AUTONEWS

BYD claims it wants to overtake Toyota, but its sales are falling

BYD wants to surpass Toyota in worldwide sales, but there are two problems: BYD sells only 4.6 million compared to Toyota's 11.3 million, with the added problem that BYD is losing sales in China.

BYD was the 5th largest manufacturer in the world in 2025, but it is determined to climb in the rankings, specifically aiming for leadership within a few years, which is currently held by Toyota with a large advantage, given that the Japanese group sells around 11.3 million vehicles. This is substantially more than the 4.6 million vehicles sold by BYD.

In the eyes of any analyst, BYD's claims seem (at the very least) excessive. And for two reasons, since even if the goals are long-term, in principle five years, the reality is that BYD would have to increase sales by more than one million units per year for the next five years. Furthermore, in its domestic market, China, the trend has been one of cooling demand.

In 2025, the world ranking determined that Toyota led with 11.3 million vehicles sold, followed by the VW Group with 8.9 million, the Hyundai/Kia group with 7.2 million, with Stellantis appearing in 4th position with 5.5 million units sold. BYD established itself in 5th place, with 4.6 million, ahead of General Motors (4.5 million), Ford (4.3 million), Geely (4.1 million), Honda (3.3 million) and Suzuki (3.2 million).

BYD has some difficulties in justifying this aspiration to lead the sales ranking, especially because the Chinese market for new vehicles has contracted, which led the automaker to register a 29.2% drop in sales there in the last year alone. That's why BYD, like other Chinese brands, took refuge in exporting electric vehicles to Europe, piggybacking on the tariff reductions that German automakers forced Europe to accept. Even so, these reductions allowed BYD's sales to increase substantially in the Old Continent.

The European Union considers English, Japanese, and South Korean cars as "Made in EU"... Despite Japan being about 9,000 km from Europe and the distance to South Korea exceeding 10,000 km, electric vehicles produced in these countries, or manufactured in Europe by brands of these origins but without the mandatory percentage of European incorporation, will now be considered "European". The same will happen with vehicles manufactured in the United Kingdom, which left the European Union in 2020, but will see cars produced there considered "Made in EU". All because the European Union has come to consider these three countries as "trusted partners," exempting their electric vehicles from taxes and benefiting them with aid and incentives similar to models built in the EU, in order to better face Chinese competition.

The "Industrial Accelerator Act," the recent proposal introduced by the European Commission to accelerate competitiveness, speed up the "green" transition, and protect European production from what it considers unfair competition, is mainly aimed at the green industry (solar panels and inverters), the defense industry, and the automotive industry. And, in the latter, the enemies to be defeated are, above all, Chinese automobiles.

Among electric vehicles, the "Made in Europe" or "Buy European" concept is becoming dominant, requiring that the models in question be built in Europe and also have 70% of their components made on the Old Continent (except for the batteries). Simultaneously, investments by foreign (read "Chinese") manufacturers exceeding €100 million will face stricter regulations, especially if that foreign state controls more than 40% of that sector in the global market.

The major difference between electric vehicles being considered "Made in Europe" or not lies in the fact that only the former can be acquired by different states and by public companies or those receiving industrial subsidies, in addition to benefiting from aid or incentives from different governments. This will make imported battery-powered cars from China, or those manufactured in Europe but without the 70% European incorporation requirement, less attractive.

To better understand the scope of this "Made in Europe" label, it's worth remembering that 30% to 40% of new vehicles sold in the EU are acquired by the entities covered, and both these and the rest, including those purchased by private individuals, seek to benefit from state aid and incentives, which also depend on the origin of the vehicles. And, probably among the three countries, the United Kingdom will be one of the most benefited, insofar as, without this "protection," Nissan would not have invested again in its British factory to produce the new Leaf there, possibly closing the facilities for good. The new legislation should come into effect during 2027.

AUTONEWS

Honda issues massive recall of nearly 900K vehicles over winter road threat

Honda of America has issued a major voluntary safety recall affecting roughly 880,000 SUVs and pickup trucks in the U.S. due to a defect that can cause severe rear subframe rust and potential suspension failure.

The recall impacts several popular high-volume models across both the Honda and Acura lineups. Models specifically included are the 2014-2020 Acura MDX, the 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, the 2017-2023 Honda Ridgeline, and the 2019-2023 Honda Passport.

