Category: News

On Wednesday 11 March 2026, Porsche held its annual press conference to present its financial results for 2025 and detail its strategy for the years ahead. The German manufacturer acknowledged that it had been through one of the most difficult years in its recent history. With declining sales, a sharp fall in profits and a strategic reorientation of the brand, 2025 clearly marks a turning point for Porsche, which is now trying to revive its momentum while continuing its transition to electric vehicles. Almost simultaneously, on the eve of this conference, Porsche presented its new zero-emission model: the Porsche Cayenne S Electric.

2025 results down sharply

The figures unveiled this morning show a real slowdown. In 2025, Porsche generated sales of €36.27 billion, compared with €40.1 billion in 2024, a fall of around 9.5%. But it is above all profitability that has collapsed. Operating profit (EBIT) fell to 410 million euros, compared with 5.64 billion euros the previous year, a spectacular drop of 92.7%. The operating margin, usually very high at Porsche, fell to 1.1%, compared with 14.1% in 2024, while net profit was €310 million, down 91.4%.

In terms of volumes, Porsche delivered 279,449 vehicles in 2025, down 10.1% on the previous year. However, 100% electric models accounted for 22.2% of deliveries, in line with the brand’s initial target of 20-22%.

A number of factors

According to the manufacturer’s management, a large part of the fall in profitability stems from charges estimated at €3.9 billion. These include €2.4 billion linked to a strategic reorientation of the range, €700 million of depreciation on batteries and €700 million of impact linked to customs duties in the United States since the return of President Trump’s “America First” policy.

The slowdown in the Chinese market also weighed heavily. In this key market for premium manufacturers, Porsche sales fell by 26%. This is not an isolated decline for the brand; BMW (-12.5%) and Mercedes (-19%) have also been affected. Added to this are the additional costs associated with the transition to electric vehicles, particularly the Porsche Taycan and Porsche Macan Electric, as well as the significant investment in software development carried out with the Volkswagen Group via the Cariad subsidiary.

“Global challenges and the company’s new direction have had an impact on the 2025 result,” summarised CFO Jochen Breckner at the conference.

A strategy to turn things around

Faced with this situation, Porsche’s new CEO, Michael Leiters, has presented a strategic plan based on three pillars: ‘Leaner, Faster, More Desirable’. The first pillar, Leaner, aims to make the company leaner by reducing fixed costs, which means that Porsche plans to cut around 1,900 jobs by 2029.

The second pillar, Faster, is designed to speed up development cycles and concentrate resources on the models that are most important to the brand. Five vehicles now form the core of the product strategy: the Porsche 911, the Porsche Cayenne, the Porsche Macan, the Porsche Taycan and the Porsche 718.

Finally, the More Desirable theme is intended to reinforce the brand’s emotional image. Porsche wants to continue to focus on personalisation and exclusivity in order to maintain its top-of-the-range positioning, even with potentially lower volumes. “We are repositioning Porsche in an integral way, more efficient, faster and with even more attractive products,” said Michael Leiters.

Electricity remains at the heart of the strategy

Despite the difficulties encountered in 2025, Porsche is not giving up on electrification. For 2026, the manufacturer is forecasting sales of between 35 and 36 billion euros, with an operating margin that could rise to between 5.5% and 7.5%. The proportion of 100% electric vehicles should remain between 20 and 25% of sales, proof that the energy transition is continuing.

A new electric Cayenne unveiled the day before

Electricity never stops for Porsche. On the eve of this annual conference, the German manufacturer presented a new version of its zero-emission SUV: the Porsche Cayenne S Electric. This version completes the Cayenne’s electric range by positioning itself in the middle of the range, between the entry-level Cayenne Electric and the Cayenne Turbo Electric.

 

Like the other versions of the SUV, this model is based on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE), an 800-volt architecture developed jointly with Audi. The Cayenne S Electric has a power output of 400 kW (544 bhp), which can be increased to 490 kW (666 bhp) with Launch Control, thanks to its dual powertrain and all-wheel drive. Acceleration is faithful to the brand’s sporting DNA, with a 0-100 kph time of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 250 kph.

In terms of range and recharging performance, it’s convincing on paper, with the brand announcing a 113 kWh high-voltage battery, giving a range of up to 653 km WLTP. Thanks to the 800 V architecture, recharging power can reach 400 kW at a rapid charging point, taking the battery from 10% to 80% in around 16 minutes.

With this new model, Porsche is seeking to expand its electric range in the premium SUV segment, a strategic market for the brand. The response to the launch of the Cayenne Electric at the end of 2025 shows that Porsche is meeting its customers’ expectations,” explained Matthias Becker, Head of Sales and Marketing.

A rebound after 2025?

Despite complicated financial results, Porsche’s management is confident about the future. The year 2025 is presented as a low point in the brand’s transformation cycle, with a rebound expected in the coming years.

