Author: Theo Dupont

Opel has confirmed that the next-generation Astra will continue to be produced at its Rüsselsheim plant in Germany, as part of a broader commitment by Stellantis to invest more than €1 billion ($1.16 billion) in its German operations by 2030. The announcement reinforces Rüsselsheim’s role as a key production and development hub within Stellantis while also outlining plans for new electric vehicle programs based on the group’s next-generation STLA ONE architecture. Alongside the Astra, Opel confirmed that the next-generation Corsa will also transition to the STLA ONE platform, which is expected to play an increasingly important role across several Stellantis…

Volkswagen Group has started production of the Volkswagen ID. Polo and Cupra Raval at its Martorell plant in Spain, marking the launch of the first vehicles in the company’s new Electric Urban Car Family. The two battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) are designed to expand affordable electric mobility in Europe and represent the first of several entry-level electric models planned by the group. Affordable Electric Mobility Volkswagen opened order books for the ID. Polo and Cupra Raval in April. The ID. Polo starts at €24,995 ($29,000), while the Cupra Raval is priced from approximately €26,000 ($30,100). Led by Seat and Cupra, the…

Stellantis has confirmed plans to invest more than €1 billion in its Mulhouse manufacturing plant in eastern France, where it will produce three new Peugeot models based on the group’s upcoming STLA One platform beginning in 2029. The announcement follows comments made last week by French President Emmanuel Macron, who revealed the investment as part of France’s broader industrial and electrification strategy. The project is expected to strengthen the future of the Mulhouse facility, which employs approximately 4,500 people and currently manufactures several Peugeot and DS models. New Peugeot Models Planned According to Stellantis, the Mulhouse plant will produce three…

Tesla reported strong registration growth across several European markets in May, supported by rising demand for its vehicles and a recovery from weaker year-earlier results. Registration data released by national automotive associations showed significant year-on-year increases in France, Denmark, Spain, Sweden and Norway, indicating improved momentum for the U.S. electric vehicle maker in the region. The gains follow a challenging period in 2025, when Tesla faced increased competition and temporary production disruptions linked to the rollout of the updated Model Y. France Records Largest Increase France posted Tesla’s strongest performance among the reported markets. The automaker registered 5,446 vehicles in…

Infineon Technologies has unveiled a new 1300 V silicon carbide (SiC) power module for electric vehicle inverters, introducing the first HybridPACK Drive module capable of continuous operation at temperatures of up to 205°C. According to the company, the new module raises the maximum operating temperature by 30°C compared with the 175°C industry standard while delivering up to 15% higher output current than existing SiC designs. Higher Temperature Capability Expands Design Flexibility The new power module is designed to improve the performance and efficiency of electric vehicle drivetrains by allowing operation at significantly higher temperatures. Infineon said the increased thermal tolerance…

BMW has opened the configurator for the new iX3 40, the rear-wheel-drive entry-level version of its first Neue Klasse electric vehicle, with prices starting at €63,400 in Germany. The launch broadens the appeal of BMW’s next-generation electric SUV range by introducing a more affordable variant alongside the iX3 50 xDrive, which has already entered customer deliveries. Priced €7,500 below the all-wheel-drive model, the iX3 40 is intended to showcase the efficiency and performance of BMW’s sixth-generation eDrive technology in a single-motor configuration. The electric drive unit, integrated into the rear axle, delivers 235 kW of power and 500 Nm of…

France unveiled a national electrification strategy aimed at reducing reliance on fossil fuels and strengthening domestic industry, with President Emmanuel Macron announcing that Stellantis plans to invest more than €1 billion in a new generation of electric vehicle production at its Mulhouse plant beginning in 2029. Macron presented the roadmap during the “Réunion de l’équipe de France de l’électrification” at the Élysée Palace, where government officials and industry representatives gathered to discuss the country’s energy transition and industrial development plans. One of the strategy’s main goals is to reduce the share of fossil fuels in France’s energy mix from 60%…

Registrations of battery-electric passenger cars in the European Union rose 37.7% year-on-year in April to 200,117 units, industry body ACEA said, as electric vehicles continued to outperform other powertrain categories in the region. Since the start of the year, battery-electric vehicle (BEV) registrations reached 746,899 units, giving them a 19.7% share of the EU passenger car market, according to data released by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA). The April figures extended the strong momentum seen in March, although the pace of growth slowed slightly. In March, BEV registrations had surged 48.9% year-on-year to 234,532 units. Overall EU passenger car…

Irizar has delivered the first unit of its electric integral intercity bus, the Irizar i3 Electric, to the Polish city of Bełchatów, marking the debut of the model in the country. The vehicle was officially presented in the presence of local and regional authorities, representatives of Wanicki, Irizar’s official distributor in Poland, and members of the Irizar team. According to Irizar, the bus is expected to begin operating in early June across Bełchatów and the wider Łódź region as part of a transport initiative designed to provide free public transport connections between surrounding municipalities and the city centre. The Irizar…

Stellantis has unveiled FaSTLAne 2030, a five-year strategic plan involving €60 billion ($69.6 billion) in investment aimed at expanding its vehicle portfolio, increasing operational efficiency and strengthening partnerships across global markets. The company said the plan includes more than 60 new vehicle launches and 50 model refreshes by 2030. Stellantis said approximately €24 billion of planned investment will be directed toward vehicle platforms, powertrains and technologies, while around €36 billion will be allocated to brands and product development. “FaSTLAne 2030 is the result of months of disciplined work across the Company and is designed to drive long-term profitable growth,” said…

Stellantis said it will begin production of a new generation of compact electric vehicles in Italy from 2028 as the automaker seeks to strengthen its position in Europe’s affordable EV market. The company said the project, known internally as “E-Car,” will be based at its Pomigliano plant near Naples and will support multiple Stellantis brands. The future vehicles are intended to target the growing European market for small battery-electric cars, a segment that is also attracting increased competition from automakers including Volkswagen, which is preparing its own compact EV family centered around the upcoming ID. Polo. Stellantis has not yet…

Renault is set to present its new Renault 4 JP4x4 Concept at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris on May 18, introducing another design study derived from the fully electric Renault 4 E-Tech platform. The concept vehicle combines styling cues associated with beach buggies and pickup trucks while paying tribute to historic Renault 4 variants from previous decades. Renault said the model takes inspiration from the Plein Air introduced in 1969 and the JP4 launched in 1981. See also: Renault Rebrands Charging Business as Plug Inn in Strategic Integration Move According to the automaker, the “JP” designation references both…