Category: News

The French car market is off to a paradoxical start in 2026. In January, registrations of new passenger cars were down by around 6.6% compared with January 2025, with 107,157 cars sold. However, once again, the proportion of 100% electric cars is at an all-time high.

A shrinking but not uniform market

In January 2025, 118,400 new passenger cars were registered in France, more than 6% more than in the previous month. Against this backdrop of a drastic fall in EV sales, performances vary widely from one manufacturer group to another. Some groups, such as Stellantis, are limiting the decline to around 2.7% year-on-year. Conversely, the Renault group managed to post a slight increase (+1.1%), driven by the Renault brand, while Dacia fell back sharply and Alpine made marginal progress.

In Japan, Toyota had a difficult January, with registrations down by an estimated 15%. But the most striking fall concerned Tesla, whose volumes plummeted by more than 40% compared with January 2025, a sign that the American brand is no longer the leader it once was.

Electric vehicles buck the trend

While the overall market is shrinking, it is 100% electric cars that are doing well and continuing their upward momentum. In January 2026, 30,307 electric vehicles were registered in France, representing 28.3% of new car sales. An all-time record.

By way of comparison, in January 2025, EVs had a market share of around 19%. This means that in one year, the segment has grown by around 52% in terms of volume, confirming a rapid and strong change in the motoring choices of some French people, who now prefer electric to combustion-powered vehicles.

Justifiable figures

And this growth is no accident. It is the result of an unprecedented convergence between public policies, financial mechanisms and developments in industrial supply.

The first driver of this dynamic is social leasing. By enabling households to buy an electric car for less, this scheme has acted as an accelerator. Eligible models, mainly in the B segment, accounted for a significant proportion of the month’s volumes, starting with the Renault 5, which has become a symbol of this democratisation.

source : Renault

In addition to this leverage, there are increased incentives linked to energy saving certificates (CEE). When combined with the ecological bonus, CEEs can significantly reduce the remaining cost of purchasing or leasing a car.

Lastly, this increase is due to a tangible broadening of the offer in the affordable segments, long considered to be the main barrier to adoption.

Renault crushes the electric ranking

In the electric vehicle market alone, the leadership is indisputable. Renault captured around 26% of the EV market in January, with almost 7,900 registrations.

The Renault 5 electric was the best-selling electric car of the month, with 3,952 units, well ahead of the competition. It came in ahead of the Renault Scénic E-Tech (1,945) and the Peugeot e-208 (1,666). The top 10 is largely dominated by French manufacturers, confirming a recovery in the domestic market.

Tesla, on the other hand, is in sharp decline. The American brand registered just 661 vehicles in January, including 613 Model Ys and just 36 Model 3s. As a result, Tesla has fallen well behind Renault in the French electric vehicle market, a strong signal after several years of dominance.

Hybrids in the majority, combustion engines in free fall

In addition to electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles continue to become the norm. In January, hybrid vehicles (all technologies combined) accounted for 52.3% of registrations, up by more than three points over one year.

Conversely, traditional combustion engines continue to decline. Petrol’s market share has fallen to 14.3%, while diesel’s has plummeted to 2.4%, with volumes down by almost 50% year-on-year for both fuels.

A pivotal month for electromobility

In a generally ailing market, electric vehicles now appear to be the only engine for growth, driven by a more accessible range and targeted public schemes.

Whether or not the coming months will confirm this trend, one thing is certain: the EV segment is, as of January 2026, a central pillar of the French car market.

This weekend, Paris is alive with the world of classic cars. From Wednesday until the evening of Sunday 1 February, the Rétromobile show is celebrating its 50th edition at the Parc des Expositions at Porte de Versailles. It’s a symbolic anniversary for an event that, over the decades, has become the global benchmark for automotive heritage.

With more than 120,000 visitors expected over five days, 550 exhibitors and almost 1,200 vehicles on display in an area of 120,000 m², Rétromobile 2026 confirms its status as a not-to-be-missed event for enthusiasts, collectors, professionals and the simply curious who come to celebrate the history of motoring.

From a meeting place for enthusiasts to a global showcase

Created in 1976 by a handful of enthusiasts, including Patrick Tenderini, Rétromobile originally met a very real need: to bring together collectors, dealers and enthusiasts at a time when spare parts and old vehicles were becoming rare.

