Recent Stories
Nio CEO cautiously eyes Europe entry for Chinese EV startup
For about two years, the Nio EP9 sports car prototype had the fastest lap time of any electric vehicle on the Nuerburgring. Although the record fell last month to the Volkswagen IDR, Nio founder and CEO William Li says the result proves that Nio's technology can compete with the world's best. Li spoke to Automotive News Europe Correspondent Christiaan Hetzner about the EV maker's plans for Europe, competing with German rivals in China and the need for fresh funding after listing on the New York Stock Exchange.
BMW curse claims Krueger as its latest victim

Observers suspect that the top job at BMW is cursed. Seemingly without exception a failed CEO always follows a successful one. Bernd Pischetsrieder followed Eberhard von Kuenheim, Helmut Panke bowed out after Joachim Milberg and now Harald Krueger is departing after Norbert Reithofer.
VW defends launch of high-priced 'mass-market' EV

VW said its ID3 will be an electric car "for the millions and not the millionaires." But the ID3 will not be immediately become a car for the masses because the launch edition of the Golf-sized hatchback costs more than the entry version of the midsize Passat.
VW's Diess: New Golf must take off by end of year

Volkswagen managers must ensure that they launch the latest-generation Golf by the end of this year, CEO Herbert Diess said in an internal meeting.
How BMW is trying to spark plug-in hybrid sales

BMW is relying heavily on its growing lineup of plug-in hybrids to cut its fleet CO2 emissions in Europe to avoid stiff EU fines.
Audi takes aim at Mercedes-Maybach with ultraluxury A8

Audi plans to launch a new derivative of the flagship A8 sedan that may become a rival to the Mercedes-Maybach S class.
VW exec outlines launch plans for EV family

VW has put prelaunch marketing plans in motion for the EV family it wants to be the world's top electric series.
Daimler's new CEO touts green strategy

Daimler's new boss Ola Källenius posted a brief internal audio message via social media in which he called on employees to support a new strategy to fully decarbonize its core automobile fleet over the next 20 years.
Audi kills TT as it bids to emerge as a premium EV brand

When it launched in 1998, the two-seat Audi TT won numerous fans but more importantly, it established Audi as a design leader. This helped differentiate it from the more handling-oriented BMW and comfort-driven Mercedes.
VW outlines launch plans for first member of new EV family

Volkswagen brand is getting ready to launch the first of a new lineup of electric vehicles, the ID3 hatchback. Automotive News Europe spoke with the brand’s sales chief, Juergen Stackmann, about his hopes for the new EV range.
Volkswagen doubles forecast for EV battery cell demand

Volkswagen, which aims to oust Tesla as the global EV leader, said it will have to source more than 300 gigawatt-hours of annual supply in 2025.
VW reveals name, pricing of electric hatchback in Europe

Volkswagen revealed the name, pricing and driving ranges for its first mass-market EV, which will be called the ID3. The Golf-sized hatchback is part of VW Group's 30 billion-euro ($34 billion) strategy to topple Tesla as the electric-car leader.
Why BMW and Daimler should extend EV ties

BMW and Daimler should consider joint development of an EV platform to reduce costs and boost scale in a similar way to VW, which has said it is willing to share its MEB electric architecture with rivals.
German automakers' strategies differ on changing China JV stakes
Germany's three major automakers are adopting different strategies for controlling their joint ventures in China. Volkswagen Group believes the rapid changes in the market require the automaker to at least rethink its ownership structure. By comparison, Daimler sees no need to act, while BMW Group in October seized the opportunity to secure a greater share of profits from its joint venture.
Mercedes targets performance enthusiasts with China-built AMG
SHANGHAI -- Daimler will begin building Mercedes-AMG cars in China when the A 35 long-wheelbase sedan runs off the assembly line in Beijing toward year end. Daimler now exports the Germany-built Mercedes-AMG A 45, a high-powered version of the A-class compact car, to China. It's the entry level AMG in China and is the performance subbrand's top-selling AMG import.