Starting this year, Porsche hopes to gradually return to the level of profitability for which it is renowned in the automotive industry, and to maintain its status as a benchmark in the premium segment.

At the presentation of its new FutuREady strategic plan on 10 March 2026, Renault did more than just announce its industrial ambitions for the end of the decade. The French manufacturer also unveiled an unexpected concept car: the Renault R-Space Lab. More a rolling laboratory (hence the name) than a production vehicle, it is designed to explore what Renault calls “cars for living”. Behind this experimental approach lie a number of technologies and design ideas that could inspire the brand’s next generation of electric models, including a certain Mégane.

A concept unveiled at the heart of the FutuREady strategic plan

We were expecting to see just two prototypes: the Renault Bridger Concept, an electric 4×4 designed to explore the family SUV segment, and the Dacia Striker, a concept estate designed for the Romanian brand. The surprise was complete this morning, when the R-Space Lab was also presented. Renault’s objective is clear: to provide a concrete illustration of the group’s vision for the next decade.

With 12 new models planned in Europe between now and 2030 and a further 14 for international markets, the carmaker wants to speed up its transformation while placing greater emphasis on the on-board experience. The R-Space Lab is tasked with testing new ideas for interior architecture, safety and digital interfaces.

A return to the MPV’s roots

Visually, the concept is surprising in its proportions. At 4.50 metres long, the R-Space Lab is midway between the compact Renault Mégane E-Tech Electric (4.21 m) and the Renault Captur urban SUV. But unlike these models, its design adopts a very pronounced single-volume silhouette, with a windscreen that protrudes well forward and a continuous glass surface that stretches from the bonnet all the way to the rear window.

This stylistic choice is in keeping with Renault’s historic tradition of family vehicles centred on space and modularity. In fact, the concept’s name is a direct reference to the Renault R-Space Concept, which was presented in 2011 and foreshadowed several design elements of the Renault Scenic IV launched five years later. Once again, Renault could use this prototype to test the proportions of a future generation of more spacious electric models, potentially somewhere between a compact and an MPV.

The cabin as a real living space

But the heart of the project is not in the exterior design. The R-Space Lab has been designed around a simple idea: to transform the interior of the vehicle into a modular living space, capable of adapting to the daily needs of families.

The front passenger seat thus becomes a truly multifunctional element. It integrates the front and curtain airbags directly into its structure, freeing up space in the dashboard. The glovebox can be transformed into a shelf, a storage space for a bag or even a footrest. The seat can also slide backwards, allowing the front passenger to interact face-to-face with the occupants seated in the rear.

The rear, we’re talking about it, we’re there. Renault has come up with three independent sliding seats, Renault Espace style, combined with a panoramic glass roof.

A giant screen that goes right through the windscreen

Now it’s time to move on to the technological side of things, where the concept also introduces a number of digital innovations that could rapidly move into production.

The most spectacular is the OpenR Panorama system, a giant curved screen that extends across the entire width of the windscreen. Inspired by the interface of the Renault Scénic Vision concept, this solution aims to merge instrumentation and infotainment into a single display surface.

The prototype also adopts a yoke-type steering wheel combined with steer-by-wire steering, i.e. with no direct mechanical link between the steering wheel and the wheels. This system, already used on some models, allows greater freedom in the design of the cockpit.

Security rethought thanks to artificial intelligence

The R-Space Lab also serves as a testing ground for new safety systems. For example, the concept features a device called Safety Coach, which uses sensors and algorithms to analyse driver behaviour.

In particular, the system can detect signs of drunkenness using integrated tactile sensors, while providing personalised recommendations via on-board artificial intelligence. The aim is to create a permanent interaction between the car and its driver in order to improve road safety.

A possible glimpse of the electric Mégane of 2028

Although Renault insists on the experimental nature of the project, a number of clues suggest that some of the R-Space Lab’s ideas could inspire production models. The proportions of the concept, for example, could herald a future generation of longer electric compact cars, at around 4.40 to 4.50 metres.

Several observers are already talking about a possible second generation of the Renault Mégane E-Tech Electric around 2028, which would adopt proportions closer to those of a compact MPV in order to improve passenger space.

Although the R-Space Lab will never be marketed as such, it could well herald a new generation of Renault electric vehicles in which the passenger compartment will become the heart of innovation.

The Volkswagen Group took advantage of its Annual Media Conference 2026, held on March 10 in Wolfsburg, to unveil its 2025 financial results and detail the progress of its industrial transformation. Chief Executive Oliver Blume and Chief Financial Officer Arno Antlitz drew a mixed picture: the German giant remains one of the world leaders in electromobility, but the energy transition is weighing heavily on its profitability. With 4 million 100% electric vehicles delivered worldwide, the group also announced a shock measure: 50,000 job cuts in Germany by 2030.

Solid volumes but profitability under pressure

In financial terms, 2025 is a perfect illustration of the transition phase that Volkswagen is going through. The company recorded sales of €321.9 billion, down slightly on the €324.7 billion recorded in 2024. Worldwide sales also remained at a high level, with 9 million vehicles delivered over the year.

