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the three winners as electrification gains weight

January 3, 2026 by usatoday24

The closing of 2025 leaves more than just a registration figure. It leaves a market that is beginning to organize itself more clearly in the middle of the transition, with electrification gaining weight. With the aggregated data in hand and without going into readings that the sources do not allow, there is a podium that clearly imposes itself on the Spanish market and that helps to understand how it is being reconfigured. The manufacturers podium. With the year closed, the podium by brands is defined. Toyota led 2025 with 96,290 registrations, followed by Renault with 83,308 and Volkswagen with 76,545. It is not a minor detail, because this leadership occurs in a market that is growing and, at the same time, transforming. Monthly behavior provides an interesting perspective. After two consecutive months exceeding pre-pandemic benchmarks, December broke that dynamic with a year-on-year decrease of 2.2%, to 103,012 units, and the employers’ associations point out that this decline was influenced by the fact that in the same month of 2024 DANA increased vehicle sales in Valencia. It should be noted that in the accumulated annual period, registrations grew by 12.9% to 1,148,650 units, still below the 1.26 million in 2019, and the private channel was the most dynamic, with 539,642 units (+18.1%), ahead of companies (418,574, +12%) and rental companies (190,434, +2.3%). Electrification accelerates. The most striking leap of the year is in electrified passenger cars. BEV+PHEVs grew by 94.6% in 2025, up to 225,617 units, an unprecedented figure in a single year. In parallel, pure electric vehicles exceeded 100,000 sales in the year and plug-in hybrids reached 124,000 units, 111.7% more. Even with the market far from being mostly electric, the change is already big enough to begin to influence the general distribution. We must keep in mind that this advance coexists, however, with a market still dominated by non-pluggable technologies. In the annual summary by energy sources, hybrid and plug-in hybrid passenger cars accounted for more than 50% of the market, with 483,000 units (+23.1%) and 124,000, respectively, while gasoline and diesel fell, with 318,210 registrations (-16%) and 62,669 (-35%). The DANA effect, with nuances. The impact appears in the data and in the sector’s discourse, but always as a partial factor. The employers’ associations point out that the comparative effect of December 2024 helps explain the adjustment at the end of 2025 and FACONAUTO also highlights the registrations linked to the Valencian Community after DANA. From Moncloa, in an update from October last yearcontext is provided, the Insurance Compensation Consortium registered 250,034 applications, processed 244,426 and paid 3,735,525,301 euros. Within that volume, more than 144,000 requests were for damage to vehicles, with more than 98% already managed, a figure that measures the impact, but does not allow it to be attributed to a specific engine. Thus, 2025 closes with several certainties. The market is growing, electrification has gained weight and the brand podium is clear in a year of transition. Toyota, Renault and Volkswagen lead the ranking of registrations. At the same time, the sector is still far from full normalization and carries the burden of an aging fleet, according to ANFAC. The question remains open for 2026, when it will be time to see if this trend is sustained. Images | Christina Telep In Xataka | London has started a silent war in its streets: one with the supercars of Saudi millionaires parked incorrectly

With the “late” eating into the Christmas holidays, a new phenomenon gains weight in Spain: the Australian New Year’s Eve