Fifty years on, the show has changed radically in scale. Since coming under the aegis of Comexposium in 2000, Rétromobile has become a veritable celebration of motoring heritage. Themed tributes, international club stands, auctions and an opening up to youngtimers have gradually shaped its identity.

An anniversary edition rich in symbols

For its 50th edition, the show has pulled out all the stops. One of the highlights of the week is the joint celebration of 50 years of Rétromobile and 50 years of BMW Art Cars. An exceptional retrospective brings together twenty legendary models, from the BMW 3.0 CSL painted by Alexander Calder in 1975 to the most recent creations, such as the M3 GT2 decorated by Jeff Koons or the M Hybrid V8 by Julie Mehretu.

Other much-anticipated tributes revolve around this flagship exhibition: the DS 19, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary, emblematic MG models, and a selection of rare supercars and prototypes that are usually invisible to the general public.

Supercars and exclusive new models

One of the new features of this year’s show is the Ultimate Supercar Garage, which opened in Hall 7 on Thursday and will remain open until Sunday. This dedicated space brings together Bugatti, Ferrari, Koenigsegg, Pagani and Lamborghini in an immersive setting that deliberately contrasts with the more traditional ambience of the show. It’s a well-considered choice that adds a contemporary touch, attracting a younger audience.

Electromobility, present and exciting

While Rétromobile remains above all an ode to the internal combustion engine and vintage mechanics, electrification is becoming an increasingly visible presence in the show’s aisles. A number of retrofit specialists, including Lunaz, Electrogenic and Transition-One, are presenting electric conversions of iconic models. Electrified Jaguar E-Type, Porsche 356 and Range Rover Classic all illustrate this trend, which aims to extend the life of historic vehicles while adapting them to today’s environmental and urban constraints.

More traditionally, the world’s biggest manufacturers are taking advantage of this event to showcase their latest electric creations. This is the case with Peugeot, which is presenting the e-208 GTI, Opel, which is presenting the electric Opel Astra for the first time, and Renault, which is showcasing the near-final version of the Renault 5 turbo 3E.

The show will also be highlighting the pioneers of electric vehicles, with prototypes and production models from the 1990s and 2000s, which have long been kept under wraps. Vehicles such as the Citroën AX Electric, the Peugeot 106 Electric, the Renault Clio Electric and the first-generation Toyota RAV4 EV are reminders that electromobility is nothing new, and that it has a much longer history than that of today’s models.

Hybrid youngtimers will also be on show, with models from Toyota, Honda and Lexus, which marked the beginnings of hybridization for the general public in the 2000s. BMW, a long-standing partner of the event, is also exhibiting a number of recent BMW Art Cars, including electrified and hybrid competition models, such as the BMW M Hybrid V8, entered in endurance racing and a symbol of the link between artistic heritage, motor sport and modern technology.

Far from a radical shift, these initiatives sketch out a form of “retro electromobility”, where technological innovation, the preservation of automotive heritage and the ecological transition attempt to coexist. It’s a measured approach, in keeping with the DNA of Rétromobile, which prefers the transmission of history to a sudden break with it.

Last day, last opportunities

On Sunday, the last day of the show, crowds are expected to be at their peak. As regular visitors know, it’s best to arrive early to make the most of the stands and exhibitions before the show closes at 7pm. Tickets are still available online, with prices ranging from €19 to €25 depending on the conditions.

At fifty years old, Rétromobile is proving that it has lost none of its ability to bring people together. Year after year, the Paris show continues to write the living history of the motor car, bringing together automotive memorabilia, exceptional objects and glimpses of the future.

For Paris Classic Car Week, the City of Lights transforms itself into a living museum of the automobile, where vintage bodies, legendary engines and legendary stories come together. For several days, through exhibitions, auctions and led by the heart of the programme, the Rétromobile show at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, collectors, enthusiasts and the curious celebrate the most iconic and timeless products of the automobile.

This is precisely the spirit in which Artcurial Motorcars, the renowned auction house specialising in classic cars, youngtimers, motorbikes and exceptional motoring objects, has once again this year taken over one of the most emblematic venues in Parisian luxury: The Peninsula Paris.

Automobile Legends: the automobile as a work of art

This event, Automobile Legends, organised by Artcurial at the prestigious palace “The Peninsula Paris”, is not just a simple auction. The event has been designed as an immersive exhibition, with some sixty exceptional vehicles on display in the hotel’s Garage Privé, transformed for the occasion into a car gallery.

