Motoring Podcast - News Show

FOLLOW UP: EU CONSIDERING RETROACTIVE TARIFFS ON CHINESE EVS The investigation, by the European Union, into if China subsidises the homegrown EV makers has, within an interim report, stated there is enough evidence to show there is unfair assistance. On top of this, imports have increased 14% since the investigation began. The fear is, if the rate of increase continues it will cause harm to the Eu...

FOLLOW UP: AGENCY MODEL CLARIFICATION Thank you to all who responded to Andrew’s request for more information on how the agency model works for car retails. We can now confirm, the query about who carries the financial liability, does in fact lie with the manufacturers now. To see who is moving to this model, click this link to an Auto Retail Network article . FEBRUARY 2024 NEW CAR REGISTRATION FI...

FOLLOW UP: VOLVO TO SELL SHARES IN POLESTAR We begin to get the answer of what difference Volvo cutting funding will mean to their Polestar relationship, as they look to offload a large portion of the shares they hold. The plan is to drop from 48% of shares down to 18%. For more information, click this electrive article link here . STELLANTIS TO CONVERT LUTON PLANT FOR EV VANS Stellantis has confi...

FOLLOW UP: CRUISE APPOINTS FIRST EVER SAFETY OFFICER In a move that should have more people stunned, Cruise has announced their first every safety officer. Steve Kenner has worked at a number of places in the autonomous vehicle industry. Louise Zhang, who is a VP of safety and systems will remain in her role. Astonishingly. If you wish to learn more, click this TechCrunch link here . FOLLOW UP: FR...

FOLLOW UP: ARRIVAL GOES INTO ADMINISTRATION The inevitable has happened at Arrival and the company has brought in receivers to try and sell on the company assets. Last year they announced they were focusing only on their large van, but this has not been produced. Claims of macroeconomic conditions have been laughed at, following the revelations of management and how the business was run. If you wi...

FOLLOW UP: PARIS VOTES TO CHARGE EXTRA FOR HEAVY CARS Just under six percent of eligible Parisians voted on charging extra for non resident parking permitted heavier vehicles, with 54.6% voting for this. Therefore, internal combustion engined cars (ICE) weighing over 1.6 tonnes and electric vehicles weighing over 2 tonnes, will be charged extra. Click here to read a misleadingly headlined article...

FOLLOW UP: CRUISE’S ACCIDENT FAILURES ARE WORSE THAN GUESSED The ‘independent’ review by a legal firm employed by both GM and Cruise has produced their first report into the incident where a pedestrian who was knocked into the path of a driverless taxi was hit and dragged by the car. They try to claim that no one really meant to deceive the regulators and it was the internet that prevented them fr...

FOLLOW UP: VW AND GERMAN GOV LOSE ENGINE FIX FIGHT A German environmental group has won its court case against the Volkswagen Group and the German Government for allowing the use of thermal windows in engine emissions, for the last eight years. Whilst the regulator allowed it the court ruled they should not have. You can learn more by clicking this electrive article link here . FOLLOW UP: CMA WINS...

FOLLOW UP: CAR MAKERS LOBBIED AGAINST INCENTIVES FOR SMALL EVS In the consultation over the introduction of the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, which came into force on 1 January 2024, documents have revealed that some manufacturers fought against rules that encouraged more efficient, smaller and lighter vehicles. Not a great look for the car industry. If you wish to learn more, click this Au...

FOLLOW UP: RIFTER NOT BERLINGO, BAD ANDREW During the Year of unintended consequences - 19 December 2023 episode , Andrew stated that Alex Grant has an e-Berlingo, which is incorrect. Alex has the more stylish e-Rifter, which shares a lot of the platform but is not the same. Apologies Alex, Andrew has been suitably chastised for his error. FOLLOW UP: WELSH 20MPH LIMIT TO NOW BE ENFORCED The Welsh...

In this episode, Alan talks all about his 2019 Lexus GX460 Premium. Since this was recorded, the replacement GX550 has been announced, and Alan has taken it on a 5,000-mile road trip to Wyoming and back. The 4.6 litre V8 has become more efficient over time; it’s underlined its ability to remain very comfortable for long periods of time, and, sadly, it still looks like Predator chewing a wasp.

Follow Up: RULES OF ORIGIN DELAY AGREED Leaving it until almost the last moment, the EU and UK have agreed to delay implementing the rules of origin legislation, which would’ve hit car makers in both Europe and Blighty. This was expected to happen and there was an almost audible sigh of relief from the car industry. You can find out more on this, by clicking the link here from Autocar . MCLAREN SH...

