Author: David Wilson

Geely has accelerated its European expansion by launching two SUV models—the all-electric Geely E5 and the plug-in hybrid Geely Starray EM-i—simultaneously in Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. The rollout marks Geely’s coordinated entry into key Western European markets, with a focus on the high-volume compact SUV segment. The company confirmed it will debut in Germany with new retail locations, including its first showroom in Aachen. Ahead of the launch, Geely announced starting prices for Germany, with the E5 available from €37,990 and the Starray EM-i from €32,990. Both models will form the brand’s initial lineup in the country from…

Volkswagen has announced that its upcoming compact electric SUV, the ID. Cross, will start at around €28,000 when it launches in Europe in autumn 2026, positioning it above the smaller ID. Polo in the brand’s growing electric lineup. The German automaker disclosed the pricing during a recent “Covered Drive” event near Amsterdam, where journalists were given early access to camouflaged prototypes. The ID. Cross is expected to serve as a more practical counterpart to the ID. Polo, which is set to start at around €25,000. See also: Volkswagen Anhui Begins Production of ID.UNYX 08 Developed With Xpeng “With its combination…

Stellantis is assessing its investment strategy in Europe and holding discussions with potential partners, including Chinese automakers, as part of a broader strategic realignment, according to a report by Bloomberg. The global automotive group has reportedly explored cooperation opportunities with companies such as Xiaomi and Xpeng, with talks focused on options to strengthen its European operations. These discussions could include potential stakes in certain brands or joint initiatives, though details remain limited. See also: Stellantis Invests £50 Million in UK Electric Van Production While Warning Over ZEV Mandate Bloomberg reported that the talks may involve “options for an overhaul of…

Brussels public transport operator MIVB/STIB has begun operating the first units from a new batch of electric buses supplied by Mercedes-Benz, marking another step in the city’s transition to zero-emission public transport. A total of 50 battery-electric Mercedes-Benz eCitaro buses are scheduled to enter service in Brussels this year, including 36 standard single-unit buses and 14 articulated buses. The first vehicles began carrying passengers at the end of January, with the remaining solo buses expected to be deployed across the network by the end of March. The initial buses will operate on routes 47, 56, 58 and 83, charging exclusively…

Polestar said it is expanding its Grid Rewards program to Germany and France, allowing electric vehicle owners to reduce electricity costs through smart home charging coordinated with the power grid. The program operates in partnership with Octopus Energy and builds on the company’s Polestar Energy app, which has been available in several European markets for over a year. The app allows drivers to set departure times and desired battery levels, after which charging is scheduled automatically to minimise costs while meeting usage needs. See also: Polestar Announces Major Product Expansion With Four New Electric Models by 2028 With Grid Rewards,…

Volvo Cars has announced a global recall of more than 40,000 units of its electric EX30 SUV due to potential battery overheating that could lead to fires, a development that could affect the brand’s safety reputation and incur substantial costs. The recall covers 40,323 EX30 Single-Motor Extended Range and Twin-Motor Performance vehicles equipped with high-voltage battery cells produced by Shandong Geely Sunwoda Power Battery Co, a joint venture associated with Volvo’s parent company Geely. Volvo confirmed the action to Reuters. See also: Volvo EX30 Black Edition Priced From £40,060 as It Launches in the UK “We are now contacting the…

Electric truck startup SuperPanther plans to deliver its first 100 to 200 customer vehicles in Europe before the end of 2026, marking its initial expansion outside China, company executives said. The Xiamen-based manufacturer intends to begin series production this summer through contract manufacturing at Steyr Automotive in Austria. Europe is the company’s first export market, reflecting its strong ties to the region. “We have no diesel history,” said Frank Schulz, SuperPanther’s European sales director, noting that the company develops only battery-electric platforms. Founded in 2022 by engineers from Tsinghua University and former executives from automotive supplier Continental, SuperPanther positions itself…

Volkswagen Group has appointed Andreas Mindt as its new head of design, expanding his responsibilities beyond the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand to oversee styling across the company’s portfolio of marques. Mindt, 56, succeeds Michael Mauer, who is leaving the group following his earlier departure as head of design at Porsche. Volkswagen described the leadership change as part of a planned generational transition. A long-time Volkswagen Group designer, Mindt has worked within the organization for nearly three decades since graduating from the Hochschule für Gestaltung in Pforzheim. He has led design for the Volkswagen brand since February 2023, where he was…

Stagecoach Group has announced a £29.3 million investment to deploy 110 electric buses across Devon in south-west England, as part of efforts to modernize public transport and reduce emissions in the region. The rollout will cover depots in Torbay, Barnstaple and Exeter and includes the installation of new charging infrastructure. The project is being delivered in partnership with Devon County Council and Torbay Council, with financial support from the UK government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme. Exeter will receive 30 electric buses, while Barnstaple in North Devon will host 21 vehicles at its depot, positioning the town as…

Ford Motor is adopting a systems-engineering approach for its upcoming Universal EV (UEV) platform, using a proprietary “bounty” framework that assigns measurable cost and range impacts to individual design decisions in an effort to reduce battery size and vehicle prices. Rather than increasing battery capacity to address range concerns, Ford’s strategy focuses on lowering energy consumption through weight reduction, improved aerodynamics, and reduced rolling resistance. The automaker notes that batteries account for about 40% of an EV’s cost and more than a quarter of its mass, making pack size a key determinant of affordability. See also: Ford Boosts Range and…

Maserati is reportedly offering substantial discounts on its Folgore electric vehicle lineup in the United States, with price reductions of up to $85,000 on select models as the brand seeks to move unsold 2025 inventory. According to a report by CarsDirect, the automaker issued guidance to dealerships outlining incentives under a “Folgore EV Assistance Cash” programme. Maserati has not publicly announced the discounts. See also: Maserati Upgrades Grecale Folgore With Front Motor Decoupling and Battery Preconditioning Credit: MaseratiThe largest reductions apply to the Maserati GranTurismo Folgore and Maserati GranCabrio Folgore, whose list prices typically range from about $200,000 to $208,000.…

BYD’s European division has partnered with financial services provider DLL to broaden financing options for its electric trucks and buses, aiming to accelerate adoption of zero-emission commercial vehicles across the region. The initiative will initially cover nine markets, including Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, Ireland, Poland, and the United Kingdom. The collaboration builds on an existing relationship that began in 2025, when DLL started financing BYD commercial vehicles. Under the expanded agreement, customers will gain access to a wider suite of funding solutions, including operating leases, finance leases, and traditional loans. DLL, headquartered in Eindhoven, said the programme…