+++ DS has hinted at introducing performance-focused models in a bid to ramp up its premium credentials. Despite racing in Formula E for more than a decade and creating some racy concept cars, DS has yet to develop a fully fledged performance model. However, speaking at the recent London ePrix, new CEO Xavier Peugeot told he was thinking about bringing the idea to fruition. “There is no closed debate, so why not?” he said. “It might be consistent for us to think about even more powerful versions of our models, of our engines, that would align with our commitment in Formula E. I believe today that being committed to racing cars is important for DS. It brings dynamism, it brings energy, it brings the capacity to stimulate road cars, capacity to stimulate engineers, capacity to get the benefit of the evolutionary technology in our everyday cars and therefore to have real competitive advantages”. The company has previously hinted at the potential for a dedicated performance car with its 805 hp E-Tense concept in 2022. Speaking more broadly, he said that another advantage of DS being in Formula E is that the series “continues to fascinate younger audiences” and so opens the brand up to a younger demographic. “It’s coherent with our electric messages”, he added. “There are lots of benefits. To me, the keyword is ‘acceleration’. It accelerates everything”. Peugeot acknowledged that DS’s aim for youth could be supported by the addition of a performance flagship in the future. DS, now 11 years old, had been light on new products until earlier this year, when the new Numéro8 flagship was launched and the DS 4 was heavily updated (and renamed Numéro4). No sales volume targets have been set for the Numéro8, said Peugeot, arguing that volumes weren’t the only metric for success. “Our positioning is a premium one”, said Peugeot. “The German brands have been established for years, for decades, even in the case of BMW, Audi and Mercedes. But we also see that there are new players coming up. We see Polestar, we see this kind of new brand, which just reinforces the fact that premium in Europe is a key lever. The premium market is a quarter of the sales volumes in the European market, but it makes up 40% of the profits. It’s relevant for a group like ours Stellantis to have a premium brand like DS”. In June, design director Thierry Métroz claimed DS would aim even higher in the future, mentioning Rolls-Royce and Bentley levels of quality. But Peugeot quashed these ideas, saying that while inspiration could be drawn from those ultra-luxury brands, “our position is a premium one”. +++
+++ It’s amazing what kinds of political gymnastics we’re seeing from global automakers and foreign governments in the wake of president Donald Trump’s trade deals. Today’s game of tariff twister was brought to you by the HYUNDAI MOTOR GROUP , which released an effusive statement praising the new U.S.-South Korea trade deal. Announced last night, the deal calls for 15 percent tariffs on Hyundai’s exports to the U.S. This tariff will cost the affiliated Hyundai and Kia brands another $5 billion this year alone. But that’s no problem for Hyundai. “Today’s trade agreement represents a historic achievement that strengthens our alliance and creates unprecedented opportunities for sustained prosperity”, Hyundai Motor Group said in a statement. “For Hyundai Motor Group, this agreement validates our unwavering confidence in the U.S. market and our commitment to American manufacturing”. Translation: Hyundai is grateful it wasn’t bludgeoned with the 25 percent U.S. tariff it originally faced. along with an additional $3 billion in levies. Moreover, Hyundai can use this 15 percent tariff bite to justify to its stakeholders the $21 billion of investments it earmarked for the U.S. through 2028. The automaker expects its U.S. expansion will create some 100.000 direct (and indirect) jobs. And that’s where the Detroit 3 and others ought to be concerned. Hyundai, Kia and the luxury Genesis brand (with their innovative and quality marques) pose a significant competitive threat in the U.S. market. Their combined U.S. sales rose 3.4 percent in 2024 to more than 1.7 million vehicles. For the first half of 2025, the 3 brands cranked up U.S. deliveries an additional 9.2 percent to 893.152 vehicles. Trump’s tariffs are designed to spur more auto manufacturing in the U.S. That’s exactly what’s on tap for Korea’s Hyundai Motor Group. +++
