BYD to equip all its cars with ‘God’s Eye’ advanced driver aid for free

February 11, 2025

China’s most significant EV carmaker, BYD, has launched its newest advanced driver system, ‘God’s Eye’. It will be available in all its models in China, top-down, from the luxury Yangwang U9 supercar to the modest cars under 100,000 yuan (€13,278) like Dolphin or Seagull. It comes in three flavors, À-B-C, with or without LiDAR, to […]

Caselani transforms Citroën Ami into retro Type H

February 10, 2025

This wasn’t supposed to happen. Italian tuner Caselani showcased a prototype of an Ami disguised as an old Type H van at the 2CV 24H race at Spa-Francorchamps. The concept was meant to remain a concept. But reactions were so overwhelming that the company decided to offer it as part of its portfolio. From movies […]

Airbus warns its hydrogen aircraft to be delayed

February 10, 2025

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus’s development of the hydrogen aircraft is proceeding slower than expected, it says in a statement to the French news agency AFP. In doing so, Airbus is responding to a union pamphlet stating that the aircraft manufacturer has pushed back the target date for the aircraft’s entry into service by five to […]

Will there be a second tube for Mont Blanc tunnel?

February 10, 2025

France and Italy will explore the possibility of drilling a second tunnel tube under Mont Blanc in addition to the one already in place, the two countries foreign ministers, Jean-Noël Barrot, and Antonio Tajani, said at a recent meeting in Nice. The Mont Blanc Tunnel, inaugurated in 1962, is 11,6 km long between Chamonix, France, […]

Renault’s new electric LCV’s: Estafette, Goelette and Trafic

February 10, 2025

Renault has unveiled its new generation of electric light commercial vehicles (LCVs), which will be called Estafette, Goelette, and Trafic. The names are new, but the cars were already presented under the Flexis name in January due to the joint venture between Renault Group, Volvo Group, and CMA CGM. A couple of weeks ago, Flexis […]

Porsche scales back EV plans as profits slide

February 10, 2025

Porsche is shifting gears on its electrification strategy, scaling back its ambitious EV plans to bolster combustion and hybrid powertrains. However, this strategic pivot comes with substantial costs and mounting challenges, as the automaker faces declining earnings, market uncertainty, and potential trade tariffs that could further disrupt its global operations. More details have surfaced about […]

Survey: Dutch want zero tolerance and alcolock in traffic

February 10, 2025

Most Dutch citizens want stricter penalties for driving under the influence. According to an Ipsos I&O survey commissioned by the Victim Support Fund (Fonds Slachtofferhulp), among almost 2,200 people aged 16 and older, three-quarters of Dutch people want a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol in traffic.  In addition, 84 percent want the alcolock to return for repeat […]

Hydrogen truckmaker Nikola rolling downhill toward bankruptcy?

February 10, 2025

It looks like it is further going downhill with American hydrogen truckmaker Nicola, following a The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg report that the company is considering Chapter 11 to propose a plan of reorganization to keep its business alive and pay creditors over time. Last week, Nicola (NASDAQ: NKLA) shares tumbled as much as […]

Arval: ‘The small EV is finally conquering the company car market’

February 10, 2025

Leasing company Arval Belgium has published new data from its Arval Mobility Observatory indicating that the smaller EV is now seriously breaking through in the company car market. The number of PHEVs has fallen back to 10% of new registrations in this market. Nine of ten company cars ordered in 2024 through Arval have a […]

From fairway to highway: how golf ball design improves tire efficiency

February 07, 2025

Continental has unveiled its latest innovation in tire technology, the EcoContact 7 and 7 S, designed to maximize electric car efficiency and improve range. The company has drawn inspiration from an unusual source: golf ball aerodynamics. This is how it works. Tire manufacturers are continuously seeking innovative ways to improve the rolling resistance of their […]

More than 4 million cyclists on Limburg’s bicycle highways in 2024

February 07, 2025

It has been proven again: Limburg is the cycling paradise par excellence. In 2024, more than four million cyclists – 4,059,224 to be precise – were counted on the bicycle highways—a slight increase compared to the year before despite an extremely wet summer.  An average of almost 11,300 cyclists passed the counters every day. Limburg […]

Plug-in hybrid sales to show little change in 2025

February 07, 2025

Plug-in hybrids saw a modest decline in Europe last year (-4%), and despite renewed government strategies and binding CO2 targets, their popularity isn’t expected to rise much. Stricter emission rulings will prevent carmakers from launching new models. So, as the Belgian government provides some slack for these plugged fossil drivelines, nothing fundamental is about to […]

