The Automotive Update: Europe’s used-car knife-edge and automotive job cuts
14 November 2025
Which European used-car markets are balanced on a knife-edge as 2025 nears its end? Why is Nissan cutting jobs? Plus, Toyota’s commitment to the US. Autovista24 journalist Tom Hooker examines all this and more in The Automotive Update podcast.
In this episode analysing the week’s automotive headlines, Autovista24 examines the growth and powertrain split of Europe’s biggest used-car markets. Plus, more details on Volkswagen (VW) Group and Rivian’s joint venture. Then, an update on international trade developments.
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Used-car analysis
Each of Europe’s big-five automotive markets saw used-car volumes improve in the fourth quarter of the year. France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK entered the final quarter of 2025 with growth between January and September. But two markets are balanced on a knife-edge.
Spain led with a 7.4% rise in used-car transactions between July and September, according to Autovista24 calculations of available data. Italy followed with a 6.2% increase. The UK saw 2.8% growth in transactions, while sales in Germany rose by 1%. France saw a modest 0.6% volume growth.
But Germany and France need to be cautious. Between January and September, the French used-car market was only up by 0.8% year on year. In terms of growth, Germany was the worst-performing of the big five. It saw a 0.5% rise compared to the first nine months of 2024.
There were also clear powertrain trends, with internal-combustion engine (ICE) models still dominating used-car transactions. Unlike new-car markets, both diesel and petrol cars hold a dominant position, even as supplies start to slow.
Job cuts at Nissan
Japanese carmaker Nissan will cut 87 jobs at its European regional office in France, according to Reuters.
This is the latest in a string of cost-cutting and restructuring measures made by the carmaker’s CEO, Ivan Espinosa. The brand is aiming to return to profitability.
The carmaker is targeting a 15% cut in its workforce. It is also planning to reduce its global production capacity by nearly 30% to 2.5 million vehicles.
Toyota’s automotive investment
Toyota will invest up to $10 billion (€8.6 billion) in the US over the next five years.
The carmaker has also begun production at its battery manufacturing plant in North Carolina. This marks an investment of nearly $14 billion and the creation of up to 5,100 new jobs.
Batteries from the facility are set to power a new, three-row battery-electric vehicle, among other models, according to Reuters.
Joint venture
VW Group plans to invest up to $5.8 billion in its new joint venture with Rivian by 2027. Called RV Tech, the two brands will be working to develop an architecture for software-defined vehicles.
This platform will be tested on VW Group vehicles in the first quarter of 2026. It will then be deployed in the carmaker’s upcoming electric vehicles as they launch. The first of these is expected to be the VW ID.Every1, scheduled to come to market in 2027.
Rivian will use the technologies created for its R2 model, launching in the first half of 2026. According to Reuters, VW Group could use the technology in ICE models at a later date.
Rethink needed on automotive emissions?
The EU needs to defend its automotive industry from Chinese competition. This is according to Stéphane Séjourné, executive vice-president for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy of the European Commission.
These measures would also require a reassessment of the EU’s 2035 zero-emission targets for new cars and vans, Reuters reports. The bloc could also consider diversifying its exports, setting new rules to safeguard European production.
Séjourné told Italian newspaper La Stampa that ‘if we do not intervene, in 10 years the cars produced and sold in Europe will fall from 13 million to nine million.’ The EU is expected to review the zero-emission targets by the end of this year.
Meanwhile, the US and China have suspended port fees on ships from each country for one year, according to Bloomberg Law. This comes as Reuters reported that General Motors has directed thousands of its suppliers to pull their parts supply chains from China.