But profitability deteriorated sharply. Operating income fell by more than 50% to €8.9 billion, compared with €19.1 billion a year earlier. The operating margin fell to 2.8%, its lowest level since Dieselgate in 2016. Oliver Blume insisted on making it clear that 2025 is “a year of financial resilience but margins under pressure.”

 

This fall was mainly due to exceptional charges of €9 billion, linked to a number of factors:

• 5 billion to adapt Porsche’s electric strategy
• 3 billion linked to US tariffs
• 1 billion spent on internal restructuring

Despite this pressure on profits, the automotive division’s net cash flow reached 6.4 billion euros, up 24% year-on-year.

Volkswagen confirms its place in global electromobility

Despite the worrying figures, Volkswagen sent out a clear message: the BEV strategy remains intact. A few days before the conference, the Group announced that it had delivered a cumulative total of 4 million 100% electric vehicles worldwide (Top 5 worldwide and Top 1 in Europe).

The conference also revealed, or at least confirmed, that over the last two years the Group has launched almost 60 new models, around a third of which are fully electric. The Group’s BEV range now exceeds 30 models for passenger cars, plus the electric trucks and buses produced by its industrial subsidiary TRATON, which includes Scania and MAN.

Slowing down is not an option for the group, and the product offensive will continue. Volkswagen is planning more than 20 new models for 2026, around half of which will be 100% electric. Among them is a strategic project for Europe: the Electric Urban Car Family, a new generation of four affordable electric city cars designed to democratise electric mobility in the entry-level segment.

At the same time, the Group is preparing several new electric models specifically developed for the Chinese market, which has become the centre of gravity of the global energy transition.

50,000 job cuts: the social shock

But the most talked-about announcement of the conference concerned the Group’s social restructuring. In his letter to shareholders published with the annual report, Oliver Blume confirms that almost 50,000 jobs are expected to be cut in Germany between now and 2030 within the Volkswagen Group.

This decision goes well beyond the social plan already negotiated in 2024 with the powerful German trade union IG Metall. Back then, an agreement provided for 35,000 job cuts at Volkswagen.

And while originally only Volkswagen was to be affected, this time several brands are likely to be involved: Audi, Porsche and Cariad.

The unions are sure to be in the news, but management has insisted on a “socially responsible” approach, based mainly on voluntary redundancies, early retirement and internal redeployment.

Future Packages: the plan to restore profitability

To emerge from this transitional phase, Volkswagen is focusing on a vast internal efficiency programme called Future Packages. The objective is clear: to achieve annual savings of more than €6 billion by 2030, using a number of industrial levers.

In particular, the Group plans to simplify its vehicle range, improve the productivity of its factories and strengthen synergies between its various brands. As a reminder, the Volkswagen Group catalogue comprises several brands, each with its own positioning: Volkswagen, Audi, Škoda, Cupra, Porsche and many others.

For management, 2025 therefore represents a temporary low point, before an expected recovery from 2026 onwards thanks to the renewal of product ranges and efficiency gains.

A more difficult electricity transition than expected

While Volkswagen maintains its ambition to become a “Global Automotive Tech Driver” by 2035, the conference also shows that the energy transition is shaping up to be more complex than expected.

The group has to deal with a number of simultaneous challenges:

• the rise of Chinese manufacturers such as BYD and Geely,
• the slowdown in demand for electric vehicles in Europe,
• trade tensions with the United States.

The electricity transition has a price

With 4 million electric cars delivered, Volkswagen is proving that it now has one of the largest BEV offerings on the world market. However, the announcement of 50,000 job cuts is a reminder that the transformation of the automotive industry into a more energy-efficient sector will require far-reaching industrial change.

For Volkswagen, the next few years will be decisive. It remains to be seen whether the forthcoming launches will enable the Group to restore its margins and remain the leader it is today.

In its newstrategicplanfor the future, the Renault group will belaunching 36models worldwide over thenext 4 years. While aiming to remain abenchmark amongEuropeanmanufacturers, theFrenchfirm is alsoseeking toconquerthe most promising foreignmarkets : India,South Korea andLatin America. The group is aiming tosell 2 millionvehicles a year by 2030, abandoning the production of 100% combustion-powered cars and concentrating on hybrids, electric cars and electric cars withrangeextenders.

The end of an era. Renault is to stop producing cars with combustion engines, and from now on will produce only electrified vehicles. Following on from the electric Twingo, which goes on sale in a few weeks’ time, no fewer than 36 models will be launched over the next 4 years, across the Renault, Dacia and Alpine brands. The aim is to sell 2 million vehicles a year worldwide by 2030.

