Leapmotor Lafa 5 high-power variant unveiled.
The post New Leapmotor Lafa 5 variant features increased power revealed in regulatory filings appeared first on CarNewsChina.com.
INDIANAPOLIS – With Mick Schumacher’s IndyCar debut less than a month away, the rookie driver is getting up to speed in preparation for the season.
Schumacher is coming to IndyCar from the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), where he drove the last two seasons. Before that, Schumacher spent 2021 and 2022 racing in Formula 1, finishing 19th and 16th in his two seasons.
Schumacher, 26, is now racing in the United States for the first time. He’s focused on “putting the dots together” before driving the No. 47 car for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.
“We're in a transition where I'm trying to understand everything and putting everything together,” Schumacher said. “The team has been great in helping me do those things and helping me along the way. … I think we're all in a pretty good place to start off the season on the correct foot, hopefully.”
Right now, the German driver is adapting to the customary units used in the U.S. as opposed to the metric system used in most of Europe. Schumacher is used to communicating with team personnel by discussing meters, but he’s had to reorganize his brain to grasp terminology in terms of feet or yards.
When the season begins March 1, Schumacher will become the first in his decorated family to compete in IndyCar. Schumacher’s father, Michael, is one of the best open-wheel drivers of all time, having won seven F1 championships.
Michael, Ralf (Mick’s uncle) and David (Mick’s cousin) Schumacher all have plenty of racing experience, but none have taken on the challenge that awaits Mick.
Schumacher will have to adjust to oval racing in his first IndyCar season. Having not driven on ovals in the past, he feels it will be the biggest challenge of his transition. Navigating the high and low lines on ovals is something Schumacher knows will be different from his time in Europe.
Ahead of the year, Schumacher is seeking wisdom from his teammate Graham Rahal. The 37-year-old IndyCar veteran has two oval wins in his career, and he’s kept his advice to Schumacher simple.
“I said, ‘Mick, listen to me, if the car is good, you'll have more fun oval racing than anything in your life,’” Rahal said. “It's a blast when it's right; not so good when it's not, obviously.”
Between Rahal, RLL special advisor Gavin Ward and team president Jay Frye, Schumacher has done his best to soak in wisdom before his first year in IndyCar.
“That's all stuff that is very new to me,” Schumacher said. “But I'm very curious and interested in learning about that. The good thing is we have Graham on board, who has done a couple of these races in his lifetime, and therefore I can learn very much from him.”
Schumacher did a test drive Wednesday at Homestead-Miami Speedway, where he completed 97 laps and hit a top speed of 194 mph.
"I think one of the weird parts of coming to test on an oval for the first time was going into the corner without braking, which was a very new thing," Schumacher said following the test. "Approaching the corner and still being pretty much flat out going into the corner without braking, and then bleeding off as you go into it is something I had to get used to. ... Toward the end I felt like I was in a very good spot in terms of confidence and how I was approaching the corners. I think it’s a great place to come and do your first (oval) test."
Schumacher will join the rest of the field for another oval test Feb. 17-18 at Phoenix Raceway. IndyCar’s return to Phoenix for the Good Ranchers 250 on March 7 will be the first oval race of the season – and the only before the Indy 500. Schumacher will get to experience the high and low lines of an oval in just his second IndyCar race.
Schumacher feels he’s grown from his first F1 season, which he went into at 22 years old. He claims he’s still excited for his first IndyCar season, but “in a different way.”
“It's more about a structured approach to it,” Schumacher said. “I'm very excited about getting going, but I'm excited to also build a team around me and build my experiences. Basically, I'm going into the season knowing much more of what I want and how I want things to be, and I'm much more straightforward about that. So that's very different to how my first year in F1 was.”
Schumacher will be in a rookie of the year race with 2025 Indy NXT champion Dennis Hauger and runner-up Caio Collet. Despite being new to racing in North America, he’ll look to prove that his vast experience can translate seamlessly to IndyCar.
Zion Brown is IndyStar's motorsports reporter. Follow him at@z10nbr0wn. Get IndyStar's motor sports coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Motor Sports newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Mick Schumacher IndyCar rookie readies for first season, oval test results
The Stellantis-backed Chinese automaker Leapmotor aims to break 1 million units in global sales in 2026, the company’s COO Xu Jun shared.
