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Stellantis invests €1 billion in French operations for new HOUSING and hybrid production

by the Logistics TransportIn the the General Assembly

Peugeot, Fiat and Jeep’ owner Stellantis said on Tuesday that from 2029’ will invest €1 billion in the Mulhouse plant in eastern France to develop and produce three new Peugeot electric or hybrid models.

This move comes at a time when European ​​ automakers are grappling with weak demand, increased global competition and tariffs in China’. At the same time, Chinese brands such as BYD, MG Motor and Chery are also gaining a place in the market. Europe’'s growing EV marketThis encourages automakers to invest heavily in new technologies and more affordable models.

Announcement forms part of Stellantis’in announcement Broader strategy of 60 billion Euro’We aim to restore profitability in the next five years. This also confirms the site plans outlined by French President Emmanuel Macron ’ last month.

According to Stellantis’e, the new vehicles will include compact sedans and SUV’s, which means that Peugeot’'s car sales in Europe are about %It will strengthen its position in the market segment that makes up its 30’.

Stellantis believes that the new models will be compact sedans and SUV’s, and that Peugeot’'s European car sales will be %The ’ key segment, which makes up its 30“, said it would strengthen its presence in ”.

European ​​ automakers are facing increasing pressure as they transition to cleaner vehicles, while competing with increasingly popular Chinese brands, many of which offer lower-cost electric models.

Earlier this year, Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa admitted that the company overestimated demand for electric vehicles. The group then recorded a depreciation of €22 billion in connection with EV investments and launched a strategic review.

Since then, Stellantis has introduced a new STLA One electric vehicle platform designed to reduce production costs and accelerate the development of new models.

The world's fourth-largest automaker is concentrating its resources on four of its 14 brands (Peugeot, Fiat, Jeep and Ram), while Europe has a production capacity in ’ that is equivalent to about 800,000 vehicles per year. %Reduces by 20.

The company is also expanding its cooperation with Chinese partners to strengthen sales in France, ’da and abroad. Chinese automaker Dongfeng recently signed a joint venture agreement with Stellantis covering its production, sales and engineering activities in Europe’.

Electric vehicles boost sales growth, while Chinese automakers double EU market share

by the Logistics TransportIn the the General Assembly

AB’'s new car market continued to grow steadily in the first four months of 2026, with approximately 3.8 million vehicles registered, compared to the same period in 2025. %It increased by 4.2. This is according to data released on Wednesday by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA).

The numbers point to a market increasingly dominated by electric and hybrid vehicles, thanks to government incentives in major economies and growing competition from Chinese automakers.

According to ACEA’, between January and April 2026, battery-powered electric cars will be .7Created ’sini; This rate compared to the previous year %It was 15.3’. The growth was mainly driven by the bloc's four largest markets; from Italy (+,5), Spain (+,7), Germany (+%6,6) and France (+%2.3) recorded a profit.

Only in April, battery electric vehicle sales in AB’ compared to the same month last year .7 increase in market share for the month %He went up to 20.6’.

Hybrid electric vehicles in April %It continued to be the most popular single powertrain choice with 12 increases, with monthly sales of approximately %He made up his 36.9’.

Category: Plug-in hybrids %Increasing by 16.4 on April records %He received a share of 9.8’.

On the other side of the notebook are gasoline vehicle registrations. creased by 16.3 to 218,500 units, while diesel vehicle registrations also declined %It declined by 17.1 to around 74,000.

Gasoline and diesel cars accounted for less than 30 percent of vehicles sold across the EU in April.

2026 performance of European ​​brands

Volkswagen Group retained its position as the bloc's largest automaker in the first four months of 2026, and %All new registrations with just over a million sales with an increase of 2.9 .7’sini formed.

However, performance varied across the group. Sales of ŠKODA %Audi increased by 15.5 %While it gained 8.6 percent in value, the main Volkswagen brand %With 3.2 losses, it lost value in many segments.

Stellantis, Fiat’taki For recovery and registrations over ’ increased Opel and VauxhallInfluenced by strong gains in ’ %With a strong increase of 7.8’ %It ranked second with a market share of 17.1 and more than 648,000’ units.

the Renault Group creased by 7.4 to approximately 384,250 units %With a market share of 10.1’, it was the group with the weakest performance in the top third; The Dacia is %It recorded a sharp decline of more than 15’.

