FAST NEWS - Hubshop's Weekly Roundup / Week #09

1. Performance & Product Releases and News

• Stellantis brings Diesel back in Europe: A major strategic reversal this week. To meet demand and counter the Chinese offensive, the group is reintroducing Euro 6-bis Diesel engines on several flagship models, including the Peugeot 308, the Opel Astra and the DS 4. The Opel Zafira even gets a new 2.2L engine rated at 177 hp.
• Volkswagen ID.Polo and its siblings: The VW group has confirmed that the upcoming electric ID.Polo will have counterparts at Skoda and Audi starting in 2026. The goal is to offer a premium, tech-focused product in the city car segment to challenge the dominance of the R5.
• Fiat Topolino "Corallo": Fiat has launched a new exclusive version of its electric microcar. Highlights: a new Orange Corallo paint color and a larger digital screen to better compete with the Citroën Ami.

2. Global News & Automaker Market

• EV Sales (February) - Head-to-head at the top: The Citroën ë-C3 dethrones the Renault 5 this month with 3,058 registrations versus 3,034 for Renault's city car. The Tesla Model Y rounds out the podium (1,738 sales) but remains far from its past records.
• Renault Group results: François Provost presented solid results on February 19, with revenue up 3%. The group is targeting a 5.5% margin for 2026, driven by the international success of its "value strategy".
• The Used Car Market Is Leveling Off: After years of overheating, used car prices are finally starting to stabilize this February. Buyers are turning en masse to recent hybrids to avoid the new emissions-based penalty taxes.

3. Motorsport - F1 and WRC Testing Recap

• ⭐ F1 - Kimi Antonelli delivers in Bahrain: Preseason testing wrapped up this weekend. The young Mercedes driver set the second-fastest overall time, just behind George Russell. Energy management and active aero were the two key areas validated by the teams.
• WRC - Elfyn Evans wins in Sweden: The Welshman (Toyota) won Rally Sweden yesterday after an intense battle on snow. He finished ahead of his teammate Oliver Solberg, who keeps the championship lead after his win at Monte-Carlo.
• Haas and Esteban Ocon optimistic: After the final laps in Bahrain, the French driver said he was "very confident" in the direction taken by Haas, which appears to have made a significant step forward for the 2026 season.

4. Upcoming Auto Events & Must-Sees

• Geneva autoXpérience Show (March 5-8): The Geneva show's new format at Palexpo is taking shape. More than 260 new vehicles will be on display, with a major focus on test drives.
• F1 Season Opener (April 10-12): Note that the season's first Grand Prix in Bahrain won't take place until April this year, giving teams extra development time for their new engines.
• End of the Copper Network (February 28): 5 days to go before the final shutdown. Automotive professionals must have switched their connected terminals over to fiber or 4G/5G.

5. Performance Pick of the Week

Stellantis's "Multi-Energy" Strategy: By embracing the return of diesel alongside electric and hybrid, the group led by Carlos Tavares is showing an economic pragmatism welcomed by the markets. Offering consumers "freedom of choice" based on their actual driving needs seems to be the new mantra for getting through 2026.

See you next week for the opening of the Geneva autoXpérience show!