Renault Bridger Concept, the new pocket-sized adventurer

Of all these new models, 22 will be produced for Europe, 16 of them electric. The other vehicles will be hybrid or electric with extended range. Fourteen multi-energy vehicles will be reserved for the international market, starting with the Renault Bridger, whose concept evokes a small, agile and very squared-off adventurer, less than 4m long, with a large boot and plenty of space on board. Faced with competition from China in particular, we need to keep pace interms of innovative technology andcustomer experience,” explains François Provost, CEO of Renault Group. Our aim is to retain 80% of our customers over the 10-year life cycle of our cars.

An ever more digital and intelligent cockpit

This ambition is reflected in the new R-Space cockpit, which will gradually be fitted to all Renault models. Designed with the driver and passengers in mind, it features a panoramic curved screen spanning the entire width of the dashboard. Digital, connected and assisted by artificial intelligence, this interface is intuitive and as ergonomic as using your smartphone. Renault is also stepping up its collaboration with Google for its operating system, already recognised as the best on the market. In terms of safety for young drivers, for example, it will be possible to activate an integrated alcohol ignition interlock device.

New platform for long-rangeelectric cars

At industrial level, the plan is being successfully implemented with the inauguration of a new RGVE Medium 2.0 electric platform. Capable of producing vehicles in the B+ to D segment, with an 800 V architecture that enables ultra-fast recharging times. It will offer an electric range of up to 750 km WLTP and up to 1,400 km in Range Extender EV version. The versatility of this technical base means it can be used to assemble a wide range of body styles, including saloons, SUVs and coupes, with front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive or electric motor models with range extenders. These are all advantages and possibilities that should convince consumers who are reluctant to take the plunge into electric technology.

400 in savings per car per year

Renault is also promising to reduce production costs by €400 per car per year, which could be passed on to customers in the final bill. These savings will be achieved by

– optimising industrial processes (accelerated automation on production lines, maximising the re-use of available parts),

– by reducing the number of parts per car (by 30% on average),

– using AI and digital twins to reduce development time and the number of heavy industrial operations

– In factories, 300 humanoid robots (from Wanderkraft) will help workers to carry out the most physical tasks on the production line. This is a first in the automotive industry.

In addition, the development time

International development

To achieve operating margins of 5 to 7% of sales per year and an annual cash flow of €1.5 billion, the Renault group’s CEO is counting on Europe but is also targeting new growth markets (50 million units per year): India, South Korea and Latin America. On the other hand, the French group will not be seeking to establish itself in North America (USA, Canada), a market that is insufficiently electrified.

Dacia Striker, the coupé crossoverfor under €25,000

With over 10 million sales since 2004, Dacia is continuing to electrify its range with the launch of its new Striker model. This is an imposing crossover (4.62 m long) with fairly high ground clearance and a coupé-like profile. It is powered by hybrid, 4×4 hybrid and LPG engines. Produced in Turkey, the Striker will be launched in 2027 at prices starting from €25,000, making it a perfect complement to the successful Bigster and Duster SUVs. The best value brand on the market will also be offering 4 100% electric cars by 2030.

Alpine prepares the electric” A110

In addition to the A290 and A390 models already on the road, Alpine is continuing to develop the replacement for the A110, which will be 100% electric. Lightness, agility and driving pleasure are the priorities, promises the brand, which is unveiling the architecture of its future sports car based on the APP (Alpine Performance Platform) EV platform. The aluminium chassis will house two spaces for the battery packs, so as to distribute the weight balance (40% at the front and 60% at the rear). Dynamic performance will be optimised by an electronic management module (which acts on aero, power and torque) while retaining the Alpine Torque Vectoring software that improves roadholding in bends.

More advanced electric motor

Building on its expertise, the Renault group will also equip its future models with the 3rd generation electric motor (EESM). A rare-earthless wound-rotor motor, it develops 275 bhp, i.e. 25% more power, and offers greater efficiency, particularly on motorways. E-Tech hybrid technology (HEV) will also see further developments beyond 2030, with less powerful and less expensive engines.

Serving customers

Almost nine months after taking up his post, CEO François Provost intends to make the Renault group a benchmark in Europe with a broad range of desirable and competitive electrified cars, without neglecting the potential for growth in new markets. In the face of aggressive competition from Chinese manufacturers, he is betting above all on the service that his vehicles will provide to customers in terms of clean, accessible mobility tailored to their needs.

For several years, Lotus Cars seemed determined to turn the page on combustion engines once and for all. In 2023, the British manufacturer still claimed that the sporty Lotus Emira would be its “last internal combustion car”, as part of a strategy to become a 100% electric brand by the end of the decade. Three years on, the brand has revised its ambitions. With the arrival of the Lotus Eletre X, the British manufacturer is introducing a plug-in hybrid powertrain for the first time in its history.

A revelation from China

We’ve known it since 5 December 2025, when the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Technology published an approval file for a vehicle called “Eletre For Me”. Behind this name lies the future plug-in hybrid version of the 100% electric SUV launched by Lotus in 2023.

