BMW iX3 crowned World Car of the Year 2026 as EVs lead the way
The BMW iX3 has been named World Car of the Year 2026, with the announcement made at the New York International Auto Show on 1 April.
- Industry News
- 2 April 2026
Volkswagen Group is accelerating its technological reset in China as it prepares to base the majority of its locally built vehicles on its new China Electronic Architecture (CEA) by 2030.
Initially developed with Chinese EV manufacturer XPeng, the platform is engineered to streamline vehicle electronics, allowing VW to cut development time by up to 30 per cent and sharply lower production costs through centralised computing and a reduced number of control units.
The first model built on the CEA, the ID. UNYX 07, entered production at Volkswagen’s Anhui plant at the end of 2025, marking VW’s transition into full software‑defined vehicle manufacturing within China. The architecture reduces electronic control units by around 30 per cent and supports over‑the‑air updates, China‑specific driver assistance technologies, and AI‑enhanced cockpit systems.
The shift comes as Volkswagen seeks to regain momentum in a market dominated by fast‑moving domestic champions such as BYD and Geely. The company’s sales slump in 2024, including a 17 per cent drop in the final quarter, pushed VW down to third place in China’s fiercely competitive landscape.
Though CEA originated as a joint development with XPeng, the partnership concluded in 2025. Volkswagen now oversees all software and hardware integration independently. Staff at the firm's Hefei technology hub describe having greater autonomy and an ability to deliver at “China speed” while still upholding Volkswagen’s reputation for safety and reliability.
Volkswagen plans to launch four more CEA‑based vehicles this year, before expanding the architecture to roughly ten additional models in 2027, including hybrids and combustion‑engine cars. This scalability, spanning electric, hybrid and ICE powertrains, is central to VW’s strategy of deploying a unified digital backbone and restoring its competitive edge.
As China becomes Volkswagen’s principal hub for software‑defined vehicle innovation, the CEA serves as a pivotal foundation for the brand’s long‑term transformation. It reflects a decisive shift towards faster development cycles, deeper localisation, and the adoption of China’s rapid‑iteration engineering culture, all critical factors shaping success in the world’s largest automotive market.
The BMW iX3 has been named World Car of the Year 2026, with the announcement made at the New York International Auto Show on 1 April.
Retail new vehicle sales continue to surge in South Africa despite global and regional conflicts, local floods and droughts.
South Africa’s new vehicle market delivered a standout performance in March 2026, extending its domestic growth trajectory to the strongest level seen in nearly two decades.
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I have bad reflexes. I was once run over by a car being pushed by two guys
Woody Allen
While rising fuel prices often trigger spikes in interest around electric vehicles, Volvo Car South Africa believes the real reasons South Africans are starting to consider EVs go far beyond the petrol pump.
MG has opened a new engineering centre in Frankfurt as part of its “in Europe, for Europe” approach. The facility will focus on developing vehicles suited to European conditions, including climate, roads and driving habits. It will work alongside existing teams in the United Kingdom (UK) and London design hub.
Europe’s used electric vehicle (EV) market is experiencing a notable surge as the Iran conflict drives up global oil prices and pushes petrol costs sharply higher across the continent.