The Old Bait And Switch - 15 October 2024

Motoring Podcast - News Show

FOLLOW UP: EU vs Chinese EVs

The European Commission has approved tariffs on Chinese EVs. There are a number of stories behind this:

• European Commission Approves Tariffs On Chinese EVS - Autocar
• EU Rejects Chna’s Proposal for €30,000 minimum price - electrive.com
• Why EU rejected China's compromise on EV tariffs - Automotive News Europe
• JLR encourages further talks in plea to avoid EU-China tariff war - Autocar
• EU-China EV dispute: Beijing retaliates with levy on French brandy - Automotive News Europe

FOLLOW UP: DIESELGATE - Winterkorn’s Trial Moved AGain

The trial for ex. Volkswagen Group CEO Martin Winterkorn, has been delayed due to his current ill health. A new timeline is being planned and will be announced in due course. Click this Automotive News Europe article for more.

FOLLOW UP: FIAT 500E PRODUCTION PAUSED FOR LONGER

Fiat has announced that the current pause in production of the 500e will continue for longer, which the company claims is down to the low demand for EVs. Or is it the reduced demand for the 500e? To read more on this, click here for an Autocar article.

SEPTEMBER NEW CAR REGISTRATION FIGURES

SMMT has released the new car registration figures for September. The overall figures are still down significantly on the Before Times, pre-Covid. There has been a lot of things said and written about these which require more than surface level analysis that has occurred. EV numbers were once again good.

But the SMMT is leaning heavily into calling for Government assistance for Private consumers. Which rather counters all the claims that cost is not a driving factor in the growth of EVs not being as fast and large as many expected and hoped. If you wish to learn more, click this SMMT link here. You can also see more on the industry’s calls for help, click this link from The Guardian.

SEVERAL COMPANIES ISSUE PROFIT WARNINGS

In the past few weeks several car brands have issued warnings on their expected profits. Mercedes, Stellantis, Aston Martin, BMW and Volkswagen for a second time. More can be found on all of that by clicking this Reuters article link here.

CARLOS TAVARES TO STEP DOWN IN 2026

Carlos Tavares, the CEO of Stellantis with a penchant for cutting costs, is set to step down from the company in 2026. The job of finding a successor has begun. Also, it was announced that all brand futures would be considered and confirmed on two to three years, which leaves it a job for the new boss. The rest of the management structure is also going to be ‘shaken up’. For further reading, click this Autocar article link here.

STELLANTIS GET SPANISH MONEY FOR BATTERY FACTORY

The Spanish Government has given Stellantis and CATL a grant to build their battery factory in the country. Stellantis has yet to decide if they will build their next EV in Spain, but this may help. Click this Automotive News Europe article link here.

NORTHVOLT SUBSIDIARY PLACED IN RECEIVERSHIP

Northvolt, the Swedish car battery maker, has put the subsidiary Ett Expansion AB into receivership following the cancellation of the expansion project they were controlling. To read more, click this Automotive News Europe article link here.

BREMBO BUYS SUSPENSION SPECIALIST

Brembo, the brake maker, has agreed to buy Ohlins Racing for $405 million. This does seem like a sensible amalgamation as the parts are close to each other on the car. Click this Reuters article link to read more.

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NEW NEW CAR NEWS -

Kia electric Pride

Kia has revealed a retro mod or adaptation of a 1996 Pride being fitted with an EV drivetrain. What a fun thing to have done! Click this Autocar article link for more.

Vauxhall’s electric Astra and Corsa get price cuts

Vauxhall has announced that they are cutting the price of electric Corsa and Astra models. In the announcement, the perception of the brand and the costs of their EV was discussed (again popping the nonsense about how price isn’t a stumbling block for EV adoption). Click this Autocar link to see what the reductions are.

Caterham Project V to use Yamaha powertrain

Caterham has announced that they have partnered up with Yamaha to produce the electric powertrain for the Project V due out in the “coming years’. You can read more by clicking this Autocar article link here.

LUNCHTIME watch: rustival 2 report

Thanks to Ian, at HubNut, we are recommending his report on the second Rustival event where all cars are welcome. Continuing the vibe of everyone just enjoying cars and not being snobs we are treated to over an hour of this wonderful event. There are others on YouTube who have covered this, which you should go seek out, after clicking and watching this link here.

LIST OF THE WEEK: GREATEST SUPERCARS NEVER MADE

Autocar being us another slideshow, this time covering cars we all wanted but never made it to production for one reason or another. Do you agree with Alan’s choice? Don’t forget to tell him what you would have from the many options. Click here to see what is on offer.

AND FINALLY: WHEN FORZA ADDS YOUR CAR TO THE GAME

The Drive brings us an article on what happens and what it feels like when the Xbox racing game, Forza Motorsport decide to add your car to the game. Click this link here to read about that.