OPmobility Plans German Automotive Production Transfer
14 Oct 26 Autos
OPmobility is considering a transfer of automotive exterior-component production from its German manufacturing facility as the supplier adjusts its European industrial footprint to weaker vehicle demand and persistent overcapacity.
Covestro Makroblend UT235M on Lexus ES Exterior Panel
Covestro Japan says Makroblend UT235M PC blend has now entered series production on a Lexus ES luggage panel, with Toyoda Gosei applying in-mould coating in a single integrated process that combines injection moulding and coating.
German automotive business climate deteriorates in September
Conditions across Germany's automotive sector weakened sharply in September, with manufacturers reporting renewed deterioration across several important measures of activity.
US expands Iran sanctions into automotive and rail sectors
Washington has widened its industrial sanctions programme against Iran, bringing additional manufacturing sectors and overseas supply networks within the scope of new measures.
LG Chem and Volkswagen target ABS and engineering plastics
02 Oct 26 Autos
LG Chem and Volkswagen will jointly evaluate ABS, engineering plastics, composites and recycled materials for future vehicles, including applications targeting lower weight and improved performance.
EU battery rules challenge European truck manufacturing
25 Sep 26 Autos
Around half of European medium and heavy trucks would currently fail proposed EU battery-cell localisation requirements, according to an ACEA-commissioned study by Ricardo.
EU car registrations rise 5.3% through August 2026
EU car registrations increased 5.3% through August as electrified vehicles gained market share.
ELIX launches low-gloss PC/ABS for automotive interiors
ELIX has launched PC/ABS GR 5125 for matte automotive interior components, with worldwide availability and a recycled-content E-LOOP version.
German car production falls 4% in August 2026
14 Sep 26 Autos
German car production fell 4% in August as overseas orders weakened, while electric vehicle registrations increased.
German automotive production falls 9.2% in July
09 Sep 26 Autos
A sharp automotive decline contributed to a 1.1% monthly fall in overall German production.
LANXESS plans fourth-quarter production of 6PPD alternative
09 Sep 26 Autos
Vulkanox 4060 has completed EU REACH registration, with commercial production planned for the fourth quarter.
EU vehicle recycled-plastic targets start from 2032
18 Aug 26 Autos
The EU’s new End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation entered into force on 13 August 2026, introducing mandatory recycled-plastic requirements for new vehicle types. Most of the regulation will apply from 1 September 2028, while the recycled-content targets begin later.
Stellantis Q2 shipments rise 10% as Europe grows
08 Aug 26 Autos
Stellantis Q2 shipments rose 10%, with Enlarged Europe volumes increasing 5%.
Mercedes-Benz Q2 car sales fall as China drops 30%
08 Aug 26 Autos
Mercedes-Benz Cars sales fell 8% in Q2 as a 30% decline in China outweighed growth in Europe and North America.
BMW Q2 production rises despite lower vehicle sales
08 Aug 26 Autos
BMW produced 4.4% more vehicles in Q2 despite global deliveries falling 4.9%.
Toyota and Lexus sales fall as China drops 28%
08 Aug 26 Autos
Toyota and Lexus global retail sales fell 3.5%, with China volumes down 28%.
Honda automobile sales fall 6.3% as China weakens
07 Aug 26 Autos
Honda automobile sales fell 6.3% as a sharp decline in China outweighed growth elsewhere.
EU Commercial Vehicle Registrations Rise in H1 2026
ACEA reported on 29 July 2026 that EU commercial vehicle registrations increased across the van, truck and bus segments during the first half of 2026. Van registrations rose 1.9% to 742,759 units,…
Volkswagen Uses PMMA for ID. Buzz Spoiler
Röhm announced that Volkswagen and automotive supplier Magna are using a PLEXIGLAS PMMA moulding compound for the rear spoiler of the Volkswagen ID. Buzz. The component is produced in Piano Black using…
Sentiment in the German automotive industry improves slightly
Sentiment in the German automotive industry improved marginally in December, according to the ifo Institute. The Business Climate Index rose to minus 19.8 points from minus 20.2 in November, reflecting less pessimistic…