The root problem stems from improper anti-corrosion coating applied during manufacturing. Over time, vehicles driven in the salt belt regions can experience aggressive corrosion on the rear subframe. Speaking of, this campaign is therefore limited to vehicles sold in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

According to documents submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the rust can severely compromise the structural integrity of the subframe. Allowed to progress far enough, it can cause the mounting points for the rear control arms or lower suspension arms to fracture and separate from the vehicle. Despite the severity of the structural defect, Honda reported that as of May 28, the automaker had not received any warranty claims, nor were there any reports of accidents, injuries, or deaths related to the subframe rust.

To stay proactive on this issue, Honda and Acura dealerships will inspect the rear subframe of recalled vehicles. Based on the level of rust found during the inspection, technicians will install a rear subframe reinforcement kit designed to brace the assembly. If the technician discovers that the corrosion has already progressed too far, the dealership will repair or replace damaged components entirely. All inspection and repair work will be free of charge to the vehicle owners.

Honda is sending out notification letters to owners detailing when to schedule an appointment with an authorized dealer. In the meantime, if you'd like to check if your vehicle is included in the recall, use the official Honda/Acura recall website (PDF) and enter your car's 17-digit VIN, or you can also check the NHTSA recall database.

AUTONEWS

Early retirement: Alfa Romeo Tonale could retire earlier than expected

When Alfa Romeo introduced the Tonale in 2022, the model had a special role in the future of the Italian brand. It was the first electrified Alfa Romeo, an entry into the popular compact SUV segment and a car that was supposed to mark a turning point in the brand’s history as a model that had to attract a large number of new customers.

However, just a few months after the latest redesign carried out at the end of last year, information emerged that the Tonale could end production as early as 2027.

According to Italian unions FIM-CISL and UILM, production at the Pomigliano d’Arco plant is set to stop in November 2027, although Stellantis has not officially confirmed these plans yet, Carscoops has learned.

The news is all the more surprising given that the Tonale underwent a refresh in late 2025 that brought a modernized design, improved interior, and technological improvements. Such interventions usually extend the life of a model, rather than heralding its imminent demise.

If the information proves to be correct, the Tonale will remain in production for just five and a half years. That’s significantly shorter than the brand’s other models. The Giulia and Stelvio are expected to remain on the market for more than a decade, while the former MiTo and Giulietta models were on sale for ten and eleven years, respectively.

One of the main reasons for the possible discontinuation of the model lies in the future of the factory in Pomigliano d’Arco.

The plant that currently produces the Tonale and Fiat Panda is set to be adapted to produce a new generation of affordable electric city cars. These include the successor to the Fiat Panda and a related Citroën model. They are expected to play an important role in spreading electric mobility among European customers.

The Tonale passed the 100,000-unit production mark in 2024, but demand has since waned. The smaller Junior SUV has arrived on the market, quickly becoming Alfa Romeo’s best-selling model.

Alfa’s SUV is also not helped by the fact that it uses the FCA Small Wide 4×4 LWB platform, an architecture whose roots date back to 2005.

Even if production ends at the end of 2027, remaining stock could allow the Tonale to remain on sale through part of 2028.

At the same time, Alfa Romeo is already working on new models that should fill the space in the compact class. The development of a new compact SUV on the modern STLA Medium platform, with hybrid and fully electric powertrains, has been confirmed.

In addition, a new compact hatchback on the STLA One platform is being prepared, which should become the spiritual successor to the former Giulietta.

A relatively short career for Alfa Romeo's first electrified SUV...Officially presented in February 2022, the Alfa Romeo Tonale will ultimately have a career spanning just over five years. A relatively short cycle for such a strategic model, since it represented the Italian brand's first electrified compact SUV and was intended to enable Alfa Romeo to win over a new audience.

Despite a recent restyling and various improvements designed to enhance its appeal in the face of ever-increasing competition, the Tonale's fate now seems sealed. Production of the SUV will cease at Pomigliano d'Arco in November 2027, making way for an entirely new model... at another plant.

This information also confirms an important point: contrary to recent expectations, the future C-segment SUV will not cohabit with the Tonale for several years. It will take over directly from it.

The A4U project becomes a reality...The other major lesson concerns the famous in-house project known by the code name «A4U». Long mentioned in Stellantis planning documents, this new C-segment SUV has now been officially confirmed by the Group.

Positioned at the heart of the European market, this future model will be based on the STLA Medium platform and produced at the Melfi plant, alongside the Lancia Gamma. Its dimensions will be significantly greater than those of the current Tonale, with an announced length of over 4.60 meters. It will thus be closer to the current Stelvio than to the Tonale MY26. The new SUV will be offered with a range of powertrains, from hybrid to 1000 % electric.