December 30, 2025 by usatoday24

The year changes with the twelve bells midnight on December 31st. That has no discussion. What is questionable is that the New Year has to be celebrated at night. If you are more of a daytime person than a night person, if you don’t want to go to bed in the wee hours of the morning, hungover and resigned to spending the first morning of 2026 tossing and turning in bed… Why not bring the party forward a few hours? What if instead of gathering our family and friends for dinner we meet at noon? What if we ring in 2026 (or any other New Year) when they do it in Sydney, where the 12 bells ring when we are having lunch? What has happened? Bells, grapes, firecrackers, the first advertisement of the year, the trappings of the star presenter on duty, whether the layer of Ramonchu either the dress of the Pedroche… In Spain, New Year’s Eve has its traditions (apparently immutable), but that does not mean that more and more people choose to rethink how and especially when they celebrate the change of year. In fact, for a long time there has been a way to celebrate it that has gained followers: “Australian New Year’s Eve”. And what does it mean? It sounds exotic, but it’s actually very simple. The “Australian New Year’s Eve” consists of nothing more nor less than bringing forward the celebration of the New Year by a few hours. There is a 10-hour lag between Madrid and Sydney, which means that while in mainland Spain we sit at the table to eat in the most populated city in Oceania, there are in full transition of year. It is a simple geographical curiosity, but there are those who have seen in it a perfect hook to rethink when we celebrate the New Year in this corner of the planet. Instead of doing it at midnight, after an extensive dinner, they join the “Australian New Year’s Eve” and uncork the cava when the residents of Sydney or other regions of Australia, where they govern, do so. multiple time zones. One celebration does not have to exclude the other (a Spaniard can celebrate the New Year at 2:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m.), but it does help to shift the focus away from the night. It is similar to the “pre-grapes” that have been celebrated for years, but in a somewhat different way: with food, parties and using Australian time as a pretext. But… Is it successful? Yes. At least in certain regions of Spain, where the concept of “Australian New Year’s Eve” seems to have caught on. A quick search shows chronicles about early celebrations in Teruel, Castellon, Valencia, The Palm…but if there is a place where the ‘Australian-style’ party has found fertile ground, it is Alicante. It has been organized there for a long time a few years and has expanded to several municipalities. The celebration has become so profound, in fact, that it moves so many people in restaurants and at night parties. So many people? The newspaper recently Information asked that same question to hoteliers and found a surprising response. According to the president of the Alicante Restaurant Association (ARA) reservations for lunch and dinner on December 31 are already practically equal in number, which shows that more and more people are bringing forward the celebration of the New Year. What’s more, part of the nighttime demand appears to be shifting to midday, when customers find more diversity in exchange for cheaper rates. “In the evening pack, the normal thing is set menus, which are somewhat more expensive,” says the hotelier. Prices are around 100 or 110 euros, practically double that of lunch, which is also usually served without a set menu and includes a drink. At first glance it may seem that restaurants are losing, but the reality is that if the daily clientele and the dinner clientele are added, businesses gain demand. Furthermore, New Year’s Eve menus may be more expensive, but they also entail more expenses for the establishments, which reduces their final profitability. From another association of hoteliers in the province of Alicante, Apeha, confirm There are starting to be more reservations at midday than at night. Is it just business? No. The phenomenon is not only seen in bars and restaurants. Daytime celebrations, including symbolic grapes, music and “chimes” are also celebrated with institutional support of the town councils. In Senija they present them for example as “Bells in the Sun” and in Crevillent the City Council advertises both the “Australian Chimes” as the “New Year’s Eve Party”. They are not unique or isolated cases. In Alicante you can find other towns that have taken their festivals beyond nighttime hours. Why this success? The big question. Costs aside, Apeha provides a key piece of information: the regular customer who books a restaurant on the 31st at noon is usually, clarifypeople of a certain age or with small children. “It’s not so much young people who go to clubs as people who prefer to go out at noon to get home at a productive time.” The truth is that the “Australian New Year’s Eve” is not an isolated phenomenon. It coincides with two others that are going in the same direction. The first is the afternoon boom. As the supply (and demand) of leisure diversifies and is no longer monopolized at night, more and more people choose to visit bars and clubs earlier. Instead of going out at night he does it in the afternoon, which is felt at Christmas itself. “Australian New Year’s Eve” may be expanding, but so is the “Good Afternoon” and “New Year’s Afternoon”advanced versions of Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. More partying, less cooking. The other trend has to do with how we organize our Christmases and our habits in the kitchen. We start enjoying before December 24 or 31 because we are less willing to spend hours in the kitchen to prepare … Read more