Almost 80% of Walloon drivers cannot resist smartphone addiction

February 07, 2025

In Wallonia, nearly 8 in 10 drivers (77%) admit that they cannot resist the temptation to use their phones while driving. This is according to a survey by the Walloon Road Safety Agency (AWSR) published on Thursday, World Mobile Phone Free Day. In Wallonia, an average of 16 accidents with deaths or injuries are caused […]

Ford scores good overall results but EV losses are piling up

February 07, 2025

Ford, the North American car manufacturer, made good profits in 2024 but once again recorded a hefty loss in its Model e division. At $5.1 billion, it was even higher than in 2023. Ford now wants to get the division back on track with a change of personnel at the very top and proposes extended-range […]

Britons say no to doubling e-bike motor power

February 07, 2025

The British government has called off plans to allow doubling the motor power of e-bikes from 250 watts to a maximum of 500 watts. The main reason for not implementing the measure is because of safety concerns. The decision keeps the U.K. in line with EU countries where the exact same support limit of 25 […]

Last locomotive built in Belgium saved from scrapping

February 06, 2025

The last locomotive built in Belgium, the so-called “2160,” has been saved from scrapping, according to the newspaper Le Soir. The unit, initially sold to a scrap dealer, is moving to the Musée de Chemin de Fer à Vapeur des Trois Vallées in Treignes, in the province of Namur. Anyone who now thinks that the […]

T&E: EU’s rescue plan to create demand for 2.2 million EVs by 2030?

February 06, 2025

The European Commission is revising its plan to remedy the ongoing EV crisis. Green lobby group Transport & Environment has reflected upon the impact of the upcoming proposal, clarifying that a well-chosen scheme for electrifying company cars could create market demand of 2.2 million EVs by the decade’s end. The study reveals that this would […]

Volvo Cars had another record year but remains prudent about 2025

February 06, 2025

Volvo Cars had a second consecutive record-breaking year in 2024 and reports the highest full-year retail sales, revenues and core operating profit in its 98-year history. However, the company anticipates a turbulent 2025 due to challenging market conditions. Full-year revenues exceeded SEK 400 billion (€35.2 billion) for the first time in the company’s history due […]

Exuberant consulting contracts grew rank at NMBS/SNCB

February 05, 2025

At Ypto, the IT company of the Belgian public railway company NMBS/SNCB, consultants have been awarded lucrative contracts without public tender for years. This appears from an investigation by the Treasury, reports the newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws. In a reaction, the NMBS/SNCB states that it has already taken measures at its IT subsidiary Ypto over […]

DB Schenker France expands electric fleet with 66 Renault E-Tech trucks

February 05, 2025

DB Schenker France, the French branch of the German logistics multinational, is expanding its electric truck fleet with 66 additional Renault Trucks E-Tech models that will join the 69 electric vehicles already in circulation. By 2040, DB Schenker France wants to achieve carbon neutrality. After a large order of 53 electric trucks at the end […]

De Wever I: ‘losing your driver license without counting points’

February 05, 2025

To improve safety on Belgian roads, the new De Wever I government plans to introduce a driver’s license system with points–without describing it in those words. Anyone who accumulates violations in the future will no longer slip through the net but will automatically be summoned to the police court. For example, the coalition agreement states that […]

Genesis GV90: Donckerwolke’s super-luxury EV SUV nears production

February 05, 2025

Genesis, Hyundai’s premium brand, is moving forward with the production of its flagship electric SUV GV90. A camouflaged near-production prototype was spotted in South Korea, indicating that the model, likely based on the Hyundai Ioniq 9, is coming to market later this year. In March of last year, Genesis unveiled the Neolun Concept, a large […]

New mobility minister: ‘No new train station at Charleroi Airport’

February 05, 2025

There will not be a train station at Charleroi Airport after all. That is what the new Minister of Mobility, Climate and Environmental Transition Jean-Luc Crucke (ex MR, but Les Engagés since 2023) told his predecessor Georges Gilkinet (Ecolo) during the power transfer. “It would cost way too much. We cannot spend public money this […]

Avere becomes E-Mobility Europe and calls for immediate action

February 05, 2025

In a significant move for the electric vehicle (EV) industry, Avere, Europe’s leading e-mobility association, has officially rebranded itself as E-Mobility Europe. The new identity was unveiled on Monday during a launch event at Autoworld in Brussels. Chris Heron, Secretary General of E-Mobility Europe, emphasized the importance of 2025 for Europe’s EV transition. “This year […]

