Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles adds eight-seater variant in Multivan lineup On May 26, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles announced that it is adding an eight-seater option to its Multivan lineup, joining the existing five-, six-, and seven-seat versions. With three individual seats in both the second and third rows, the new model offers greater flexibility and comfort for larger groups. All rear seats can be individually moved or removed to keep the...

News  Updated at: 2025/05/27

FAW Group launches 2025 Hongqi H9 luxury sedan On May 20, FAW Group launched the 2025 Hongqi H9 large luxury sedan. The model is available in four 2.0T and three 3.0T variants, with prices ranging from CNY 329,800 to CNY 539,800. The 2025 Hongqi H9 measures 5,137mm long, 1,904mm wide, and 1,498mm high, with a wheelbase of 3,060mm. The 2.0T variants have a front-engine RWD layout. Powered by a 48V mild hybrid system, a 230kW/380Nm 2.0T turbocharge...

News  Updated at: 2025/05/22

MINI unveils new John Cooper Works convertible On May 20, MINI unveiled the new John Cooper Works Convertible, combining classic go-kart handling with a compact design ideal for city driving. It is powered by a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder twin-turbo gasoline engine, which generates the output of 231 hp and 380 Nm of torque. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds and hits a top speed of 245 km/h. It has a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox t...

News  Updated at: 2025/05/20

Mobilize partners with Zeplug, France to expand affordable home EV charging in France On May 14, Mobilize, Renault Group’s mobility brand, announced its partnership with Zeplug, French based EV charging station contractor, to make it easier to install EV charging stations in residential buildings. Zeplug sets up the charging infrastructure at no cost to the building. Individual residents can then subscribe and charge their EVs at a price three ...

News  Updated at: 2025/05/15

BMW South Africa presents latest generation of 1 Series and 2 Series Gran Coupé On May 12, BMW South Africa launched the new BMW 1 Series and 2 Series Gran Coupé. The new 1 Series is slightly larger than before, the dimensions are 4,361 mm x 1,800 mm x 1,459 mm (LxWxH), with a 2,670 mm wheelbase. The South African market will get two models at launch, i.e., the BMW 118 and M135 xDrive. Both use a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The ...

News  Updated at: 2025/05/14

SCALE project starts autonomous vehicle trial in UK On May 7, WMG at The University of Warwick announced that Solihull & Coventry Automated Links Evolution (SCALE) project started a trial for autonomous vehicles. A self-driving fully-electric shuttle service is launched at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham. By the summer, the route will be extended in further phases to see the fleet of three electric self-driving shuttles carry pas...

News  Updated at: 2025/05/13

Auto sales in Vietnam up 21.5% in April According to the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA) report issued on May 13, automobile sales (including imported vehicles of non-VAMA manufactures' sales) in Vietnam were up 21.5% year-over-year to 29,585 units in April. CKD volume was 13,890 units and CBU volume was 15,695 units. VAMA members (20 manufacturers) sales in April were up 10.2% y/y to 23,186 units. VAMA members passenger car s...

News  Updated at: 2025/05/13

Indonesian sales up 5.0% to 51,205 in April The Association of Indonesia Automotive Industries (GAIKINDO) and other sources reported that Indonesian vehicle sales in April 2025 were 51,205 units, up 5.0% compared to April 2024. By automaker sales in April, Toyota was up 5.8% y/y to 16,077 units and a 31.4% market share. Daihatsu was down 6.3% to 8,884 units with a 17.3% market share. Suzuki was down 16.9% to 4,145 units with a 8.1% market share. ...

News  Updated at: 2025/05/12

Stellantis reintroduces Fiat Argo in Argentine market On April 29, Stellantis announced that Fiat reintroduced the Argo model to the Argentine market. The vehicle offers the new DRIVE 1.3 MT variant. The Argo features a 1.3L Firefly engine delivering 99 hp at 6,000 rpm and 130 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission and FWD. The model includes 15” alloy wheels, daytime running lights, a rear spoiler, and heated rear...

News  Updated at: 2025/05/10

JAC launches JS8 Pro in Argentina On May 5, it was reported that the new JAC JS8 Pro SUV is now on sale in Argentina. This three-row, 7-passenger D-segment vehicle is being imported from China and marketed by Grupo Socma, featuring a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine producing 182 hp and 300 Nm of torque, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT7) and FWD. Standard features include 19-inch wheels, six airbags, a panorami...