Hyundai’s electric sedan is silent, elegant, and gains a lot of autonomy

November 28, 2025 by usatoday24

Almost exactly two years ago my partner Alberto, a regular in these matters, was testing the Hyundai Ioniq 6 that the brand launched then. This time who gets behind the wheel of his successor, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 (2026)is yours truly, excited to experience the sensations of a sports sedan in which many things change. The update of this model affects both its exterior appearance – pay attention to the front – and its performance, which improves significantly to complete a most striking 100% electric vehicle. Shall we take a look at it? Technical sheet of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 (2026) Hyundai Ioniq 6 (2026) Body type Five-seater saloon. Measurements and weight. 4,925 mm long, 1,880 mm wide and 1,495 mm high. Wheelbase of 2,950 mm. 2,410kg Trunk. 401 liters Battery 63 kWh (Standard) 84 kWh (Long Range) Maximum power. 125 kW (170 hp, 350 Nm, RWD) 168 kW (229 hp, 350 Nm, RWD) 239 kW (325 hp, 605 Nm, AWD) WLTP consumption. 14.6 kWh/100 km WLTP autonomy Up to 521/680 km depending on battery. Environmental distinctive. Zero emissions. Driving aids (ADAS). Adaptive cruise control with level 2 automation and emergency braking, sign recognition, blind spot sensor, lane keeping, cross traffic alert, automated parking and emergency braking during maneuvers with pedestrian and object detection. Others Compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay via Bluetooth, two 12.3-inch screens and connection for two phones. Four USB type C inputs and one type A, OTA updates, software with its own maps that indicate the available autonomy, dynamic lights for the interior. Vehicle to Load (V2L) reverse charging. Electric hybrid. No. Plug-in Hybrid. No. electric. Yes. Ultra-fast charging up to 350 kW (from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes) Price and launch. Not available. More than a restiling The family is growing, those responsible for Hyundai began by warning us before we set off. These new Hyundai Ioniq 6 (2026) are confirmation of the firm’s clear commitment to electrification, which in fact prepares the Ioniq 3 for next year. But that will be next year, because this Ioniq 6 begins by taking an important leap in the WLTP autonomy, which reaches 680 km in its version with long-range battery (84 kW). In the case of the model with a standard 63 kW battery, that WLTP autonomy is estimated at 521 km, both figures already serious. We were able to test the Ioniq 6 with the N-Line finish, better equipped and with an even sportier appearance. To give it those more distinctive lines, we have a more aggressive bumper and slightly different side skirts. There are also other distinctive elements such as the wheels and the lights, which have their own lighting signature. In both cases there have been clear changes in the nose, which is sharper and adopts a “shark nose” type front. The headlights are compressed to the maximum to be reduced to four fine lines of LED Parametric Pixel, while at the rear also use is made of that striking design element that, together with that spoiler and rear bumpers, allows them to be distinguished even more. In this design there are optional elements such as digital rearview mirrors – in the model we tested they were conventional – and others that come standard such as integrated handles that contribute to aerodynamics. Which is precisely one of the strong points of this model, although there are no changes here: it remains at some (fantastic) 0.21 Cx. The 401 l trunk is perhaps a bit short – the 45 l front one can alleviate the situation a little – but this sports sedan approach logically imposes certain sacrifices. Regarding the interior, the space and qualities are surprising here, but above all the physical controls stand out. Faced with the rise of “everything touch” of some firms, at Hyundai They rescue buttons, dials and other physical elements which among other things allow get a better grade in the Euro NCAP tests. And we, to be honest, are happy: no matter how attractive a touch screen is, we also think that in some cases it is a solution to a problem that did not exist. Buttons, buttons, buttons. We like buttons. The “interactive” steering wheel also has four Parametric Pixel LED elements that indicate the status of various vehicle systems, and on the dashboard we have dual 12.3-inch screens integrated into a single floating screen. Here we have, as in its predecessor, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support. We tested the first one for navigation with Google Maps during the route, and we verified that the quality and response of the panel was perfect during the trip. We were only able to test the BOSE sound system, but it certainly shows promise. Somewhat hidden behind the steering wheel, on the right side, is the gear lever. I was not very used to that position and I must admit that to avoid confusion I needed to check if I had positioned the gear appropriately. The problem is that to see the position of the steering wheel spokes they can cover that line of sight. It’s a minor detail and that check will probably be irrelevant once we get used to the vehicle, but at first it’s something that caught my attention. Between both front seats, the bridge-type center console dominates everything, where we find the window controls and elements such as the wireless charging surface that allows us to comfortably recharge our mobile phone while we travel. At the top we have a generous sunroof that we can open or close with just the push of a button. The Ioniq 6 has a dual-zone automatic climate control to adjust temperatures independently. The controls (this time yes) are centralized on a lower touch panel, under the dual screen. If wireless charging doesn’t suit us and we prefer cables, we will be well served. In addition to the USB-C sockets (one of them with a charging capacity of 100 W) and USB-A, we even have a conventional … Read more