The post Leapmotor aims to break 1 million units sales in 2026, COO shared appeared first on CarNewsChina.com.
The Fiat Grande Panda is up to a record 4th place at home in January.
It’s a solid start of the year for the Italian new car market, with sales up 6.2% to 141.980 units. However private sales drop -3.8% to 81,585 and 56.9% share vs. 63% a year ago. Artificial sales channels pull the market up: self registrations soar 29.2% to 14,525 and short term rentals surge 188% to 12,460 and 8.7% share vs. 3.2% in January 2025. Meanwhile long term leases are up 3.2% to 27,526 and 19.2% share vs. 19.8% last year. Petrol is down -25.4%, diesel down -16.6% and LPG down -32.8%. HEVs gain 23.7% to 74,742 including 20,604 full hybrids (+32.8%) and 54,138 mild hybrids (+20.6%). PHEVs shoot up 152% to 12,502 and 8.7% share vs. 3.7% and BEVs advance 40.6% to 9,446 and 6.6% share vs. 5% a year ago.
In the brands charts, Fiat (+20.5%) finally posts a strong month at 13.5% share vs. 8.6% in December, its highest level at home since January 2023 (14%). Toyota (+0.3%) and Volkswagen (+3%) camp on their FY25 positions to round out the podium. Peugeot (-2%) is down year-on-year but up 8 spots on December to #4 ahead of Audi (+2.6%) at #5, its highest ranking since May 2024. Like in France and Spain, Dacia (-40.8%) is hit hard at #6. Below, Leapmotor (+594.4%), Omoda+Jaecoo (+357.1%), BYD (+329.6%), Cupra (+51.8%), Mini (+40.7%), Mercedes (+30.2%) and Opel (+11.3%) stand out.
Model-wise, the Fiat Panda (-0.2%) is stable year-on-year and accounts for 9.4% of its home market vs. just 5.8% in December and 6.7% over the Full Year 2025. The Jeep Avenger (+9.6%) is back up to a record 2nd place, also hit in April, May and September 2025. The Citroen C3 (-23%) falls heavily year-on-year but is up seven spots on last month to #3. Last year I highlighted the fact the Fiat Grande Panda had disappointed, finishing the year at a paltry #37. This month proves me wrong: the model is up 16 ranks on December to land at a record 4th position, beating its previous best of #8 hit last September. The Grande Panda sells at 95% in its HEV variant. The next few months will tell whether this was just a fluke or the start of a long term trend and a much needed 2nd success for the brand at home. Meanwhile the Toyota Aygo X (+72.3%) is up spectacularly to #5, simply the nameplate’s first incursion inside Italy’s Top 5.
Previous post: Italy Full Year 2025: Fiat Panda #1 for 14th straight year, Grande Panda disappoints
One year ago: Italy January 2025: Fiat back to #1, Dacia breaks share record
Full January 2026 Top 55 brands and Top 50 models below.
