Author: Lukas Schneider

BMW has set a new record on the Paneuropeana long-distance driving route, completing the 5,886.7 km journey from Norway’s North Cape to Tarifa in southern Spain with only 2 hours, 45 minutes and 54 seconds of charging. The production-spec BMW i3 50 xDrive completed the journey across eight countries, beating the route’s previous record from 2017 by more than seven hours of charging time. All charging stops were made at public stations. The vehicle spent less than three minutes charging for every 100 km travelled, with an average charging power of 275 kW against its maximum DC charging capability of…

BMW will introduce lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries in selected Neue Klasse electric vehicles, alongside its existing nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) technology. The strategy will focus on specific models and market requirements rather than replacing NMC batteries across the entire range. BMW CEO Milan Nedeljković outlined the approach during a telephone conference discussing the company’s third-quarter financial results. The China-specific iX3 30L, an entry-level long-wheelbase version of the electric SUV, already uses an LFP battery. Higher-priced iX3 40L and 50L variants continue to rely on NMC chemistry. BMW to Target LFP Batteries at Specific Models Nedeljković said BMW considers its new NMC…

BMW is expanding its battery cell supplier network for the Neue Klasse electric vehicle range, adding Samsung SDI in Europe and LG Energy Solution (LGES) in the United States. Deliveries of the sixth-generation (Gen6) battery cells are expected to begin toward the end of the 2020s. The new partnerships support BMW’s regional sourcing strategy, under which battery components are supplied from locations close to vehicle and battery production facilities. The approach is intended to reduce transport distances, strengthen regional manufacturing and improve supply security. Nicolai Martin, BMW board member responsible for purchasing and supplier networks, said supplier diversification remains central…

Germany registered 94,086 new battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) in October 2026, an increase of 79.5% compared with the same month last year. BEVs accounted for 37% of all new passenger car registrations, making them the largest individual powertrain category in the German market, according to data from the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA). Overall, Germany recorded 254,492 new passenger car registrations in October, up 1.7% year over year. Total registrations during the first ten months of 2026 reached approximately 2.476 million units, an increase of 4.9%. BEVs Gain Share as Conventional Powertrains Decline The increase in electric vehicle registrations contrasted with…

Opel has introduced a 22-kW onboard charger for its battery-electric Grandland lineup, making the SUV the first passenger car from the German automaker to offer this AC charging capability. Announced on November 3, the upgrade is available for the Grandland Electric, Grandland Electric Long Range and Grandland Electric AWD. According to Opel, the higher-capacity onboard charger can reduce AC charging times by approximately half compared with an 11-kW charger, provided the vehicle is connected to a compatible charging point. 22-kW Charger Reduces AC Charging Times The new onboard charger allows the electric Grandland models to use higher AC charging power…

Mercedes-Benz is developing a new electric vehicle power architecture designed to maintain a constant 800-volt supply regardless of battery state of charge. The technology uses decentralised microconverters, known as Power Converters, to regulate energy flows from individual battery cells or cell groups and reduce the impact of voltage fluctuations on vehicle performance. The approach addresses a limitation in conventional electric vehicle architectures, where system voltage is closely linked to battery charge levels and the condition of individual cells. Decentralised Microconverters Stabilise Battery Voltage In conventional electric vehicles, the overall battery voltage depends on the number of cells connected in series.…

BMW plans to expand its SAE Level 2 driver assistance capabilities to urban environments from 2027, introducing navigation-guided functions designed to support more complex manoeuvres, including turning, navigating roundabouts and responding to priority situations at intersections. The rollout will begin in Germany before gradually extending to other markets. The expanded system will complement existing assistance functions covering motorways and rural roads, bringing navigation-based support into city centres. Despite the additional automation, drivers will remain responsible for the vehicle and must stay attentive and ready to intervene at all times. Navigation-Guided Assistance for Urban Driving The expansion builds on the integration…

Porsche will appoint former Mercedes-Benz executive Jörg Bartels as its new head of Research and Development in May 2027, succeeding Michael Steiner, who is leaving the sports car manufacturer after more than 20 years with the company. The leadership transition was announced by Porsche as it prepares to reshape its development operations under a broader corporate strategy focused on cost reduction, shorter development cycles and a revised powertrain approach. Steiner, 62, has led Porsche’s development activities for more than a decade and currently serves as deputy chairman of the executive board. He will hand over his board-level responsibility to Bartels…

Volkswagen has temporarily suspended development work on its planned electric ID.Golf as the automaker tightens investment spending amid mounting cost pressures. The company says work will resume once the necessary funding can be secured. Volkswagen Passenger Cars chief Thomas Schäfer initially disclosed the decision in an internal interview with Handelsblatt, while Reuters subsequently reported his remarks: “We simply cannot afford this work right now.” In its statement covering the first nine months of 2026, Volkswagen’s Brand Group Core said development of the future ID.Golf would remain temporarily suspended “until we can securely allocate the necessary investments”. Investment Controls Tighten Amid…

Volkswagen has officially opened a vehicle dismantling and recycling facility at its Zwickau plant in Germany, establishing the site as a central competence centre for the group’s circular economy activities. Operations are scheduled to begin in 2027, with the facility initially expected to process approximately 4,100 pre-series and end-of-life vehicles annually. The opening follows a nine-month conversion and approval phase. Vehicles will be dismantled using an eight-stage production line operating across two shifts, requiring an initial workforce of around 100 employees. Volkswagen also sees potential for longer-term employment growth across the wider circular economy business unit. A collective agreement finalised…