Among the vehicles on display are a number of exceptional automobiles, including a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Gullwing’, a Jaguar E-Type and a number of iconic sports models. The centrepiece is the legendary Ferrari F92A driven by Jean Alesi in the 1992 Formula 1 World Championship. During that season, he finished on the podium twice, results that led to the Frenchman receiving this single-seater as a gift from the Scuderia. And yet, in the midst of these icons of the past, one object stands out.

Cybertruck takes its place among the legends

In the Automobile Legends sale catalogue, one vehicle immediately catches the eye, as much as it raises questions: a Tesla Cybertruck CyberBeast Limited Edition “Foundation Series”, vintage 2024.

This vehicle is the exact opposite of what we usually expect here. Where classic cars celebrate curves and historic combustion engines, Tesla’s pick-up boasts raw, almost industrial lines, but above all an ultra-vitamin 100% electric engine. Where the models on display often recount a glorious past, the Cybertruck speaks exclusively of the future, and yet it is precisely this contrast that makes sense.

In its CyberBeast version, the Cybertruck represents the pinnacle of Tesla’s offering: a three-motor electric architecture, unprecedented power for a vehicle of this size, and performance worthy of certain supercars (0-100 km/h in 2.7 seconds). What makes it unique? It’s one of just 400 Foundation Series cars, unobtainable in Europe and sold without reserve at Artcurial. It’s a truly futuristic collector’s item for visionaries.

A strong signal for electromobility

To see a Cybertruck being auctioned alongside historic Ferraris, Jaguars and Mercedes at an event dedicated to automotive legends says a lot about the changing face of electromobility.

For a long time, electric vehicles were seen as rational solutions, devoid of passion and rarely desirable in the eyes of collectors. The presence of the Cybertruck at Paris Classic Car Week has changed all that.

Electromobility, through this Tesla, becomes a marker of the era, a potential collector’s item. The Cybertruck is not yet a legend in the classical sense of the term, but it is already a cultural symbol, which is what historically forges automotive icons.

Artcurial is sending out a clear message: the history of the automobile and the passion it inspires did not stop with internal combustion engines. It continues to be written, from now on, in electricity.

On 16 January 2026, Ottawa announced the partial lifting of surtaxes on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) and opened up an annual quota of 49,000 units at the “normal” tariff of 6.1%. In return, China drastically reduced its customs duties on Canadian canola (a variety of rapeseed highly prized in China), reopening a market estimated to be worth several billion dollars.

What the Canada-China agreement provides for

To understand the situation before this agreement, we need to go back to 2024, when the Canadian government imposed a 100% surtax on all EVs imported from China, following the hard line taken by the US and almost completely closing off the market. The new agreement, reached during Mark Carney’s visit to Beijing for the first time since 2017, now introduces an annual quota of around 49,000 vehicles with customs duty reduced to 6.1%, the most-favoured-nation rate.

And this quota is evolving, as Ottawa is forecasting an increase to around 70,000 units per year over the next five years, according to the specialist media and official announcements.

The agricultural counterpart: canola

As a mirror image of this tax cut, Beijing is also reducing its customs duties on Canadian canola, from a cumulative level of around 84% to a target of close to 15% from 1 March 2026. This measure puts an end to a trade dispute that began after the Canadian surtaxes, and which led China to use canola as an instrument of economic pressure.

Western provincial governments are hailing the agreement as a breath of fresh air for farmers. Particularly in Saskatchewan, the country’s leading canola producer, where farmers are heavily dependent on the Chinese market to sell their crops.

Expected impact on the price of EVs in Canada

The Canadian government plans that, by 2030, at least half of China’s electric vehicle quota should be devoted to “affordable” models, with an import price of less than or equal to CAD 35,000 (≈ €22,000). A real challenge, to be sure, but one that could significantly reduce the entry ticket to electric in a market where even an entry-level Nissan Leaf remains around CAD 44,000 (≈ €28,000) before government subsidies.

This new tax could enable new Chinese manufacturers to expand into Canada with competitive Chinese models from the likes of BYD, Geely, Nio and Xpeng, with some vehicles potentially on offer for under CAD 30,000 (≈ €19,000) once transport costs and margins have been factored in.

