Frank Miller
35 newsEditor
Frank Miller covers the automotive industry, transport and Spanish road regulation for RUSSPAIN.COM
35 latest articles by Frank Miller
Subaru opens Spanish reservations months before first deliveries
Subaru has opened reservations in Spain for the Solterra and Uncharted, with the E-Outback also included. EyeSight is standard across the range; first deliveries are due late in 2026, ahead of official sales in 2027.
KGM prices Spanish Torres range from €24,600
KGM’s Torres range starts at €24,600 in Spain, with hybrid and electric versions for buyers seeking a spacious SUV. The EVX pairs an 80.6 kWh LFP battery with a 207 hp motor and has a homologated combined range of 503 km.
Ford Almussafes turns 50 with five new vehicles planned
Ford Almussafes turns 50 as the company plans five new vehicles for the Valencia plant from 2028. The proposed additions would join Kuga production at a factory that has built 10 million vehicles.
Floods kill at least two in eastern Spain
At least two people have died after torrential rain caused flooding in eastern Spain. Footage shows submerged cars near Alicante as rescue teams evacuate residents and campsite guests in the Valencian Community.
Floodwater traps Oliva residents as rescue teams respond
Emergency crews in Oliva were handling rescue calls after hours of rain flooded the municipality. The mayor urged residents to avoid unnecessary journeys as conditions eased only slightly.
Storm Adam floods Els Poblets as Girona and Vernisa overflow
Floodwater trapped people as the Girona and Vernisa overflowed during Storm Adam. Els Poblets urged residents to stay off flooded routes while crews cleared debris from a bridge.
Twelve-Vehicle Crash Closes A-8 Near Gijón
A chain collision on the Somonte viaduct shut the A-8 towards Galicia for more than an hour. Two people suffered minor smoke inhalation injuries.
Women move into top jobs at Spain's carmakers
Zineb Ghout became the first woman to lead an automotive group in Spain. Elena Burguete is due to take charge of Ford Iberia on 1 December, joining four other women already heading major brands in the region.
Catarroja drivers move cars to higher ground as alerts continue
AEMET extended red alerts overnight as Storm Adam brought another night of severe-rain warnings. The Balearic Islands remain under red alert, with Alicante and Valencia also facing warnings.
Australia’s three-door Jimny Heritage run ends with 300 automatics
Suzuki Australia has priced its final three-door Jimny Heritage batch at A$42,490 drive-away. Spain gets no allocation, and Suzuki has no plan to adapt the model for European rules.
Toyota Sees a Hydrogen Opening in Spain
Toyota says Spain could host hydrogen projects, but vehicles alone will not build a market. Yoshihiro Nakata says affordable fuel and refuelling infrastructure depend on a wider supply chain.
Spain may start issuing P-series plates by early 2027
The DGT has reached the NSX series, putting P plates in view for late 2026 or early 2027 if registrations keep moving at the current pace. The format omits vowels and bars Ñ and Q.
Guardia Civil arrests five over 40 converter thefts
Investigators linked a Madrid-region group to catalytic-converter thefts across several provinces. Five men were arrested in Mejorada del Campo, with 40 property offences attributed to the group.
GAC sets Aion UT Cross for Spain in 2027
GAC unveiled the Aion UT Cross at the 2026 Paris motor show, claiming a 400 km WLTP range. A Spanish launch is expected in 2027, while pricing remains unconfirmed and is estimated at around €33,000.
Omoda names Ana Mena ambassador in Spain
The Malaga-born singer will represent Omoda in Spain. The partnership will draw on her early ambitions and career choices as the carmaker courts younger buyers.
Alfa Romeo turns away from retro styling
Design chief Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos says Alfa Romeo’s heritage gives it a cultural distinction Chinese rivals cannot easily match. The Cuorerosso points to modern future models, not a retro revival.
Spain’s V-27 warning reaches compatible connected cars
Spain’s V-27 sends road-hazard warnings through DGT 3.0 to compatible connected cars. Drivers do not install a separate device.
