October 29, 2025
French train manufacturer Alstom is consolidating its activities in Belgium and Luxembourg into its French entity, according to business newspaper L’Echo. At the same time, it is also parting ways with its Benelux CEO, Bernard Belvaux. “The new organizational structure will take effect on December 1 and reflects the close ties that exist between the […]
October 29, 2025
The lack of action on climate change claims millions of lives every year and puts health care systems under strain. “The climate crisis has become a health crisis,” states the latest Lancet Countdown report, published today in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO). The Lancet researchers have found that 12 of 20 key indicators tracking […]
October 29, 2025
The Kia PV5 is proving its chops as a professional vehicle. It not only offers a comfortable range according to the WLTP test cycle, but also a fully loaded range, as this new Guinness World Record proves: 693.38 km in an electric van with maximum payload on a single charge! The Kia PV5 is the […]
October 29, 2025
Anyone wishing to visit the Citadel and the rock above the Walloon city of Dinant will no longer be able to do so by cable car. A technical report has identified wear and tear and aging, which means the cable car will have to be temporarily shut down, possibly for 1.5 to 2 years, to […]
October 29, 2025
Renault’s sports car brand Alpine has confirmed an all-electric successor to its combustion-engined A110. Production of the current model will end in mid-2026, paving the way for the third-generation, fully electric A110, based on the new Alpine Performance Platform (APP). Alpine has officially confirmed that the next generation of its iconic A110 will be fully […]
October 29, 2025
Around 300 employees at Opel’s vehicle testing facilities near Frankfurt are set to lose their jobs as French engineering firm Segula Technologies, which operates the sites, winds down its activities following insolvency. The two affected facilities, in Rodgau-Dudenhofen and Rüsselsheim, which have long been central to Opel’s engineering heritage, are among the most significant test […]
October 29, 2025
Thirty years after the first Sprinter came to market, the fourth generation of Mercedes’ popular van is almost ready to hit the stage. As a small preview of its design, Mercedes has unveiled The BOuLDER, a sculpture that shows the fourth-generation van breaking out of its rocky shell. Exactly when Mercedes will unveil its newest […]
October 29, 2025
Chery, China’s 4th-largest auto manufacturer, might not yet be a familiar name to most Western European consumers. And yet, it has been China’s largest auto exporter for over 20 years. We travelled to Chery HQ in Wuhu, China, to attend the 2025 Chery International User Summit and learn how the company plans to become China’s […]
October 28, 2025
The Council of State is very critical of the Flemish plans to abolish the tightening of low-emission zones from 2026. According to the Council’s advice, which Belga was able to view, the intervention entails a “significant deterioration” in health and the environment. The original plan was to further tighten the rules from 2026 onward, meaning that owners […]
October 28, 2025
According to the data provided by the Association of European Car Manufacturers (ACEA), new EU car registrations increased by 0.9% compared to the same nine months last year, marking the third consecutive month of growth. This recent momentum has been driven in part by the launch of new models, with September alone posting a strong […]
October 28, 2025
The German car lobby is pushing an unusual idea to boost sales of plug-in hybrids as the EU seeks to measure their real-life emissions more accurately. The proposal? A legal obligation for plug-in hybrid drivers to charge their cars regularly. The punishment for not abiding by that obligation is reduced power. A creative solution, but […]
October 28, 2025
In the past ten years, the number of tram accidents involving pedestrians in the Brussels-Capital Region has halved. While the MIVB/STIB recorded between 40 and 50 such accidents per year in 2015, the figure for 2024 is 23 collisions. “A promising development,” says the public transport company, “but every accident has potentially serious consequences and […]
October 28, 2025
Peugeot will introduce the new ‘STLA Small’ platform in 2026 with the second generation of the e-208. It allows significantly higher battery capacities and ranges. Inside, the electric small car is set to feel distinctly futuristic and airy. Since the launch of the current generation, which has been on sale since 2019, Peugeot has been […]
October 28, 2025
This spring, Alpine, Renault’s sporty subsidiary, has unveiled its second electric model and its first SUV: the A390. The five-seater fastback promises the same agility and performance as the A110 sports car, but adds daily practicality and a more high-end interior. Now it’s ready to order, with prices starting at €67,500 for the ‘basic’ GT […]
October 27, 2025
Profits plunged by 95.9% at Porsche in the first three quarters of the year compared to the same period last year, with a change of strategy regarding its electric vehicle rollout seen as partly to blame. Profit after tax for the period over the nine months came to only €114 million, the German sports carmaker […]
October 27, 2025
