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OICA'S TOP 5 NEWS
Francois Roudier
February 4, 2026
The Spanish Government Confirms the Auto+ Plan: More Subsidies for European EV of up to €35,000
La Tribuna de Automoción – Madrid – Paul M. Ballesteros, Ignacio Anasagasti – February 3, 2026
Spain’s Auto+ Plan offers up to €4,500 for EU-built EVs under €35,000, favoring European assembly and EU-made batteries. Backed by a €400m budget, it is retroactive to January 2026 and prioritizes affordability and local value creation.
https://www.latribunadeautomocion.es/2026/02/plan-auto-ayudas-electricos-europeos-de-hasta-35-000-euros/
Ford and Geely in Talks for Manufacturing, Technology Partnership, Sources Say
Reuters – February 4, 2026
Ford and Geely are exploring a Europe-focused partnership, potentially using Ford’s Valencia plant to build Geely vehicles and share EV and connectivity technologies. The talks could help bypass EU tariffs and narrow Ford’s technology gap with Chinese rivals.
https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/ford-geely-talks-manufacturing-technology-partnership-sources-say-2026-02-04/
Waymo to Defend Self-Driving Safety Record, Warn on China
Reuters – David Shepardson – February 3, 2026
Waymo will tell U.S. senators its robotaxis have far fewer serious crashes than human drivers, amid federal probes. The company urges faster AV legislation, warning delays could allow China to dominate global autonomous-vehicle standards.
https://www.reuters.com/world/waymo-defend-self-driving-safety-record-warn-china-competition-2026-02-03/
China Automobile Data Export Activities, Eight Departments Jointly Issue Security Guidelines
IT Home – Wang Miao – February 3, 2026
China issued new guidelines tightening cross-border automotive data transfers, defining “critical data,” compliance pathways and security safeguards. While oversight increases, exemptions aim to preserve operational efficiency for safety, OTA updates and incident response.
https://www.ithome.com/0/918/808.htm
The New “Robot Risk”: What Humanoids Are Allowed to Do in Factories and the Current Legal Situation
Automobilwoche – Michael Knauer – February 3, 2026
Humanoid robots in EU car plants raise fresh liability risks. With no dedicated robot law, manufacturers must comply with EU machinery, AI and cyber rules, emphasizing safe-by-design limits on learning to manage “emergent” autonomous malfunctions.
https://www.automobilwoche.de/technologie/ki/amw-humanoide-roboter-autoindustrie-rechtslage/
Francois Roudier
February 3, 2026
China Bans Hidden Car Door Handles in World-First Safety Policy
Bloomberg News – February 2, 2026
China will require mechanical interior and exterior door releases on all EVs from 2027, targeting flush electric handles after fatal crashes. The rule affects most leading EV models, raises redesign costs, and signals China’s growing influence as a global automotive safety rule-setter.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-02/china-bans-hidden-car-door-handles-in-world-first-safety-policy?srnd=phx-industries-transportation
UK Fears ‘Made in Europe’ Plan Will Hit Car, Tech, Green Sectors
Bloomberg – Alex Wickham – February 2, 2026
London warns EU “Made in Europe” subsidy rules could disrupt deeply integrated UK-EU auto supply chains, raising costs and weakening competitiveness. The car sector is a key test of whether post-Brexit ties can reset without fragmenting Europe’s industrial base.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-02/uk-fears-made-in-europe-plan-will-hit-car-tech-green-sectors?srnd=phx-industries-transportation
EU Companies Adopt BYD, Yutong Buses Despite China Security Fears
Nikkei – Jens Kastner – February 2, 2026
Chinese electric buses are gaining share in Europe on price and performance, aiding fast fleet electrification. Political resistance is rising over security and dependence risks, highlighting tension between affordability-driven decarbonization and Europe’s push for industrial sovereignty.
https://asia.nikkei.com/business/automobiles/electric-vehicles/eu-companies-adopt-byd-yutong-buses-despite-china-security-fears
Hyundai Motor to Deploy AI Robots at US Plants as Trump Tariffs Hit Profit
Nikkei – Nami Matsuura & Na Kiyoung – February 3, 2026
Facing tariff-driven margin pressure, Hyundai will deploy Boston Dynamics humanoid robots in U.S. plants from 2026, accelerate localization, and invest heavily in AI-led automation—signaling a strategic shift toward robotics to cut costs and sustain growth.
https://asia.nikkei.com/business/automobiles/hyundai-motor-to-deploy-ai-robots-at-us-plants-as-trump-tariffs-hit-profit
Why European Automakers Are Rethinking Software Independence
Automotive News Europe – Lois Jones – February 2, 2026
Rising software complexity is pushing European automakers to abandon fully proprietary strategies for partnerships. Cost overruns and delays have made alliances essential, recasting carmakers as integrators of shared digital platforms rather than owners of unique software stacks.
https://www.autonews.com/technology/ane-vw-bmw-stellantis-software-partners-0202/
Francois Roudier
February 2, 2026
What is minimum pricing? How the EU’s trade tool works for Chinese EV imports
Automotive News Europe – Peter Sigal – February 1, 2026
The EU may let Chinese EV exporters avoid tariffs of up to 35% by accepting model-specific minimum price floors. Only VW has applied so far. Supporters see job protection; critics warn enforcement risks and higher Chinese margins.
https://www.autonews.com/manufacturing/automakers/ane-eu-china-minimum-pricing-0201/
Ford held talks with China’s Xiaomi over EV partnership
Financial Times – February 1, 2026
Ford explored preliminary EV partnership talks with Xiaomi and BYD, potentially involving U.S. manufacturing, triggering political backlash. The episode highlights Ford’s strategic vulnerability as EV demand slows and low-cost Chinese competitors loom.
https://www.ft.com/content/678a173f-0387-46a0-a1c2-b28c4f8a64d4
Ottawa, South Korea discuss bringing auto manufacturing to Canada
Canadian Press – January 29, 2026
Canada and South Korea signed an MoU to attract auto manufacturing and strengthen EV supply chains. The pact targets Korean OEM production in Canada, job creation and positioning the country as a next-generation vehicle hub.
https://www.autonews.com/manufacturing/anc-canada-south-korea-auto-manufacturing-cp-0129/
Stellantis to hike Italy output this year thanks to new models, Europe chief says
Reuters – Valentina Za – January 30, 2026
Stellantis plans to lift Italian production in 2026 with new hybrid and EV models, reversing a 2025 slump. Hiring, extra shifts and €7bn in supplier purchases aim to reassure Rome on long-term industrial commitments.
https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/stellantis-hike-italy-output-this-year-thanks-new-models-europe-chief-says-2026-01-30/
BYD shares fall to lowest in over a year as January sales drop 30%
Nikkei – Wataru Suzuki – February 2, 2026
BYD’s January NEV sales fell 30% as China cut subsidies, pushing shares to a one-year low. Domestic weakness contrasts with a 51% export surge, reinforcing BYD’s accelerating overseas expansion strategy.
https://asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/electric-cars-in-china/byd-shares-fall-to-lowest-in-over-a-year-as-january-sales-drop-30
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