Traxio: ‘Used car market started 2025 with 1.8% growth’

February 05, 2025

In January 2025, 63,008 second-hand cars were registered, 1,100 units more than in January 2024 and 5,873 units more than in January 2023. According to Filip Rylant, spokesperson for mobility federation Traxio, this indicates a continued growth trend thanks to a gradual price decline and abundant supply.  The total figure for January 2023 was 57,135 […]

Stellantis patents ‘EV exhaust system’ to prevent thermal runaway

February 05, 2025

It sounds like a ‘contradictio in terminis,’ an exhaust system for fully electric vehicles that are supposed to have no emissions at all. Still, Stellantis Group, parent company to Peugeot, Jeep, and Fiat, among others, has filed a patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for a system that would evacuate dangerous […]

Honda/Nissan planned merger already under pressure

February 05, 2025

At the end of December, we informed you of a merger between Honda and Nissan, with Mitsubishi possibly joining in. Meanwhile, Mitsubishi hesitates, and now there seems to be a problem between the two main protagonists. Sources familiar with the matter said Tuesday that Honda Motor Co. has sounded out Nissan Motor Co. about becoming […]

Ferrari scores excellent results in 2024 and launches 6 new models this year

February 05, 2025

On Tuesday, Ferrari raised its targets for 2025 after a bumper 2024 and announced six new models this year, including its first BEV. The iconic sports car manufacturer said it is revising its 2025 targets upward, with revenues above €7 billion, up at least 5% compared to 2024. 2024 was a fantastic year for Ferrari, […]

Audi changes model designation again

February 04, 2025

According to the manufacturer’s name-giving logic introduced in 2023, Audi models with even numbers are electric, while those with combustion engines have odd numbers in their names. However, this nomenclature is history again. In March, there will be another new A6 with a combustion engine. In 2023, the now deposed CEO Markus Duesmann announced a […]

Paris reserves lane on ‘périphérique’ for car pooling and public transport

February 04, 2025

From March 3rd, a lane on the Paris ‘périphérique’ will be reserved for carpool cars, security services, and public transport. Only cars with at least two occupants, public transport vehicles (buses and taxis), emergency services, and persons with reduced mobility are allowed to drive in the left lane of the Paris Ring Road. The rule […]

Porsche wants to reshuffle its Executive Board

February 04, 2025

In a mandatory statement, German sports car manufacturer Porsche announced that it is planning talks with Chief Financial Officer Lutz Meschke and Chief Sales Officer Detlev von Platen to terminate their position on the Executive Board early. A sign of desperate times, desperate measures? The statement issued by Porsche is very short and reads: “The […]

Norway nears 100% EV adoption with new sales record

February 04, 2025

Norway has set another benchmark in electric vehicle adoption, with 8,954 of the 9,343 new passenger cars registered in January being fully electric. This translates to a market share of 95.8%, a new record. Norway remains on track to meeting its goal of EV-only sales by the end of the year, though officials still express […]

De Wever I to allow AI cameras to catch phone use while driving

February 04, 2025

The new federal government plans to expand the permitted use of smart cameras to facilitate police work. According to business newspaper De Tijd, the intention is to use more AI cameras to track down suspects and, for example, detect mobile phone use behind the wheel. The network of license plate recognition (ANPR) cameras will be […]

JATO: hybrids and cheap Dacia Sandero held up Europe’s EV offensive

February 04, 2025

The year 2024 wasn’t the best for the European car market, with a slowdown in growth that the industry began to see signs of in 2022, resulting in only a 0.9% growth, where this still was 28% in 2023. New detailed figures from JATO Dynamics show a clear trend toward ‘cheaper’ hybrids driven by Toyota’s […]

Belux car registrations down 13% in January due to company cars

February 04, 2025

The number of car registrations in Belgium and Luxembourg was down 13% in January compared to last year. According to data from the Federal Service Mobility and Transport and Importer Federation Febiac, this decrease is due to a 23.8% regress in company car registrations. Individual buyers bought 11.7% more cars. This means the Belgian car […]

Does Musk effect materializes as Tesla sales nosedive in key markets?

