German luxury car maker owned by Volkswagen AG
Volkswagen has presented a restructuring plan that will cut model lines by up to half and reduce production capacity to about 9 million vehicles a year. Chief executive Oliver Blume has said the group faces a 20% cost disadvantage to rivals and has proposed a "theoretical" further 50,000 job reductions on top of earlier cuts, prompting union protests and board resistance.
Drivers have criticised 2026 regulations that split power 50/50 between internal combustion and electrical units, saying energy-management rules have forced slower, less exciting racing. Lando Norris has said commercial aims — and manufacturers such as Audi entering the sport — have driven the changes, and drivers say they have had little say in rulemaking.
A wave of Chinese automakers is expanding into Europe and the UK, challenging traditional premium brands. Zeekr, BYD and others are pursuing UK launches while major players like Geely, Volvo and Lucid push into premium segments. European and US automakers are restructuring to cope with China’s rising export power and shifting supply chains.
A digest of recent car industry moves: Rivian adds captain’s chairs in updated models; Ford explores new sub-$30k entry crossovers and a cheaper four-door pickup; 2026 cancellations signal potential discounts; rear-camera glitches prompt safety concerns; Mazda explores a new EV-based 6e with long range.
Ferrari’s first fully electric Luce has sold at Sotheby’s Monterey for $40 million, a record for a new car at auction. Proceeds go to the Ferrari Foundation’s educational programs. The sale follows mixed reception to the EV’s design and Ferrari’s push into electrification.
Manufacturers have unveiled or trialled several new electric and hybrid family cars. Mercedes-Benz has launched a seven-seat GLB EV in the UK with an 85kWh battery, claimed range up to 379 miles and prices from £46,100. Bentley has previewed its Torcal EV with about 300 miles EPA range and up to 850+ PS calibration; Honda has reintroduced the Prelude as a hybrid coupe and compared it with Toyota's GR86.
A victim has travelled to Reading Crown Court to witness the sentencing of Ethical Forestry directors after they admitted fraud. The case centers on the misappropriation of funds from thousands of investors for personal gain, while victims hope for accountability and closure.
Volkswagen has approved its Future Plan 2030, a wide-ranging restructuring that will cut about 50,000 additional jobs — bringing total reductions to roughly 100,000 by 2030 — halve the model range by 2035 and end car production at four German plants between 2031 and 2034. The company has pledged a three‑figure billion euro investment to strengthen brands while simplifying offerings.
A wave of UK and European travel pieces are steering readers toward autumn getaways, with Cornwall topping a reader travel awards and St Ives standing out as a surf-and-art hub. Pieces highlight off-season value, non-flight stays, and regional diversity.
Telon, a London startup, has joined OpenAI's select partner network to help law firms operationalize AI. It hires and trains legal engineers who embed inside legal teams to configure models, write prompts and train lawyers, aiming to close the usage gap in AI tools.
Hyundai’s 2026 Ioniq 5 AWD Limited gains 320 hp and all-wheel drive, but its 269-mile EPA range trims efficiency compared with the rear-wheel drive version. The 2025 lifecycle refresh swapped to a new charge port and added a rear wiper, shaping user experience for 2026 buyers.
The EU is debating an Industrial Accelerator Act to ensure subsidies and public procurement favour European-made vehicles. The discussion, at the Paris motor show, includes calls to treat the UK as part of the EU for eligibility. VW and Renault executives warn Europe faces fierce competition from China as the bloc imposes a hybrid car import quota.