Specific features for Quebec

To put this quota into perspective, if a significant proportion of these 49,000 vehicles arrived in Quebec, they would represent almost half of the 103,000 electric vehicles sold in the province in 2024. In this context, the arrival of cheaper Chinese models could partially offset the end of subsidies under the “Go Green” programme.

For local players such as installers, specialist outlets and advisers, for example, this opening represents both an opportunity for democratisation and an educational challenge in terms of the reliability, maintenance and residual value of brands that are still little known.

A clear break with American strategy

While Washington maintains 100% tariffs on Chinese EVs, Canada is taking a pragmatic approach, focusing on its economic interests. Mark Carney insists on Canada’s “specificity” and the priority given to the national economy, even if this position contrasts with that of the United States.

This strategy could make Canada a North American gateway for Chinese EVs and reshuffle the cards in continental value chains. Indeed, this agreement seems to produce potential winners and losers:

• The winners are consumers, with more affordable EVs, and canola growers, who gain privileged access to the Chinese market.
• Potential losers: traditional North American manufacturers such as GM and Ford, for example, who will be exposed to highly competitive Chinese competition, and the unions, which are worried about jobs, despite promises of local investment and industrial partnerships.
  

More than just the outright sale of EVs, this agreement could be the gateway to a partial overhaul of part of Canada’s transport economy. Under the agreement, the arrival of these EVs will serve as a lever to attract assembly plants and investment in the value chain (batteries, components, R&D), in order to stimulate the Canadian industrial ecosystem.

Technical consequences and infrastructure

The Chinese are keen to appeal to as many markets as possible around the world, and have developed their vehicles accordingly. Indeed, the EVs exported are adapted to the North American CCS standard, limiting incompatibilities. Nevertheless, installers will have to familiarise themselves with different electronic and software architectures, particularly for charge management and OTA updates.

The arrival of these vehicles could accelerate the densification and modernisation of the charging network, particularly rapid charging, if Chinese players participate in the roll-out of infrastructure.

Geopolitical and transition issues

The Mark Carney-Xi Jinping agreement illustrates a strategic repositioning of Canada: Ottawa is favouring economic pragmatism (affordable EVs + canola) over systematic alignment with Washington.

The bet is that accelerating the adoption of EVs will partially offset the risks associated with job losses in the traditional car industry and position Canada as a North American hub for electromobility.

The key question remains: will these Chinese EVs be able to win over a market accustomed to North American standards, and will this historic turning point generate more benefits than economic and political tensions?

If 2025 is a new record year for EVs, with an increase in sales, it is also the year that marked an important milestone in the international development of OMODA & JAECOO. In a press release from the manufacturer, the brand, a subsidiary of the Chinese group Chery, looks back on the year that has just ended and claims to have sold more than 800,000 vehicles worldwide in 32 months, including 380,000 units sold in 2025 alone. These figures reflect the brand’s rapid expansion in a number of key markets, particularly in Europe.

A global presence extended to 64 markets

According to this press release, the brand owned by Chery, China’s leading car exporter for over twenty years, is now present in 64 international markets, after starting operations in 22 new countries in 2025. This rapid expansion is taking place in Asia, Latin America and Europe, with contrasting results depending on the region.

In South-East Asia, the brand is highlighting a number of commercial achievements. In Thailand, OMODA & JAECOO said that in November 2025 it had achieved the number one position in sales of pure electrified vehicles. In Indonesia, OMODA & JAECOO announced that the JAECOO 5 EV had exceeded 10,000 orders in just one month, a sign of a rapid start to sales in this market.

In Latin America, OMODA & JAECOO also made significant progress. In Chile, the OMODA 5 and JAECOO 5 models were named “most recommended vehicles of the year” by Autocosmos Chile, a Chilean automotive media outlet.

Europe, the main vector for expansion according to the manufacturer

But what is certain is that Europe is a priority area for development. OMODA & JAECOO claims to have sold more than 200,000 cars in Europe since 2024, including 135,000 registrations in 2025. The brand is now present in 16 European countries.

Among the most dynamic markets are the UK, with 53,606 registrations announced for 2025, and Spain, with 23,697 units over the same period. These figures, communicated by the manufacturer, testify to its ambitions in these markets, even if they are not yet fully reflected in the public European sales rankings.

