Author: Lukas Schneider

Mercedes-Benz has held preliminary discussions with Chinese automaker Geely about potential cooperation on future vehicle development in China, according to a Bloomberg report citing sources familiar with the matter. The talks are described as being at an early stage and focus on possible collaboration for models beyond Mercedes’ current generation of electric vehicles. The outcome remains uncertain, and the discussions could end without a formal agreement. See also: Mercedes-Benz Unveils VLE Electric Van With 800-Volt Platform and 700 km Range The reported engagement comes despite Mercedes-Benz recently denying speculation that it plans to adopt a new electric vehicle platform based…

Lucid Motors has appointed German automotive retail group Wackenhut as its first European retail partner, marking a shift toward a hybrid sales model as the U.S. electric vehicle maker expands its presence in Germany. Wackenhut will begin selling and servicing Lucid’s vehicle lineup at its Baden-Baden site from March 30, 2026, with a second location in Stuttgart scheduled to open in summer 2026, Lucid said in a statement. Additional Wackenhut sites will provide service support to strengthen regional coverage. See also: Lucid Unveils Mid-Size EV Plans Including SUVs and Robotaxi Concept The partnership represents Lucid’s first move to complement its…

BMW has increased production of its all-electric BMW iX3 to a two-shift operation at its Debrecen plant in Hungary, citing strong demand for the first model in its Neue Klasse lineup. The move follows robust order intake since the vehicle’s debut at the International Motor Show (IAA) in September 2025, the company said in its annual financial results. The Debrecen facility began series production in October, with initial deliveries starting in January and a broader dealer rollout in early March. See also: BMW Completes Final Winter Tests for Neue Klasse i3 Ahead of March Design Debut “Since its world premiere…

German carmaker Volkswagen has offered an early preview of the successor to its compact electric hatchback Volkswagen ID.3, confirming the model will debut under the new name Volkswagen ID.3 Neo when it is unveiled in mid-April. The announcement comes as Volkswagen prepares extensive updates to several vehicles built on its MEB platform, including refreshed versions of the Volkswagen ID.4, Volkswagen ID.5, and Volkswagen ID.7. The company has not yet disclosed detailed drivetrain specifications for the upcoming ID.3 Neo. Volkswagen confirmed that the facelifted ID.3 will adopt a new name rather than the previously rumored “ID. Golf.” Meanwhile, media reports suggest…

BMW Group said its Supervisory Board has appointed Raymond Wittmann, currently head of Corporate Strategy and Development, to the company’s Board of Management. Wittmann is expected to assume responsibility for BMW’s production division at the company’s Annual General Meeting in May. The move comes as current production chief Milan Nedeljković prepares to succeed Oliver Zipse as chairman of the board. See also: BMW Completes Final Winter Tests for Neue Klasse i3 Ahead of March Design Debut The appointment follows earlier confirmation that BMW would need to fill the production board position after Nedeljković’s planned leadership transition. Wittmann, 47, has worked…

Mercedes-Benz has introduced the VLE, a new battery-electric van that will succeed the Mercedes-Benz EQV while also debuting the company’s next-generation VAN.EA electric van platform. The VLE is the first model built on the modular architecture and is designed to deliver passenger-car-level range and charging performance in the van segment. The vehicle uses an 800-volt electrical system, enabling DC charging of up to 320 kW and a WLTP driving range of more than 700 kilometres in certain configurations. “The VLE marks the beginning of a new era at Mercedes-Benz. It elevates everything our customers know and appreciate to a new…

German sports car manufacturer Porsche has introduced a third powertrain variant of its electric SUV lineup, unveiling the Cayenne S Electric alongside the previously announced Cayenne Electric and Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric. The new model sits between the base version and the Turbo flagship in the range. Like all Cayenne Electric models, it comes exclusively with all-wheel drive, meaning Porsche’s traditional distinction between rear-wheel-drive “S” models and all-wheel-drive “4S” variants does not apply. The Cayenne S Electric delivers 400 kW of power, rising to 490 kW with Launch Control. By comparison, the entry-level Cayenne Electric produces 300 kW, or 325…

Porsche is continuing development of the next generation of its 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman sports cars despite earlier reports suggesting the electric models might be cancelled. Daniel Schmollinger, chief executive of Porsche Cars Australia, said the project remains active, indicating the question surrounding the models is now about timing rather than whether they will be produced. “We can’t tell yet when it’s coming, but I had the chance to drive it, and it is actually amazing,” Schmollinger told Car Sales, referring to the upcoming electric version of the 718. The next-generation models are expected to debut as battery-electric vehicles.…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Zeekr said it has delivered the first units of its Zeekr 7X to customers in Germany as the company continues to expand its presence in the European electric vehicle market. The automaker also announced the launch of sales operations in three Southern European countries—Italy, Spain and Portugal—marking a further step in its international growth strategy. According to Zeekr, the brand now operates in more than 10 European markets and plans to enter France next as part of its regional expansion. The company said it has already expanded into more than 50 countries and regions worldwide, although…

The Volkswagen Group has delivered more than four million battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) worldwide, marking a new milestone in the German automaker’s electrification push as it expands its global lineup of electric models. The company said the milestone comes shortly after the Volkswagen brand itself reached two million electric vehicle deliveries, with roughly half of the group’s total BEV sales attributed to the core brand. See also: Volkswagen Considers €60 Billion Cost Cuts by 2028 Amid Mounting Financial Pressure Volkswagen began tracking BEV deliveries in 2013 when the e-up! became its first mass-produced fully electric vehicle. The e-Golf followed in 2014,…

Audi plans to bring its Audi Concept C to production within two years, positioning the electric model as the successor to the discontinued Audi TT as the German automaker accelerates development timelines under a new strategy inspired by China’s automotive industry. The concept, first unveiled in September, is expected to enter the market within a relatively short development cycle of about three years from initial design to production. The model will fill the gap left after Audi ended production of the TT and the Audi R8, leaving the brand without a two-door sports car in its lineup. See also: Audi…

Germany has exceeded the two-million mark for battery-electric passenger cars, according to new data from the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA). As of 1 January 2026, a total of 2,034,260 fully electric cars were registered nationwide. The milestone marks continued expansion of the country’s electric vehicle fleet, which has grown from 34,022 units in 2017 to more than two million within nine years. The one-million threshold was first crossed in 2023. See also: Germany and Canada Sign Pact to Deepen Automotive and Mobility Cooperation In 2025 alone, the battery-electric vehicle (BEV) fleet increased by 382,617 units, up from 1,651,643 vehicles at the beginning…