Replacement rather than coexistence...Confirmation that the Tonale will cease production in November 2027 clarifies Stellantis' industrial strategy. The future A4U SUV produced at Melfi will directly replace the Tonale produced at Pomigliano d'Arco. The decision also reflects Alfa Romeo's evolving positioning. The future model will be larger, more premium and should offer a higher level of performance, particularly in terms of perceived quality.

The Group also seems to have learned some lessons from recent years. While the all-electric strategy seemed inevitable just a few years ago, the choice of a platform capable of accommodating several types of powertrain demonstrates a desire to adapt more closely to market realities and customer expectations. To find out, just look at the Lancia Gamma and DS N°8.

If the rumors come true, the Tonale could be remembered as the model that ushered Alfa Romeo into the era of electrification but also as one of Alfa’s shortest-running models.

The current-generation Alfa Romeo Tonale is reportedly slated to end production at the Pomigliano d'Arco factory in November 2027. This brings the compact SUV's lifespan to roughly five and a half years, a shorter run than expected, as the plant prepares to retool for affordable urban EVs.

Production End Date: Italian unions report that the current Tonale line will cease operations in late 2027, although this shift has not been officially formalized by Stellantis.

Recent Revisions: Despite a recent late-2025 refresh that modernized the design and focused the lineup to a gas-only 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, the Tonale has faced collapsing sales in key European markets, such as Italy.

Shift to Urban EVs: The Pomigliano facility is expected to pivot toward producing smaller, mass-market electric vehicles.

Lineup and Trims...If you are exploring or evaluating a Tonale, the recent lineup updates include:

Gas-Only Transition: Following the discontinuation of the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain, current models are powered exclusively by a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine.

Trims & pricing: The lineup features trims such as Sprint, Veloce, and Sport Speciale.

Dimensions & utility: The 178-inch crossover features a wheelbase of 103.8 inches and expands to 54.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded.

AUTONEWS

Change of course: Renault and Mercedes invest heavily in the military sector

The defense sector is attracting the attention of companies in the automotive industry, with Renault and the German company Mercedes announcing projects and partnerships focused on this sector. Renault will invest in the production of military drones for France, while Mercedes announced a partnership with Tytan Technologies to produce anti-drone vehicles.

The Renault group has been discussing partnerships with manufacturers of weapons and armored vehicles after the French Ministry of the Armed Forces appealed to the car manufacturer, and other industrial companies, to support the country's drone production.

Sources consulted by the Financial Times stated that the French company is committed to preserving its automotive identity geared towards commercial consumption. Renault, which has the French state as one of its main shareholders, has been conservative regarding military production by establishing an informal limit of 5% on sales, seeking to ensure that the company does not violate investors' environmental, social and governance (ESG) guidelines regarding loans, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke to the British newspaper.

In January, Renault signed an agreement with the defense company Turgis Gaillard to create a French military drone industry, through its factories in Le Mans and Cléon, in a potential contract worth one billion euros over ten years.

Vehicle manufacturers around the world are going through a crisis driven by overproduction, coupled with a drop in demand and the need to produce fewer combustion engines and more electric and electrified models, hence the succession of announcements of factory closures. To resist this trend, Mercedes and Renault have opted to diversify their production, betting on new products. This time not to serve the public, but rather the armies of their respective countries.

Riding the wave of European rearmament, Renault has converted its historic Le Mans factory, in operation since 1920 and more recently named Manufacture Louis Schweitzer (in honor of the brand's president and CEO between 1990 and 2005), very complete facilities that include foundry, stamping and several automatic production lines. But don't think that Renault will stop manufacturing its vehicles, models like the Clio, the R5 and Scenic E-Tech, since Le Mans now essentially produces parts for various vehicles of the brand, with most remaining on site, in parallel with the drones.

The French brand's foray into the manufacture of military drones is carried out in partnership with Turgis Gaillard, a supplier to the French armed forces specializing in flying drones for attack and surveillance, some with great autonomy and armament capacity. Renault will place some of the 300 engineers working in Le Mans and redirect some of the factory's production lines to produce drones of a new type, called Chorus.

