Author: Jessica Park

BYD has begun trial production at its new passenger car plant in Szeged, Hungary, following a slight delay, with full series production expected to start in the second quarter, the city’s mayor said. Mayor László Botka said the initial trial phase started by the end of January 2026 and that output would be gradually ramped up over the coming years to a planned capacity of 200,000 vehicles annually. Employment at the site is also expected to increase progressively. See also: BYD Europe Registrations Jump 269% to 187,657 in 2025 as Tesla Falls 27% Despite Higher Volumes “At this stage, trial…

Abarth has overhauled its electric 600e range for the 2026 model year, introducing two new trim levels — Turismo and Competizione — as it sharpens the positioning of its battery-electric performance offering. The revised line-up replaces the previous standard Abarth 600e and the limited-run Scorpionissima edition. Alongside the smaller Abarth 500e, the 600e represents the brand’s attempt to inject performance character into the compact electric crossover segment, building on the Fiat 600 platform. The new range-topper, the Abarth 600e Competizione, is priced from £37,995 in the UK and is powered by a 207 kW electric motor. Abarth said the model…

Ford Europe said it has upgraded the all-electric Explorer and Capri with a new lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery and a more powerful electric motor, improving driving range and performance in the entry-level versions of both models. The update applies to the so-called Standard Range variants of the two vehicles, which are built in Cologne on the Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB) supplied by Volkswagen Group. The models were previously equipped with a 52-kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery. Ford said the revised versions retain their existing list prices, starting at €39,900 for the Explorer and €42,400 for the Capri…

The Amsterdam City Council has decided to ban advertising for meat products and goods powered by fossil energy in public spaces, a move that would remove promotions for petrol and diesel cars, cruises and flights from the city’s streets. The ban was proposed by the green party GroenLinks and the animal rights party Partij voor de Dieren and follows similar measures adopted in other Dutch cities, including Haarlem, Nijmegen and Utrecht. Amsterdam officials said the decision would make the city the first capital in the world to prohibit outdoor advertising for meat products. See also: Amsterdam Plans Ban on High-Speed…

Mercedes-Benz has begun series production of its new all-electric GLB sport utility vehicle at its manufacturing plant in Kecskemét, Hungary’s foreign minister said, according to a report by Hungary Today. The start of production was announced by Péter Szijjártó, who attended the ceremony marking the launch, rather than by the automaker itself. Speaking at the event, Szijjártó said the move was strategically important for the German carmaker. “This step represents another important cornerstone in the German company’s development strategy and serves as a solid foundation for its future product portfolio,” he said. See also: Mercedes-Benz Unveils New GLB with EQ…

BMW Group said electric vehicles accounted for around one-quarter of its total car deliveries in Europe last year, highlighting the region’s role as the company’s most advanced market for electrification. The automaker said fully electric vehicles made up 25% of European sales in 2025 when deliveries from MINI and Rolls-Royce were included. By comparison, the global share of battery-electric vehicles across the group stood at about 18%. See also: BMW Reports 3.6% Increase in Global EV Sales in 2025 When plug-in hybrid models were added, electrified vehicles represented more than 40% of BMW Group’s European deliveries. The company said this…

Hyundai  presented the Staria Camper Concept at the CMT trade fair in Stuttgart, as the South Korean automaker gauges European demand for premium, fully electric recreational vehicles. The one-off concept follows the recent world premiere of the Staria Electric and is intended to showcase how Hyundai’s multi-purpose vehicle platform could be adapted into a camper tailored for the European market. If approved for production, the camper would be based on the fully electric Staria Electric, Hyundai said. See also: Hyundai Motor Group Expands V2G and V2H Services Across Asia, Europe and the United States “This one-off model is designed to…

The joint venture between ZF Friedrichshafen and Foxconn has opened a new factory in Debrecen, Hungary, positioning the operation close to BMW’s upcoming vehicle plant to support electric vehicle production, the partners said. The facility will manufacture electric front and rear axles for BMW’s Neue Klasse electric models, including the next-generation iX3, using just-in-sequence production. The location near BMW’s site was a deliberate choice, reflecting the growing trend among automakers to cluster suppliers near EV assembly plants to reduce logistics complexity and costs. See also: ZF and Qualcomm Team Up on Turnkey ADAS Platform for Level 3 Automation The joint…

The third-generation Nissan LEAF has been named World’s Best Compact Car by the Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY) jury, with the award applying to the 2026 model year, Nissan said. The decision was made by a panel of 75 automotive journalists from 52 countries. The WWCOTY jury evaluates vehicles based on criteria including safety, quality, price, design, ease of driving and environmental impact. The organisation was founded in 2009 by New Zealand motoring journalist Sandy Myhre and is the only global automotive awards body composed exclusively of women journalists. See also: Nissan Starts Production of Third-Generation LEAF at…

Zeekr has opened order books across several European markets for its new 7GT electric estate, following the model’s public debut at the Brussels motor show, as the Chinese electric vehicle maker expands its presence in the region. The company said customer configurators are now live in multiple countries, with deliveries scheduled to begin in July. Pricing for the rear-wheel-drive entry variant starts at €47,990 in Germany, while lower base prices are offered in markets such as the Netherlands, where the model starts at €45,990. See also: Everthing You Should Know About Zeekr 7GT Specifications The 7GT is based on the…