France has launched its first highway capable of charging electric vehicles while they drive. On a 1.5-kilometer stretch of the A10, near Angervilliers, southwest of Paris, VINCI Autoroutes and a consortium of partners have begun real-world tests of an inductive charging system touted as an innovation that should complement the charging infrastructure landscape. Developed in […]
October 27, 2025
Last weekend, traffic on the Antwerp ring road was diverted via the new bypass, a temporary highway alongside the current ring road that will replace it during the Oosterweel connection works. According to client Lantis, the transition was successful, but significant disruption is expected. The so-called ‘bypass’ between the Afas Dome (formerly called ‘Sportpaleis’) in Deurne and the […]
October 27, 2025
After the 110R, Skoda’s design studio has taken another dive into its archives, reviving one of its most obscure models — the 1000 MBX coupé — as a fully electric concept. The reinterpretation, unveiled as part of the brand’s ‘Icons Get a Makeover’ series, gives the rare 1960s two-door a futuristic twist under Skoda’s ‘Modern […]
October 27, 2025
It is well known that prospective drivers must wait a long time to take their driving test in Flanders. These long waiting times, of six to seven months, are partly because, on average, more than 4,000 driving tests for a Class B driver’s licence are canceled each year. After all, every lost time slot is […]
October 27, 2025
Effective January 2, 2026, Alexandre Malval has been appointed Vice President of Design for the Renault brand. He will report to Laurens van den Acker, Chief Design Officer and member of the Renault Group Leadership Team. He will also join the Renault brand management committee. “We are delighted to welcome Alexandre Malval to our Design […]
October 24, 2025
The Walloon public transport company TEC is reforming its fare structure from February 1st. A single price on the classic lines will replace the zone fares. There will also be an indexation of 2.15%. The current ‘Next’ and ‘Horizon’ tickets will be merged into a single ‘Classic’ ticket that is valid for 90 minutes on […]
October 24, 2025
On Sunday, we will switch back to winter time. Clocks will be turned back one hour, extending the night by one hour and giving us an extra hour of sleep. Unfortunately, it also means that it will get dark earlier in the evening, and that there will be more pedestrian accidents after the time switch. Vias […]
October 24, 2025
Starting next year, Belgian consumers buying a used electric vehicle will, for the first time, be able to check the battery’s condition on the official Car-Pass, the document that certifies a vehicle’s history and which is mandatory in this country. Still, the battery’s condition health state mention will remain optional until Europe’s digital battery passport […]
October 24, 2025
Chinese automaker BYD is best known as an electric car brand, but all of its top sellers still rely on an electrified combustion engine. After the Seal U and the Seal 6, the compact crossover Atto 2 will soon add a plug-in hybrid variant to the pure electric model. The new addition is set to […]
October 24, 2025
In the third quarter of 2025, Renault Group achieved a 9.8% increase in registrations compared to the same period in 2024, totaling 529,486 vehicles sold. Both international and European sales contributed to this performance, up 14.9% and 7.5% respectively. In Europe, passenger car sales grew by 10.9%, outperforming a market up 7.5%. All brands were […]
October 23, 2025
Despite the high cost, Belgian urban families are increasingly opting for cargo bikes. According to figures from the mobility federation Traxio, sales in Belgium have skyrocketed over the past two years, rising by more than 66%, from 9,585 units in 2022 to 15,246 in 2024. The success of the cargo or longtail bike for the […]
October 23, 2025
At its GM Forward media event in New York, General Motors showcased how manufacturing scale, software expertise, and AI are converging to transform the car from a mode of transportation into an intelligent assistant. Chair and CEO Mary Barra and other senior leaders unveiled advancements in AI, robotics, energy, and autonomy, demonstrating how the company […]
October 23, 2025
High-speed train operator Eurostar has ordered 50 trains from French company Alstom. These are double-decker trains, a first for Eurostar. Thanks to their double configuration, with two trains coupled together, they offer more than 1,000 seats per journey while traveling at a maximum speed of 320 km/h. Eurostar needs the trains to open new routes […]
October 23, 2025
Astara Auto Finland, the company that imports Kia vehicles into Finland, is giving away free gasoline-scented car air fresheners to buyers of the new Kia EV4. And no, this is not a joke. You have to admit, the smell of fuel is popular among gearheads, but those with EVs no longer get to experience it. […]
October 23, 2025
Tesla’s latest quarterly report shows the electric-car maker couldn’t benefit from record sales, driven by the prospect of the EV credit abortion in its home country. Despite delivering a record 497,099 vehicles in the third quarter — a 7 percent increase year over year — the company’s net profit tumbled 37 percent to $1.37 billion. […]
October 23, 2025
Michael Jost, former head of VW Group’s product strategy, recently addressed the car industry, policymakers, and the general public at the E4Testival in Germany. His message was clear: “There is no alternative for electromobility and the so-called technology openness is an illusion.” His discourse was titled “Electrify the world – think bigger.” He asked his […]
