According to Xinhua News Agency, data recently released by the Netherlands' National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that the total number of passenger cars in the Netherlands reached approximately 9.4 million units at the beginning of 2026, up nearly 2% from a year earlier, with nearly all of the increase attributable to electrified car models. Currently, the number of fully or partially electric-powered vehicles in the Netherlands has exceeded 2 million units, up nearly 6% from a year earlier, accounting for about one-fifth of total automobile ownership.

SMM News: As of March 20, 2026, the market price for Praseodymium-Neodymium (Pr-Nd) metal in China stabilized temporarily at 890,000–910,000 RMB/ton. This article utilizes the SMM Pr-Nd Terminal Demand Calculation Model to dissect the demand logic for 2026 across three core sectors—New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles, and Wind Power—explaining the current supply-demand dilemma facing the NdFeB magnet and broader Pr-Nd markets.

Shanghai Yangpu District launched the first batch of 2026 auto consumption voucher activities on February 26. The total activity fund was 10 million yuan. Car purchasers needed to buy fuel or new energy passenger cars meeting China 6b emission standards from designated auto retail enterprises in Yangpu District and complete vehicle registration procedures with Shanghai's public security traffic management department. The vouchers were divided into two tiers: for car prices between 100,000 and 300,000 yuan, a 2,000-yuan voucher could be claimed; for prices above 300,000 yuan, a 3,000-yuan voucher was available. The activity was expected to drive new auto sales to reach 900 million yuan, promoting local auto consumption and economic development.

According to precious metals and refinery services provider Heraeus, the gold price continues to show a consolidation phase. Following record highs at the end of December, the market is currently moving sideways within a clearly defined trading range rather than forming a pronounced upward or downward trend.

According to data from the Passenger Car Association, China's passenger vehicle retail market showed some changes in January this year. Total retail sales reached 1.544 million units, down 13.9% YoY. By segment, passenger NEV retail sales were 596,000 units, also declining, with a drop of 20%. However, in terms of exports, passenger NEVs demonstrated strong growth momentum. Exports in January reached 286,000 units, up 103.6% YoY, accounting for 49.6% of total passenger vehicle exports.

According to Reuters, the Indian government plans to soon introduce incentive measures to encourage companies to build lithium and nickel processing plants. India aims to raise electric vehicle penetration to 30% for passenger cars and 80% for two-wheelers by 2030, but currently remains highly dependent on China for mineral processing technology. Under the government proposal, India plans to offer capital subsidies of up to 15% for lithium and nickel processing projects launched on or after April 1, 2026. The incentives would be available for five years and subject to caps as well as sales and project scale thresholds. Minimum capacity requirements are set at 30,000 tonnes for lithium processing plants and 50,000 tonnes for nickel plants.