Italy January 2026 – brands:
| Pos | Brand | Jan-26 | % | /25 | Dec |
| 1 | Fiat | 19,162 | 13.5% | + 20.5% | 1 |
| 2 | Toyota | 10,126 | 7.1% | + 0.3% | 2 |
| 3 | Volkswagen | 8,770 | 6.2% | + 3.0% | 3 |
| 4 | Peugeot | 7,098 | 5.0% | – 2.0% | 12 |
| 5 | Audi | 7,018 | 4.9% | + 2.6% | 6 |
| 6 | Dacia | 6,791 | 4.8% | – 40.8% | 8 |
| 7 | Renault | 6,470 | 4.6% | + 5.8% | 5 |
| 8 | BMW | 6,392 | 4.5% | + 0.4% | 4 |
| 9 | Jeep | 5,971 | 4.2% | + 1.3% | 11 |
| 10 | Citroen | 5,695 | 4.0% | + 2.8% | 13 |
| 11 | Mercedes | 5,505 | 3.9% | + 30.2% | 7 |
| 12 | Ford | 4,901 | 3.5% | – 5.9% | 16 |
| 13 | MG | 4,240 | 3.0% | + 2.6% | 10 |
| 14 | Opel | 3,701 | 2.6% | + 11.3% | 23 |
| 15 | Kia | 3,677 | 2.6% | – 7.1% | 15 |
| 16 | Hyundai | 3,583 | 2.5% | – 4.7% | 14 |
| 17 | BYD | 3,553 | 2.5% | + 329.6% | 9 |
| 18 | Nissan | 3,408 | 2.4% | + 8.6% | 25 |
| 19 | Skoda | 3,280 | 2.3% | + 8.4% | 17 |
| 20 | Omoda+Jaecoo | 2,496 | 1.8% | + 357.1% | 21 |
| 21 | Suzuki | 2,204 | 1.6% | – 19.6% | 22 |
| 22 | Alfa Romeo | 2,082 | 1.5% | – 8.5% | 26 |
| 23 | Cupra | 1,712 | 1.2% | + 51.8% | 20 |
| 24 | Mini | 1,327 | 0.9% | + 40.7% | 24 |
| 25 | Volvo | 1,279 | 0.9% | + 16.0% | 28 |
| 26 | Mazda | 1,198 | 0.8% | + 24.7% | 29 |
| 27 | Leapmotor | 1,118 | 0.8% | + 594.4% | 19 |
| 28 | Lancia | 1,027 | 0.7% | + 15.4% | 35 |
| 29 | Honda | 1,006 | 0.7% | + 52.0% | 32 |
| 30 | DR Motor | 832 | 0.6% | – 38.8% | 27 |
| 31 | Tesla | 713 | 0.5% | + 74.8% | 18 |
| 32 | EVO | 675 | 0.5% | + 2.7% | 33 |
| 33 | Land Rover | 627 | 0.4% | – 2.8% | 34 |
| 34 | Lexus | 570 | 0.4% | + 9.2% | 36 |
| 35 | Seat | 444 | 0.3% | – 35.4% | 31 |
| 36 | EMC | 399 | 0.3% | + 143.3% | 37 |
| 37 | Porsche | 395 | 0.3% | – 33.3% | 30 |
| 38 | DS | 375 | 0.3% | + 13.3% | 39 |
| 39 | Geely | 282 | 0.2% | new | – |
| 40 | Tiger | 246 | 0.2% | new | – |
| 41 | DFSK | 222 | 0.2% | + 149.4% | 43 |
| 42 | Sportequipe | 197 | 0.1% | + 84.1% | 41 |
| 43 | Subaru | 182 | 0.1% | + 64.0% | 40 |
| 44 | Ich-X | 161 | 0.1% | + 1912.5% | n/a |
| 45 | KGM | 143 | 0.1% | + 361.3% | – |
| 46 | Lynk & Co | 111 | 0.1% | + 82.0% | 42 |
| 47 | Ferrari | 88 | 0.1% | + 8.6% | 46 |
| 48 | Maserati | 66 | 0.0% | – 57.1% | 44 |
| 49 | Polestar | 66 | 0.0% | + 153.8% | 45 |
| 50 | Lamborghini | 66 | 0.0% | + 11.9% | 48 |
| 51 | Alpine | 33 | 0.0% | + 230.0% | n/a |
| 52 | Smart | 20 | 0.0% | – 79.4% | 47 |
| 53 | Aston Martin | 14 | 0.0% | – 17.6% | 50 |
| 54 | Lotus | 12 | 0.0% | – 55.6% | 49 |
| 55 | Mahindra | 1 | 0.0% | – 96.2% | – |
| 56 | Mitsubishi | 0 | 0.0% | – 100.0% | 38 |
| – | Others | 250 | 0.2% | + 25.6% | – |
Italy January 2026 – models:
