European new-car registrations increased 5.3% in the first eight months of 2026, and the shift in powertrains is continuing toward low- and zero-emissions vehicles, according to data collected by the european Automobile Manufacturers’ Association. Battery-electric vehicles accounted for 21.7% of new EU registrations, up from 15.8% a year earlier, while hybrids took 36.6%. Plug-in hybrids added another 10%. Together, electrified vehicles now dominate new-car sales, while the combined share...

Lubricant prices in Bangladesh have risen sharply this year as disruptions in the Middle East push up base oil, freight and insurance costs. Some products are now as much as 70% more expensive, according to industry representatives. Engine oils and transmission fluids have risen in price at retail outlets, adding to motorists’ costs alongside higher domestic fuel prices. Industry officials said the lubricant increases are not directly linked to the government’s fuel-price adjustments but ref...

Lucas Oil Names Furgiuele as COO Lucas Oil has promoted Naomi Furgiuele to chief operating officer, effective immediately. She will oversee manufacturing, customer service, information technology and supply chain operations. Furgiuele joined Lucas Oil in early 2024 as senior product manager and was promoted to vice president of product development later that year and chief product officer less than a year later. She has more than 20 years of experience in product development, innovation and busi...

Evonik has rejected rival BASF’s reported €10.3 billion (U.S.$11.7 billion) takeover offer, according to press reports. It has been less than a week since the two German chemical companies confirmed BASF had approached Evonik about a potential acquisition. BASF confirmed Sept. 25 that it was in exploratory talks with Evonik and RAG-Stiftung, which holds 43.8% of Evonik’s shares. Germany’s chemical industry is going through a rough patch, with high energy and raw-material costs, weak sale...

Costco’s steep increase in the price of its Kirkland-branded engine oil in the United States oil brought to the public eye a lubricant supply problem that industry insiders had been tracking for months. The price hike was a shock from a retailer known for keeping prices low.