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Ford is coming back

For the better part of a decade, Ford Motor Company has treated traditional passenger cars the way most people treat old gym memberships—fond memories, but ultimately expendable. Crossovers, SUVs, and pickup trucks became the main course, while sedans and hatchbacks were quietly cleared from the table. In Europe, that meant saying goodbye to staples like the Ford Mondeo, Ford Fiesta, and Ford Focus. In America, the purge was even more dramatic. Today, the Ford Mustang stands alone as the brand’s only traditional passenger car.

But now? There’s a flicker of something unexpected: contrition. Or at least, recalibration.

During Ford’s fourth-quarter 2025 earnings call, CEO Jim Farley hinted that the company isn’t done building cars for Europe. Not exactly a grand revival tour—but not a funeral procession, either.

“We have plans, exciting plans for Europe, related to our passenger cars,” Farley said, carefully threading the needle between optimism and caution. The key phrase wasn’t “exciting,” though—it was “profitable.” Ford doesn’t just want to build cars; it wants to build cars that make money. And not just for the company, but for dealers, too.

That’s a subtle but important shift. The previous retreat from cars was largely justified by razor-thin margins and Europe’s brutally competitive small-car market. If Ford returns, it won’t be to relive the glory days of volume for volume’s sake. It’ll be to play in segments where it believes it has an edge.

The Renault Connection

The biggest clue to Ford’s strategy lies not in Dearborn, but in France. The company is collaborating with Renault to develop at least two electric vehicles based on the French automaker’s AmpR small EV platform—the same architecture underpinning the reborn Renault 5 and the new Renault 4.

One of those Fords is widely expected to be an all-electric spiritual successor to the Fiesta. If that happens, it would mark a poetic return for one of Europe’s most beloved superminis—this time humming instead of buzzing. The other model could take the shape of a compact electric crossover, potentially replacing the Puma Gen-E down the line.

It’s a pragmatic move. Developing small EVs from scratch is a financial blood sport, and sharing platforms spreads the cost. More importantly, it allows Ford to re-enter segments it abandoned—without betting the farm.

Hybrids, Partners, and a 2027 Timeline

Ford’s head of Germany, Christoph Herr, reportedly told dealers that the company would invest in several new vehicles—some co-developed with partners, some not—and that they’d arrive starting in 2027. Powertrains? A mix of hybrids and all-electrics.

That timeline matters. By 2027, Europe’s regulatory landscape will be even more aggressive about emissions, and consumer appetite for electrification will likely be stronger—assuming infrastructure keeps pace. A carefully timed re-entry could allow Ford to surf the wave instead of fighting it.

Overseeing this new chapter is Christian Weingaertner, freshly appointed general manager of the passenger vehicle division. His background in business transformation suggests this won’t be a nostalgic exercise. Expect spreadsheets to matter as much as steering feel.

Not a U-Turn—More Like a Three-Point Turn

Let’s be clear: this isn’t Ford admitting it was wrong to prioritize trucks and SUVs. Those vehicles are still the company’s financial backbone. But Europe is a different battlefield. Compact cars and city-friendly EVs remain culturally and economically relevant there in ways they simply aren’t in the U.S.

If Ford can leverage Renault’s hardware, keep costs in check, and deliver a product with genuine Blue Oval character—sharp steering, smart packaging, maybe even a dash of fun—it could carve out a profitable niche. Not a mass-market blitz. More of a precision strike.

The real question isn’t whether Ford can build another great European hatchback. It’s whether it can build one that makes money in 2027 and beyond.

After years of thinning the herd, Ford may finally be ready to plant something new in Europe’s passenger-car soil. The difference this time? It’s bringing a calculator along for the ride.

Source: Ford Authority

News

Czech police officers stopped a Velomobile

There are traffic stops, and then there are traffic curiosities. Last weekend in the Moravian-Silesian region of the Czech Republic, police officers clocked something that looked less like a commuter and more like a Winter Olympics prop. Low, sleek, and shaped like an oversized cigarette—or a racing bobsled that missed its turn for the ice track—the vehicle glided along the road between Ostravica and Stará Hamry.

It wasn’t a runaway luge. It wasn’t a DIY rocket sled. It was a velomobile.

When officers initiated the stop, a man emerged from the aerodynamic pod and calmly explained what they were looking at: a human-powered vehicle, no engine, no fuel tank, just legs and lungs doing the heavy lifting. According to police, the encounter ended not with a citation but with well wishes for “many sporting successes and a safe journey.” Try getting that kind of send-off in a modified Civic.

What Exactly Is a Velomobile?

Think bicycle—but optimized in a wind tunnel and wrapped in bodywork.

A velomobile is essentially an aerodynamic tricycle. Most follow a three-wheel layout: two up front for stability, one in the rear as the drive wheel. Underneath the shell, you’ll usually find the bones of a recumbent bicycle or trike. The rider sits low, legs stretched forward, pedaling like on a conventional bike while steering with hand controls.