Audi is recalling 12,734 Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron electric vehicles worldwide over a potential battery cell defect that could increase the risk of fire. The campaign includes 9,048 vehicles in the United States, while the remaining affected vehicles are located in other markets. The recall covers vehicles manufactured between November 30, 2023, and June 26, 2025, according to Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA). No related incidents have been reported, but US safety authorities warn that a battery fire cannot be ruled out under certain conditions. Audi has advised owners of affected vehicles in the United States to…

BMW Group has completed one million automated vehicle movements using its Automated Driving In-Plant (AFW) system, which moves newly manufactured vehicles through designated production and logistics areas without a driver. The company announced the milestone on October 27, as MINI Plant Oxford became the fourth facility to adopt the technology. The system was developed with Swiss technology company Embotech and is currently operating at BMW Group plants in Dingolfing, Leipzig and Regensburg, as well as MINI Plant Oxford. BMW plans to introduce the system at Plant Spartanburg in the United States, with series operation scheduled to begin in 2027. BMW…

A coalition of three political groups in the European Parliament has agreed to replace proposed binding electric vehicle targets for corporate fleets with voluntary commitments, according to German trade publication Automobilwoche. The European People’s Party (EPP), Socialists and Democrats (S&D), and Renew Europe groups have reportedly agreed on a joint position that would remove mandatory electrification quotas for company cars from the European Commission’s proposed Auto Package. Jens Gieseke, an EPP member of the European Parliament and chair of its Transport Committee, told Automobilwoche that the agreement was intended to limit the burden on fleet operators. “For corporate fleets, we…

Volkswagen Group and NXP Semiconductors have agreed to collaborate on the development of Volkswagen Group’s future software-defined vehicle (SDV) architecture. Under the agreement, NXP’s S32K5 family of microcontrollers will support zonal control systems intended for use across the Group’s brands and vehicle segments. The first vehicle featuring the architecture is planned for 2027. The companies announced the partnership ahead of the International Suppliers Fair (IZB) in Wolfsburg, Germany. The agreement forms part of Volkswagen Group’s semiconductor strategy and its efforts to standardize electronic technologies across its vehicle portfolio. Microcontrollers to Support Zonal Controls Modern vehicles use electronic control units (ECUs)…

Mercedes-Benz is facing delivery waiting times of around six months for its all-electric CLA and GLC models as demand for its latest electric vehicles exceeds expectations. To support production, the automaker’s battery assembly plant in Kamenz, Germany, has operated six days a week on a three-shift system since June. Electric CLA Records Strong European Registrations According to figures published by Handelsblatt, citing market researcher Dataforce, the all-electric CLA has recorded more than 71,000 registrations in Europe since its market launch in September 2025, averaging approximately 5,400 units per month. The figure compares with an average of around 3,500 monthly registrations…

Mercedes-Benz is preparing to introduce its MB.Drive Assist Pro system in Germany, expanding its advanced driver assistance technology beyond motorway driving to more complex urban environments. The SAE Level 2 system is already being introduced in China and the United States, making Germany the latest market to receive the technology. Unveiled at CES in Las Vegas in early 2026, MB.Drive Assist Pro is designed to assist drivers with a range of tasks during city journeys. These include merging into traffic, changing lanes, turning, braking and moving off at traffic lights. Despite these capabilities, the system remains a Level 2 driver…

Mercedes-Benz has conducted a high-speed side-impact crash test involving a hybrid CLA Shooting Brake and an all-electric CLA Sedan, bringing the two vehicles together in a 90-degree collision at 35 mph (56 km/h) to demonstrate their occupant protection and post-crash safety systems. The Stuttgart-based automaker said both vehicles maintained their passenger-compartment integrity during the test. The electric CLA’s high-voltage battery remained intact, while the hybrid model automatically shut off its fuel system following the impact. Mercedes reported that all eight crash-test dummies remained below the applicable injury assessment thresholds. The test involved four adult and four child dummies, each equipped…

Hamburger Hochbahn AG has started trial operations at its first depot in Hamburg designed exclusively for battery-electric buses. Located in Meiendorf, the facility is preparing for the introduction of an initial 30 electric buses into regular service on 13 December 2026. During the testing phase, around 20 employees are conducting route trials with up to 10 vehicles. The programme is intended to refine operating procedures, test the depot’s infrastructure under real-world conditions and train staff ahead of the full service launch. Passengers in north-eastern Hamburg, including Rahlstedt, Farmsen, Volksdorf and Berne, are expected to benefit as the electric bus operations…

Mercedes-AMG has unveiled the 2028 AMG GT SUV, an all-electric performance SUV with a claimed maximum output of 1,153 horsepower, a 0–60 mph acceleration time of 2.4 seconds and DC fast-charging capability of up to 710 kW. The model is the first full-size SUV developed entirely in-house by AMG and the second vehicle based on the brand’s AMG.EA electric performance platform, following the recently unveiled AMG GT 4-Door Coupe. Three versions are planned at launch: the GT53 SUV, GT55 SUV and range-topping GT63 SUV. The vehicles are expected to arrive at US dealerships in summer 2027. Mercedes-AMG has not announced…

Mercedes-Benz and NVIDIA announced on October 16 an expansion of their strategic partnership to develop the next generation of driver assistance and automated driving systems. The collaboration combines Mercedes-Benz’s automotive engineering and MB.OS operating system with NVIDIA’s computing architecture, driving software and safety technologies. According to the companies, the combined systems are intended to support future advanced driver assistance functions and SAE Level 4 automated driving applications, including robolimousines. The announcement did not specify a launch date or identify particular production vehicles that will use the full technology package. Integrating Vehicle Software, Computing and Safety Systems The partnership brings together…