| Pos | Model | Jan-26 | % | /24 | Dec |
| 1 | Fiat Panda | 13,308 | 9.4% | – 0.2% | 1 |
| 2 | Jeep Avenger | 5,133 | 3.6% | + 9.6% | 4 |
| 3 | Citroen C3 | 3,516 | 2.5% | – 23.0% | 10 |
| 4 | Fiat Grande Panda | 3,299 | 2.3% | + 14243.5% | 20 |
| 5 | Toyota Aygo X | 3,029 | 2.1% | + 72.3% | 6 |
| 6 | Dacia Sandero | 2,937 | 2.1% | – 47.3% | 2 |
| 7 | Renault Clio | 2,651 | 1.9% | + 22.1% | 7 |
| 8 | Toyota Yaris | 2,499 | 1.8% | – 14.9% | 14 |
| 9 | Peugeot 208 | 2,462 | 1.7% | – 33.9% | 21 |
| 10 | VW T-Roc | 2,440 | 1.7% | + 40.8% | 5 |
| 11 | Peugeot 3008 | 2,378 | 1.7% | + 124.8% | 32 |
| 12 | Dacia Duster | 2,337 | 1.6% | – 46.4% | 40 |
| 13 | MG ZS | 2,239 | 1.6% | – 8.2% | 13 |
| 14 | Toyota Yaris Cross | 2,228 | 1.6% | – 13.4% | 3 |
| 15 | Nissan Qashqai | 2,160 | 1.5% | + 61.3% | 44 |
| 16 | Opel Corsa | 2,137 | 1.5% | – 8.7% | 23 |
| 17 | Audi Q3 | 2,091 | 1.5% | + 29.9% | 42 |
| 18 | BMW X1 | 2,089 | 1.5% | + 26.4% | 12 |
| 19 | Ford Puma | 2,069 | 1.5% | – 6.0% | 18 |
| 20 | Renault Captur | 2,068 | 1.5% | – 19.7% | 9 |
| 21 | VW Tiguan | 1,971 | 1.4% | + 8.7% | 11 |
| 22 | Toyota C-HR | 1,970 | 1.4% | + 12.8% | 16 |
| 23 | BYD Seal U | 1,819 | 1.3% | + 240.6% | 17 |
| 24 | VW T-Cross | 1,616 | 1.1% | – 28.7% | 19 |
| 25 | Alfa Romeo Junior | 1,543 | 1.1% | + 10.1% | 46 |
| 26 | Kia Sportage | 1,528 | 1.1% | – 0.6% | 22 |
| 27 | MG 3 | 1,379 | 1.0% | + 19.2% | 35 |
| 28 | Kia Picanto | 1,365 | 1.0% | – 7.2% | 25 |
| 29 | Peugeot 2008 | 1,348 | 0.9% | – 23.8% | n/a |
| 30 | Hyundai Tucson | 1,305 | 0.9% | + 3.7% | 29 |
| 31 | Mercedes GLA | 1,275 | 0.9% | + 12.4% | 27 |
| 32 | Omoda 5 | 1,258 | 0.9% | new | 26 |
| 33 | Audi A3 | 1,182 | 0.8% | – 13.8% | 31 |
| 34 | BMW X3 | 1,167 | 0.8% | + 27.0% | n/a |
| 35 | Fiat 600 | 1,107 | 0.8% | – 32.9% | 33 |
| 36 | Ford Tourneo Courier | 1,090 | 0.8% | + 32.6% | n/a |
| 37 | Nissan Juke | 1,073 | 0.8% | – 24.3% | 50 |
| 38 | Fiat 500 | 1,059 | 0.7% | + 328.7% | n/a |
| 39 | Citroen C3 Aircross | 1,030 | 0.7% | n/a | n/a |
| 40 | Lancia Ypsilon | 1,027 | 0.7% | + 15.4% | n/a |
| 41 | Suzuki Swift | 951 | 0.7% | + 36.4% | 47 |
| 42 | Leapmotor T03 | 949 | 0.7% | + 520.3% | 8 |
| 43 | Audi A1 | 919 | 0.6% | – 4.8% | n/a |
| 44 | Skoda Kamiq | 875 | 0.6% | – 14.4% | n/a |
| 45 | Suzuki Vitara | 869 | 0.6% | – 11.8% | 39 |
| 46 | Mercedes A Class | 866 | 0.6% | + 119.8% | n/a |
| 47 | BYD Dolphin Surf | 856 | 0.6% | new | 24 |
| 48 | VW Golf | 856 | 0.6% | – 24.9% | 28 |
| 49 | Ford Kuga | 838 | 0.6% | – 9.8% | n/a |
| 50 | Audi Q5 | 832 | 0.6% | + 5.3% | 48 |
Source: UNRAE
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