Rapidly accelerating electrification

It’s not just the expansion into other territories that’s making progress: the electrification of the Chinese group’s vehicle fleet is also booming. In terms of technology, OMODA & JAECOO is highlighting a clear increase in its electrified sales. By 2025, the manufacturer claims to have sold 200,000 electrified vehicles (EV, HEV and PHEV), or more than 50% of its annual sales, representing growth of 585% compared with 2024.

This momentum is based in particular on SHS (Super Hybrid System) technology, available in hybrid and rechargeable hybrid versions, which the brand presents as an intermediate solution adapted to the expectations of European markets in terms of fuel efficiency, range and versatility of use.

Heading for France in 2026

After structuring its network in several European countries, OMODA & JAECOO is preparing its arrival in France. The commercial launch is scheduled for spring 2026, with a network of more than 70 distributors and approved repairers from the outset, and the aim of gradually increasing the number of distributors throughout the country. These sales and maintenance outlets will be located throughout France, as well as in certain French overseas departments and territories.

The French plant is part of a wider strategy aimed at achieving complete coverage of the European Union by the end of 2026, according to the manufacturer’s stated objectives. The range offered will be based on the complementary nature of the OMODA models, which focus on design and urban use, and the JAECOO SUVs, positioned for more versatile uses.

A strategy to be confirmed in the European market

OMODA & JAECOO’s ambition is to position itself as a credible new player in electrified mobility in Europe, with strong growth in claimed volumes, electrification already accounting for the majority of its sales and a rapid deployment strategy. However, the success of this strategy will depend on its ability to turn these announcements into sustainable results, particularly in demanding markets such as France, where the competition is already well established.

After unveiling the first two major innovations dedicated to intelligent parking and digital access to the vehicle, discover the new pillars of BMW’s technological strategy. The German manufacturer is unveiling the two latest building blocks in its ecosystem: My Digital BMW and the on-board technologies of the new BMW iX3, including autonomous driving. These new features confirm the brand’s commitment to placing digital technology and electrification at the heart of the driving experience.

Digital technology redefines break times with My Digital BMW

One of the new features highlighted by the brand is ‘My Digital BMW’. Unlike the intelligent and autonomous parking service, for example, this is not an isolated innovation, but a set of digital services centralised in a single ecosystem, accessible via the My BMW application, the BMW ConnectedDrive Store or directly from the vehicle’s screen. This system allows drivers to activate and manage different connected functions according to their needs.

In practical terms, these digital services transform the daily use of the vehicle. For example, when stationary, particularly during recharging, the passenger compartment becomes a real entertainment area, with access to games and integrated multimedia applications such as films, TV series and video games directly from the central screen, without having to rely on the smartphone. It’s also possible to enjoy music streaming applications or even video conferencing during breaks.

Navigation is also made more precise by the integration of highly detailed real-time traffic data, 3D map views and a finer representation of the environment surrounding the vehicle. My Digital BMW also lets you keep an eye on your vehicle from a distance thanks to monitoring and visualisation functions, including alerts about damage or attempted theft.

All these services can be activated on demand, for a limited period or permanently, and can be upgraded remotely (OTA). This approach is in line with the growing popularity of electric vehicles, which are now designed as genuine digital platforms capable of evolving throughout their lifecycle.

Highway Assistant: a new step towards automated driving

Another key innovation from BMW is the forthcoming arrival of Highway Assistant on the new iX3. This advanced driving aid assists the driver on motorways at speeds of up to 130 km/h, simultaneously managing speed, distance from the vehicle in front and trajectory.

This system, designed to relieve the driver of the burden of long journeys, allows the driver to take his or her hands off the wheel when conditions allow, as long as he or she remains alert to traffic and ready to intervene. The principle is simple: when the system judges the road to be suitable, it can suggest an automated lane change. The manoeuvre is then validated by a simple glance in the outside rear-view mirror, to the left to overtake and to the right to swerve – a natural interaction that illustrates the bridge between today’s aids and tomorrow’s automated driving.

This Highway Assistant is part of a wider range of driving aids, including Driving Assistant Plus, which comes as standard. This equipment automatically adapts speed to recognised speed limits, adjusts the pace when approaching bends or roundabouts, and helps to keep the vehicle in its lane. The whole system is coordinated by an advanced software architecture that merges the driver’s intentions with the vehicle’s capabilities in real time, for smoother, more intuitive driving.

