03 October 2025
Which powertrain sees the greatest value depreciation across European used-car markets? What is forecast to happen with global light vehicle sales by the end of 2025? Plus, the latest cybersecurity news. Autovista24 editor Tom Geggus explores this and more in the Automotive Update podcast.
In this week’s episode, a look at residual value (RV) trends in key European markets, with a focus on powertrains. Additionally, the latest forecasts from EV Volumes, how Hertz is selling cars and how hacks have hit carmakers.
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BEV RVs forecast to fall
RVs, expressed as a percentage of new car list price (%RV), fell year on year across European markets in September. However, for Austria, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and the UK, this was more of a normalisation. Values had already experienced exceptional increases during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) saw the lowest value retention rates of any major powertrain across all seven markets. As the latest all-electric cars feature improved ranges and technologies, used models age more quickly in comparison. Affordable BEVs from new market entrants also make older vehicles less attractive.
Additionally, carmakers and governments want to drive uptake of the powertrain. However, incentives can put additional pressure on RVs. Therefore, by the end of the year, BEVs are expected to see their %RVs take a sharper fall than the market average across most of the observed markets.
Global forecast improves
In its latest global light-vehicle forecast, EV Volumes expects sales to increase by 3.6% year on year to 92.3 million units.
Resilient demand in China and the non-Triad region is a major component of this more positive outlook. However, there are still many negative influences that the forecast accounted for. This includes political instability, conflicts, energy prices, inflation, and US automotive tariffs.
Meanwhile, global EV sales are expected to grow by 24.5% by the end of this year. This equates to 22.1 million units. The growth comes despite governments phasing out purchase incentives and tax breaks amid mounting national debt, particularly in Europe.
Hack hits Renault customers
Renault Group customers in the UK are being warned after a third-party data company was hacked, Autocar reports.
According to the outlet, the personal data of some customers was stolen. This is reported to include names, addresses, dates of birth, genders, phone numbers, and vehicle details. However, Renault UK said that no passwords or financial data were taken.
The carmaker did not say how many people had been affected ‘for ongoing security reasons’, the BBC stated. However, no wider implications are anticipated, as none of Renault’s own systems had been hacked.
Meanwhile, JLR’s phased restart of its production is ongoing, as it takes steps to recover from a cyber-attack.
‘We continue to work around the clock alongside cybersecurity specialists, the UK Government’s NCSC and law enforcement to ensure our restart is done in a safe and secure manner,’ the carmaker stated.
VW presses pause
Volkswagen (VW) is expected to pause production at two of its factories in Germany due to weak demand for electric cars, according to the Guardian.
Both Dresden and Zwickau will see work suspended for a week this month. Meanwhile, the carmaker’s Osnabrück site in Lower Saxony is also slated to see its working week reduced by a day. Closure days are also being considered at VW’s Emden plant.
Retail plans for Hertz
Hertz is launching an online car buying experience. Customers can now browse, finance, trade-in and purchase vehicles digitally.
‘By enhancing our digital capabilities, we are meeting customers where they are and giving them greater visibility into our inventory, easier purchasing processes, and broader access to quality Hertz vehicles,’ said Gil West, CEO of Hertz.
Over the past year, Hertz has pushed its retail offerings. This includes an expansion of its Rent2Buy program, as well as collaborating with Amazon.
Zeekr expands in Europe
Geely subsidiary Zeekr is expanding its efforts in Southeast Europe, electrive has reported.
The brand has now launched in Romania, Slovenia, Croatia and Bulgaria. Orders are scheduled to start in October, with the first vehicles arriving by the end of 2025.
The brand will work with the Southeast Europe Automotive Group to distribute the Zeekr X, the Zeekr 7X and the Zeekr 001 models.