Confirmed by Lotus Cars at the beginning of 2026, the timetable is now clear: the first deliveries are expected in China at the end of March 2026, before a European launch scheduled for June. The French market should be served a few months later, by the end of the year.

This development comes at a particular time for the manufacturer. Although the brand’s electric models, in particular the Lotus Eletre and the Lotus Emeya saloon, have enabled Lotus Cars to achieve a record 12,134 worldwide deliveries in 2024, their volumes are still below the manufacturer’s initial ambitions, which were initially aimed at more than 25,000 annual sales in the medium term.

An even more powerful hyper-SUV

In technical terms, the Lotus Eletre X not only adds a combustion engine to the existing electric SUV, it also becomes the most powerful version in the range. The hybrid system develops a total output of 952 bhp, compared with ‘just’ 918 bhp for the all-electric version. The performance is equally impressive, with a 0-100kph time of 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 230kph.

The most striking change is in terms of range. Lotus has adopted a more compact battery supplied by CATL. Its capacity has been reduced from 112 kWh on the electric version to 70 kWh on this plug-in hybrid variant. Despite this reduction, range in electric mode remains particularly high for a PHEV: 420 km according to the CLTC cycle, which corresponds to around 350 km on the European cycle (WLTP). With the internal combustion engine, total range then exceeds 1,200 kilometres.

Ultra-fast charging for a plug-in hybrid

The other major innovation concerns recharging. The Lotus Eletre X is based on a 900-volt electrical architecture capable of handling up to 430 kW of power.

Thanks to this technology, the battery can go from 20% to 80% charge in just nine minutes. An unprecedented figure for a plug-in hybrid vehicle. This is far more efficient than some of its rivals, such as the Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid or the Range Rover Sport P550e.

A sign of a change in strategy

Above all, the arrival of this hybrid version illustrates a change in strategy for Lotus. When the Chinese group Geely relaunched the British brand in 2017, the stated aim was to transform Lotus into an all-electric premium manufacturer.

But the dynamics of the car market have evolved more slowly than expected. In China, plug-in hybrids now account for almost 40% of new car sales, compared with around 15% for 100% electric models.

The Lotus Eletre X could thus become the first representative of a new generation of Lotus hybrid models. According to industry indications, the Lotus Emeya saloon could adopt similar technology around 2027, while the sporty Lotus Emira could follow in 2028.

This scenario would mark the end of the “all-electric” strategy announced a few years ago.

For many years, recharging time has been one of the major obstacles to the adoption of gentler mobility. Now, the promise of recharging as quickly as a full tank of petrol is becoming a reality. And the reason? A technological advance unveiled by BYD that could mark a turning point for electromobility: the Blade 2.0 battery and Flash Charging technology. At the heart of this announcement is an architecture capable of achieving 1,500 kW of charging power, a level never before seen in the automotive industry. Under the best conditions, BYD claims that it would be possible to recover 400 to 500 kilometres of range in just five minutes.

A new generation of batteries to break new ground

After the arrival on the market in 2020 of the Blade Battery, a battery made in BYD, it is now the turn of its second version to see the light of day. The press release confirms that it retains the LFP (lithium iron phosphate) chemistry that made the reputation of the first generation for its safety and durability. But it has evolved significantly on a number of technical points:

• improved energy density,
• much higher load capacity,
• better thermal management,
• structural architecture integrated into the vehicle using Cell-to-Body technology.

The results are spectacular: some 100% electric models equipped with this new generation battery can now exceed a range of 1,000 km according to the Chinese CLTC cycle. This is particularly true of the top-of-the-range Yangwang U7 saloon, capable of a range of 1,006 km, and the sporty Denza Z9 GT, which would exceed 1,030 km with this technology.

Unfortunately, BYD did not provide any information on energy density, apart from the following figure: “+5%”.

So yes, these staggering range figures are based on the Chinese cycle, which is generally more optimistic than Europe’s WLTP. Nevertheless, they testify to the technological leap made by the world leader in battery technology.

Recharging almost as fast as a full tank of petrol

If the batteries haven’t convinced you, wait until you see what the Flash Charging stations are all about. The manufacturer promises a recharge that will take the battery from 10% to 70% in around 5 minutes. Another value: connecting to a Flash Charging point with a vehicle equipped with the Blade 2.0 battery will increase the level from 10% to 97% in less than 9 minutes.

For drivers living in extremely cold areas, don’t worry: BYD has thought of everything, and it’s amazing. The Blade 2.0 takes the battery from 20% to 97% in approximately 11 minutes at -20°C and a few seconds more at -30°C.

To achieve this performance, BYD is relying on a dedicated infrastructure capable of delivering up to 1,500 kW of power, several times the power of current rapid charging stations in Europe.

And as well as being efficient, they are also designed to make the charging experience more pleasant. You may have wondered why the station is T-shaped? Well, it’s to allow the cable to be suspended with a ‘zero gravity’ system, so that it doesn’t drag along the ground and the customer doesn’t have to bear its weight.

