Europe Autos

April 09, 2008

Hybrids Drive European Growth for Lexus

With EU rules pressuring carmakers and buyers, Toyota's luxury marque hopes its green models will allow the company to take on BMW and Mercedes.

March 21, 2008

Revolutionizing Urban Transport

British startup Ultra Motor is bringing its two-wheel light electric vehicle to the U.S. With cities crowded and oil prices high, the time is right.

March 10, 2008

The Power of the Falling Dollar

The declining dollar means VW's new Scirocco won't be coming to the U.S. after all. Other exports from the euro zone are taking a hit, too.

February 29, 2008

Renault's Ghosn Takes On a Russian Relic

The automaker likes to work with partners. It bought into AvtoVAZ to use its Soviet-era factory to make cheap cars based on the super-successful Logan.

January 25, 2008

Israel: Cradle of the Electric Car

Can Renault-Nissan and Project Better Place make a success of the low-pollution vehicles in a country with bigger problems than the environment?.

December 28, 2007

The Top European Business Stories of 2007

The year saw no shortage of political and corporate drama. Here are some of the highlights of a topsy-turvy 2007.

December 10, 2007

Renault Takes Russia's Lada for a Spin

CEO Ghosn knows how to turn Eastern Bloc brands around and make them thrive. His new deal with No. 1 Russian automaker Avtovaz gives him another chance.

November 27, 2007

VW Sex Scandal Touches Ex-CEO

As the bribery trial of VW's labor boss starts up, fresh evidence appears to implicate chairman, Porsche scion, and leading shareholder Piëch.

November 02, 2007

Renault's Race to Replace the Rickshaw

Tata Motors is hot on Renault's heels in a drive to produce and distribute the world's most affordable car in the fast-growing India market.

October 25, 2007

Give the Chauffeur the Day Off

Rolls-Royce readies a smaller, but still very upscale, model for buyers who want to drive themselves.

October 23, 2007

VW Wheels, Porsche Driver?

A 1960 law protecting VW from takeover is struck down, and the carmaker could soon come under full control of the much smaller sportscar maker.

October 10, 2007

BMW's Quandt Family Faces Its Nazi Past

A shocking documentary aired on German TV exposes the family's shameful history of Nazi profiteering and use of slave labor.

September 25, 2007

Mercedes Gains, But Still Lags Rivals

The carmaker's more reliable and profitable. But CEO Zetsche will have to deliver on his high-margin vows to catch BMW—and foil takeover bids.

September 14, 2007

Skoda: Volkswagen's Hot Growth Engine

The Czech unit of VW has gone from post-Communist laughingstock to global success story. Next stop: Asia.

September 04, 2007

Peugeot Citroën's Bold Turnaround Plan

CEO Streiff is planning 29 new models by 2010 to revive the carmaker's sales in a slowing European market fraught with intense competition.

August 01, 2007

BMW Hits a Speed Bump

Even as the automaker's sales jump, currency woes and heavy investment in green technology have dented profits.

June 04, 2007

Renault Pins Its Hopes on New Models

The carmaker is hitting bumps, but analysts trust CEO Ghosn's assurance that profits will rebound with the Laguna and Twingo.

May 22, 2007

Could Daimler Be Takeover Bait?

Despite CEO Zetsche's assurances to the contrary, the carmaker could be the target of hostile takeover bids in the wake of the Chrysler sale.

May 02, 2007

VW Gains Traction and Gets Ambitious

The German automaker's lesser-known units, Skoda and Audi, delivered strong sales for the first quarter. Now it wants to take on Toyota.

April 27, 2007

Europe Looks Beyond Ethanol

Continental carmakers are testing a variety of biofuel alternatives as well as engine technologies that reduce carbon-dioxide emissions.

April 04, 2007

Daimler CEO Vows Action as Investors Rage

Shareholders in Berlin blame brass for failed strategy, and Dieter Zetsche confirms he's in talks with potential buyers of the money-losing Chrysler division.

March 14, 2007

BMW's Accelerated Green Turn

The German auto manufacturer is stepping up efforts to incorporate fuel-saving technologies—and keeping its eye on growing rival Audi.

March 09, 2007

Volkswagen: Getting the Bugs Out

After four years of restructuring, the German automaker is optimistic about challenging Toyota using brand accountability and centralization.

February 28, 2007

Audi Aims Even Higher

The German automaker's 63% profit jump for 2006 came on global sales growth and better revenues per car. Its CEO predicts a 50% rise in sales by 2015.

February 20, 2007

Volkswagen Surges on Good Numbers

Shares in VW climbed 8% as Europe's biggest carmaker beat profit expectations behind a combination of hit models and cost-cutting.