Automotive Industry News & Contents 2026 [Daily Updates]

September 04, 2026

This issue features a detailed analysis of GM's Buick Electra lineup and supply chain in China, Leapmotor's expanding European production and model rollout via Stellantis, an exclusive interview with Alps Alpine on multimodal cabin technologies, and the latest vehicle sales statistics for Spain and Turkey.

Updated daily with the latest information for the automotive industry. Coverage (Japanese/English/Chinese) of information directly related to business, including complete vehicles, EVs, automated driving, sales figures, and industry reports.

Table of contents

▶ Supply chain: GM Buick Electra (E7, L7, Encasa)

▶ Leapmotor's European Business

▶ Alps Alpine Exclusive Interview

▶ Spain August sales rise 11%

▶ Turkiye July sales fall 24.5%

▶ Engine (Fuel / Injection System) Supply Chain

▶ News

Supply chain: GM Buick Electra (E7, L7, Encasa)

Supply chain: GM Buick Electra (E7, L7, Encasa)

GM Buick's Electra brand—which includes the E7 (PHEV), L7 (REEV, BEV), and Encasa (BEV, PHEV) models— comprises SUVs, full-size sedans, and MPVs jointly developed by GM and SAIC Motor in China. They utilize the "Xiao Yao" platform developed at the SAIC-GM's Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) and are equipped with a 900V charging system. The "Electra E7" is reportedly the first model for which GM's China team led both product planning and technical direction. The "Xiao Yao" platform is also scheduled to be adopted for the Cadillac Optic-IQ, which is set to launch in China in 2028. From January to June 2026, the Electra brand's average monthly sales in China were approximately 5,700 units. Engines and e-Axles are sourced from SAIC Motor Group. Drive battery cells are sourced from CATL, Jiangsu Zenergy Battery Technologies, and REPT BATTERO Energy, and assembled at the SAIC GM Power Technology (Shanghai) plant. The ADAS system uses Momenta, LiDAR is supplied by RoboSense, and the cockpit domain controller utilizes a Qualcomm chip.

Launch Schedule for Buick ELECTRA Models
To adapt to the growing demand for new energy vehicles in the Chinese market, Buick, a traditional automaker, has established the new ELECTRA sub-brand to accelerate its development in the NEV segment. Leveraging the NEV-compatible Xiao Yao platform, Buick has launched 3 models over the past year. The full-size REEV sedan L7 was launched in Sep. 2025, followed by the addition of a BEV in Aug. 2026. The PHEV MPV Encasa was launched in Dec. 2025, followed by the addition of a BEV in Mar. 2026. In Apr. 2026, Buick also launched the mid to large-size E7 PHEV SUV. These launches have enabled Buick to establish an electrified lineup across its entire model range.

Buick Electra L7 specifications and safety features
- EREV/REEV
- BEV
Buick Electra Encasa specifications and safety features
- PHEV
- BEV
Buick Electra E7 specifications and safety features
- PHEV

Production plants for Buick Electra

GM Production Volume in China (by Model, 2020–2025)

Leapmotor's European Business

Leapmotor's European Business

Leapmotor entered the European market in 2024, leveraging Stellantis' sales and service network, and had expanded its lineup to four models in the A and C segments by the first half of 2026. In the second half of 2026, Leapmotor plans to start production at a Stellantis plant in Spain and launch the B-segment hatchback B03 (A05 in China) and the B03X SUV (A10 in China). By entering the B-segment market, a major volume segment in Europe, Leapmotor aims to increase awareness of the Leapmotor brand and further expand sales by attracting a broader range of customers with competitive pricing.

Electric / Autonomous Refined search
Launch Schedules Refined search

Alps Alpine Exclusive Interview

Making Cars Understand People – Next-Generation Cabin Experiences Enabled by Multimodal Sensing and Sensory Technologies

MarkLines visited the Iwaki Development Center in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, Alps Alpine’s core development hub, and interviewed Mr. Kazama, Associate Vice President in Charge of Mobility Development, and Mr. Kitagawa, General Manager, Mobility Business Unit, Advanced Development Dept. The discussion focused on the company’s strategy for transitioning from an automotive equipment manufacturer to a solutions provider, centering on its Digital Cabin Solution (DCS) concept, as well as its vision for next-generation products.

Read the full Alps Alpine interview

More exclusive interviews
Going beyond press releases and publicly available information, we explore on-the-ground perspectives, the background behind business initiatives, and future strategic directions.

Alps Alpine Co., Ltd. Detailed Report

Spain August sales rise 11%

Sales are driven by major OEMs such as VW, Toyota, and BYD. Models including the VW Arona, Toyota Yaris, and BYD ATTO 2 perform well, while Chery also expands its sales.
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VW Group 14,946 → 16,711（+11.8%）
- Arona 918 → 1,330（+44.9%）
Stellantis 10,545 → 10,864（+3.0%）
トヨタグループ 8,024 → 8,837（+10.1%）
- Vitz (Yaris) 1,018 → 1,705（+67.5%）
Renault 8,615 → 8,738（+1.4%）
現代-起亜自動車グループ 6,823 → 7,068（+3.6%）
メルセデス・ベンツグループ 2,989 → 3,304（+10.5%）
比亜迪汽車(BYD) 1,827 → 3,191（+74.7%）
- ATTO 2 (Yuan UP) 308 → 1,157（+275.6%）
BMW グループ 2,893 → 3,085（+6.6%）
Ford グループ 2,952 → 2,847（-3.6%）
上海汽車工業(集団)総公司 (SAIC) 2,754 → 2,660（-3.4%）
奇瑞汽車 (Chery) 1,613 → 2,316（+43.6%）

Turkiye July sales fall 24.5%

The overall market sees a significant decline as major OEMs—including Ford, Stellantis, and Renault—all post year-on-year drops, alongside sharp declines for Tesla and BYD.
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