+++ MASERATI is considering adding plug-in hybrid powertrains to its line-up as it bridges the gap between ICE and EV power, and a next-generation Quattroporte hybrid is tipped to be among the new electrified models. Currently, the firm has 3 powertrain types spread across its 3 model lines: pure-V6, mild-hybrid turbo 4-cylinder and pure-electric. But CEO Santo Ficili told the company needs to offer its customers “all the possibilities” of propulsion as it gears up to go electric. “What’s sure is that we need to talk with our customers, because they are a bit confused at this time”, he said. “You can imagine: PHEV, BEV, mild hybrid… We need to stay in touch with our customers”. Ficili added: “I don’t know when we will go totally BEV. For sure in the future, but I don’t know when automotive will go in this direction. It’s a question of timing. In the middle, we need to consider MHEV and PHEV engines, depending on the development of the technology we want to follow”. Maserati’s current cars are based on platforms that would not readily accommodate plug-in hybrid powertrains, but sibling brand Alfa Romeo is poised to launch a new Stelvio and Giulia on Stellantis’s new STLA Large platform, which can accommodate ICE, EV and hybrid drivetrains. Ficili suggested that Maserati would also use the flexible STLA structure for future models and said a push for “synergies” between the 2 Italian manufacturers could mean their cars become more closely related. That opens the door for the next Giulia and Stelvio to provide the basis for a new Quattroporte and Levante respectively, with the choice of EV and hybrid power. Maserati was due to launch a new Quattroporte saloon this year as its first electric-only model, but last year it announced the seventh-generation car had been pushed back to 2028 due to “the need to take zero risks on the performance level”. Development is understood to have been roughly half complete. Twinning the next Quattroporte with the new Giulia, which is due next year as a BMW 5 Series rival with EV and ICE options, could speed up the development of Maserati’s Quattroporte , with R&D costs drastically reduced as a result. Similarly, if Maserati tapped the next Stelvio to provide the basis for a second-generation Levante, it could quickly re-enter the popular sports SUV market and offer the same choice of petrol and EV power as the big-selling Porsche Cayenne. Ficili added there was a need “to keep the two brands separated” in terms of positioning, but there were opportunities for the two to share “platforms, electronic architectures, software and probably powertrains”. He stopped short of confirming plans to align the two brands’ line-ups more closely, but did hint that the two firms would collaborate on a pair of ultra-exclusive supercar flagship models next year, which are likely to use a high-output pure-ICE powertrain and a manual gearbox. +++
+++ NISSAN early today encountered a brief distraction from its latest quarterly report showing a troubling operating loss of $547 million. In a nation that vividly remembers the devastating 2011 tsunami that killed about 20.000 people, the warnings for a possible tsunami were taken seriously and Japanese automakers including Nissan shut down production at plants near the ocean. Fortunately, no major damage was reported. Back at Nissan headquarters, new CEO Ivan Espinosa still had the unenviable task of reporting the company’s latest batch of red ink. In short, the numbers were bad, but not as bad as expected, suggesting the automaker’s financial problems may be starting to bottom out. Espinosa said the Re:Nissan revival plan he introduced in May is gaining traction and moving in the right direction. “The momentum is real and the transformation is underway”, he said. The company said it made better-than-expected progress in cutting costs, and it also reaped a one-time gain from lower-than-expected warranty outlays. “We had a muted start to the fiscal year”, said CFO Jeremie Papin. “These results reinforce the urgency of executing the Re:Nissan plan”. Still, as Greimel wrote, Nissan expects more red ink for the July-September quarter, saying its operating loss would widen to $691.5 million. There’s plenty of painful cuts to come. As we’ve reported, Nissan is closing the Civac plant in Mexico and is expected to exit a joint venture operation with Mercedes-Benz there as well. The new U.S.-Japan trade agreement could blunt additional pain from tariffs. Nissan faced 25 percent duties, but the new agreement offers 15 percent. That’s still more than the previous 2.5 percent tariff. “We welcome the improvement”, Espinosa said. “But 15 percent is still a challenging number”. Tariffs also are on the radar at Penske Automotive, which carries a formidable line-up of import-heavy luxury brand stores. Penske’s second-quarter report looked strong, but unit sales fell. Net income gained 3.3 percent to $250.9 million. +++
