Author: Lukas Schneider

Porsche will end global production of the combustion-engine Macan at the end of July, completing the model’s transition to an all-electric lineup despite the petrol-powered version continuing to outsell its battery-electric counterpart during the first half of 2026. The move follows Porsche’s earlier decision to discontinue sales of the internal combustion engine (ICE) Macan in Europe at the beginning of 2025 after updated European General Safety Regulation (GSR2) requirements would have required significant changes to the model’s electronic architecture. Rather than redesign the outgoing platform, the automaker chose to phase out the model, a decision that will now apply worldwide.…

Mercedes-Benz has completed the expansion of its manufacturing plant in Kecskemét, Hungary, and has begun production of the new all-electric C-Class at the site. The automaker also confirmed that the upcoming compact G-Class will be produced exclusively at the Hungarian facility. Following the expansion, the Kecskemét plant has become Mercedes-Benz’s largest manufacturing site in Europe within its global production network. The facility’s footprint has increased from 200 hectares to 440 hectares through an investment of approximately €1 billion. The expansion includes new body and assembly halls, a second press shop, a paint facility and a battery assembly plant designed to…

Volkswagen Group Chief Executive Oliver Blume is facing growing opposition to a proposed restructuring plan after the company’s Supervisory Board and Works Council reportedly raised concerns over measures aimed at reducing costs and improving long-term competitiveness. According to German media reports, Blume presented a strategic roadmap for the group through 2030 during a recent Supervisory Board meeting. The proposal reportedly outlines additional cost-cutting measures, including potential plant closures and workforce reductions. Reports indicate that the plan did not secure majority backing during an initial Supervisory Board vote, setting the stage for further discussions over the company’s restructuring strategy. Cost-Cutting Plan…

Mercedes-AMG has expanded its electric CLA lineup with the introduction of the all-electric CLA 45 4MATIC+, a high-performance model that features a three-motor drivetrain and will be offered in both saloon and Shooting Brake body styles. The new model is the first in the CLA family to use three axial-flux electric motors, with two mounted on the rear axle and one on the front axle. Mercedes-AMG said the configuration delivers a peak system output of 500 kilowatts (kW) and continuous output of 450 kW, providing a maximum torque of 1,759 Newton metres. Power is distributed through the AMG Performance 4MATIC+…

Mercedes-Benz Group reported a sharp increase in global electric vehicle deliveries during the second quarter, with battery-electric vehicle (BEV) sales rising despite continued weakness in the Chinese market. The company delivered 63,000 battery-electric vehicles worldwide between April and June, representing a 25% increase from the first quarter of 2026 and a 50% rise compared with the same period last year. Of the total, 52,900 were passenger cars and 10,100 were vans. Across all vehicle categories and powertrains, Mercedes-Benz sold 511,900 passenger cars and vans during the quarter, up 2% year over year. Electric Vehicles Account for Larger Share of Sales…

Audi has reaffirmed its plan to introduce the A4 e-tron in 2028, with the all-electric midsize model expected to become one of the Volkswagen Group’s first high-volume vehicles built on the company’s next-generation Scalable Systems Platform (SSP). According to GoAuto, Audi Board Member for Technical Development Rouven Mohr said there was “no need to correct” the previously reported launch schedule, indicating the automaker remains on track despite earlier reports of development challenges. A4 e-tron to Debut Next-Generation Platform The A4 e-tron is expected to be the first Audi model to fully utilize the capabilities of the SSP platform, which is…

Mercedes-Benz is facing production challenges as it ramps up manufacturing of its new electric GLC at its Bremen plant in Germany, with supply shortages affecting output and extending delivery times for customers, according to a report by German business daily Handelsblatt. The disruptions have been linked to shortages of battery packs and wiring harnesses, limiting production of the electric SUV despite what the company has described as record early demand. Handelsblatt Details Supplier Bottlenecks Mercedes-Benz began ramping up production of the electric GLC in May, building the model on a flexible production line alongside hybrid and internal combustion engine variants.…

Volkswagen is reportedly evaluating plans to introduce vehicles developed for the Chinese market into Europe, including the possibility of manufacturing some of those models at underutilised European factories as it seeks to improve production efficiency and reduce costs. According to a report by Handelsblatt, the proposal forms part of broader transformation measures being considered by the automaker as it responds to weakening demand and excess manufacturing capacity in Europe. Volkswagen has not commented on the reported plans. Two-Pronged Strategy Under Review The report says Volkswagen is examining two possible approaches. The first would involve importing selected China-developed models directly into…

BMW has unveiled the all-electric iX5, introducing a battery-powered version of its long-running X5 SUV for the first time as the automaker continues to expand its electric vehicle lineup. Production of the iX5 is scheduled to begin in August at BMW’s Spartanburg, South Carolina, manufacturing plant, with the vehicle serving global markets. Up to 845 km of Driving Range The iX5 is powered by a 141 kWh battery and will initially be offered as the iX5 60 xDrive. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive system delivers 425 kW of combined output and 805 Nm of torque, enabling the SUV to accelerate from 0…

Volkswagen Group has expanded access to factory-installed vehicle connectivity by integrating six of its automotive brands into Webfleet’s OEM.connect platform, allowing fleet operators to access vehicle data without installing aftermarket telematics hardware. The integration covers Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Škoda, SEAT, Cupra, and Audi. Vehicles can be connected through the platform using their vehicle identification number (VIN), enabling fleet operators to activate connected services within minutes. The collaboration reflects a broader trend among automotive manufacturers seeking to generate additional revenue by making factory-generated vehicle data available through fleet software providers. Factory Data Available Across Mixed Fleets Through the…

Porsche is considering relocating production of all Cayenne models from its manufacturing facility in Bratislava, Slovakia, to its plant in Leipzig, Germany, according to a report by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (F.A.Z.) citing people familiar with the matter. The proposed move would cover the entire Cayenne lineup, including internal combustion engine, hybrid, and battery-electric variants. According to the report, the relocation would depend on employees at the Leipzig facility agreeing to lower labor costs. Porsche declined to comment on the reported plans. However, representatives of the company and its central works council confirmed that discussions are underway. Cayenne Production Could…

Porsche has published a patent describing a flexible powertrain concept that combines battery-electric, hybrid and combustion-engine technologies within a single drivetrain. The patent, filed with the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) in December 2024 and published this month under application number 10 2024 135 567.0, outlines a system capable of operating in four different driving modes. Four Operating Modes According to the patent, the proposed powertrain would allow drivers to switch between four operating configurations depending on driving conditions and performance requirements. In fully electric mode, the internal combustion engine is mechanically disconnected, allowing the vehicle to operate…