Follow Up: CRUISE FIRE NINE EXECS IN ACCIDENT AFTERMATH Following the internal investigation by GM, into the incident where a pedestrian was dragged by a Cruise driverless vehicle, nine executives from the company have been sacked. Departments affected include Legal, Government Affairs, Commercial Operations and Safety and Systems. On top of that General Motors has stated that it is cutting 900 st...

Follow Up - EU and UK Agree to 3-Year Rules of Origin Delay UK and EU politicians have agreed to delay the introduction of EV Rules of Origin by three years— more details in this Autocar story. Follow-Up - Tesla Vs. Nordic Unions - Unions Ahead Tesla continues to rebuff cooperation with Nordic unions, making life hard for Tesla. T he Guardian covers this in more detail in the story linked here . N...

Follow Up - Volta Trucks Saved by Venture Existing Backers UK-based Volta Trucks has been saved by a venture capital fund that had previously invested them. There’s more about this in the Autocar story linked here . Follow-Up - Welsh Speed Limit Changes Cause Consternation Some roads in Wales are now subject to many more changes of speed limit than before. T his BBC story highlights one extreme ex...

NISSAN TO INVEST FURTHER IN SUNDERLAND PLANT Nissan is investing a further £2 billion in their Sunderland facilities, with the confirmation that the next generation Qashqai and Juke, both to be electric only, will be built alongside the Leaf. If you wish to learn more, click this Autocar link here . HYUNDAI BRINGS GENESIS OPERATION IN HOUSE Hyundai UK is brining the administrative operations of th...

FOLLOW UP: BRITISHVOLT OWNER SERVED NOTICE ON UNPAID WAGES An ex employee has served a legal notice on Recharge Industries, the “owner” of the failed battery manufacturer Britishvolt, for unpaid wages. If the money is not forthcoming, the firm could be pursued further with bankruptcy proceedings being an option. Click this link to read more from The Guardian . FOLLOW UP: CRUISE HALTS ALL OPERATION...

FOLLOW UP: RENAULT FINALLY CREATES AMPERE Renault has finally announced the creation of Ampere, the new division responsible for developing their EVs, circular economy and software for the Group. At the time of recording there was no mention of the IPO that was discussed when first announcing the entity. Click this electrive article to read more . FOLLOW UP: RIVIAN ENDS EXCLUSIVITY DEAL WITH AMAZO...

FOLLOW UP: BRITISHVOLT STAFF NOT PAID FOR MONTHS Recharge Industries, the company that has bought Britishvolt, although not finalised payment yet, has not paid UK staff for the last four months. Once again, the poor staff let down by management. If you would like to read more, including how much belief employees have in the assurances given, click this BBC News article link here . FOLLOW UP: JLR P...

FOLLOW UP: CRUISE PAUSES DRIVERLESS TAXI SERVICE Both Califoria’s Department for Motor Vehicles and Public Utilities Commission have revoked Cruise’s license to carry fee paying passengers in their robotaxis. Cruise, following this, has “paused” the operation of their fleet. This all stems from an incident on 2 October 2023, where a car driven by a human hit a pedestrian and they were knocked into...

JAPAN MOBILITY SHOW 2023 Alan and Andrew are rounding up the motoring element of the Japan Mobility Show 2023, which is the replacement for the Tokyo Motor Show. The organisers have expanded the remit and potential audience. There are stands about everything from wheelchairs to private jets and all things between. TINY CARS As this is Japan you can imagine just how many tiny and kei cars there wer...

CALLS FOR RULES OF ORIGIN AGREEMENT STRENGTHENED The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has reinforced its call for an agreement to be reached between the EU and UK over rules of origin delay. The SMMT has outlined what the average price increase would be for vehicles coming into or out of the UK and EU. You can read more about the potential impact by clicking this link to an SMMT article...

DOJ CHARGES EBAY OVER ROLLING COAL DEVICE SELLING The Department of Justice (DOJ) in the US, has taken eBay to court over allowing ‘rolling coal’ devices to be sold on the platform. These manipulate the control of engines and allow for huge plumes of black smoke to be emitted by vehicles. eBay says it cut so many out and does all it can. The fine, if found guilty would be a maximum in the region o...

FOLLOW UP: CHINA UNHAPPY AT EU SUBSIDY PROBE In a move that should surprise no one, China has complained about the process and speed of the EU’s investigation into the possibility of state backed subsidies for Chinese EV makers. Click here to read the Reuters article with plenty of quotes from China making it clear there will be ramifications. FOLLOW UP: PENDRAGON SUITERS DOWN TO TWO The Hedin Pen...

FOLLOW UP: ZEV MANDATE FINALLY ANNOUNCED The Government has finally published the details of the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate. As we discussed last week the expected percentage minimums of zero emission vehicles sold per brand have remained from the consultation. However, there is no additional detail from 2030 to 2035 except there being no new internal combustion engines sold from 2035. Click he...