The new iX3, a technological showcase for BMW’s electric strategy

These innovations take on their full meaning on board the new BMW iX3, the brand’s first new-generation electric SUV. Designed as a technological showcase, the iX3 embodies the convergence of electrification, connectivity and automation.

The on-board experience is based on the new BMW Panoramic iDrive interface, which intelligently redistributes information within the driver’s field of vision. Navigation, charge management, driving aids and My Digital BMW connected services are seamlessly integrated, reinforcing the impression of a vehicle designed as a coherent whole.

In technical terms, the iX3 is based on the latest-generation electric architecture, combined with an 800-volt platform that improves energy efficiency while reducing recharging times – a key factor in making the use of electric vehicles more widespread. With a claimed range of over 800 kilometres in the WLTP cycle, BMW is clearly demonstrating its ambitions in the electromobility market.

source : BMW

A well-established vision of tomorrow

With My Digital BMW, the new iX3 and the Highway Assistant, BMW completes the first two innovations previously announced. Automated parking, digital access, connected services and advanced driving aids are now part of a global strategy in which each technology reinforces the others.

In addition to comfort, these innovations respond to the current challenges of mobility: safety, fluidity of travel, adaptation to urban constraints and the transition to electric vehicles. They also reflect BMW’s ambition to make digital technology a major differentiating factor in an increasingly competitive electric vehicle market.

BMW has reached a new milestone. In a press release, the German manufacturer announced that it had developed four major innovations. These include the Parking Assistant Professional and the BMW Digital Key. At a time when urban traffic and parking are becoming increasingly complex, the three-letter brand is offering solutions that combine advanced automation and digital control, simplifying the daily lives of drivers and paving the way for increasingly connected mobility.

Redesigned parking assistance

The first innovation is called “Parking Assistant Professional”, and it is no longer simply a parking aid. With it, the car becomes a real digital co-pilot capable of parking and getting out of the vehicle autonomously, even in confined spaces.

What’s more, according to the press release, thanks to the My BMW app, the driver can steer the car remotely over a distance of just a few metres, making manoeuvres in tight car parks much less stressful and even, let’s face it, a little exciting.

The system has a memory that allows it to store up to ten 200-metre journeys, making it easy to repeat frequent routes, such as the entrance to a garage or parking outside the workplace. This feature illustrates BMW’s commitment to intelligent automation, an area that is close to the technologies needed for electric and autonomous vehicles. By reducing the stress of manoeuvring and optimising the use of space, Parking Assistant Professional indirectly contributes to improving fuel efficiency and the overall experience of EV vehicle users.

BMW Digital Key: the smartphone replaces the physical key

The second innovation is the Digital Key. It is based on a simple principle: transform the driver’s smartphone or connected watch into a secure digital key, directly linked to the vehicle. In practical terms, this key is stored in the My BMW application, but also in the phone’s Secure Element, a protected zone comparable to that used for contactless payments.

As the user approaches, the car automatically recognises him or her, unlocking the car automatically and starting it as soon as the smartphone or watch is inside the vehicle. And with Digital Key Plus, the experience goes even further: the car is able to locate the user precisely and anticipate his or her arrival. The vehicle unlocks without any action whatsoever, simply when the driver approaches it, offering a near hands-free experience.

Sharing the key is also entirely digital. Up to 18 users can receive a key via the application, with customisable rights. BMW makes it possible, for example, to limit speed, restrict certain functions or give temporary access, a particularly relevant use for lending the vehicle or family use.

Impact on drivers and the market

These innovations go beyond mere convenience. Parking becomes safer and less stressful, while dependence on a physical key gradually disappears. Drivers benefit from a personalised, flexible experience, from shared access to repeated parking manoeuvres.

In sector terms, these developments are part of the global transformation of the automotive industry. BMW is combining connectivity, automation and electrification to meet consumer expectations and urban constraints. With more than 1.6 million electric vehicles sold to date and continued growth in the EV market, the German brand is demonstrating that it is still one of the driving forces behind global mobility.

These developments are part of a wider strategy of transition to electric vehicles, with the aim of making BMW a major player in electromobility. By 2030, the brand expects 50% of its global sales to be electric vehicles, and will have more than 25 EV models on the market, covering all segments from SUVs to premium saloons. These innovations are not isolated: they are part of an ecosystem in which connectivity, automation and electrification reinforce each other.

