Andrea Malan Correspondent covering the Italian market for Automotive News Europe [email protected] +39 335 564 83 82 See All Staff Page Recent Stories Alfa Romeo Tonale launch delayed after new CEO demands better performance The Tonale will have a key role in reviving the flagging fortunes of Alfa Romeo because it will compete in the booming compact SUV segment. Italian sales surge 497% in March as incentives boost private demand Italy remains under partial lockdown, with most of the northern regions under strict travel limitations, but dealerships are open for business, as they are classified as an essential activity. Spanish sales jump 128% in March, but lag pre-coronavirus levels Monthly sales were still 30 percent below March 2019. The strength of any recovery this year depends on a revival of tourism and renewed consumer confidence,  with both tied to how quickly vaccinations progress, an industry group said. Cupra counts on performance for Born EV The Born will increase Cupra's profitability and give the brand access to northern European markets with high sales of EVs such as Norway and the Netherlands, CEO Wayne Griffiths said. BMW iX3 starts brand's EV product offensive BMW's first full-electric SUV has an 80 kilowatt-hour battery that provides a 460 km range, a 0 to 100 kph (62 mph) time of 6.8 second and a top speed of 180 kph. VW Group will launch Polo-sized EVs, Diess says The automaker is redoubling its efforts to launch small battery-powered cars in Europe, where the segment is expected to boom. Stellantis will increase pace of EV launches in Europe, U.S. Stellantis, whose brands include Opel, Jeep, Ram and Maserati, plans to have full-electric or hybrid versions of all of its vehicles in Europe, as well as its light-duty vehicles in the U.S., by 2025. Spain's February sales fell 38% in 'perfect storm' Demand was hit by the end of Spain's scrapping program, a rise in registration tax and the continuing effects of the coronavirus pandemic measures. Italy sales dropped 12% in February but incentives boosted demand from private buyers Government subsidies helped to boost private sales, but demand from rental fleets is still reeling from the coronavirus pandemic, which has restricted mobility. Hyundai counts on Bayon's 'distinctive' design to make small SUV stand out The Bayon will compete against models such as the Renault Captur, VW T-Roc and Ford Puma. New small Jeep to go into production in July 2022, sources say The SUV to be built in Poland will be the first Fiat Chrysler model on a PSA Group platform as part of the Stellantis merger. It will be followed by small models from Alfa Romeo and Fiat. Ioniq 5 targets VW ID4, but also more upscale EVs, Hyundai exec says The midsize crossover has a wide range of competitors in the still-developing EV market, Hyundai Europe's CEO said, but VW remains the benchmark. How Ferrari increased European sales in pandemic year A full, carefully managed order book helped Ferrari become one of just a few brands to increase sales in a European market that fell by 24 percent overall. Hyundai Europe counts on electrified SUVs to boost sales The automaker's 2021 product offensive includes four new models in the region's hottest segment -- three of which will be electrified. Kia will seek to boost Europe market share in 2021 Kia will be "more realistic" if the pandemic does not ease, the company's chief operating officer for Europe said. Load More
Andrea Malan Correspondent covering the Italian market for Automotive News Europe [email protected] +39 335 564 83 82 See All Staff Page