Other Vulnerable Vehicles - 30 May 2023

Motoring Podcast - News Show

CAR CRIME DRAMATICALLY RISES

2022 saw a rise of 25% in stolen vehicles, on the previous twelve months. Items stolen from vehicles also rose. Figures are expected to be higher as Devon and Cornwall Police could not provide statistics. Relay theft is being cited as part of the problem, but we know, thanks to Ken Tindell and Ian Tabor there is a new way some cars are being stolen, click here to learn more on that technique from Ken. Click this link, from Motoring Research, to read more about the rise in car crime.

DEALERSHIP PRICE CLAIMS MISLEADING IN RULING

The Advertising Standards Agency has ruled that pricing a car for only five days, then reducing that price and then claiming there will be a saving for the consumer is misleading. Marshall Motor Group did this and have been censured by the ASA as a result. Five days does not set any reference for the price, according to the ruling. Click here to read more from AMOnline and the wider implications to the industry.

CHARGEPLACE SCOTLAND TO BE PRIVATISED

As demand for the service and the need to upgrade the network takes its toll on Chargeplace Scotland, the news that it will now be managed by private contractors is not surprising. The Scottish Government has stated it cannot afford to back it anymore. To read more, click this Autocar article here.

DEVON OPENS NEW 16 CHARGER EV SITE

For the thousands that invade the South West every holiday there is good news if you drive an EV as a new site has opened to charge at. Buckfastleigh, just off the A38 between Exeter and Plymouth. 16 ultra rapid charge points, including two with extra long bays for bigger vehicles or those towing something are now open to the public. Click this BBC News article to learn more.

EV GRITTER LORRY LAUNCHED

Econ Engineering has launched their electric gritter lorry in the UK. But that is not all, thanks to the clever adaptability of their Electric Quick Change Body (E-QCB) system, the lorry can be used for a variety of roles throughout the year. You can find out more, by clicking this electrive.com article link.

TESLA DATA LEAK AND ADAS COMPLAINTS

A huge data leak, from Tesla - which the company blamed on a disgruntled employee, has revealed two things. First, Tesla will be investigated by data control authorities, as a huge amount of customer and employee information being accessed and taken. Secondly, the data leak also showed that there have been a huge amount of complaints over ‘Autopilot’ and its capabilities. To read more, click this link from The Guardian.

POLICE WORK WITH GEORGE’S CAR MEDIA TO PROMOTE SAFETY

Devon and Cornwall Police are working with George’s Car Media to promote safe and legal practices for modifying cars. Using TikTok they are reaching a younger audience, which put requests to change an aspect of a Ford Focus the channel uses to show how to modify correctly. You can learn more, by clicking this BBC News article link.

This is the link to the Performance Automotive Aftermarket Association, which Andrew and Alan could not remember!

NURSE’S STOLEN CLASSIC MINI RECOVERED

Thanks to a campaign on social media, fronted by Paul Woodford, a nurse’s classic Mini, which was stolen from her work car park, was recovered by police. Congratulations to all who were involved, showing us the good side of Twitter. Click this BBC News link here, for more.

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NEW NEW CAR NEWS -

Aston Martin DB12

The first Lance Stroll-era Aston was revealed, the new DB12. A new look, fresh and improved interior and technology. Clearly a modern Aston, when you look at it, even with its fussy front end that is less well resolved than the rest of the car. Also, there is no V12, which seems to have upset a few, but then AMG don’t do a V12 anymore, so V8 it is. Prices start at £185,000, which feels right for this sort of car. Click this EVO link to read more.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The new E-Class was shown to us all last week. As expected, for the car and Mercedes, the exterior looks are ‘evolutionary’ rather than ‘revolutionary’. Inside they’ve thrown as many screens as they can for the front driver and passenger, although the car will disengage video playing apps and the likes once the car gets moving, in an attempt not to distract the driver. The car will come with hybrid and ICE powertrains. To read more, click this link to a Car Scoops article.

BMW 5 Series

In an attempt not to be outdone, BMW took the wraps off their new 5-Series and all electric version, the i5. The design is very much in the mould of current BMWs, that is to say a mess. Too fussy, too out of proportion and we haven’t even mentioned the front end that already looks like its been crashed. To read more about the car, the powertrain options and such like click this Top Gear link.

BMW has embraced the ‘living room on wheels’ ethos with the 5-Series too, cramming tech in to help keep the occupants occupied whilst waiting for the i5 to charge. However, they, like the rest of the industry, seems to have missed that we all have an entertainment device in our pockets that are better plus the demographic is not one who loves a bit of TikTok or selfie cams. Click this Autoevolution link to see more about the silliness being deployed.

BMW also revealed they will be bringing their Highway Assistant tech to the UK next year. This is a hands-off, eyes-on system similar to the one Ford announced a few weeks ago. Andrew finally got to explain why this is a bad, as he stepped onto the Ledge of Fury™ to lambast the car industry, the regulators and the insurance industry for even considering this, let alone allowing it. To read more, click this Autocar article link.

Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall are not resting on their laurels when it comes to the Corsa, even though it is sitting at the top of the most registered chart for 2023, so far. They have shown us the new look for the Corsa, that incorporates the ‘Vizor’ grille, we first saw on the Astra. Underneath it shares the updated Peugeot 208 architecture and technology. That will see a 255 mile range for the EV version, as well as multiple ICE and hybrid options. Prices expected to start between the current £18,015 and £20,000 for the new entry level ICE version and more than the existing £31,931 for the new longer ranged EV. You can find out more, by clicking this Autocar article link here.

DESIGNERS MOOD BOARD: ROBIN PAGE IS BENTLEY’S DESIGN DIRECTOR

Following the surprise by Volvo to appoint Jeremy Offer in Robin Page’s role, the Brit is returning to Bentley as their new Design Director. He previously was the head of interior design between 2001 and 2013. The general consensus, by the design community, is that this is a good more. Click here for the Auto&Design article, to read more.

LUNCHTIME READ: TRACING THE ORIGINS OF ONE OF THE GREAT EARLY RACING PHOTOGRAPHS

Kevin McCauley fell down a rabbit hole when he started to looking into who took the famous photo titled “John Cobb drives the Napier-Railton on a record run at Brooklands”. Click this link to find out how his search went and also to see a short video of him explaining what went on.

LIST OF THE WEEK: ELEVN OF THE BEST CAR GAME COVER CARS

Goodwood Road & Racing brings us their suggestions for the best car games cover cars. You’ll take a trip down memory lane when you have a look. Do you agree with Alan’s choice? Do let the chaps know. You can see the options by clicking this link here.

AND FINALLY: 1000 DAYS OF TOY CAR PHOTOS FROM AROUND THE UK

A daily photo task, which took off during lockdown, where Ross Burns photographed his son’s toy cars in locations around the UK has clocked up over 1,000 days and counting. There are some fabulous settings and compositions, click this BBC News article link to learn more and how to follow Ross on Instagram.