Etiqueta: VW

Carmakers say disruption to chip supplies could affect production amid calls for diplomatic solution to dispute

Europe’s car industry faces a perfect storm. Chinese car exports are surging, European producers are being squeezed out of global markets, US tariffs are rising, and domestic demand remains 20% below pre-pandemic levels. Instead of sliding into a costly muddle of regulatory rollbacks, bailouts, and fragmented national subsidies, the EU should harness its single market - 450 million consumers and a vast corporate sector - to drive demand for Europe-made vehicles. That means co-ordinating consumer subsidies with a buy-European clause, applying it to both private and corporate fleets, and using it as a platform for reciprocal EV-subsidy agreements with trusted trade partners. A window for action is open: Germany, France, Italy, and Spain all need to renew their EV-support schemes in the coming months. Together, they represent 70% of EU car registrations—and could launch broader European coordination.

Electric cars made by the Chinese car firm BYD are now a familiar sight on British roads. In September 2025, the company sold 11,271 vehicles in the UK –

Volkswagen is stopping production at two German electric car factories due to concerns about declining demand. Meanwhile, Chinese rival BYD is celebrating record sales in Europe. This raises the question of whether VW's problem is a result of outdated technology and poor value for money.

BYD has now launched a selection of vehicles in South Africa that could really help catalyze adoption. These include the Seagull, known in South Africa as the Dolphin Surf, and the BYD Shark 06 PHEV pickup.

September saw plugin EVs take 35.5% share of the UK auto market, up from 29.4% year-on-year. BEVs grew in volume by 29% YoY, PHEVs grew 56%.

The US is forging ahead with new measures to bar Chinese-made vehicles as well as certain software and hardware from the US market. Global automakers and their suppliers will now have to restructure their…

The BYD Shark 6 is only the first in a long line of Chinese-made utes that are cut-price, tech-filled, practical, and capable.

The BYD Shark 6 promises to shake up the pickup truck hierarchy with great tech and an excellent powertrain

Support CleanTechnica's work through a Substack subscription or on Stripe. BYD is clearly leading the electric vehicle market globally, but that’s mostly due to its dominance in China. Outside of China, it has been leading the EV way into numerous neglected, developing markets — in Asia, Africa, and South America. ... [continued]