October 23, 2025
Born from a skunkworks team at Rivian, the electric carmaker best known for its pickup trucks and SUVs, a group of engineers is now applying that same magic DNA to smaller wheels. An e-bike like a futuristic promise: sleek, software-driven, and distinctly Rivian in spirit. Their new spinoff, called Also, has unveiled the TM-B, a […]
October 22, 2025
The unions at Brussels Airlines are threatening to take action, such as a strike, following the dismissal of three flight attendants. The three refused to fly to Ghana after the cleaning crew reported pests on board, including fleas and bedbugs. According to Brussels Airlines, it was a false alarm. However, the action of the three […]
October 22, 2025
The European Commission will propose measures to mitigate the impact of its new carbon tax on citizens and businesses. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wants to alleviate fears of price increases and provide Member States with resources to support families by adjusting the implementation of the CO2 tax. The aim is to save the […]
October 22, 2025
The European Parliament has approved two texts that pave the way for digital driving licenses on smartphones by the end of 2030. They do not replace the physical driver’s license, but both will be valid. In the future, it will also be possible to begin training to become a truck driver at the age of 17. […]
October 22, 2025
Criticized by some and cherished by others, the low-emission zone (LEZ) in Brussels is having the desired effect, according to the annual evaluation by Brussels Environment. The LEZ is leading to faster fleet renewal and better air quality in the Brussels-Capital Region. An average of 360,000 unique vehicles drive in the LEZ every day. Just […]
October 22, 2025
The new Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric and the upcoming BMW iX3 are poised to compete directly in the premium mid-size electric SUV segment. The GLC, from today on available in Belgium for ordering at €72,479, combines a luxurious interior, spacious design, and a WLTP range of up to 715 km. Priced at a similar level to […]
October 22, 2025
British startup Advanced Electric Machines specializes in electric motors that do not use rare earths. After facing financial difficulties in recent years, it has now secured a development partnership with a major automotive supplier. The British startup Advanced Electric Machines (AEM) has apparently reached a milestone, announcing that it has signed a development agreement with […]
October 22, 2025
The GTS name goes electric as Porsche adds more power and precision to its best-selling EV SUV. The dual-motor GTS delivers 571 hp and almost 1,000 Nm of torque, and sharper dynamics, making Porsche’s electric SUV the sportiest Macan yet. The Macan GTS EV is clearly positioned as a high-performance variant within the Macan EV […]
October 22, 2025
Febiac and Renta, the federations of car manufacturers and rental firms in Belgium, are warning that the implementation of a mandatory mobility budget in the lease sector in Belgium as of the 1st of January 2026 is completely unrealistic and will cost the federal government some €10à million. Febiac and Renta emphasize the importance of […]
October 21, 2025
During the national campaign against distracted driving on October 7 and 8, the Belgian police issued a total of 3,226 fines and immediate penalties. No fewer than 2,877 drivers were fined for using a cell phone while driving, and 1,097 driving licences were immediately revoked. “The number of violations remains very high,” says the federal […]
October 21, 2025
The city of Prague has decided to ban shared/rental e-scooters on its territory from January 2026. From that date, shared e-scooter providers will not be allowed to operate unless they have specific contracts. Prague isn’t banning the concept of shared e-scooters entirely; it’s banning unregulated operations. These contracts will specify where vehicles can be parked, […]
October 21, 2025
Belgian victims of the Dieselgate scandal who still want to file a claim for €1,000 in compensation need to hurry, because the deadline of Sunday, October 26th, is fast approaching. However, the victims themselves do not seem to be losing any sleep over it. According to the newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws, only 2,400 Belgians have […]
October 21, 2025
The dispute between the Netherlands and China over semiconductor maker NXP (formerly Nexperia) is very much alive and escalating. It has moved from a governance dispute into a real supply-chain risk scenario. Nexperia’s China unit has publicly declared it will operate independently of the Dutch headquarters, saying Chinese site staff should ignore instructions from the […]
October 21, 2025
“Nissan intends to CO₂-pool with BYD across the EU during 2025 to meet more challenging emissions targets.” That’s what Schmidt Automotive Research, a UK-established, Germany-based independent consultancy and publishing firm that specializes in the automotive market, predicts. However, neither Nissan nor BYD has confirmed this so far. Nissan’s intention to pool its European fleet CO₂ […]
October 21, 2025
