Automotive Insights: Episode 389 of La Semaine Automobile

Welcome to this week’s episode of La Semaine Automobile, where we dive into the latest developments in the automotive industry. This week is packed with significant figures, thrilling moments, and unexpected turns. The rivalry between Tesla and BYD continues, Ferrari reintroduces the manual transmission, Charles Leclerc clinches victory at Silverstone, and Russia faces a shift towards electric vehicles amid fuel shortages. Let’s get started.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES — BYD Takes the Lead Over Tesla in Fully Electric Sales In a remarkable turn of events, BYD has regained its position ahead of Tesla in the fully electric vehicle market. In the second quarter of 2026, BYD delivered 557,090 all-electric vehicles, with 43% of these sales occurring outside of China. This statistic underscores BYD’s growing international presence, as the company expands its operations in Europe and shifts its focus from a solely domestic market.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES — Tesla Surges 25% but Remains in Second Place Tesla also showed impressive growth, delivering 480,126 vehicles during the same quarter, marking a 25% increase year-over-year. This performance surpassed analysts' expectations. The company is increasingly investing in artificial intelligence, robotics, and Cybercabs to diversify its revenue streams. The Model Y continues to be Tesla's flagship vehicle, although the Cybertruck has not met expectations, and production of the Model S and X has ceased at the Fremont facility, which has been repurposed for Optimus robot manufacturing. Tesla is evolving rapidly, but BYD remains in the lead.

SUPERCAR — Ferrari Unveils the 12 Cilindri Manuale Priced at €590,000 Ferrari has introduced the 12 Cilindri Manuale, a limited edition model with only 1,499 units available, starting at €590,000. This vehicle aims to recreate the experience of driving a traditional manual gearbox, featuring a classic H-pattern shifter, a clutch pedal, and the familiar sound of gear changes, all while utilizing an electronically controlled 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. This innovative design has sparked debate among enthusiasts about its authenticity. Notably, this marks the first manual-shift Ferrari since the 599 GTB, and the limited production is sure to attract eager buyers.

MOTORSPORT — Leclerc Triumphs at Silverstone in Dramatic Finish In motorsport news, Charles Leclerc secured a thrilling victory at the British Grand Prix held at Silverstone. The race concluded with a series of dramatic events, as Antonelli, who was leading, lost his position in the final laps. Max Verstappen managed to navigate through a chaotic race. Mercedes had a strong start to the week with Antonelli’s sprint win on Friday and securing pole position on Saturday, but it was Ferrari that ultimately claimed victory, keeping the championship race wide open.

GEOPOLITICS — Fuel Crisis in Russia Drives Shift to Chinese Electric Vehicles Amid a fuel crisis, Russian consumers are increasingly turning to Chinese electric vehicles. This situation presents a paradox for the country, which is Europe’s largest producer of hydrocarbons yet is experiencing gasoline shortages. Companies like BYD are seizing the opportunity to enter a market that Western manufacturers have vacated. Although charging infrastructure remains limited, the demand for electric vehicles is on the rise.

TEST DRIVE — Subaru Returns with the Uncharted SUV Featuring 221 HP Subaru is making a comeback in France with its refreshed lineup, including the Uncharted SUV, which boasts 221 horsepower. This resurgence is a pleasant surprise, as the brand had been relatively absent from the market. The Uncharted represents a coherent offering that aligns well with European consumer preferences, and a comprehensive test drive is available for those interested.

UNIQUE FIND — 1976 Renault 5 Alpine Group 2 for Sale To conclude, for fans of classic cars, a fully restored 1976 Renault 5 Alpine prepared for Group 2 racing is currently on the market. This rare gem is likely to end up in a private collection, seldom to be seen again. If you have the means and a passion for French automotive heritage, this might be an opportunity to consider.

Thank you for tuning in this week. You can find all the articles mentioned today on LeBlogAuto.com. If you enjoyed this podcast, please share it with others — it’s the best way to support us. See you next week!