+++ RENAULT has been testing the new Renault Clio for some time now, and we can finally reveal that the sixth generation of the iconic supermini will appear at the Munich Motor Show in September. The French firm has confirmed that the Clio will initially be presented at a pre-show event ahead of the main Munich expo, which runs from 9-14 September. We already have a good idea as to how the revamped supermini is set to look thanks to previous spy shots, although Renault itself has not yet published any official teasers of the car in the run-up to its formal unveiling. I expect the market launch of the new Clio should start from the beginning of 2026, where it will line up against its similarly-sized, all-electric stablemate: the Renault 5 EV. The Clio will retain petrol power for this new model, as Renault signals its commitment to the internal-combustion-engined sector. This part of the supermini market has been hit hard in the past few years, with the Ford Fiesta its most notable casualty. While the current Clio is available in pure-petrol TCe guise, the new model is expected to shift to a hybrid-only format to help it challenge the MG 3 and the Toyota Yaris. The new Renault 5, the Captur-sized Renault 4 and the new Twingo EV will bolster Renault’s electric sales in the coming years. Unlike the Renault 5 and its retro-themed design, the Clio won’t look to the past for inspiration. Former Renault design chief Gilles Vidal (who has just confirmed a move to Stellantis) said the all-new Clio “won’t be retro” adding: “I can’t say much, but Clio will be a fresh new design. There is no looking back like the Renault 5 or 4; it will be no reference to anything. It will be a complete knock-out”. It’s clear from the test car in these latest spy shots that the new Clio’s overall shape will have similar proportions to the current model, although the cladding hints at some fresh design elements. The front end is likely to take inspiration from last year’s Embleme concept, which focuses on an aggressive headlight and grille arrangement with sharp surfacing. Don’t think the Clio is going all BMW kidney grille at the front, though that partitioned upper grille is probably just housing a Renault badge. As on the current fifth-generation Clio, the rear door handle will be integrated into the C-pillar to make it appear like a sportier 3-door model. Around to the rear there’s a rather rakish windscreen topped off with a roof spoiler for a more dynamic look. We’re yet to see inside the new Clio, but expect it to take inspiration from Renault’s newer internal-combustion-engined models such as the Rafale and Symbioz, rather than the eye-catchingly retro shapes of the similarly sized 5 E-Tech. +++
+++ SKODA has recently launched an onslaught of hot hatchbacks and go-faster SUVs, with the Octavia, Elroq and Enyaq all being given the RS treatment. However, the focus on power is not set to stop as the Czech brand is planning on fettling the forthcoming Epiq small SUV. The Skoda Epiq RS is likely to arrive soon after the full reveal of the standard car in 2026 and it’ll share much of its battery and motor tech with the hotly anticipated Volkswagen ID.2 GTI. It will then be followed by a hot version of the flagship Eviatiq, with the sporty sub-brand eventually looking to have a product that covers all bodystyles from superminis to 7-seaters. Speaking from the dynamic launch of the Elroq RS recently, Bjorn Kroll, Skoda’s head of product marketing, told: “The cars we are launching, very likely, will also have a RS version; people like it”. While production specifications are yet to be announced, I expect the Epiq RS to boast at least 231 hp from a single, front-mounted electric motor, ensuring the downsized performance car is good for 0-100 kph in less than 7 seconds. Skoda’s engineers will no doubt be keeping a close eye on the newly revealed Peugeot E-208 GTi, which was shown at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race earlier this month. Following close behind will be Skoda’s future flagship, thought to be called Eviatiq. We know much less about this model, but given its size and weight, any RS version is all but certain to boast dual motors producing more than 340 hp combined, plus bespoke, lowered suspension and bigger brakes. Such a model is at least 2 years away, however. While the majority of Skoda’s new RS models will be electric, we’re still holding out hope for a hot version of the firm’s range-topping Superb model. When asked whether such a car was in the plan, Kroll’s excitable smile spoke a thousand words: “You are not the only one,” he said. “I can only tell you this”. Future RS models should turn the performance dial up a notch, too. Previous examples have often been criticised for their occasionally lukewarm demeanour, but Kroll referenced the Enyaq RS Race concept as a testbed for future technologies including sound generators and software that can mimic a combustion car’s automatic transmission. “Everything that is missing in terms of old emotions”, Kroll admitted, “what we are used to from the good old days, it’s in