News  Updated at: 2025/05/10

MAS 2025: GWM Tank 500 HEV officially launched in Malaysia On May 8, 2025, the GWM Tank 500 HEV, a 7-seat luxury hybrid 4×4, was launched in Malaysia at the Malaysia Autoshow 2025 (MAS 2025). Priced from MYR 328,800 (OTR without insurance), the HEV is imported from GWM's Rayong plant in Thailand.  The Tank 500 HEV is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 244 PS between 5,500 and 6,000 rpm and 380 Nm of to...

News  Updated at: 2025/05/09

Toyota debuts 2026 Corolla Cross with fresh style in U.S. On May 8, Toyota introduced the refreshed 2026 Corolla Cross with two new front fascia designs that provide a modern, color-matched look for the Hybrid version and a bold, rugged design for the ICE model.  The interior brings a new front console design that maximizes usable space and a newly available 10.5-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen and a 7-inch Multi Information Display (MI...

News  Updated at: 2025/05/09

Audi opens presales for A5 sedan in Brazil On May 5, Audi opened pre-sales for the Audi A5, a luxury mid-size sedan that will replace the global best-seller Audi A4 and arrives in a single version. The 4,829 mm long vehicle is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged FSI engine delivering 272 hp and 400 Nm of torque, the A5 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 210 km/h. The engine is paired with a 7-speed S tronic t...

News  Updated at: 2025/05/08

New vehicle sales by 5 major OEMs in South Korea increased 8.1% in April Five Korean automakers announced domestic new vehicle sales in April. New vehicle sales in South Korea increased by 8.1% compared to the same month last year to 128,639 units. Hyundai Motor and Kia reported higher sales both domestically and overseas, while GM Korea, Renault Korea, and KGM experienced declines. By company, Hyundai Motor led the market with 67,510 units sold ...

News  Updated at: 2025/05/07

Auto Shanghai 2025: SAIC Motor launches Roewe D6 all-electric family sedan and introduces Pearl concept On April 23, SAIC Roewe launched the Roewe D6 all-electric family sedan. The model is available in five variants, with prices ranging from CNY 99,800 to CNY 139,800. It measures 4,792mm long, 1,828mm wide, and 1,496mm high, with a wheelbase of 2,750mm. The double-layer trunk offers a cargo capacity of 718L. The Roewe D6 adopts a front-wheel dri...

News  Updated at: 2025/05/06

Global power semiconductor global market expected to expand to JPY 7 trillion in 2035 According to Fuji Keizai Co., Ltd. (Chuo Ward, Tokyo), the global power semiconductor market is expected to expand to JPY 7,771 billion in 2035, a 2.3-fold increase from 2024. The market growth will be led by adoption of next-generation semiconductors in on-board chargers, LiDARs (laser scanners) and other devices due to the advancement of electric vehicles (EVs...

News  Updated at: 2025/04/30

Kia announces details and pricing for Kia PV5 in UK On April 29, Kia UK revealed detailed specifications and pricing for the new Kia PV5, its first fully electric commercial vehicle, with pre-orders starting May 1, 2025. Built on the E-GMP.S platform, the PV5 offers two battery options: a 51.5-kWh standard range providing up to 179 miles (Passenger) or 181 miles (Cargo) and a 71.2-kWh long-range offering up to 249 miles (Passenger) or 247 miles (...

News  Updated at: 2025/04/30

March vehicle production in Thailand down 6.1% (Flash Report) On April 29, 2025, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) announced that vehicle production in March 2025 totaled 129,909 units, down 6.1% YoY but up 12.5% MoM. Of this, production for domestic sales and exports accounted for 35.9% and 64.1%, respectively. According to data provided by FTI member automakers, HEV production in March 2025 totaled 19,365 units, while BEV production reach...

News  Updated at: 2025/04/29

Citroën unveils 2025 C4 ‘Collection’ Edition with hybrid and extended-range electric options On April 22, Citroën unveiled a new 2025 ‘Collection’ edition of the C4 model, offering a more dynamic and better-equipped version based on the popular PLUS trim. The limited-edition C4 will be available with two powertrains: a 145 bhp hybrid and a 156 bhp electric version with a 415 km range. The hybrid model combines a 1.2L 3-cylinder gasoline...

News  Updated at: 2025/04/23

Haval begins production of new F7x crossover in Tula plant, Russia On April 22, Haval announced that it had started production of the new high-tech crossover, the HAVAL F7x, at its plant in the Tula region, expanding the F-series lineup with a cross-coupe version. The vehicle, built on HAVAL’s modular LEMON platform, retains the sporty silhouette of a cross-coupe. It is equipped with a 2-liter gasoline engine producing 192 hp, paired with a 7-s...

News  Updated at: 2025/04/23