The end is nigh - 27 August 2024

Motoring Podcast - News Show

WARNING ISSUED FOR UK NEW CAR MARKET

Cox Automotive, the automotive consultancy that helps those selling cars, has warned that the last quarter of 2024 will be very difficult for brands and dealers in the UK. They have gone so far as to liken the struggles they foresee as similar to those faced in the economic turmoil of the 2008 financial crash. To read more and get a better understanding of what is facing OEMs, click this Autocar article link here.

CATERHAM SEPARATES EV BUSINESS

Caterham has created a separate business that is focused on the EV side of things. Named Caterham Evo, it has been funded by investors as profits from the main business are not enough for the development. For more on this, click here to read the Autocar article.

FORD REVISING EV PLANS

Ford has announced it is canning a planned three-row large electric SUV, which will now be a hybrid, will pursue a mid-sized pick-up (that’s mid sized for the US, so think Ranger) and will refuse to launch an EV unless it can be profitable in the first 12 months, according to InsideEVs. This will add costs and delay product launches. Click here to read more.

COUNCILS TO DECIDE ON SPEED LIMITS AND LTNS

Louise Haigh, the new Transport Secretary, has stated that councils will decide if roads should be 20mph and if areas should be covered by Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTNs) schemes. However, she did say that the implementation or not, needs to involve the local communities. If you want to read more on this, click this Autocar article link here.

TOYOTA US DATA STOLEN

Toyota US has had data stolen and leaked. This data included customer, staff, financial, contracts and credentials. There is speculation that the information has come from a back up server as one date found, on the files, was December 2022. To find out more, click this Bleeping Computer link here.

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NEW NEW CAR NEWS -

Mazda EZ-6

Mazda unveiled the EZ-6 at a Chinese motor show, originally for that market, but is now coming to Europe with a chance it will be brought to the UK too. The design is the antidote to all the swooshes, slashes and dents that seem to be so very en vogue. Click this Autocar article link to read more.

Dongfeng Nammi Box

This car could come to Europe and is one of those that Dongfeng wish to build at the plant they say they’re going to open in Italy. B segment hatch, which takes visual cues from many others in the sector as well as the ‘no button’ interior typical of the Chinese market. Costing £19, 615 in China that price will be more due to tariffs. If you wish to learn more, click this Autocar article link here.

OLD CAR DEAD NEWS

Fiat 500 and Abarth 595

After 17 years (yes, that long) Fiat call time on the 500 and Abarth 595, in the UK. Click this Autocar link to read more on this decision.

Fiat Panda

Fiat are not done culling their lineup, the Panda will also be removed from sale in the UK despite the CEO saying there will be a ramping up of production due to local Italian increase in sales. You can read more, by clicking this Autocar link here.

Genesis G70 and GV80

Genesis are ceasing sales, in the UK, of the 3-series rival G70 and X5 competitor GV80. Both have not sold many recently and as the company moves to an electrified future the decision was probably easy to make. To find out more about this, click here for an Autocar article.

DESIGNERS MOOD BOARD: PHILIP RÖMERS TO HEAD POLESTAR DESIGN

Philip Römers will take over the role as head of Polestar design after Maximilian Missoni leaves the company. Römers is credited with the seventh generation Golf, the outgoing Audi A6 and the Audi e-tron. Click this link here to read more, from Autocar.

LUNCHTIME READ: 20,000 MILES SOUTH

Hagerty brings us the story of Helen and Frank Schreider who took an amphibious Jeep across the world on numerous amazing adventures. This is exactly the sort of tale we always want to share with you, in this spot, as it is not just about the vehicle but what people dreamt up to do with it. To read more and see other links to check out, click here.

LIST OF THE WEEK: THESE ARE THE BEST CITIES FOR CAR CULTURE

Whilst this is a US centric list, we do recommend checking it out and seeing if you agree with Andrew’s choice. Click here to see what options Japolnik provided.

Don’t forget, if you see a good possible suggestion for this segment, do send it to the show to check out!

AND FINALLY: DESKTOP WIND TUNNEL

A kickstarter campaign was launched to help bring to reality a desktop wind tunnel, in three sizes, which you can use to see the properties of various sized model and toy vehicles. These aren’t just functional either, they have been designed to look good too. Click this Hagerty link here, to see more.