Auto Pulse Europe

The word “partnership” is now used so freely that it risks meaning nothing at all. A reflection on corporate language inflation and the value of clarity in business relationships.

From a European perspective, the world may appear to be rapidly electrifying. The reality is more complex: approximately 75% of global passenger-car sales remain internal-combustion.

Norway has achieved near-total EV adoption. For the EU5 - Germany, the UK, France, Italy and Spain - the challenge is not whether to electrify, but how to adapt Norway’s model at scale.

We have more information than ever, yet trust has never been scarcer. As AI reshapes business, the human ability to build trust through empathy and expertise becomes the ultimate advantage.

Too many sales conversations begin with a solution instead of a diagnosis. In automotive retail, L.A.E.R. - Listen, Acknowledge, Explore, Respond - creates trust, value and long-term loyalty.

The era of predictable five-year cycles is over. In 2026, agility becomes the automotive industry’s defining currency - from AI and cybersecurity to China and sub-€25k EVs.

As products and finance become increasingly commoditised, customer experience has become the final true differentiator in automotive retail - and regulation is accelerating the shift.

Automotive retail is entering its next competitive era. AI voice agents are changing customer expectations, compressing response times and reshaping how dealers convert leads and retain loyalty.

As Europe approaches 2026, its automotive industry stands at a defining crossroads. Electrification mandates, Chinese competition and structural economic pressures are reshaping the future of European manufacturing.

Trade Cycle Management is re-emerging as a defining strategy in automotive finance. In 2025, AI, circular economy principles and data-driven lifecycle control are reshaping how OEMs and captives drive retention and profitability.

Europe’s automotive industry faces mounting pressure from accelerated electrification targets and surging Chinese competition. With 13 million jobs tied to the sector, regulatory flexibility may prove decisive for Europe’s industrial future.