Car industry • Table.Briefings

In 2025, BYD built its first European passenger car factory in Szeged, Hungary, which underlines its commitment to the European market.

March 29th, 2026

IAA: EU forces China’s carmakers to change strategy

The Industrial Accelerator Act is creating new challenges for BYD, Xpeng, and other Chinese automakers in the EU market. They do not have much time to respond.

By Christian Domke Seidel

News | Automotive

March 25th, 2026

Škoda: Volkswagen subsidiary withdraws from China

Škoda is withdrawing from the Chinese market by mid-year. The Czech Volkswagen subsidiary plans to focus on India and Southeast Asia.

By Amelie Richter

Robotaxi von Pony.ai in Shenzhen automatisiertes autonomes Fahren

Feature | 15th Five-Year Plan

March 18th, 2026

Automotive industry: Five-Year Plan enters its second phase

In the new Five-Year Plan, the automotive industry is less of a focal point than it used to be. Yet its importance to Chinese industry remains exceptionally high. Industry experts explain why this is not a contradiction.

By Jörn Petring

Bundesumweltminister Carsten Schneider im Gespräch mit dem slowenischen Umweltstaatssekretär Uroš Vajgl.

News | Combustion engine off

March 18th, 2026

Carbon fleet limits: Germany expresses reservations

While Germany supports the planned reduction of carbon fleet limits to 90% by 2035, it remains skeptical of the European Commission’s industrial policy plans.

By Lukas Knigge

Der Volkswagen ID.Next auf der Automobilmesse in Shanghai.

News | Volkswagen

March 17th, 2026

Volkswagen: More Chinese semiconductors instead of Nvidia

VW is increasingly relying on local chip suppliers in China to regain ground in the important electric vehicle market. Meanwhile, its subsidiary Audi is also struggling with weak demand.

By Manuel Liu

Talk of the Town | Automotive

March 17th, 2026

Suppliers: Breaking with the automotive past

German industry's struggle for survival calls for a change in thinking. As the automotive sector becomes less and less profitable, suppliers are turning their attention to aerospace and robotics. The Germans still have an edge. But the race against time is on.

By Christian Domke Seidel

Messestand von Volkswagen group und Xpeng

News | Car industry

March 15th, 2026

“In China, for China”: Volkswagen regains the top spot

Volkswagen has reclaimed market leadership in China in the first two months of the year, moving ahead of rivals such as BYD. With new EV models and a development strategy more tightly tailored to China, the group aims to secure its position in the world’s most important auto market over the long term.

By Manuel Liu

News | Car industry

March 11th, 2026

Car market: Exports mitigate slump in sales

Demand for new cars has cooled noticeably in China since the beginning of the year. However, because exports by Chinese manufacturers are increasing, the decline is limited.

By Marcel Grzanna

News | Car industry

March 10th, 2026

Electric trucks: Chinese brands push into Europe

Electric trucks are following the example of electric cars from China. With low prices and high-quality technology, they are pushing their way onto the European market. Sales are set to begin before the end of this year.

By Ning Wang

News | Semiconductors

March 8th, 2026

Nexperia: Chip shipments could face fresh bottlenecks

After Chinese bank accounts at chipmaker Nexperia were frozen, Beijing is warning of “new conflicts.” The commerce ministry is placing the blame on the Dutch headquarters.

By Ning Wang