Toyota has unveiled an all-electric version of its Hilux pickup truck in Europe for the first time, marking a significant step in the electrification of one of the world’s best-selling pickup models. The Hilux BEV made its European debut at the Brussels Motor Show 2026, where Toyota showcased the ninth-generation pickup in battery-electric form. The launch comes more than five decades after the Hilux was first introduced, during which time Toyota has sold more than 27 million units globally, primarily outside North America. See also: Toyota Positions Electric Hilux as Niche Model Amid Fleet Focus For the first time, the…

Kia unveiled the production version of its EV2 compact electric SUV at the Brussels Motor Show 2026, marking the world premiere of what will become the South Korean automaker’s most affordable battery-electric model to date. Positioned below the EV3 in Kia’s electric lineup, the EV2 is built on the 400-volt version of the group’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) and is aimed squarely at the European B-segment, one of the continent’s largest and fastest-growing vehicle classes. Kia said the EV2 will be offered with two battery options, delivering ranges of up to 317 kilometres and 448 kilometres under the WLTP…

GreenPower Motor Company said it will establish its U.S. corporate headquarters and North American operations base in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, as part of an expansion expected to create more than 340 jobs and generate about $200 million in economic impact over the next decade. The Vancouver-based electric vehicle manufacturer has reached an agreement with the New Mexico Economic Development Department to locate the operations at a 135,000-square-foot facility in Santa Teresa. The move will complement GreenPower’s existing operations in southern California and West Virginia. See also: New Mexico, GreenPower Launch Pilot Program for All-Electric School Buses New Mexico has…

Prague Public Transit Company (DPP) has begun deploying battery-electric buses in regular passenger service for the first time, introducing the SOR ENS 12 model supplied by Czech manufacturer SOR Libchavy as part of a broader fleet modernisation programme. The initial batch of 18 electric buses features an electric drivetrain from Škoda Electric and forms part of a framework agreement covering up to 100 vehicles to be delivered by 2028. DPP said the first four buses have already entered service from the Vršovice depot, operating on route 213, with the remaining vehicles to be phased in over the coming weeks. See…

Berlin’s public transport operator Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) has temporarily taken around 70 battery-electric buses supplied by Dutch manufacturer Ebusco out of service after routine inspections identified fine cracks in the vehicles’ bodywork. The affected vehicles are Ebusco 2.2 models and form part of BVG’s fleet of about 270 battery-electric buses. BVG confirmed that the inspections revealed small cracks in the vehicle frames. The operator said the findings do not pose a safety risk, but the buses were withdrawn from service as a precautionary measure and in line with standard warranty procedures. See also: Ebusco to Lay Off 102 Employees as…

BYD recorded a sharp increase in new vehicle registrations in Europe in November, while Tesla continued to post year-on-year declines, according to industry data released on Monday. New vehicle registrations for BYD in Europe rose to 21,133 units in November, up 221.8% from 6,568 units a year earlier, data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association showed. The figures cover the European Union as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. In contrast, Tesla registered 22,801 vehicles in the region during the month, down 11.8% from 25,840 units in the same period last year, according to the data.…

Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) registrations in the European Union rose sharply in November, reinforcing the role of fully electric cars as the main growth driver in the region’s auto market, according to data published by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA). From January to November, more than 1.3 million battery-electric cars were registered across the EU, giving the segment a market share of 16.9%, up from 13.4% in the same period of 2024. Total passenger car registrations reached 9.86 million units, a modest increase of 1.4% year on year. BEV registrations over the eleven-month period rose 27.6%, second only to plug-in…

Chinese automaker Leapmotor plans to manufacture up to four electric vehicle models at Stellantis’s plant in Figueruelas, near Zaragoza, with production scheduled to begin in 2026, according to statements cited by Spanish media. Production is expected to start with the Leapmotor B10, followed by three additional models by 2027, the Spanish electric mobility portal Forococheseléctricos reported, citing comments from Ding Yongfei, Leapmotor’s global quality director. “We will produce the B10 and, by 2027, the B05, the A10, and the A05. In total, four models at the Stellantis Figueruelas plant,” Ding was quoted as saying. See also: Leapmotor to Launch First…

Dacia has opened UK order books for the updated Spring electric city car, pricing the model from £12,240 on the road after applying its own £3,750 subsidy, as the Romanian brand seeks to reinforce its position at the low end of the electric vehicle market. The revised Spring features new electric motors, a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, faster DC charging and upgraded digital interiors, with first customer deliveries scheduled for spring 2026, Dacia said. See also: Dacia Upgrades Spring Electric City Car for 2026 with Stronger Motors and Improved Dynamics The model is offered with two permanent magnet synchronous…

Smart is advancing development of its all-electric #2 city car, with real-world testing now underway to validate the brand’s new Electric Compact Architecture (ECA), the company said. The model is scheduled to make its global premiere in late 2026. Engineers are currently using modified smart fortwo bodies as test vehicles to evaluate the new platform. This approach allows early validation of the ECA while maintaining the ultra-compact dimensions that have defined smart’s city-focused vehicles. The #2 is expected to retain a two-door, two-seat layout and a rear-wheel-drive configuration, reflecting the core characteristics of the original fortwo. While the vehicle’s footprint…