Across the UK and Europe, accelerated electrification, digital maturity and evolving retail models are shaping the automotive industry trends of 2026. From EV adoption and software-led manufacturing to used car market stabilisation and emerging energy ecosystems, OEMs, retailers and fleets need to adapt to a more connected, data-driven automotive landscape.

Cox Automotive Europe has secured a long-term contract to deliver an all-new remarketing solution for global car manufacturer Stellantis. The contract itself represents Cox Automotive’s largest deal, not only with Stellantis, but across all its European business to date.

The EU Data Act marks a turning point for how data is accessed, shared and used across the automotive industry. By giving drivers, fleets and retailers more control over connected car data, this new regulation creates opportunities across the vehicle lifecycle. However, with more access comes important questions around compliance and cybersecurity.

This article explores what this means for OEMs, fleet operators and retailers, and how to turn compliance into opportunity.

The latest figures from Dealer Auction’s EV Performance Report (EVPR) revealed strong patterns, repeated favourite AFV (alternatively fuelled vehicles) models continued to dominate the charts, reflecting a steady and reliable trend across the market. This consistency highlights growing consumer trust in well-established, proven models that deliver on both performance and value.

August 2025