Outlook and conclusion

With the Parking Assistant Professional and the Digital Key, BMW confirms its strategy of intelligent automation and digital mobility, placing the driver at the centre of a fluid and secure experience. These innovations transform the car into a connected hub, directly in line with the brand’s objective of strengthening its electric range and digital services.

At a time when electrification is becoming an imperative for all major brands, BMW is showing that connectivity and automation are not just gadgets, but central elements in supporting the energy transition and offering a premium user experience. Future EV models will benefit from these technologies, making driving safer, more comfortable and resolutely forward-looking.

In many parts of the world, there is still room for improvement when it comes to travelling by electric vehicle on the motorway. In the United Arab Emirates, a new infrastructure aims to tackle this problem head-on. On 12 January 2026, the country inaugurated one of the world’s largest ultra-fast charging hubs for electric vehicles, located on the strategic road linking Abu Dhabi to Dubai.

An extraordinary hub, designed for the motorway

In practical terms, this new site, operated by ADNOC Distribution, brings together 60 ultra-fast recharging points capable, on paper, of recharging the majority of electric vehicles from 0 to 80% in around 20 minutes.

In reality, this performance depends very much on the vehicle connected. The charging points deliver a power of up to 350 kW, a level that can currently only be fully exploited by models with an 800-volt electrical architecture. On the other hand, models with a 400-volt architecture can of course be recharged at these stations, but without exploiting their full power.

On a global scale, this hub ranks as the sixth largest in the world in terms of the number of ultra-fast terminals, and is the largest in the Middle East, Africa and Turkey.

With this inauguration, we can now say that the United Arab Emirates have not only set up a new recharging station on their territory, but above all have created an infrastructure designed to absorb long-distance electric traffic, without creating saturation.

A strategic location at the heart of traffic flows

Impressive performance indeed, and to make the most of this facility, the choice of location is no mean feat. The hub is located in Saih Shuaib, along the E11 motorway, one of the busiest roads in the country. This road links the Emirates’ two main cities and is the hub of a large proportion of intercity travel, whether for business or pleasure.

Until now, travelling electrically on this type of journey has been possible, but less seamless. With this installation, long-distance travel becomes an accepted practice, and no longer a penalising compromise.

A symbolic inauguration at a key moment

As with the chosen location, the date of the official opening is no coincidence. In fact, the inauguration took place on 12 January 2026, just as Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, an international event dedicated to energy transitions, opened its doors.

The timing is highly symbolic, allowing the United Arab Emirates to illustrate, through a concrete project, the messages conveyed during this global event. More than just the commissioning of infrastructure, this inauguration is part of a technological showcase strategy designed to position this hub as a benchmark for interurban electric mobility.

When an oil giant becomes a player in the electric sector

This is undoubtedly one of the most interesting aspects of this project.
The hub is being developed by ADNOC Distribution, a subsidiary of the UAE’s national oil group. It’s a powerful symbol: the traditional fossil fuel players are now investing massively in electromobility.

This site is part of ADNOC’s E2GO network, which already has more than 400 charging points in the country, with a stated target of 750 by 2028. In the longer term, the country is aiming for 20 hubs of this type on its motorway network by 2027, the majority of which will be operational by the end of 2026.

Recharging becomes an experience, not a constraint

Beyond the figures, this hub adopts a broader concept dubbed “The Hub by ADNOC”. On site, drivers will find not only kiosks, but also :

• catering facilities,
• commercial services,
• and even work areas, designed to optimise recharge time.

According to the company, the idea is simple: to turn a stop to recharge into a useful break, rather than wasted time.

What this says about global electromobility

This inauguration goes far beyond the United Arab Emirates. It illustrates several key trends in global electromobility:

• Electric vehicles are finally moving out of the urban environment. Infrastructures are beginning to be designed for the long term, which is a prerequisite for mass adoption.
• The major networks are being structured on a very large scale. 60 ultra-fast terminals on a single site is a direct response to the saturation problems still being experienced in Europe and North America.
• The historical players are changing roles. Seeing an oil group in charge of one of the world’s biggest EV hubs shows just how strategic the transition has become, including for the energy giants.