Senate commits €1.37m to overhaul its car park
The Senate has awarded a €1.37 million contract for an eight-month car-park overhaul. The work will add charging points for staff and senators and replace obsolete fluorescent lighting.
Voge Leads Spain’s 33,489 Trail-Bike Registrations
Trail bikes recorded 33,489 Spanish registrations through August 2026, up 39.1% year on year. Chinese brands supplied six of the ten best-sellers, while Voge’s DS 800 Rally became Spain’s top-selling geared motorcycle.
XPENG opens Spain orders for L03 range-extender SUV
Orders have opened in Spain for XPENG’s L03 PowerX Long Range. It is rated for 215km on battery power and 1,017km combined under WLTP.
Kia cuts XCeed entry price to €19,860 as PHEV exits
The refreshed XCeed gets new styling and a dual-screen cabin. Campaigns lower its Spanish starting price to €19,860, but the regular tariff is much higher and the plug-in hybrid is gone.
Cupra Raval Gets an ABT Styling Pack
Cupra and ABT have unveiled a styling pack for selected Raval versions, with dark bodywork details and 19-inch wheels. Factory orders and dealer retrofits are due from late November 2026.
Spain plans eight motorway fuel and charging hubs
The government has earmarked €612 million for eight large motorway service areas. Each would combine fuel facilities with ultra-fast EV chargers under 20- or 25-year concessions.
Ford names Elena Burguete to lead Spain from 1 December
Ford will hand its Iberian operation to Elena Burguete on 1 December 2026. The appointment comes as Geely takes a 34% stake in Almussafes, where its first vehicles are expected in 2028.
Team Cantabria earns Greenpower efficiency distinction
Greenpower España recognised the IES Montesclaros entry for covering the greatest distance on one battery charge. Team Cantabria now prepares for the season’s final race in Cartagena.
Used-car values need real sales, EVs need battery checks
At its 8 October meeting, GANVAM Jurídico examined why completed transactions offer a stronger basis for used-car valuations than online asking prices. For electric cars, battery condition can make a decisive difference.
Fiat offers the Pandina for €99 a month on finance
Fiat’s financing plan puts the Pandina at €99 a month. The 65 hp mild hybrid carries Spain’s ECO label and costs €12,001.84 to buy outright.
Why Spain’s top mechanic would buy a Japanese plug-in hybrid
Javier Sendín says he would choose a Japanese plug-in hybrid if forced to buy a new car. The 2023 Spanish mechanic of the year says repair and maintenance costs put him off upgrading.
Spain Classic Raid brings 170 teams to Soria
The Spain Classic Raid reaches Soria on 21 October in its largest edition yet. The cars head for Logroño the next morning as the eight-day route passes 2,000 kilometres.
Flood destroys more than 113 film cars in Granollers
The Congost flooded Expomotor’s Granollers warehouse with more than 1.2 metres of water, wrecking over 113 vehicles. The company is seeking spare parts and mechanics as it assesses the damage.
Stellantis weighs Leapmotor production at more European plants
Stellantis is considering more European sites for Leapmotor production. In Spain, Zaragoza and Madrid have confirmed roles, while Vigo will continue building a van for Europe.
Spain Allows Sleeping in a Car, Subject to Local Rules
Sleeping in a properly parked car is legal in Spain. Local rules may restrict overnight stays, and outdoor equipment can turn a stop into camping.
Málaga manager drives 220 km to reach restaurant job
A restaurant manager in Málaga province drives 220 km each working day because coastal housing is unaffordable. Her 48,400 km annual commute brings heavy fuel and vehicle costs.
Avatr targets Spain for a six-model rollout from 2027
Avatr expects to enter Spain in the first half of 2027, then introduce six models over three years. The 06T and 07L are first in line, with European service support also planned.
AITO targets Europe in 2027 with a 1,474km SUV
Huawei-linked AITO plans to enter Europe in autumn 2027, with four SUV lines in view. Spain could be a market, but the company has not said where it will sell its vehicles.
