Communist Motoring News - 8 June 2021

Motoring Podcast - News Show

MAY 2021 SMMT NEW CAR REGISTRATIONS

As it is the beginning of the month, that means the chaps can run through the New Car Registration figures for May 2021. Due to the lockdown situation last year, the figures this year were always going to be better. Even so, there are some outstanding percentage increases. To find out more, click here for the SMMT article.

FIAT GO ELECTRIC ONLY FROM 2030

During a discussion about future mobility and urban areas, FIAT CEO Olivier Francois, stated that the brand would be all electric in 2030, starting the phasing out process from 2025. They are the latest bowing to the inevitable thanks to regulatory changes across the globe. To read more, click here for the Yes Auto article.

BUS DEPOT GOING ALL ELECTRIC

The First Bus depot in Glasgow is aiming to be the largest electric charging hub, in the country, once it finishes installing the required charging points for an all electric fleet of local buses. Public transport moving to zero emissions is vital if we are to clean up the air we breathe, as the bus strike in London a few years ago showed, as well as the pandemic. To read more, click the BBC News article here.

LONDON ULEZ CHECKER CAUSES CLASSIC CONFUSION

Those with MOT and VED exempt classic cars are finding that the Transport for London ULEZ checker is incorrectly stating their cars need to pay to enter the areas it covers. TfL has stated that they ill be making amendments to their system, but are unable to declare when that will be completed. To read more, click here for the Hagerty story.

GENEVA MOTOR SHOW ON THE 2022 CALENDAR

The new organisation running the Geneva Motor Show has confirmed it will be back in 2022, albeit in an improved format. Hoteliers have been the quickest to respond to that, cancelling bookings and putting the rooms available at twice the price, which is nice of them. There are scant details on how the event will be better, nor of any exhibitors yet. To find out more, click the Autocar story here.

FUEL PRICES RISE AGAIN

For the seventh month in a row, the price of petrol and diesel has risen. This time, price rises are out of step with the wholesale cost, as that is dropping. To read more, click the Motoring Research article here.

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WRC: RALLY ITALY

Once again, there was heartbreak and drama during the latest WRC event, this time in Italy. Hyundai and Ott Tänak must feel like they are cursed at the moment, with Sordo being also unlucky. Their misfortune was Toyota’s, erm, fortune, as Ogier and Evans came home in first and second, with Neuville once again rounding out the podium and gaining some respectability for the Korean outfit. M-Sport’s chances were over on the first day as both drivers had to retire. To read more, click the DirtFish review of the event here.

For Colin Clark’s driver ratings, click here.

For the What We Learned article, click here.

MISSION MOTORSPORT: RACE OF REMEMBRANCE 2021

Mission Motorsport has announced the Race of Remembrance will be taking place on the weekend of 12-14 November 2021. Not only will they be returning to Anglesey, but there will be an online iRacing event again, a karting event and the #YouRoR. To find out more, click the link to their article here.

As this episode is released, James Cameron and a Team from Mission Motorsport are attempting to break a record for driving a Renault Zoe the furthest on a single charge of electricity, wrestling the record back from a Frenchman, Pierre Desjardins, who has wished them all the very best of luck in a splendid show of support. To find out more, check out this thread from James by clicking here.

NEW NEW CAR NEWS

BMW i4 EV

BMW has now revealed the specs for the two versions of the i4 EV, which is based on the 4-series, but is fully electric. One neat feature is the washer fluid is refilled via the propeller badge on the front of the car. You will have already made up your mind on the looks, but the range possible will be either nearly 300 for the single motor one or 240 for the two motor M version. To read more, click the Jalopnik article here.

Kia Sportage

This is an incredibly important car to Kia, with the fully redesigned model taking cues from the EV6. The interior gets an upgrade too, in terms of looks and design, much more premium in feel. The price is expected to increase too. To find out more, click the Autocar article here.

LUNCHTIME READ: HOW TO CELEBRATE THE TOYOTA LANDCRUISER’S 70TH BIRTHDAY IN STYLE

Rowan Horncastle, for Top Gear, took a Toyota Landcruiser 70 across South Africa, to celebrate the model’s 70th birthday. To read about the adventure and the car, click the link here.

LIST OF THE WEEK: TOP 10 HYPERMILING TIPS

In case the Mission Motorsport Team need any extra tips during their record breaking attempt, our List of the Week is the Top 10 tips for hypermiling, Click the link here for the iDriveSafely article.

AND FINALLY: BOY’S HUBCAP REPLACEMENT CAMPAIGN

Thanks to the Smith and Sniff podcast, the subject of a hubcap replacement fairy came to notice, only for us all to find out there is a boy, in Gloucestershire, who is already doing it. He searches for hubcaps that have lost a car, cleans them up and if he sees a car without and he has the right type he fits it to the car, with a note to explain what is going on. What a wonderful thing to do. Well done Matthew! To find out more, click the BBC News story here.