But is this infrastructure accessible now? The answer is yes, but only on Chinese roads. BYD has already installed 4,239 Flash Charging stations across China and plans to operate 20,000 by the end of the year. The brand promises that the whole world will be able to benefit from these infrastructures, even if no date or strategy has yet been communicated.

A clear message: electrics just got easier

The aim behind this technological demonstration is obvious: to do away with what manufacturers call “charging anxiety”. For years, range and charging time have been the two main arguments put forward by sceptics of electric cars.

From now on, with a range of over 1,000 kilometres and a recharge time of just a few minutes, BYD wants to show that these obstacles are about to become a thing of the past. It remains to be seen whether this performance will be confirmed in mass-market models in China and abroad.

This is the big winner of the Best Cars 2026 competition held in Germany. Volkswagen Group has just achieved an unprecedented performance at the 2026 edition of “Best Cars”, winning ten of the twenty-five categories and taking 28 of the 75 places on the podium. A record in the history of the competition. For the Wolfsburg-based group, these trophies symbolise the public validation of its strategy.

“Best Cars: a genuine European barometer

The ‘Best Cars’ awards are organised by the German motoring magazine auto motor und sport, Europe’s leading motoring magazine. Created in 1976, this readers’ vote is now considered to be the continent’s biggest automobile consultation. For this 50th edition, almost 95,000 readers voted for 480 models in 13 categories.

The principle is simple:

• an overall ranking for all brands;
• an “import” classification, where German brands are not eligible.

In other words, we’re not talking about a select jury or a prize awarded by experts alone, but a massive vote by customers and enthusiasts. In short, a true indicator of desirability and image.

Ten victories across all brands

In detail, the German group comes out on top with :

• Three wins for Volkswagen (including one for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles)
• Two for Porsche
• One for Audi
• Three for Škoda in the import rankings
• One for Bentley

This diversity illustrates a central point: success is not just based on the top of the range or traditional combustion engines. It cuts across all segments, from city cars to SUVs, not forgetting electric models.

A massive product offensive in the background

This record comes after two years of intense renewal of the Group’s portfolio. Around 60 new models have been launched, and more than 20 more are expected this year, including several 100% electric vehicles. The strategy is clear: cover all segments, all engines, all markets. And it’s working.

In addition to the arrival of a large number of new vehicles, each Volkswagen Group brand is pursuing ambitious energy transition targets:

• Volkswagen: accelerating towards a predominantly electric range in Europe by 2030, with the ID family gaining considerable momentum.
• Audi: announced end of development of new internal combustion engines and 100% electric premium positioning in the medium term.
• Porsche: target of a majority of electrified sales (plug-in hybrids and electric cars) within a decade.
• Škoda: democratisation of electric vehicles with more accessible models and rapid expansion of its BEV range.
• Bentley: gradual switch to all-electric power in the luxury segment.

In other words, even brands that have embarked on a far-reaching transformation, with massive investment in electromobility, continue to win prestigious awards. A strong signal for a sector that is often disparaged by the public.

Electromobility attracts, it’s a reality

The fact that electrified models such as the ID. Buzz are among the winners confirms a fundamental trend: electromobility is no longer a gamble, but a market expectation. Consumers are voting. And they are also voting for electric or hybrid vehicles.

For the Volkswagen Group, this record at “Best Cars 2026” is not just symbolic. It validates a strategic trajectory: that of a group that wants to remain a world leader while accelerating towards more sustainable mobility.

The Renault Group will unveil its new strategic plan, futuREady, at 9am on Tuesday 10 March 2026. In the words of the press release issued on 3 March 2026, this announcement is intended to be much more than just a roadmap: it is a visionary framework designed to respond to the profound challenges of an industry in the throes of change. One day after this announcement, Renault has already begun to lay the foundations for this new era, notably with the unveiling of the new Renault Bridger Concept show car, a symbol of the brand’s strategy of going on the offensive internationally.

A strategic plan to structure growth

This famous plan, which promises to be an upheaval for the French brand, was presented in a press release on 3 March 2026. Its ambition is to transform what has until now been a success story into a genuine success system, in other words, a sustainable model for creating value, innovation and competitiveness.

According to François Provost, CEO of Renault Group, this plan is based on three major axes:

• Consolidate our product advantage by offering ever more ‘winning’, and therefore competitive, electric and hybrid ranges that are also tailored to customer expectations.
• Strengthening technological innovation by anticipating market needs, whether in embedded software, mobility services or battery technologies.
• Improving operational excellence, to optimise processes, accelerate development cycles and support a resilient growth model.

The plan is due to be officially unveiled on 10 March 2026 at 9am, live from the Renault Group’s events platform, with a press release available from 7am and versions for each of the brands (Renault, Dacia, Alpine) scheduled for later in the morning.