the Enyaq RS Race concept. You see it, and you hear it. We will use this kind of recipe. We have to bring more emotion to it. Here you have the torque (that gives a certain amount of emotion) but the rest is what’s missing. Then you have to add, you know, the sound, and the changing of the gears… That kind of thing. What you see on electric cars today, on RS, is just the beginning”, Kroll insisted. “We will, for sure, try to push even more, going in the direction of what we are used to from the ICE cars”. Whatever happens, RS is set to remain a Skoda staple. Previously, CEO Klaus Zellmer, told: “RS is absolutely part of our future. If you look at what we’ve done with Enyaq, it’s a fabulous top-of-the-line vehicle, arguably the most aspirational car in our line-up, with four-wheel drive, around 306 hp. The price is higher, but it’s still a value proposition in terms of performance for the money. People are more proud of their cars than ever these days, and yes, they’re willing to spend more”, Zellmer added. “Which means a good profit margin, from our perspective. So I think we have to continue along the vRS path as we move towards an electrified future”. +++
+++ Things aren’t looking good for STELLANTIS after a difficult 2025 first-half report and a cloudy second half on tap. Tariffs will take a $1.4 billion bite out of the second half of 2025. And like General Motors, Stellantis could face further challenges if U.S. trade negotiations with Canada and Mexico result in more tariff exposure. “Our new leadership team, while realistic about the challenges, will continue making the tough decisions needed to re-establish profitable growth and significantly improved results”, new CEO Antonio Filosa said in a statement. The automotive conglomerate with 14 car brands under its corporate umbrella didn’t have a great first half of the year. Stellantis reported a net loss of €2.3 billion, with net revenues down 13 percent compared to the first half of 2024. Sales figures in key regions were also underwhelming. Shipments in North America dropped by 23 percent due to fewer imports of tariff-impacted vehicles. Deliveries in Enlarged Europe declined by 7 percent because of a slow rollout of new B-segment models. Stellantis also faced setbacks in China, India, and the Asia Pacific region, but managed to offset some of the losses in South America with a 20-percent boost in sales. Additionally, the company recorded a 5-percent increase in the Middle East and Africa region. In total, it shipped 2.69 million vehicles globally, an 8-percent decrease compared to the same period in 2024. The newly appointed CEO warns that navigating the Stellantis ship back on course will require consequential decisions: “Our new leadership team, while realistic about the challenges, will continue making the tough decisions needed to re-establish profitable growth and significantly improved results”. Alongside his team, Antonio Filosa remains confident they can “fix what’s wrong in Stellantis”, but admits that “2025 is turning out to be a tough year”. He hasn’t disclosed what changes are on the horizon, but Stellantis has firmly ruled out selling Maserati. Despite ongoing speculation, Stellantis has repeatedly denied rumors of offloading the storied Italian marque, even in the face of persistent sales slumps. Indeed, Maserati’s performance nosedived by 57 percent in 2024, from 26.600 units in 2023 to just 11.300 last year. The first half of 2025 was also not great. Through June, the brand sold only 4.200 vehicles, down by 35 percent from the first half of 2024 and a staggering 72.5 percent down from the first half of 2023. But it’s not all doom and gloom. Stellantis is pleased to report 200.000 orders for the Avenger in just 2 years since the not-for-America SUV went on sale. Moreover, the company plans to launch several new models by year’s end: Jeep Compass, Citroën C5 Aircross, DS N°8 and a petrol Fiat 500 in Europe, plus the Jeep Cherokee, Dodge Charger Sixpack, and the 5.7-liter Hemi V8-powered Ram 1500 in the United States. Elsewhere, Stellantis is slashing costs by abandoning its fuel cell hydrogen program and through “product program cancellations”. The CEO hasn’t shared specifics about future decisions, but managing such a vast portfolio of brands clearly poses challenges, especially when some continue to underperform. We’re not just talking about Maserati. Lancia’s relaunch isn’t going to plan, with shipments in the EU+EFTA+UK region plummeting by 73.8 percent through June, per figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association. ACEA also reports a troubling 20.2-percent decline for DS Automobiles, along with double-digit drops for Opel/Vauxhall and Citroën. On the upside, Alfa Romeo is up 33 percent, while Peugeot and Jeep have posted modest gains in the region. +++