- Tesla has unveiled the Model Y series which is the fourth model marketed by the brand, after the Model S (38,231 units produced in 2019), the Model X (24,687 units) and the Model 3 (301,318 units). The Model Y is a D-segment SUV using the Model 3 platform. Compared to the sedan, the SUV is 8 cm longer (4.77 m) and 15 cm taller (1.60 m ). But it is also larger. The carmaker claimed that the new model has 500 km of autonomy, according to the WLTP cycle.

- The Model Y targets SUV customers who are looking for a 100% electric model cheaper than its competitor as Mercedes EQC (79,000 euros) or Audi E-Tron (72,000 to 84,000 euros) which are part of the same segment. The Tesla Model Y is sold for 63,000 euros.

- It could even be sold cheaper on a future entry-level version (range reduced to 300 kilometers), as the Model 3 sedan has just been marketed in this type of version with a reduced price of 8,200 euros.

- In the meantime, the Model Y will be produced in the American factory in Fremont (California), in the Chinese site of Shanghai and finally on the European site of Berlin.

- Inovev forecasts 200,000 units produced worldwide for this model, starting in 2021, which should boost Tesla’s growth, as it already exceeded the 350,000 unit produced last year (100 000 units in the first four months of 2020). Even, if we take into account the fact that the Model Y may catch potential buyers of the Model 3, the brand's production volume could exceed 500,000 units by 2022. 

- Apart from the new Tesla factory which will be built in Berlin (Germany) with a capacity of 150,000 vehicles per year initially, then 300,000 per year in the long term, there will be no construction of new factories in Europe specially dedicated to battery electric vehicles (BEV). Carmakers has decided to change the lines of some of their plants producing thermal cars by “switching" them to the exclusive production battery electric cars.

- Volkswagen has “transformed" its Zwickau plant into a factory dedicated to BEVs (200,000 ID3 and ID4 per year under three different brands). Volkswagen has announced that it wants to do the same with Emden and Hanover factories: Hanover will produce the future electric Kombi, Emden will produce the future ID5 and its derivative SUV. The project is however delayed because the factory is currently producing the Passat which must be transferred to a new factory in Turkey where the country is living internal tensions. Volkswagen has announced that it will continue to produce the electric VW Up, Seat Mii and Skoda Citigo (and their replacement ID1) in Bratislava in Slovakia. Volkswagen could produce the future ID2 in Pamplona in Spain.

- Renault has announced that it will focus the production of its electric cars in Douai (Zoé, EV Mégane and future electric SUVs from three different segments). The Douai factory will therefore be turned into an electric car factory after the removal of the Scenic, Talisman and Espace in 2022 or 2023. The electric Renault Kangoo and electric Mercedes Citan will be produced in Maubeuge and not in Douai. It is not yet known where the Dacia Spring ZE will be produced.

- The other carmakers have indicated that their electric models are and will be produced in existing factories alongside thermal cars. Ford has not released its BEV plans that will be derived from the VW IDs. Japanese and Korean carmakers will import their electric vehicles. The Chinese MG imports its ZS EV from China.

- The BMW 4 Series has been the name of the coupe and convertible versions of the 3 Series (D-segment) since 2013. Since that date, the 4 Series range has been developed with the introduction of a sedan named the Gran Coupé. The current range of BMW 4 Series therefore today is made of three models, but it is not certain that the Gran Coupe version will be renewed.

- The 4 Series coupe is already being renewed in 2020. The new model is further distinct from the 3 Series than the older generation. The new 4 Series coupe displays its own personality with a large grille and a profile that evokes the 8 Series coupe. The convertible version of the 4 Series should be launched in 2021.

- Compared to the current 4 Series coupe, the new has its length increased to 4.76 m (+12 cm) and its wheelbase increased to 2.85 m (+4 cm). The 4 Series Coupe has two petrol engines (4 cylinders 420i of 184hp and 6 cylinders 440i of 374hp) and a diesel engine (4 cylinders 420d of 190hp). Another diesel (6 cylinders 430d of 286hp) will be available from March 2021. It will be followed by the 6-cylinder 440d of 340hp.

- The Gran Coupé is not sure to be renewed, because BMW has announced the soon launch of the i4 sedan (early 2021) which takes up the philosophy of the 4 Series Gran Coupé but in a 100% electric engine. This model could replace the 4 Series Gran Coupé and would become a competitor to the Tesla Model 3. It is for this reason that Inovev plans 100,000 units per year of the new 4 Series removed from the Gran Coupé version.

- Sales of plug-in hybrid passenger vehicles (PHEV) reached 197,682 units in Europe (29 countries) in 2019, compared to 182,768 in 2018. This volume represents an increase of 8.2% compared to 2018, an low increase compared to the 100% electric cars (BEV) and non-rechargeable hybrids (HEV) sales, with respectively, an increase of 78.3% and 54.5%.

- With 197,682 units, the market share stands at 1.3% for PHEV, 2.3% for BEV (358,882 units) and 5.9% (936,332) for HEV, for a total of 9.5% for the whole of 2019, i.e. almost one in ten sales.

- New PHEV models were put into production in 2020, such as the Peugeot 3008, Peugeot 508, Citroën C5 Aircross, Renault Captur, Land Rover Evoque, Land Rover Discovery Sport, BMW X1, BMW X2, Ford Kuga, Jeep Renegade, Jeep Compass, Mercedes Class A, which should increase the market share of this type of vehicle.

- One of carmakers' objective is in particular to extend this technology to vehicles in larger market segments (D, C and B), in order to comply with the CO2 targets set by European regulations, the emission measurement standards being favourable on paper for PHEV.

- In the first quarter of 2020, plug-in hybrid cars represent 3.2% of the European market, 100% electric cars 4.3% and non-plug-in hybrid cars 10.2%, for a total of 17.7% or sales on five and a half which is a new record, close to one in five sales. No conclusion or trend can be drawn from these figures, given the exceptional period experienced by all automotive markets in the world during the lock down period.