhui Province. With that milestone, it confirms its position as China’s leading premium EV brand in the market for cars above 300,000 yuan (€38,500), the number one […]
May 10, 2024
Ford Europe is reportedly flirting with the idea of adjusting its electrification strategy in the region as BEV sales have been slow to take off. Originally, the European arm of Ford Motor Company said it would only sell battery-electric models by 2030, but that commitment could soon change. Ford Europe has followed the lead of […]
May 09, 2024
Volkswagen has introduced the new T7 generation of its California campervan, based on the latest Multivan. It has grown in size and features several firsts for the model, including dual sliding doors and a plug-in hybrid drivetrain. Last year, Volkswagen presented a concept version of the new California at the Düsseldorf Caravan Salon, teasing the […]
May 09, 2024
Four years after its introduction, Land Rover has revised its iconic Defender. In addition to minor cosmetic tweaks and new packs, the drivelines have been reshuffled to comply with Euro 6e emission standards. The Defender’s facelift has been surrounded by rumors, such as the introduction of an all-electric version, which is not happening, and the […]
May 08, 2024
The Nissan Townstar is the first of the Kangoo-Citan-Townstar trio to get a long-wheelbase version with up to 7 seats. The Townstar Evalia is available with either a gasoline engine or a fully electric drivetrain, which remains the same as in the short-wheelbase variant. Both the Renault Kangoo and the Mercedes Citan/T-Class/EQT announced a long […]
May 08, 2024
Dark clouds seem to be accumulating above Fisker’s future. Magna, the company contracted to build the Fisker Ocean in Austria, says in its Q1 2024 financial report that it assumes no more will be built. Fisker has been looking for opportunities to save itself for a while already. Now, the company hired to build its […]
May 07, 2024
This summer, Mercedes-Benz Trucks is taking its electric long-hauler eActros 600 on the manufacturer’s longest test run yet. The battery-electric truck will travel over 13,000 km through more than 20 European countries to gather real-world data and to send a message that electric long-haul transport is possible today. As Mercedes-Benz Trucks gears up for series […]
May 07, 2024
Volvo Cars reported global sales of 65,838 cars, up 27% compared to the same period last year. The sales increase was primarily driven by a strong performance in Europe as well as the company’s fully electric small SUV, the EX30. The company’s electrified models, with a fully electric or plug-in hybrid powertrain, grew 53% compared […]
May 06, 2024
BMW Group Plant San Luis Potosí is gearing up for production of the ‘Neue Klasse’. Construction of a local high-voltage battery assembly has now begun, along with expansion projects for the body shop, assembly, and logistics areas. A total of €800 million will be invested in expanding the Mexican production site. The ‘Neue Klasse’ will […]
May 06, 2024
Chinese electric car manufacturer Xpeng is now accepting orders for its third model in Europe. The electric SUV G6 is initially available in Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden, and it is cheaper than a Tesla Model Y. In Belgium, the Xpeng starts at €42,990 (190 kW, RWD, 435 km WLTP range), the same […]
May 06, 2024
Renault has completed its C-segment E-Tech Hybrid vehicle offerings of the Arkana and Austral with the new Symbioz, a 4.41 m long seven-seater with a sliding bench seat that adjusts for trunk space or leg room and folds to create a flat floor if needed. It’s a modern interpretation of the Renault 16, launched in […]