A concrete preview: Bridger Concept, symbol of the international offensive

Even before the plan was presented, Renault chose to send out a strong signal with a new show car: the Bridger Concept, whose name and first images were revealed in a very, very limited way.

This vehicle is presented as a bold urban SUV, compact (less than 4 metres) yet surprisingly spacious inside. Its silhouette and design are not just aesthetically pleasing: they embody a renewed vision of the urban vehicle, designed to meet the changing lifestyles of the growing number of families living in the city.

In the press release, Sylvia dos Santos, Head of Renault Naming Strategy, explains: “With Bridger, we are adding to our family of names derived from English words. Constructed from the word ‘bridge’, to which the identifying final ‘ER’ has been added, the Renault Bridger name is in line with the Renault Duster name. A powerful, robust and versatile name, perfect to embody our new urban SUV show car and open a new page in our international offensive!

But while we might expect a production vehicle that could benefit everyone, that’s not really the case. In fact, it is intended for India, a market that Renault has identified as strategic for its global development. This isn’t the first vehicle that the brand has designed to be sold outside Europe: Luca de Meo has already relied on this export strategy. This has already been the case with the Kardian, the Filante and also the Boreal.

Pending the full presentation, Renault Group has announced that Dacia will unveil the name of its new crossover on 5 March at 8am.

An international strategy based on solid fundamentals

The announcement of the Bridger Concept is nevertheless consistent with the way in which Renault has structured its international growth in recent years. In particular, the group has consolidated its presence in India by becoming the sole owner of its Chennai plant and developing an international engineering and design centre there.

These moves are part of a broader drive to make better use of high-growth regions, while adapting products to local needs and strengthening Renault’s industrial autonomy on a global scale.

Challenges and prospects

On 10 March, Renault will unveil its full vision for the next decade, and we’ll be able to measure whether the strategy is up to scratch.

At the previous presentation of the Group’s strategic plan, the return of the Renault 5 was announced. As well as sparking a great deal of interest, the announcement also had many enthusiasts on the edge of their seats. So we’re expecting an announcement that’s just as appetising.

At the beginning of March, Alfa Romeo published its sales results for 2025. The results? The Italian brand has recorded worldwide growth of over 20% compared to 2024, with more than 73,000 vehicles sold internationally. In a car market that is still uneven and under pressure, this growth shows that the Italian brand is back, but above all that it is moving forward in a thoughtful way with the energy transition.

Solid momentum in Europe and beyond

According to the press release issued by the Stellantis Group on Tuesday 3 March 2025, Europe remains the main growth driver for the Italian brand, with sales up by more than 31%. The United Kingdom (+80.1%), France (+41.9%), Italy (+20.7%), Germany (+20.5%) and Spain (+15.1%) posted particularly strong increases, symbolising the relevance of Alfa Romeo’s product repositioning, particularly in the compact premium segment.

Important figures for Europe, but that’s not all. Alfa Romeo also recorded significant growth in other key markets. In the Middle East & Africa region, growth reached 16.3%. In Morocco, the brand ranked second in the premium market in terms of growth, with an impressive 65% increase in registrations, while in Turkey it posted growth of 38.7%.

But it is in Asia that the dynamic is even more marked, with +43.8% compared to 2024. Japan stands out with exceptional growth of +71.4% over the year. Alfa Romeo announced that it had relaunched its presence in Taiwan and Malaysia. These results speak for themselves: the brand is enjoying international success, particularly in these dynamic emerging markets.

Electrification at a gentle pace

Alfa Romeo is adopting a strategy of gradual electrification, moving slowly towards the energy transition rather than rushing its customers. The brand is combining combustion, hybrid and 100% electric powertrains, in order to retain the sporty, premium DNA for which it is renowned. For the time being, the Junior remains the only 100% electric model actually available, illustrating this cautious approach: of the 60,000 vehicles distributed in 41 markets by 2025, this zero-emission variant represents a minority share of deliveries, showing that electromobility is making progress, but at a measured pace, far from immediate mass adoption.

Santo Ficili, CEO of Alfa Romeo, sums up this approach perfectly:

• “Exceeding 20% growth worldwide, with Europe at +31%, means one thing is very clear: Alfa Romeo is back in the race. But what matters most is the quality of this trajectory. Junior has broadened our customer base while remaining true to the brand’s sporting DNA. Tonale is now entering its first full year with the new model and is a strategic pillar for 2026.

While the initial target was an all-electric range by 2027, the brand is now adopting a more pragmatic approach, incorporating light hybrids and plug-in hybrids into this objective. The idea is to adapt the range to the realities of different markets, where the level of infrastructure, public incentives and demand vary greatly.

It’s a questionable strategy, however, because while it limits the risk of destabilising current customers, it could also penalise Alfa Romeo in the face of competitors who are speeding up their transition to electric vehicles.

