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Chinese electric carmaker Xpeng, backed by Volkswagen, is expanding into its fifth European market after Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark. On Thursday, it announced plans to commence sales in Germany this May, starting with the G9 SUV and P7 sedan. Xpeng aims to secure a 3% market share for new energy vehicles by the end of this year.When sales of the two models begin, Xpeng will be operating in 24 locations.
Van life continues to get more eco-friendly as Ford has introduced the new Tourneo Connect Plug-In Hybrid in Europe. Set to arrive late this year, the van features a plug-in hybrid powertrain that consists of a 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine, a “high-voltage” battery, an electric motor, and a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Isuzu previewed its first battery electric vehicle which is based on the D-Max midsize pickup, retaining the payload and towing capabilities of the turbodiesel versions. A pre-production prototype of the Isuzu D-Max BEV will make its first public outing on March 27 at the Bangkok International Motor Show in Thailand, before its market launch in Europe which is scheduled for 2025.
Audi has introduced a host of updates to the A3 for the 2025 model year in both Sedan and Sportback guises while in Europe, a new high-riding A3 allstreet version has been added to the range.All 2025 A3 models benefit from a revised front fascia that includes a flatter and wider Singleframe grille complemented by two sharp air intakes and a front splitter that Audi says makes the new model look lower. Designers have also taken inspiration from the brand’s RS models at the rear with a new bumper and diffuser.The A3 allstreet stands out from the rest of the A3 family thanks to its rugged looks.
Updated European safety certifications may discourage global automakers from leaning so heavily upon touch controls in the future. While not a formal government regulator, the European New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) is extremely influential in a manner similar to the United States’ Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). These are the entities testing the crash worthiness of modern automobiles, or bench-marking industry safety standards, and Euro NCAP has elected to make distracted driving a major issue moving forward. By 2026, any vehicles sold within the European market will need to include physical controls to be deemed truly safe.
Micro’s impossibly cute Microlino always looked like a stylish kids toy, and now there’s a new version available that stylish kids can get in and drive. The Microline Lite is as cool as the existing electric bubble car that’s been on sale in mainland Europe for a couple of years, but this version has been adapted to meet regulations allowing drivers as young as 14 to get behind the wheel.While the standard version’s single 17 hp (17 PS) electric motor gives it a top speed of 56 mph (90 kmh), the 12 hp (12 PS) Lite, which is launched this week at the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland, is limited to 28 mph.
Dacia is known for prioritizing affordability over autonomous driving systems, but regulatory changes in Europe require its models to come equipped with a basic package. To comply with the new rules, the Romanian automaker announced a series of model year updates for the Sandero, Sandero Stepway, Logan, and Jogger family, adding more ADAS and new features.As required by the European Union’s GSR II (Global Safety Regulation II), effective July 2024, all Dacia models are now outfitted with the following: Additionally, Rescue QR Code stickers affixed to the windscreen and rear window provide firefighters and rescue crews with rapid access to a dedicated rescue information booklet.More: Dacia Teases New Model, Could It Be An Updated Spring EV?To support the aforementioned systems, Dacia equipped the Sandero, Sandero Stepway, Logan, and Jogger with a new ADAS camera on the windshield, replacing the old bumper-mounted sensor.Mild Exterior And Interior UpdatesEven though the current generation of the Sandero, Sandero Stepway, and Logan were introduced back in 2020, Dacia has yet to introduce a facelift.