Volvo Cars is offering Swedish car buyers one year of free home charging with the launch of its free charge initiative. Volvo Cars is partnering with Swedish energy company Vattenfall to introduce this offer, which aims to make the switch to fully electric cars more attractive and accessible for more customers. Insights from the first […]
October 20, 2025
The EU-funded research project ‘Efferest’ aims to make electric vehicles more efficient, focusing specifically on the interaction between systems and components that manage interior comfort and powertrain performance. The project targets significant improvements in cabin comfort and drivetrain systems by the end of 2026. Considering both together ensures a holistic approach, allowing technical compromises to […]
October 20, 2025
According to VeloVeilig Vlaanderen, a large-scale study on road safety in Flemish cities by newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws, in which 27,676 residents participated, Flemish people give an average score of 4.8 out of 10 for general safety in their municipality. That’s a big fail. According to the study, 25% believe that there are still too […]
October 20, 2025
Antwerp N-VA politician Koen Kennis has been appointed as chairman of Lantis, the developer of the Oosterweel connection. Kennis has served as a Lantis director for 15 years. He succeeds his party colleague Marc Descheemaecker. “His commitment to the organisation and his years of experience in mobility issues made him an easy choice for this role.” […]
October 20, 2025
The Flemish government has approved a measure allowing heavier zero- and low-emission trucks to operate on its roads. On a proposal from Mobility Minister Annick De Ridder, the maximum permitted weight for five-axle zero-emission trucks will rise from 44 to 46 tonnes, while low-emission vehicles will be allowed up to 45 tonnes. Zero-emission trucks are […]
October 20, 2025
Ex-McLaren CEO Michael Leiters (54) will replace Oliver Blume as CEO of Porsche from 1 January 2026. Blume will remain at the helm of the Volkswagen Group. His contract there was extended until 2030. Rumors that VW and Porsche CEO Oliver Blume would concentrate solely on Wolfsburg had circulated for some time, but things moved […]
October 20, 2025
The vote on a carbon tax for international shipping, known as the Net-Zero Framework (NZF), has been postponed for a year. This was decided on Friday in London by the member states of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the maritime branch of the United Nations. The postponement comes under pressure from US President Donald Trump. […]
October 20, 2025
“Developed to bring the Joy of driving to gliding.” German premium carmaker is pushing its brand beyond traditional vehicles into electrified leisure mobility and new uncharted waters: an electric stand-up paddleboard (SUP). And it’s premium too, as the €3,990 price tag suggests. BMW is doing this with the help of Slovenian SipaBoards, a company founded in […]
October 20, 2025
The Chinese electric vehicle maker Leapmotor is best known in Europe for its low-cost models, marketed alongside Stellantis. But in its home market, the carmaker has revealed an ambitious new flagship SUV that pushes the brand into luxury territory. And not without making a mark. The D19, a 5.2-meter-long electric SUV, features an onboard oxygen […]
October 20, 2025
BMW’s German market responsible Christian Ach says in an interview with the German magazine Automobilwoche that the German domestic orders for the first car of the Neue Klasse, the iX3, already surpass those of the current combustion X3. “In the first six weeks after its unveiling at the IAA in Munich, we received over 3,000 […]
October 17, 2025
A pet travelling on an airplane falls under the definition of ‘baggage’. The European Court of Justice has declared this. The declaration arose from a dispute between a Spanish airline and a passenger whose dog was lost during transportation. Whether animal welfare organizations will be happy with this legal ruling is another question. They consider […]
October 17, 2025
Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the configurator for its eagerly anticipated entry-level electric CLA. Powered by a smaller lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, the CLA 200 ships for €49,610 in Belgium, almost €6,000 less than the CLA 250+ with NMC pack. The German carmaker has built its new four-door coupé on its modular MMA platform, which underpins […]
October 17, 2025
Eventually, from mid-November, Flemish public transport company De Lijn would be operating self-driving shuttle minibuses to transport passengers between Leuven station and Heverlee. A Belgian first: autonomous vehicles driving in busy city traffic at normal speeds of up to 40 km/h. But more time is needed to fine-tune and becoming fully operational is now postponed […]
October 17, 2025
How about this: a pedalable trike vehicle with a top speed of up to 120 km/h? Something for you? It’s not entirely a crackpot idea, as there actually is a startup in France called Cixi working on a vehicle called the Vigoz that roughly matches that. That said, there are several caveats, and it has […]
October 16, 2025
Alphabet-Google’s daughter company, Waymo, plans to introduce its robotaxi operations in London next year. This is in response to plans by the British government to allow commercial pilot projects with autonomous vehicles from 2026. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she was “delighted” by the announcement. For Waymo, this will be its second international expansion, after […]