The big difference? That slippery outer skin. The composite body is designed to slice through the air, shield the rider from weather, and dramatically improve efficiency. In the right conditions, these human-powered torpedoes can reach speeds of up to 50 km/h (31 mph). That’s brisk enough to keep up with urban traffic—and fast enough to make a patrol car take notice.

No driver’s license is required, and as long as it meets road regulations, it’s perfectly legal on public roads in the Czech Republic. In this case, police confirmed the vehicle had the necessary parameters. Translation: it may look like a prop from a low-budget sci-fi film, but it checks out.

Performance Without Petroleum

Velomobiles occupy a fascinating middle ground between bicycle and car. They offer weather protection, improved aerodynamics, and cargo capacity, yet remain entirely human-powered. For city dwellers looking to dodge congestion—and maybe skip leg day at the gym—they present an intriguing alternative.

The driver told police he was using the vehicle for training, which makes sense. Pedaling a streamlined shell at highway-adjacent speeds isn’t casual Sunday cruising; it’s a full-body workout disguised as futuristic commuting.

The Price of Pedal-Powered Speed

Companies like Leitra in Denmark build fully assembled velomobiles starting at around €4,000. That gets you a ready-to-ride machine, often equipped with lighting systems powered by either 6-volt or 12-volt batteries for visibility and accessories.

Feeling mechanically inclined? Leitra also offers kit versions for roughly €2,660. Some assembly required—but the payoff is entry into one of the most niche and quietly hardcore corners of personal transportation.

Not a Joke—Just Different

In an era when “aerodynamic efficiency” usually involves active grille shutters and underbody panels, the velomobile takes the concept back to basics. No hybrid systems. No over-the-air updates. Just carbon fiber (or fiberglass), chain drive, and quadriceps.

It may resemble a rolling cigarette, but it’s a reminder that performance doesn’t always need pistons. Sometimes, all it takes is a rider willing to push—and a police patrol curious enough to pull it over.

News

Apple Is About to Turn Your Car’s Screen into a Theater

Apple has never been shy about colonizing the dashboard. Now it wants to turn it into a multiplex.

Later this year, Apple CarPlay users will reportedly gain the ability to stream video directly to their car’s infotainment screen, thanks to changes introduced in the iOS 26.4 beta. The feature allows app developers to beam video content via AirPlay to the center display—so long as the vehicle is parked. In other words, your next charging stop could double as a Netflix binge session.

A WWDC Tease Becomes Reality

The groundwork was laid at Apple Worldwide Developers Conference, where Apple Inc. previewed sweeping updates to its mobile software ecosystem. Alongside a glossy new “Liquid Glass” design language and more configurable widgets for CarPlay, the company hinted that richer media integration was coming.

Now, it appears that promise is materializing.

Apple will reportedly seed the system with its own Apple TV app inside CarPlay, opening the door for heavy hitters like Amazon (Prime Video), Disney (Disney+), and YouTube to follow. If the ecosystem behaves the way Apple’s usually do, expect a quick cascade of third-party adoption once the feature exits beta.

The Fine Print: Park First, Stream Later

Before you imagine blasting the latest blockbuster while barreling down the Autobahn, relax. Video playback will be restricted to when the car is stationary. That’s both a legal safeguard and a practical one. Apple has spent years polishing its safety-first reputation in the car, and it’s not about to torch it for the sake of in-traffic TikTok.

The feature is currently tucked inside a beta build, meaning timing is fluid. It could arrive as part of a larger iOS release expected in June, or sneak in via one of Apple’s incremental updates later in the year. As always, compatibility will hinge on both your iPhone running the appropriate software and your vehicle supporting the required CarPlay standards.

Android Auto Still Sitting This One Out

Apple’s most obvious rival in the infotainment mirroring space, Android Auto from Google, doesn’t currently offer native video streaming functionality. That gives Apple a bragging right—at least temporarily.

That said, several automakers have already dipped a toe into in-car streaming on their own. Tesla, Inc. has long offered built-in entertainment apps for use while charging, and brands like Kia Corporation have integrated similar services into select models. The catch? Those systems often require separate data plans or subscriptions, adding another monthly bill to the ownership experience.

Apple’s move could streamline that equation by leveraging the phone—and its existing subscriptions—as the hub.

The Bigger Picture

This isn’t just about watching cat videos while waiting for your kid at soccer practice. It’s about Apple tightening its grip on the in-car digital experience. As automakers wrestle with software development, Apple continues to extend its ecosystem into the cockpit—cleaner UI, deeper app support, and now, bona fide entertainment.

For drivers, it means the downtime moments—charging stops, school pickups, road-trip rest breaks—just got more interesting. For automakers, it’s another reminder that the real horsepower war may no longer be measured in kilowatts or cubic inches, but in code.

And if Apple gets its way, the next great American drive-in might not require leaving the driver’s seat.

Source: Automotive News

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