Boeing, trapped in the commercial war. China paralyzes the deliveries of its airplanes and Airbus gains ground, according to Bloomberg

April 15, 2025 by usatoday24

Commercial tension between United States and China It does not give signs of decreasing. And everything indicates that commercial aviation will be one of the great victims. According to Bloombergthe Chinese government has ordered its airlines to stop the reception of aircraft manufactured by Boeing. The measure also includes the suspension of purchase of aeronautical equipment and components from US companies. This new blow is part of a tariff offensive that has reached unpublished levels. After declaring a commercial emergency, Washington raised up to 145% Tariffs in response to what he considers a threat to their economic and national security. China soon react, raising their own levies above 100% to US imports and making it clear that the climb was far from finishing. China’s latest reprisals hit Boeing Although the details of the last retaliation of the Asian giant are unknown, the suspension affects the Boeing 737 Maxone of the best -selling unique corridor aircraft in the world, of which the American firm has delivered 13 units in China, along with Tres Boeing 787 double corridor. In their hangars they still expect 28 Max and a 787 destined for the Chinese market. It is not just a political dispute: economic implications are huge. China is one of the main strategic markets for Boeing. According to their latest 20 -year forecast reportthe country would demand 8,830 new aircraft until 2043. 60% to accompany the growth of air traffic, and the remaining 40% to renew fleets with more efficient models. The country’s commercial fleet would go from 4,345 to 9,740 aircraft in that period, with an annual expansion of 4.1%. However, part of these forecasts are now questioned by the commercial war. The measure not only puts the commercial balance between the two countries. It also threatens to alter the internal functioning of Chinese airlines, which depend largely on fleets already delivered. Thousands of airplanes of the American company They currently operate in the country, and their maintenance requires foreign technical pieces and support. Boeing has been doing business in China for decades, but those doors begin to close. Boeing has been doing business in China for decades, but those doors begin to close. With Boeing temporarily out of the scene, two alternatives arise: The Airbus A320 family and the Comac C919. Airbus starts with advantage, since, although some of its components come from the United States or use Chinese raw materials, it can continue to operate normally in the country. The problem is capacity: the European manufacturer would have to increase its production rate to take advantage, and that is not immediate. The other great bet is local. Comac C919, designed and assembled in China, is designed to compete directly with the Boeing 737 Max and the Airbus A320. It offers capacity for between 158 and 192 passengers and a maximum autonomy of 4,075 to 5,555 km. Today, its deployment is limited, but the current context could accelerate its adoption on regional routes. The uncertainty reigns on both sides of the Pacific. From the United States, Trump has affirmed that “China wants to reach an agreement. The problem is that they are not clear how to do it.” From Beijing, on the other hand, they show no intention of backing. They claim to raise tariffs beyond 125% would be “a joke”implying that greater punishment would not be an additional damage. As we have seen, the conflict continues to climb, and the aeronautical industry is trapped in the crossfire of two powers that more and more use their supply chains as a negotiation weapon. Although the long -term effects are about to be seen, the immediate impact begins to feel. Touch to wait to know if we will witness some kind of agreement capable of relieving, or at least reduce, these new international barriers. Images | Andrew Dawes | Kua Yue | David Syphers In Xataka | Boeing, in the line of fire of the tariff war: Airbus is emerging as the winner of the pulse between China and the USA In Xataka | While the US is obsessed with tariffs, China has a weapon that is going unnoticed: the bureaucracy

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