“BEST CARS 2026”: Alfa Romeo Giulia and Tonale are the winners

As success never comes on its own, these commercial achievements have been accompanied by international recognition. Just recently in Germany, the Giulia and Tonale were honoured in the “Best Cars 2026” competition.

These awards help to reinforce the perceived value of the vehicles which, it should be remembered, are both available in hybrid versions and therefore support the transition strategy. They show that it is possible to electrify a range while retaining the sportiness and design for which Alfa Romeo is renowned.

A pivotal year before acceleration

The 2025 financial year, which recently came to a close, represents an intermediate but structuring stage. With the figures published, which concern not only Europe but also the rest of the world, Alfa Romeo is demonstrating that it is possible to achieve significant growth while initiating a smooth energy transition. It remains to be seen whether the launch of other models in the BEV segment will find their customers.

On 1 March 2026, via an official press release and an internal memo from He Xiaopeng dated 24 February, XPeng Motors announced that global delivery of its second-generation intelligent driving system, VLA 2.0, will begin in 2027. In this global roll-out, Volkswagen is confirmed as the first launch partner in the Chinese market.

A change in architecture: from sequential pipeline to end-to-end AI

The big news behind this announcement, apart from the fact that worldwide deliveries of its intelligent driving system will begin in 2027, is that VLA 2.0 (Vision-Language-Action) marks a major conceptual break with traditional in-vehicle systems. Traditionally, automated driving architectures operate according to a three-stage logic:

• Perception (Vision)
• Translation into intermediate language
• Decision/Action

The problem with the so-called ‘traditional’ model is that it creates latency, like a translator between the eye and the foot on the brake pedal.

With version 2.0, XPENG breaks this pattern: the vision goes directly to the action, without passing through an intermediate language stage. The system creates what some describe as “implicit tokens”: a computer language internal to the AI that enables faster, smoother interpretation of driving situations.

This approach is expected to offer a number of operational advantages:

• Drastic reduction in processing times
• More real and more human reactions
• Ability to manage complex scenarios without detailed HD maps
• Dynamic recognition of road signs, gestures or changes in context

Public road tests and “drive anywhere” capabilities

The first vehicles equipped with VLA 2.0 have begun testing on open roads in China, with public trials scheduled for later in 2026. According to various statements by the Chinese brand, the system is now capable of handling difficult environments:

• heavy urban traffic
• narrow lanes
• irregular or unmapped roads
• standstill starts and complex interactions

Based on early test data, XPENG claims that VLA 2.0 delivers a ~23% improvement in driving efficiency, with peak hour performance in Guangzhou comparable to that of experienced human drivers, and significantly better than traditional Level 2 systems.

Hardware power: the Turing chip, the heart of the reactor

To operate and be so promising, the VLA 2.0 relies on the Turing AI chip designed in-house by XPENG, capable of delivering up to 2,250 TOPS (trillions of operations per second) per unit in the most powerful versions.
This massive computing power means that very large AI models can be run directly in the vehicle, without relying on the cloud. It is this on-board power that guarantees ultra-fast reactions – essential when you need to anticipate an unpredictable cyclist or a pothole in a fraction of a second.

Volkswagen, a strategic and now historic partner

The announcement that Volkswagen is now the first launch partner for VLA 2.0 on the Chinese market sends out a strong signal.
Firstly, it is a symbolic milestone: it is the first time that a major historic Western manufacturer has adopted an advanced autonomous driving platform developed by a Chinese manufacturer to equip its own vehicles.

Secondly, the agreement is not limited to simple software integration. Volkswagen will also be adopting the proprietary Turing AI chip developed by XPeng Motors, the computing heart of the VLA 2.0. In other words, the system’s hardware and software architecture will be based directly on the XPENG technology ecosystem.

And it’s worth remembering that this partnership didn’t come out of nowhere. In 2023, Volkswagen invested around $700 million to acquire a 4.99% stake in XPENG, as part of a wider agreement to jointly develop electric vehicles for the Chinese market. This stake means that the German manufacturer already has a direct interest in the industrial and technological success of its partner.

Objective: total autonomy within 1-3 years

He Xiaopeng, Managing Director of XPeng, confirmed: “XPENG’s VLA 2.0 is the first version designed to achieve fully autonomous driving and will evolve at an unprecedented rate. We expect full autonomy to arrive within one to three years, making autonomous driving a natural part of people’s daily journeys.”

This ambition is part of XPENG’s wider “Physical AI” strategy, in which the same AI model could eventually power other platforms operating in real environments:

• humanoid robots
• modular flying vehicles
• autonomous mobility services

A turning point for automotive AI

With a plan for global deployment in 2027 and a major Western carmaker already committed to the technology in China, XPENG is entering a new phase of expansion. The alliance with Volkswagen could become a textbook case in the industry: a traditional carmaker boosted by Chinese on-board intelligence technology.

It remains to be seen whether the VLA 2.0 will really be able to compete with the autonomous systems promised by Tesla, Waymo and other technology players.