BMW Group and Mercedes-Benz respectively %3.9 and %While earning 3.8 percent, Toyota and Hyundai Group %With a 2.5 %It recorded modest declines of 3.1.

The Chinese Fluctuation

The most important trend in April data was the continuation of the rise of Chinese car manufacturers.

According to ACEA figures, BYD’'s EU records have more than doubled year-on-year in the first four months of 2026’ %It increased by 152.9 to over 71,850 units.

Through the Chery Automobile, Omoda, Jaecoo and Jetour brands %Leapmotor, which distributes through its joint venture with Stellantis, increased by 267.1 to more than 48,350 units. %It increased by 558.8 to over 28,700 units.

SAIC Motor, which owns the MG brand and is the largest Chinese group by EU volume, %It increased by 10.4 to over 77,000 units.

Chinese brands have registered approximations of EU automobile registrations between January and April 2026. %6In the same period of the previous year, when forming the ’, this ratio %It was 3.2’. The total market share of Chinese brands in the wider European market, including the United Kingdom and EFTA countries, was %3.7’den during the same period roughly %Increased to 7.3’e.

Internet says Ferrari’'s 550,000 Euro’ electric car looks like Nissan’

by the Logistics TransportIn the the General Assembly

Italy’'s most famous automaker unveiled its first all-electric car on Monday, the €550,000 Ferrari Luce’, one of the most expensive EV’s on the market.

Ferrari president John Elkann presented the car to Italian President Sergio Mattarella’ on Tuesday, thinking it was worth visiting the Quirinale’. Social media was not affected.

In the days since its launch, the Italian ’da “, which means light ” and was designed with former Apple design chief Jony Ive, was compared to the Nissan Leaf and affordable Toyota on the internet.

In a widely shared post, the “New Ferrari Luce looks more like a budget Nissan or Toyota’ than a supercar. Ferrari shares trade in Milan %It's down to 7.8’e.

This accumulation was not limited to anonymous accounts.

Carlo Calenda, the former Italian minister of industry who once worked at Ferrari’, described Luce’ as an aesthetic and technological insult to all who loved “Ferrari’, and then used this moment to give a comprehensive verdict on John Elkann”'s record.

Calenda argues that Elkann’, who presides over both Ferrari’ye and the Agnelli family's holding company Exor’a, presides over the steady elimination of the industrial heritage of Italy’.

Auto parts manufacturer Magneti Marelli has been sold to private equity and is currently in Chapter 11’de bankruptcy. The robotics unit Comau was disposed of in 2024, and truck maker Iveco is also splitting up.

Fiat’ itself, as an autonomous Italian car brand, effectively ended its existence with the merger of Fiat Chrysler’in with Stellantis in 2021’. Exor is also in advanced talks to sell La Repubblica and La Stampa’, two of ’'s most prominent newspapers.

Ferrari’'s Formula One team has not won a world championship on the circuit since 2008.

It's not your grandfather's Ferrari’si.

At least Luce's going fast. Four electric motors, one on each wheel, produce more than 1,000 horsepower, reach speeds of 100 kilometers per hour in 2.5 seconds, and reach speeds of over 310 kilometers per hour.

It has a five-seater seat, a 600-liter trunk, and Ferrari promises that its voice does not sound like a washing machine: Instead of synthetically mimicking engine roar, the company spent five years developing an acoustic system that captures and amplifies the hum of engines.

Designed in collaboration with Ive’'s LoveFrom team, the smooth, glassy exterior marks a sharp departure from Ferrari’'s traditional muscular silhouette.

Ferrari, on the other hand, was not affected by online or otherwise noise.

Elkann told reporters at the Rome launch that “Ferrari Luce is not a response to the change, ” said. “This is a conscious decision, a decision to lead the next step with clarity and courage.”

Buyers can start placing orders on Monday, and deliveries are expected before the end of the year.

BYD is in talks to buy Europe's idle car factories in ’ while Maserati’yi catches its eye

by the Logistics TransportIn the the General Assembly

Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD is in talks with Jeep manufacturer Stellantis and other automakers to take over EU facilities as part of its international expansion effort, Bloomberg News’in reported on Wednesday.

The talks came weeks after Stellantis’ shocked investors with a loss of €22 billion in EV operations, saying it overestimated demand for clean-energy cars.

BYD’'s vice president of international operations, Stella Li, said in a speech on the sidelines of a car conference in London’We are talking not only with Stellantis, but also with other companies“ said.