The Chorus is a long-range drone, capable of flying 3000 km and carrying 500 kg of armament, which was developed based on lessons learned from similar Ukrainian industries. Renault will produce up to 600 Chorus drones per month in Le Mans once it reaches cruising speed (expected within a year), with the first units of this drone to be delivered to the French military as early as 2026, at a cost of around €100,000 per unit.

While Renault builds drones, Mercedes shoots them down...Mercedes also saw European rearmament as an opportunity, partnering with Tytan Technologies, a manufacturer of short-range drones designed exclusively to attack and shoot down approaching enemy drones. The memorandum of understanding signed between Tytan and Mercedes, made public at ILA 2026 in Berlin, provides for the integration of Tytan's sensors, radars and interception drones into Mercedes vehicles adapted according to needs.

               Mercedes vehicles adapted for transporting Tytan's anti-drone systems (image above)

Currently, the German manufacturer has designed some prototypes for testing, based on a Sprinter 4×4 van with increased ground clearance, as well as a military version of the G-Class. In both cases, the interior is full of screens to monitor the detection of enemy drones and track the evolution of Tytan's counter-attack drones.

This is the basis of the European anti-drone defense system, which is very agile and designed to attack enemy drones, especially Russian ones, that insist on invading the airspace of European Union countries. Europe's weakness lies in the fact that, to date, there is no defense system capable of countering invading drones, which this Tytan-Mercedes partnership aims to change. And the interest of car manufacturers in investing in the arms industry is understandable, since the competition that European brands face from Chinese rivals in electric vehicles — largely due to pressure from German manufacturers to facilitate the entry of electric vehicles from China — can never happen in the arms industry due to security concerns.

AUTONEWS

Forza Horizon 6: These cars offer special driving modes and extra features

In Forza Horizon 6, players are gradually discovering cars with unique driving modes or visual features. Some models have a dedicated Track Mode, while others can open their convertible roofs. A list of these vehicles is currently being compiled on Reddit.

The cars in Forza Horizon 6 are not only based on real-world performance figures. Some also include driving modes or extra features inspired by their real-life counterparts. However, the game does not clearly explain which vehicles have these functions or how to activate them. Players are uncovering them bit by bit, and Reddit users are currently compiling the relevant cars.

The features can generally be divided into visual functions and driving-dynamics features. One frequently mentioned example is the Mercedes-AMG One. The hypercar prototype can switch between Highway and Track Mode, visibly changing its aerodynamic elements and reportedly affecting handling as well. The Ferrari Portofino does not offer such driving-related functions, but it does have a convertible roof that can be opened and closed at the push of a button.

Players have also discovered other driving programs in FH6 (Xbox version currently around $70 on Amazon). The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, for example, features a Drift Mode that adjusts power distribution to make controlled drifts easier. The Gordon Murray T.50 is said to offer several aerodynamic modes designed either for maximum top speed or increased downforce, depending on the situation.

These extras are usually activated via the special function button, which is assigned to G on PC or L3 on a controller by default. What exactly happens depends on the car. A list of vehicles with special modes discovered by players so far is provided below:

Driving-dynamics features:

-Mercedes-AMG One – Highway/Track Mode

-2017 Ford GT – Track Mode with lowered suspension and extending rear wing

-Toyota GR Yaris – Sport/Track Mode

-Hyundai Ioniq 5 N – AWD/Drift Mode

-Gordon Murray T.50 – various aero modes for increased downforce or higher speed

-Rimac Nevera – Track/Drift Mode

-Ford Supervan 4 – AWD/Drift Mode

-McLaren P1 – Race/Track Mode

-Porsche GT3 RS – active aerodynamics

-Koenigsegg Gemera – rear-axle steering

-Lamborghini Revuelto – rear-axle steering

-Nissan Skyline R33 V-Spec – rear-axle steering 

Visual features:

-Ferrari Portofino – convertible roof

-McLaren 650S Spider – convertible roof

-Mazda MX-5 / Miata RF / 2022 MX-5 – convertible or hardtop function

-Bentley Continental GT Cabriolet – convertible roof

-Nissan Figaro – convertible roof

-Hummer EV – removable roof

-Pagani Zonda Cinque – removable roof

-Porsche 918 Spyder – removable roof

-Zenvo models – animated rear spoiler

 

AUTONEWS

New Fiat Grande Panda and Jeremy Clarkson

The Fiat Grande Panda has come under Jeremy Clarkson’s judgment in the pages of The Times, generating a review that moves between the British journalist’s typical sarcasm and a level of appreciation that feels less predictable than expected. The Italian compact car became a small media case, showing that Fiat’s project has managed to attract attention even beyond its natural market.

