Car News Daily: Europe's EV Surge, Kia's History-Making Wins, and a 330-HP KTM Buggy

A quick roundup of the most interesting stories from the automotive world over the last 24 hours — from a genuine EV sales inflection point to some wild new machines.

📈 Europe's electric car sales jump 49% as global EV sales grow

The headline of the day is data, and it's a big one. Global EV sales climbed 8% in October, led by a 49% jump in European battery-electric vehicle sales. The more surprising stat: North America posted its first year-over-year increase of 2026 — though Electrek notes the rebound comes with caveats. After a year of flattening demand and policy whiplash, October suggests the EV market is finding its footing again, with Europe clearly doing the heavy lifting. (Electrek)

🏆 Kia makes history at Germany's Golden Steering Wheel Awards

Kia became the first non-European brand ever to score a hat trick at the 2026 Golden Steering Wheel Awards, Germany's most prestigious auto honors. For a brand that spent two decades fighting an uphill reputation battle, sweeping Europe's toughest awards is arguably the strongest validation a carmaker can get — and a signal that the Korean automakers have fully closed the quality gap with their German rivals. (Electrek)

🏜️ KTM reveals a 330-HP X-Bow side-by-side with an Audi engine

Proof that the high-performance off-road segment is getting seriously unhinged: KTM's new Arrow SXS puts a 330-hp turbocharged Audi four-cylinder into a light chassis with long-travel suspension built for endless Baja-style runs. A rowdy turbo four in a featherweight buggy — this thing exists, and someone is going to buy it. (Car and Driver)

🚙 Ford Expedition Tremor: Project Overland asks "what if?"

Ford's design studio built an overlanding-ready Expedition based on what real customers actually want — roof-top tent, gear storage, off-road hardware. You can't buy it (at least not yet), but concepts like this are how Ford gauges demand for future production trail rig variants. Watch this space. (Car and Driver)

⚡ BYD's "Cloud Carriage" body control tech

BYD demoed its new intelligent body control system on a Camry-sized EV that rides like something far more expensive — active suspension reading the road ahead. Chinese automakers keep turning commodity EVs into tech showcases, which raises the bar everywhere else. (Electrek)

Takeaway

October's EV numbers are the story to watch: Europe accelerating, North America finally turning positive year-over-year, and global sales growing again. Meanwhile brands like Kia and BYD keep closing — and in some cases leapfrogging — the traditional European benchmarks. The competitive landscape in 2027 will look very different from 2025, and these data points say it's arriving faster than expected.

Sources: Car and Driver, Electrek, Road & Track — compiled 2026-11-12.