A clear vision

With this mega-hub, the United Arab Emirates are not just adding charging points to the network. They are proposing a very concrete approach to long-distance electric mobility, based on fast recharging, continuity on major routes and anticipation of future uses.

This approach contrasts with the still fragmented infrastructure seen in many parts of the world, where the issue of recharging on motorways remains one of the main obstacles to the mass adoption of electric vehicles.

The Mercedes-Benz CLA, in its new, highly-electrified generation, made its mark at the Brussels Motor Show on 9 January 2026 by winning the prestigious title of European Car of the Year 2026. A clear and unequivocal choice by the jury, it marks Mercedes-Benz’s return to prominence in a rapidly changing automotive landscape.

A resounding triumph

The least we can say is that the new generation of the 100% electric CLA was a clear winner. On Friday 9 January, the Car of the Year jury awarded a total of 320 points to the German saloon. This is a lower score than that of its predecessor, the Renault 5, which scored 353 points for the same title last year.

Although this total is lower, the CLA is well ahead of the Skoda Elroq (220 points) and the Kia EV4 (208 points) by 100 points, while the Citroën C5 Aircross, the Fiat Grande Panda, the Dacia Bigster and the Renault 4 E-Tech complete the ranking.

This victory is no mean feat. It is Mercedes’ first victory in this competition since 1974, when the legendary S-Class / 450 S won the title. After two years of domination by Renault with the Scenic E-Tech and Renault 5 E-Tech, the CLA has now put the German brand back in the European race for premium electromobility. More generally, it illustrates a change in the European market, where premium electric saloons are no longer mere alternatives, but benchmarks in their own right.

A technical profile for the future

What sets the Mercedes-Benz CLA 2026 apart from its rivals is its combination of cutting-edge technology and efficient performance. It is based on an 800 V electric platform and features a battery with a capacity of around 85 kWh, enabling ultra-fast recharging of up to 320 kW. This modern architecture makes the CLA capable of recovering more than 300 km of range in just ten minutes from high-powered charging points.

Another point of note is the CLA’s exceptional range, claimed to be up to 792 km according to the WLTP cycle, a figure that makes it one of the most enduring electric saloons in its segment. The combination of these top-level features makes this premium compact saloon a particularly attractive proposition, both for everyday use and for long journeys. It also illustrates the technological maturity achieved by Mercedes-Benz with its MMA (Mercedes Modular Architecture) platform, designed from the outset for electric use.

MB.OS & MBUX: intelligence at the wheel

In addition to its pure performance, the Mercedes-Benz CLA also features a significant evolution in user experience, supported by the introduction of the new MB.OS operating system and a latest-generation MBUX interface. The manufacturer’s stated aim is clear: to centralise the vehicle’s functions within a more coherent and easier-to-read digital environment.

MB.OS also provides the basis for the latest generation of driving aids, such as adaptive cruise control, lane keeping and assistance in dense traffic. Without overturning existing market standards, the CLA is part of an approach aimed at making the interaction between the driver and the electronic aids more fluid.

Finally, Mercedes has maintained a balanced approach between digitalization and comfort. The cabin features sober ergonomics, quality materials and careful acoustic insulation.

A model for 2026… and beyond

Available from mid-2025 in Europe, the new Mercedes-Benz CLA has already generated strong interest in the market, with orders well in excess of initial forecasts, according to the brand. Its electric version (CLA 250+ EQ, CLA 350 4MATIC EQ) is available from the launch of the saloon, while the electric CLA Shooting Brake will follow in March 2026, joined by 48V hybrid versions on both bodystyles. A diversified product strategy that enables the German manufacturer to cover a large part of the electrified premium segment.

In a number of independent tests, the CLA was also praised for its handling, comfort and ability to compete with benchmarks such as the Tesla Model 3, thanks to a record aerodynamic coefficient (around 0.21) and a modular MMA4 platform designed to maximise overall efficiency.

A rising star in electromobility

By winning the title of European Car of the Year 2026, the Mercedes-Benz CLA confirms that it embodies a modern vision of the electric car, where autonomy, efficiency, technology and driving pleasure are successfully combined.

This award, obtained at the heart of the Brussels Motor Show, underlines the growing importance of premium electric models on the European market and establishes the CLA as one of the key models of the coming year, as well as a benchmark in the transition to more sustainable mobility.