“EuropeWe are looking for any existing facility in ’ because we want to use this type of spare capacity, ” said.

BYD became the world's largest seller of electric vehicles last year, but its earnings fell due to weak domestic demand, which pushed it to seek larger markets abroad.

The company is currently building its own factory in Szeged, Hungary, which is scheduled to open in 2027’.

Li also said that Stellantis’in luxury Maserati brand “ is very interesting”, BYD’in Europe’ wants to take over the old brands in a difficult situation.

Stellantis, a French-Italian group whose brands include Peugeot and Fiat’, announced last week that it was considering selling an underutilized factory in Spain’ to Chinese joint venture partner Leapmotor’a.

ItalyTwo Stellantis plants in ’ are operating well below capacity. According to the Fim-Cisl report in the Italian press, the Cassino plant in Frosinone province produced only 2,916 cars in the first quarter of 2026 (.4 decrease) and works five to six days a month.

The historic Mirafiori plant in Turin’ has been scaled down to produce only Fiat 500 hybrid and electric models.

The European car market has not fully recovered from the downturn brought by the Covid-19 pandemic, and its factories are operating at only half the capacity of the average.

At the same time, it faces the onslaught of Chinese automakers whose rapidly advancing technical capabilities and low production costs pose a major risk to their global rivals.

Stellantis did not immediately comment on BYD’'s plans.

Volkswagen Group sees decline in performance as U.S. tariffs pose risk

by the Logistics TransportIn the the General Assembly

German automaker Volkswagen AG announced its first-quarter earnings on Wednesday; operating profit is approximated annually as the company continues to grapple with the impact of U.S. tariffs declined to 2.9 billion Euro’.

Sales revenue in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2024 %It increased by 3 to 78 billion Euro’.

2025In the first three months of ’, 2024According to the first quarter of ’ %Approximately 2.1 million vehicles were sold with an increase of 1 million.

Global share of battery electric vehicle (BEV) deliveries on an annual basis %the 6’ Raised to ’a.

Western Europe’'s share of Volkswagen’in BEV deliveries %the 9’ He ascended to ’; One out of every four BEV’s recorded in the first quarter came from the Volkswagen Group’.

The car industry worldwide is significantly vulnerable to current tariffs on US ’'s car imports, especially due to the globalization of car supply chains. This means that many automakers depend significantly on production facilities outside the U.S.

Although Trump is present this week to make it easier for manufacturers to avoid high tariffs %Although 25’ cars have changed their tariffs, companies are already affected. In addition, it may take more time for the full size of this tariff discount to be reflected in the sector.

Volkswagen AG’nin CFO’su and COO’su Arno Antlitz said in the first-quarter earnings statement posted on the company's website: “As expected, the Volkswagen Group made a mixed start to the financial year ​​. Our cars are very well received. Western EuropeOrder intake has increased significantly in ’, and our order books are filling up quickly.”

Antlitz pointed out that one out of every five cars sold in the Western European ’ is now fully electric.

He added: At the same time, the market success of our electric cars puts pressure on our results. An operating margin of around 4% makes it clear that we still have considerable business ahead of us.’

He also stressed the importance of focusing on leverages under the company's control in the face of volatile global economic conditions. He said that in order to increase the chances of success in rapidly changing market conditions, the firm needs to complement its wide range of products with a competitive cost base.

When it comes to next year's outlook, the Volkswagen Group is looking at the previous year's figure of sales. %He expects it to exceed 5’.

The firm is likely to reap the return on activity from sales. %From 5.5 to %He said it would be between 6.5, but this guide does not include any influence from the current tariffs.

This year's automotive net cash flow is estimated at between €2 billion and €5 billion, while the automotive sector's net liquidity is expected to be between €34 billion and €37 billion.

The company said in its earnings press release: “28 April 2025Based on developments in the period up to ’, the Volkswagen Group expects operating sales return, automotive net cash flow and net liquidity to trend towards the lower end of the respective ranges. It remains the group's goal to maintain a strong financing and liquidity policy.”

Mercedes-Benz shares plunge after pulling profit guide over tariff fears

by the Logistics TransportIn the the General Assembly

Mercedes-Benz shares fell slightly on Wednesday morning after the automaker retracted its all-year outlook and announced a decline in earnings.

Stuttgart-based firm's shares at CEST noon as investors fear the impact of U.S.-imposed trade barriers %He fell more than 1’.

