Automotive Industry Weekly Update – Episode 390

Welcome to this week's edition of the Automotive Industry Weekly Update. I'm David, and this week brings troubling news for the European automotive sector. The Douvrin plant is set to close, Volkswagen is facing significant challenges, but there are also exciting developments in Formula 1 and a record-breaking situation in Singapore.

ECONOMY — Douvrin: 57 Years of Engine Production Comes to an End On October 30, 2026, the Douvrin factory in Pas-de-Calais will permanently shut its doors. Established in 1969 as Française de Mécanique by Peugeot and Renault, the facility has produced over 40 million engines during its 57-year history, including the iconic V6 PRV, which powered the DeLorean, and the more recent PureTech engine. The closure is attributed to a declining demand for internal combustion engines. While 337 employees have found new positions, 340 others have transitioned to the nearby ACC gigafactory, leaving fewer than 50 contracts to be reassigned. This marks the end of an era.

STRATEGY — Volkswagen at a Historic Crossroads In Germany, the situation is even more dire. Volkswagen is contemplating an unprecedented restructuring, which may involve the closure of four factories — in Hanover, Emden, Zwickau, and Neckarsulm (Audi). This could lead to the loss of up to 50,000 additional jobs. A complete overhaul of the group's governance is also on the table. The supervisory board met on July 9, but unions are opposing these changes, and employees are protesting. No final decisions have been made yet, but all options are being considered. The closure of the Audi plant in Brussels in 2025 had already cost the company €1.6 billion, and multiplying that impact would be staggering. François Tessier's analysis on this topic can be found on LeBlogAuto.com.

NEW RELEASE — VW ID. Cross: The Compact Electric SUV Volkswagen Needs Amidst these challenges, Volkswagen has unveiled the ID. Cross, a compact 100% electric SUV built on the MEB+ platform. This model will be available in three power levels and boasts an impressive announced range of up to 427 kilometers. The company is simultaneously restructuring while launching new products, illustrating the paradox of the transition from traditional combustion engines to electric vehicles. This shift may be difficult to explain to the workforce at Douvrin.

MOTORSPORT — Spa-Francorchamps 2026: Antonelli Takes Authority in Pole Position This weekend, Formula 1 is taking place in Belgium, where Kimi Antonelli has secured pole position at Spa-Francorchamps, and this time there is no dispute over his performance. Described as a "pole of authority" by Thibaut Emme, the young Mercedes driver is consistently proving his long-term potential. The race is scheduled for Sunday, and we will revisit the results next week.

ENDURANCE — WEC São Paulo: BMW Fights Back Against Toyota In endurance racing, the 6 Hours of São Paulo saw BMW's number 15 car from Team WRT triumph in a closely contested race. The winning team included drivers Kevin Magnussen, Dries Vanthoor, and Raffaele Marciello, allowing BMW to re-enter the championship battle against Toyota. The race for the constructors' title remains wide open.

UNUSUAL — Singapore: $100,000 to Drive Lastly, an eye-opening piece of news from Singapore: the cost to legally drive a car has reached an astonishing SGD 100,000, equivalent to about €70,000, just for the registration certificate, before even purchasing the vehicle. This marks an all-time high. Singapore has been regulating its vehicle density since the 1990s through a quota system, a practice that is both radical and effective. It certainly puts into perspective complaints about insurance costs in France.

That wraps up this week's update. Thank you for tuning in. You can find all the articles mentioned today on LeBlogAuto.com, and if you enjoy the podcast, sharing it with others is the best way to support us. Until next week!