The model chosen for the test was the Hybrid version, the configuration expected to represent the commercial core of the range. The mechanical setup combines a 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, for a total output of 110 hp. This solution does not aim to offer sporty performance, but rather low fuel consumption, ease of use and more accessible costs.

The first element Clarkson highlights is interior space. The title of his review, built around the provocative idea of fitting an entire film crew on board, points with typical British humour to one of the model’s real qualities: offering more practicality than its exterior dimensions would suggest. The Grande Panda remains a compact car, but it uses its proportions and volumes well, keeping a city-friendly and family-oriented character while positioning itself as an alternative to the increasingly expensive compact SUV segment.

The design also receives a broadly positive verdict, although not without a few jokes. The pistachio paint of the car tested initially raised a smile, before the price put everything into perspective. On this front, Fiat seems to have achieved one of the project’s most important goals, offering a car that feels recognizable and different from the anonymous compact models that fill the market. The squared body, references to the original Panda and small crossover stance give it a clear personality, far from the attempt to create an artificial premium aura.

As expected, criticism is not absent. Clarkson does not describe the engine as particularly lively, and the car shows inevitable compromises in performance, finishes and refinement, all consistent with the project’s affordable positioning. However, he seems to understand the nature of the model, recognizing that it does not aim to be the fastest, most luxurious or most technological compact car in its segment. Instead, it tries to recover a formula Fiat has built over decades: practicality in a small footprint.

Whenever Jeremy Clarkson takes a car for a test drive, the leaders of the auto industry are left scratching their heads, because it is impossible to get a good rating from a Brit who is very quick with his tongue. However, this time, the new “Fiat Grande Panda” – the pride of the Kragujevac factory – was under his scrutiny, and the result was quite unexpected and did not go unnoticed!

On the pages of the reputable British newspaper “The Times”, the former face of the cult show “Top Gear” tested the new hybrid compact trump card. A model that was created for everyday city driving, Clarkson turned into a real small media spectacle in his own style.

What he said will surprise many...The title of his review alone says more than a thousand words: Clarkson described in detail how he managed to pack his entire camera crew into this car! It was a provocation in his distinctive, rugged British manner, but at the same time a perfect way to emphasize one of the main qualities of the Grande Panda – the ability to offer much more space and practicality than its external dimensions would suggest. The car is a full 3.98 meters long.

The model tested was the hybrid version, the very one that is expected to be the backbone of sales. Under the hood, the new Grande Panda hides a 1.2-liter turbo gasoline engine paired with a 48-volt “mild hybrid” system, which delivers a total of 110 horsepower. It is a vehicle tailored for everyday use with reasonable consumption, compact dimensions and an extremely simple formula.

He compares the charging cable to a vacuum cleaner from 1980...As can be concluded from the introductory part of the review, Clarkson also had a fair amount of fun with aesthetics. The specific pistachio green color initially caused mockery and smiles from passers-by on the street, but the tables quickly turned when they heard how much this car actually costs. Here Fiat has clearly hit the nail on the head: it has offered the market an affordable and recognizable car that stands out drastically from the sea of ​​boring and anonymous models of today.

“They laugh at me when they see me in this pistachio-colored Fiat...but they stop when I tell them the price”

The design is definitely one of its strongest assets. The Fiat Grande Panda ingeniously takes over the famous “cubic” and intelligent spirit of the original Panda, but packages it in a modern outfit, with the proportions of a small crossover and a deliberately cute appearance. This car does not try to look “premium” at all costs, but plays on the card of strong character, raw practicality and that real national pride.

The engine is not exactly described as overly lively and lively...Of course, the strict Briton had some complaints. The engine is not exactly described as overly lively and lively, and the Grande Panda still remains primarily an economical vehicle, which brings with it inevitable compromises. He regrets the times of small, more temperamental Italian engines and believes that overtaking sometimes requires a little patience. He also mentions a technical curiosity on the electric version: an integrated retractable charging cable, a solution that he humorously compares to vacuum cleaners from the 1980s.

But the point lies in a completely different place: in today's market where new cars are increasingly expensive, heavier and unnecessarily complicated, "Fiat's" hope from Kragujevac once again speaks the language of the common man. And if even Jeremy Clarkson, through his well-known sarcasm, finally took it seriously - then this is already a huge victory for the Turin company and the Serbian factory.