In a press release from Mercedes-Benz, “ said that the U.S. tariff policy, as well as countermeasures by other governments, and accordingly changes in tariff rates, are leading to significant uncertainty for the world economy.

The automaker said it was too early to assess the full consequences of ’'s trade policies, especially given the uncertainty around tariff measures.

Mercedes currently manufactures cars in a number of different locations with a strong presence in ’, Germany. The automaker has a plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama’, and earlier this month said it could increase production in the US’ in response to tariffs.

The automaker said on Wednesday that Mercedes’'s pre-interest and pre-tax earnings are expected to increase annually in the first quarter of 2025. %It announced a decline of 41 to 2.3 billion Euro’.

The Net Profit %Revenue decreased by 43 to 1.7 billion Euro’ %7 declined to 33.2 billion Euro’.

Adjusted operating margin in the Mercedes’in car division decreased by 1.7 points %7.3’e is down.

Trump’tan concession to automakers

The car brand's tariff warnings came after the U.S. administration offered a glimmer of hope to the auto industry on Tuesday.

President Trump has signed a presidential order to reimburse some taxes imposed on auto parts shipped to the U.S. ’.

Moreover, businesses that pay taxes on cars and parts will not have to pay the additional taxes that Trump’ imposes on steel, aluminum and goods from Canada and Mexico ’.

For foreign cars sent to the USA’ %Tariffs of 25’ come into effect earlier this month, while taxes on foreign auto parts will begin on Saturday.

Other automakers that have sounded the alarm about tariffs include Stellantis, Volvo and General Motors, which have retracted their estimates in response to Trump’'s trade war.

Volkswagen's first quarter earnings on Wednesday %It reported 37 decreases to 2.9 billion Euro’. VW has maintained its appearance all year.

BMW’'s Chinese sales fall to five-year low at the start of 2025’

by the Logistics TransportIn the the General Assembly

BMW sells in the first three months of the year %It declined 1.4 times and delivered a total of 586,149 vehicles.

Automobile company Europe sells more models in ’ on an annual basis %With an increase of 6.2’, global sales %It was pulled down by China, which recorded a decline of 17.2’.

This is the carmaker's worst first-quarter figure since 2020’ in China.

Meanwhile Germany’da BMW sales %While it fell by 1.3, consumers in the U.S. and U.S. ’ bought more vehicles. Sales in these regions %5.4 and %It's up 4.1.

While BMW has struggled to compete with local competitors in China’, such as automaker BYD, demand in the country has also been hit by the real estate crisis and the economic negativity that followed.

Other European ​​ automakers, such as Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen, suffer the same fate; Chinese sales are taking a hit.

Bright spot for BMW, Europe’ on an annual basis %There was demand for electric vehicles, which recorded an increase of 64.2.

Automobile manufacturer to customers worldwide in the first three months of the year %A total of 109,516 fully electric BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce vehicles were delivered, up 32.4 percent.

Jochen Goller, member of BMW’'s Board of Directors in charge of customers, brands and sales, said in a statement that “EuropeOne of the three MINI’ sold in ’ and one of every two MINI’ sold in China’ were all-electric.

Goller, “Especially in our domestic market, Germany, ’, we feel safe thanks to the significant increase in new orders in all drive technologies, ” added.

The success of BMW’'s EV models came at a time when other automakers were trying to move away from gasoline and diesel vehicles. Companies in Europe’ complain about changing emissions targets, inadequate stimulus plans, competition from cheaper Chinese competitors, and slower-than-expected rollout of charging infrastructure.

European ​​ companies that dilute EV targets include Sweden's ’in Volvo and Germany's ’'s Porsche’si.

Thursday's announcement nonetheless gives a snapshot of the fate of BMW’ before President Trump’'s car tariff goes into effect.

The US president introduced a 25 percent tax on imported cars last week, while tariffs on auto parts will begin on May 3rd, ’.

BMW told the Wall Street Journal in March that trade tensions between the US, China and the European Union expected its earnings to be $1.1 billion (€987 million) this year.

Car manufacturers will face a choice: USATo cover the cost of sending cars to ’ consumers, to pause shipments to the country or to move production to ABD’.

The second scenario may sound like music to the Trump administration, but experts doubt its feasibility.

Trump’'s trade policies are now so volatile that firms are worried about eliminating tariff-based operations that could change. Another deterrent is a potential economic downturn that would destroy business profits if investment and consumer spending slowed.