EEA said that one reason for the increase in car emissions is the growing share of the sport utility vehicle (SUV) segment. About 38% of new car registrations were SUVs. Compared to other cars in the same segment, SUVs are typically heavier and have more powerful engines and larger frontal areas – all features that increase fuel consumption. Average emissions were highest in Slovakia (174.3 MORE

sales of hybrid SUVs and other fuel efficient vehicles will prove interesting to watch this year, especially if fuel prices remain relatively low. Slovakia. Expert predictions about where oil and gas prices are headed vary widely. Some expect both to remain steady due to global economic conditions while others point to the return of $3/gallon gas (in the states) fueled mainly by an increase in foreign demand. MORE

In addition, vehicle production plants throughout the world such as those at Pamplona in Spain, Palmela in Portugal and Bratislava in Slovakia are preparing for the production of further MQB vehicles. Ground-breaking, market-oriented SUV projects are planned for plants in Mexico, the USA, South America and Russia. As part of a projected €22.8 billion (US$26.9 billion) investment in its plants worldwide, the Volkswagen Group will invest about €1 billion (US$1.2 MORE

The main factors contributing to the increase of new passenger cars’ emissions in 2018 include the growing share of gasoline cars in new registrations, in particular in the sport utility vehicle (SUV) segment. million new cars sold in the EU and in Iceland in 2018—almost one out of three—were SUVs. Compared to cars in similar segment, SUVs are typically heavier and have more powerful engines and larger frontal areas—all features that increase fuel consumption. MORE

The five-door SUV coupé can travel up to 500 km (311 miles) on purely electric power and meets the level 3 requirements for autonomous driving. Škoda operates at three locations in the Czech Republic, produces in China, Russia, Slovakia and India mainly through Group partnerships, as well as in Ukraine and Kazakhstan through local partners. ŠKODA will stage the world premiere of the VISION E electric concept vehicle at the upcoming Shanghai Motor Show 2017 (19 – 28 April). MORE

Starting in mid-2016, the plant will produce the successor generation of the successful Audi Q5 SUV. r (Hungary); Bratislava (Slovakia); Changchun (China); Aurangabad (India); Martorell (Spain); and Jakarta (Indonesia). Audi said that the SUVs will primarily strengthen its position in the North American market. MORE

The Ibiza, the Arona and the Leon are produced at the SEAT plant in Martorell, Spain, while the Mii Ecofuel is manufactured at the Bratislava plant in Slovakia. This is the first SUV in the world to use CNG technology and it enters one of the fastest growing segments in Europe. MORE

Poland, Slovakia, Luxembourg and Lithuania all posted record levels of volume, while it was the best year since 2007 for Spain and Estonia, and the best year since 2008 for Romania, Hungary, Croatia and Latvia. Despite growing at a slower rate than in previous years, the shift from traditional cars to SUVs continued in 2018. million SUVs were registered in Europe throughout the year, up 19% on 2017, as their market share increased from 29.2% MORE