February 04, 2025

Tesla is facing a significant downturn in sales across major markets, marking a challenging start to 2025 for the EV giant. In Belgium, registrations plummeted 44.8%, but also in the Netherlands, France, and Germany sales slid to their lowest level in over a year. The backdrop is noticeably bigger than its rivals. It seems that […]

Antwerp Classic Car Event welcomed back in heart of LEZ

February 03, 2025

Looser Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in Flanders allows the Antwerp Classic Car Event (ACCE) to return to its roots at the Cockerill Quay on the borders of the Scheldt River in the Antwerp city center on 3 and 4 May of this year. Some 15,000 car enthusiasts are expected to come and see some 1,000 […]

De Lijn’s shared Blue-Bikes are growing strongly

February 03, 2025

Flemish shared bike provider Blue-bike, owned by public transport operator De Lijn, experienced its most vigorous membership growth last year since its inception in 2011. The more than 45,000 members also made a record number of rides, at just over 377,000. Blue-bike, known for the slogan ‘Always a bike at the tip of your fingers,’ […]

Deme and Jan De Nul win key contracts for Nordlicht offshore wind projects

February 03, 2025

Belgian dredging and maritime construction companies Deme and Jan De Nul have won contracts for two new offshore wind farms – Nordlicht 1 and 2 – in the German North Sea. When operational, they will provide power to approximately 1.7 million German households. The two wind farms will be located in a zone 85 kilometers […]

Antwerp drone transport company ADLC raises €2 million for expansion

February 03, 2025

Antwerp-based transport company ADLC, which offers transportation by drones to companies, has raised 2 million euros in fresh capital. With that additional money, the company plans to further expand its services in the maritime and offshore industry. From now on, DronePort in Sint-Truiden, at the former air force base in Brustum, Limburg, will also be […]

Next shake-up at Stellantis top management

February 03, 2025

Bloomberg reported on Sunday that car manufacturing group Stellantis is planning another management shake-up after CEO Carlos Tavares’s sudden ousting at the end of last year. According to people who are familiar with the matter, CSO Yves Bonnefont and Peugeot CEO Linda Jackson are losing their positions. Stellantis confirmed that a few hours ago. In […]

Kia confirms EV2 launch for beginning next year, EV4 spied

February 03, 2025

The ramp-up towards compact affordable EVs is taking shape as Kia confirms it will officially launch the EV2 in January 2026. The announcement, made during the company’s full-year 2024 earnings call, marks a significant milestone for Kia’s “EVs for all” strategy, which aims to rapidly increase its electric car share. The importance of these small […]

IATA: ‘Never as many airline passengers as in 2024’

January 31, 2025

Travel by air has never been more popular. Last year, airlines worldwide counted around 4.89 billion passengers, an improvement from the record of 4.54 billion in 2019, the International Organization of Airlines (IATA) announced. The average aircraft load factor reached 83.5%, which is also a record. IATA expects global air traffic to increase by 8% […]

Chinese GWM’s Confidence Auto sets sights on superluxury market

January 31, 2025

Great Wall Motor (GWM) is making another play for the premium segment by launching a new luxury vehicle brand, Confidence Auto. Positioned above its existing brands – Haval, WEY, Tank, and Ora – Confidence Auto is set to compete directly with BYD’s high-end Yangwang brand and Hongqi from FAW. GWM applied for the Confidence Auto […]

Hyundai unveils two rickshaw concepts to electrify India

January 31, 2025

Hyundai is looking to enter the Indian mobility market, not with affordable EVs like the Inster, but rather with specific vehicles made for the busy streets of Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore: electric rickshaws. The Korean manufacturer showed the E3W and E4W concepts at Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 and plans to partner with local manufacturer […]

Alfa Romeo scales back its 2027 fully electric ambitions

January 31, 2025

Alfa Romeo is reversing course on its ambitious all-electric plans, opting instead for a multi-energy strategy as it battles declining sales and a shifting global EV market. The Italian automaker, which initially aimed to be fully electric by 2027, will now offer a mix of gasoline, hybrid, and electric powertrains in its future lineup. The […]

EU boss von der Leyen prioritizes car industry problems (Update)

January 31, 2025

The European Commission is concerned about the future of the European Industry and has created a ‘Competivity Compass’ to address all related challenges. Meanwhile, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has made the problems of the EU car industry a ‘Chefsache,’ a ‘chief concern’ that she will handle personally. She has already sat around the […]

Renault shows electric demo car Filante Record 2025

January 30, 2025

Renault Filante Record 2025 is an electric demo car developed to maximize energy efficiency and set a new record for power consumption and range with an 87 kWh battery, i.e., the same capacity as the Scenic E-Tech electric. We’re talking about a single-seater with a streamlined body design for aerodynamic efficiency. The Renault Filante Record […]