The fact that the British journalist, known for dismantling many of the cars he tests with sarcasm, ends up taking the Grande Panda seriously already represents a result for the Turin brand. The car does not aim to win over supercar enthusiasts, but to attract people looking for something simple, reasonably spacious and affordable. In this direction, The Times verdict sounds like a quiet endorsement, suggesting that Fiat may have understood better than many rivals what part of the market really needs.

AUTONEWS

China changes PHEV rules to "race" with Europeans

China has once again changed the rules aimed at controlling the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) market, imposing changes on electric-only range, but also limitations on combustion engines that take on the role of the main engine. According to Automotive News, German manufacturers feel this is a strategy to push them out of the market.

Vehicles equipped with plug-in hybrid powertrains emerged as a first step towards electric cars, as they allowed for short trips in electric mode, initially up to 50 km, before resorting to the combustion engine for longer trips, with the adoption of increasingly larger batteries increasing electric-only range. Like this strategy followed by Europe, China has also been increasing the capacity of PHEVs to operate in zero-emission mode, but not only that, in order to benefit from reduced taxes and tax incentives.

In 2025, China recorded more than 31 million vehicles sold in its domestic market. Among these, 39% were 100% electric and 24% PHEVs, with the latter being the second most important category when it comes to receiving incentives or enjoying more favorable rates. Originally, to access benefits, PHEVs had to offer a range of 43 km, a figure that in January 2026 evolved to 100 km, requiring larger batteries, making this type of vehicle more dependent on state aid to be competitive, since larger batteries correspond to higher prices.

Now, China is preparing to require PHEVs to offer a range of 160 km, which forces the use of even larger and more expensive batteries, far superior to those used in Europe, where 80 km is the target. Simultaneously, the Chinese authority intends to impose a minimum efficiency on the combustion engines that power PHEVs. This decision results in the end of the large V6 and V8 engines that some European PHEVs offer, whose fuel consumption is necessarily high, as are emissions.

Raising the bar for electric range, which requires larger batteries, as well as reducing the displacement and power of combustion engines to be more fuel-efficient, are mere details for Chinese manufacturers, but represent a definitive blow for foreign manufacturers, especially German luxury brands, which have obvious difficulties adapting to the new guidelines, as they are too far removed from European requirements. These manufacturers, which have a large presence among luxury market customers, believe that the changes to be introduced in the PHEV regulations are specifically designed to artificially exclude them from the Chinese market. This is ironic, since it was precisely the German brands that most vigorously fought for the softening of penalties for Chinese automakers entering the European market, fearing retaliation in their domestic market.

China’s latest taxation rules have raised the bar for plug-in hybrids, rewarding models that can travel much farther on electricity alone with more lenient bills. Previously PHEVs only need to achieve 27 miles (43 km) to qualify for discounts, Automotive News reports. From January of this year that threshold was upped to 62 miles (100 km). If you’ve been wondering why so many Chinese PHEVs now have a better electric range than EVs from a few years back, there’s your answer.

Western PHEVs were traditionally designed around small battery packs and modest electric ranges, and even the best of the current crop, like the Range Rover, can just about manage 75 WLPT miles (121 km). But many Chinese plug-ins now claim more than 100 miles (160 km) of electric driving before the engine ever needs to wake up.

Some can go many times further. The new Lotus Eletre hybrid promises a crazy 260 miles (420 km) on a charge thanks to a humongous 70 kWh battery. That’s on the optimistic Chinese CLTC cycle, but even on the European WLTP test, Lotus claims 217 miles (350 km). The Eletre is an EV turned into a hybrid, a popular Chinese strategy, whereas European brands prefer to build hybrids from ICE machines. But that could be changing.

The rule changes don’t just focus on electric range. Regulators have also tightened efficiency requirements when vehicles are operating on gasoline power alone, which isn’t great for PHEVs whose combustion fallback is a dirty great V8. Together, those changes have created an environment where many legacy plug-in hybrids – which are still desirable and offer tax advantages in Europe – suddenly look like yesterday’s technology.

That shift is having a dramatic impact on the market, Auto News says. Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar Land Rover and others have either drastically reduced or effectively eliminated their plug-in hybrid offerings in China. Models that once qualified for incentives no longer meet the latest requirements, making them much less attractive to buyers.

And soon they might be less attractive in the West, too. Chinese brands like Lynk & Co are already shipping their long range 08 SUV plug-ins to Europe, and Geely-owned Volvo’s new 112-mile (180 km) XC70 will eventually join them.