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OICA'S TOP 5 NEWS
Francois Roudier
February 24, 2026
European Auto Sales Fall Even as EV Demand Cushions the Drop
Bloomberg – Monica Raymunt – February 24, 2026
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-24/european-auto-sales-fall-even-as-ev-demand-cushions-the-drop?srnd=phx-industries-transportation
European car sales (source ACEA) fell 3.5% in January to 961,382 units, ending six months of growth as weakness in France and Germany offset gains in the UK and Italy. EV demand rose strongly, supported by incentives, while Stellantis announced €22.2 billion in EV-related writedowns and VW and Porsche pivoted toward plug-in hybrids.
German Chancellor Merz heads for China with economy on the line
Nikkei – Jens Kastner – February 24, 2026
https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/international-relations/german-chancellor-merz-heads-for-china-with-economy-on-the-line
Chancellor Friedrich Merz will visit China with a business delegation to address trade imbalances and protect German industry. Vehicle exports to China have dropped by two-thirds since 2022 as Chinese EVs gain ground, prompting calls from VDA President Hildegard Müller for fair competition and restored balance.
Canadian Industry Minister says $12B submarine deal must include an auto assembly plant
Automotive News Canada – Greg Layson – February 23, 2026
https://www.autonews.com/manufacturing/anc-melanie-joly-says-auto-plant-must-submarine-deal-0223/
Canada will require submarine contract bidders to build a domestic auto assembly plant. The policy aims to attract investments from Hyundai and Volkswagen amid factory layoffs at Stellantis and GM, leveraging defense procurement to support employment and industrial capacity in the automotive sector.
Carmakers push toward ‘eyes-off’ driving, raising questions of safety, liability
Reuters – Nora Eckert and Abhirup Roy – February 23, 2026
https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/carmakers-push-toward-eyes-off-driving-raising-questions-safety-liability-2026-02-23/
Automakers are advancing Level 3 “eyes-off” driving to monetize autonomy, though high costs, liability risks and weak demand persist. Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis paused programs, while Chinese firms accelerate rollout, raising prospects of global competition in advanced driver assistance technologies.
The cyber security threat inside your car
Financial Times – Chris Miller – February 24, 2026
https://www.ft.com/content/3e14c4da-2ef9-48bf-bcf8-3035df912be4
US rules restricting Chinese connectivity systems in vehicles reflect concerns over data transmission and remote access risks. Similar debates are emerging in Europe, where reliance on Chinese software may grow, giving US firms leverage in joint ventures while enabling Chinese autonomous technology deployment.
Francois Roudier
February 23, 2026
Trump exempts vehicles, parts from new 15% global duty after Supreme Court loss
Automotive News – John Irwin – February 20, 2026
https://www.autonews.com/manufacturing/an-trump-tariffs-supreme-court-ruling-0220/
Following a Supreme Court ruling invalidating prior tariffs, Trump introduced a temporary 15% global duty under Section 122 but exempted vehicles and auto parts already covered by Section 232 tariffs. Measures last 150 days, pending Congress, while USMCA review and refund uncertainties sustain trade policy instability.
US automakers caught in crossfire of Trump, California EV battle
Reuters – Chris Kirkham – February 19, 2026
https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/us-automakers-caught-crossfire-trump-california-ev-battle-2026-02-19/
Automakers face regulatory fragmentation as Trump’s anti-EV federal policy clashes with California’s 2035 ZEV mandate, adopted by 11 states. A legal ruling could force dual compliance regimes across 29% of U.S. sales, threaten EV credit revenues and deepen uncertainty after $55 billion in EV write-downs.
China automakers look to Toyota in next growth push in Thailand
Nikkei – Kenya Akama – February 22, 2026
https://asia.nikkei.com/business/automobiles/china-automakers-look-to-toyota-in-next-growth-push-in-thailand
Chinese OEMs, now holding 20% of Thailand’s market, study Toyota’s localization strategy amid backlash over aggressive discounting and tightening EV subsidies. With local quotas rising, firms aim to replicate Toyota’s export-hub model as EVs could reach 28% of Thai sales by 2035.
‘Latecomer’ Hyundai races Tesla on robots and self-driving cars
Financial Times – Song Jung-a – February 20, 2026
https://www.ft.com/content/545413e6-4ec6-4fbd-8ba6-a82a8fdb8e3f
Hyundai accelerates robotics and autonomy, planning 30,000 Atlas humanoid robots annually in its Georgia EV plant by 2028 and a Las Vegas robotaxi launch via Motional this year. Backed by Nvidia and Boston Dynamics, ambitions face technological hurdles and union concerns over automation impacts.
Why pricing pressure in Europe could undercut ‘value-over-volume’ strategy
Automotive News Europe – Nick Gibbs – February 22, 2026
https://www.autonews.com/manufacturing/automakers/ane-europe-pricing-0220/
European OEMs’ value-over-volume strategy weakens as easing supply and Chinese competition force discounting. Renault reported a €733 million pricing hit; Stellantis cut Opel Corsa prices 24%. Chinese brands may reach 20% Western European share by 2030, intensifying margin pressure and job risks.
Francois Roudier
February 17, 2026
Automakers Face Pressure to Bring Back Physical Buttons on Fear of Screen Failures
Automotive News Europe – Lois Jones – February 16, 2026
EuroNCAP now favors physical controls for key safety functions to secure five-star ratings, pushing automakers to rethink touchscreen-only interiors. Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz are reintroducing buttons and switches.
https://www.autonews.com/technology/ane-euroncap-button-replace-touchscreens-0216/
Ford CEO Jim Farley, Trump Officials Reportedly Discussed U.S.-China Carmaking Joint Ventures
Bloomberg News – February 16, 2026
Ford Motor Company discussed possible U.S.-China joint ventures allowing Chinese OEMs to build vehicles locally under American control, though concerns over security, subsidies and supplier impact persist.
https://www.autonews.com/ford/an-ford-china-ev-joint-venture-0215/
Japan Eases Screening for US-Made Cars in Boost for Toyota’s Reverse Imports
Nikkei – Ryo Asayama – February 17, 2026
Japan will streamline certification for U.S.-built cars, enabling Toyota Motor Corporation to reverse-import models such as Camry and Tundra, potentially boosting margins and easing non-tariff trade tensions.
https://asia.nikkei.com/business/automobiles/japan-eases-screening-for-us-made-cars-in-boost-for-toyota-s-reverse-imports
Battery Boosters: Why Manufacturers Are Waiting for Billions from the EU
Automobilwoche – Hans Evert – February 16, 2026
EU battery funding of €1.5bn targets PowerCo, ACC and Verkor, but delays and weak EV demand are slowing gigafactory expansion, underscoring challenges to Europe’s industrial autonomy ambitions.
https://www.automobilwoche.de/technologie/batterie/amw-powerco-acc-verkor-warten-auf-milliarden-von-der-eu/
Chinese Autos Going Global, Entering an “Oligopoly Era”?
Gasgoo – February 14, 2026
Chinese vehicle exports hit 6.04m units in 2025, with BYD and Chery leading growth through technology and localization strategies as global competition shifts from cost to ecosystem capabilities.
https://autonews.gasgoo.com/articles/news/chinese-autos-going-global-entering-an-oligopoly-era-2022564624749043712
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