After two decades of palavering London Heathrow gets third runway

January 30, 2025

London Heathrow Airport, Europe’s largest airport, will get a third runway. The British government supports the idea and is inviting proposals to be brought forward by the summer. “A third runway at Heathrow will lead to growth, boost investment, and make the United Kingdom more open and connected,” said British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel […]

Flexis (Renault-Volvo) unveils its software-defined electric van range

January 30, 2025

Flexis, a collaboration between Renault Group, Volvo Group (Trucks, not Cars), and CMA CGM, has unveiled its line-up of electric vans. The Panel Van, Cargo Van, and Step-In Van are all based on the same software-defined ‘skateboard’ platform and feature a high level of modularity, an efficient electric drivetrain, and future-proof technology. The name of […]

Tesla 2024 profit plummets 71% over cooldown, Musk sees future ‘bright’

January 30, 2025

Tesla reported a sharp decline in profitability for 2024, missing key financial expectations and experiencing its first annual sales drop in over a decade. Despite CEO Elon Musk’s optimistic projections for future growth, the company’s latest earnings report has raised concerns among investors and industry analysts. Tesla’s fourth-quarter net income fell by as much as […]

ALD Automotive/LeasePlan first to offer drone leasing

January 30, 2025

ALD Automotive/LeasePlan, the market leader in Belgium for full-service leasing, car rental, and fleet management, is the first mobility partner in Belgium to offer a leasing formula for drones. The drones are available in all shapes and sizes, can fly manually or automatically, and can be equipped with cameras, detection systems, or speakers. Multifunctional Drones […]

Eranovum to install 1,000 fast chargers in Belgium

January 29, 2025

Spanish charging station operator Eranovum wants to install more than 1,000 charging stations in Belgium over the next three years. The company says there are many opportunities, especially in Wallonia. In France, the company also wants to install 1,000 additional charging points this year, in addition to the 9,000 it targets in Spain by 2026. […]

EU’s longest indoor e-karting circuit to open on former Antwerp Opel site

January 29, 2025

Europe’s longest indoor e-karting circuit will be built on the former General Motors site north of Antwerp. Experience Factory will operate the circuit. It is not yet known when it will open. The circuit will be 1.1 km long and spread over three floors. It will accommodate 80 electric karts. The Italian Tony Kart is […]

Toyota lowers price with 70% to $17,000 to palm of its Mirai in US

January 29, 2025

It’s a fire sale for residents in California, US, who are leaning toward hydrogen mobility. To desperately revive interest in its hydrogen-powered Mirai, Toyota is increasing its discounts to a staggering 70%, making it one of the cheapest new cars in the US. The move underscores the challenges the Japanese automaker faces in promoting hydrogen […]

BMW gives its iX a (mostly technical) facelift

January 29, 2025

BMW, the Munich-based carmaker, has revealed the facelifted version of its iX flagship, focusing primarily on technical upgrades and making only minor adjustments to the design. The iX was revealed in 2020 as one of the first electric BMWs of the (then) new generation. The new SUV model wasn’t just fully electric; it featured a […]

Volvo looking for 350 new people to build EX30 in Ghent

January 29, 2025

While 2,900 employees will lose their jobs on February 28th, 2025, when the last Audi Q8 e-tron will be made at Audi Brussels, Belgium’s only remaining car factory, Volvo Car Gent is looking for 350 new people to start building the EX30 in Europe. Volvo announced in October last year its intention to build the […]

Honda-Nissan joint venture without Mitsubishi? (update)

January 29, 2025

Persistent rumors exist that Mitsubishi Motors, partly owned by Nissan, will not join the new holding Nissan-Honda. Mitsubishi seems to be planning to relaunch an EV in North America. Meanwhile, the Honda-Nissan deal faces serious problems in China. Although Nissan is still Mitsubishi Motors’ biggest shareholder, it seems the company is not ready to join […]

Fewer trains to Brussels Airport in February and March

January 28, 2025

Due to track works, there will be fewer trains to Brussels Airport train station from February 1st to 21st and the weekend of March 1st and 2nd. A transfer or bus connection will be necessary for specific trips. Railroad manager Infrabel is renewing the tracks in Zaventem for the airport connection. In addition, a switch […]

Paralympian sues Belgian rail for no train access by wheelchair

January 28, 2025

Belgian Paralympic boccia player Francis Rombouts has filed a lawsuit against the public railroad company NMBS/SNCB because he cannot take the train in his hometown of Tielen. The case, dragging on for years, was heard yesterday at the Brussels Court of Appeal. And to make it even more painful, Rombouts could not enter the courtroom […]

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