Hose that sucker - 6 August 2024

Motoring Podcast - News Show

FOLLOW UP: MORE CERTIFICATION WOES FOR TOYOTA

Following on-site inspections, by Japan’s transport ministry, more certification violations have been found. A further seven models have been found to have been incorrectly certified, including the RAV4 model, resulting in a call for “drastic reforms” from the government. To learn more, click this link to a Reuters article.

JULY 2024 NEW CAR REGISTRATION FIGURES

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) released the new car registration figures for July 2024. Overall the figures are up 2.4%, year on year. EVs are up 18.8% for the month but still only a 16.8% market share, year to date. Hybrids and Plug-In Hybrids are also up, with petrol down slightly and diesel a lot. Private registrations are down significantly again, with Fleet being 60% of the market. SMMT call, again, on the Government to do more to incentivise consumers and do more for the infrastructure. Click here to read more, from SMMT.

AUDI UK GETS NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR

Andrew Doyle is leaving Audi UK to become CEO of Peter Warren Automotive, an Australian dealer group. He will be replaced by José Miguel Aparicio who is moving from Audi Spain, taking up the role on 1 October 2024. If you want to learn more, click this AMOnline article link here.

UK PUBLIC CHARGING POINTS INCREASE TO 64,632 DEVICES

The UK, as of 1 July 2024, has 64,632 public charging devices available for use. This is an increase of 47% on July 2023 numbers. However, the location of these chargers is uneven across the country. London has the best coverage, with Birmingham second, then it is very patchy across the rest of the country with the north of England particularly poorly served. Click this Autocar article for more.

BARCELONA HARNESSING METRO TRAIN ENERGY FOR EVS

In Barcelona, the first charging station that uses regenerated braking energy from metro trains, has opened. Complimenting this are solar panels placed on metro buildings. We like this very clever idea and are now wondering where else energy can be captured from! To read more, click this electrive article link here.

FIRST UK EV LORRY CHARGING HUB BEING BUILT IN IMMINGHAM

Immingham port is the location for the UK’s first HGV EV charging hub, which is due to open in November 2024. This is also the location for a lot of off shore energy being brought into the country, therefore will make it easier to connect the chargers to a source. If you want to learn more, click this Current News article link here.

STONEHENGE TUNNEL CANCELLED

The proposed tunnel under Stonehenge has been cancelled, along with the Arundel bypass, whilst other road and transport plans are under review, as the new UK Government tries to manage their finances. We will have to wait until 30 October, to find out the full extent of cuts. You can read further on this, by clicking an Autocar link here.

RECARO AUTOMOTIVE FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY

Recaro Automotive, the makers of car seats, has filed for voluntary redundancy after a customer pulled a major contract. There is no confirmation as to which company that was, but they do work with VW, BMW and Ford, amongst others. Click this Autocar article link to learn more. Also, for further context, click this article link from The Drive.

TESLA RECALLS 1.85M CARS DUE TO BONNET PROBLEM

Tesla is recalling 1.85 million cars due to a risk of the bonnet opening unexpectedly. The problem is being put down to a part fitted to 2021-24 Model 3, S and X models, plus 2020-24 Model Y cars. Click this Reuters article to read more.

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NEW NEW CAR NEWS -

Audi A6

Audi has unveiled the A6 fastback and estate. As the numbering is even this is an EV. With a range of up to 466 miles, it beats rival cars from BMW and Mercedes. The Avant is the best looking version, but that cuts the maximum potential range by 19 miles. Expected to cost similar to rivals, it should start around the £68,000. To read more, click this Autocar article link here.

Ineos Arcane Works

Ineos has realised there isn’t the market they anticipated in the ‘hose down the interior’ niche and have announced a personalisation division, called Arcane Works. They will tweak aspects of their cars to their customer’s hearts content, which the company hopes will bring in more profits. You can read more, by clicking this Autocar article link to learn more.

LUNCHTIME READ: BLINDED BY THE LIGHT

Bear with us, on this recommendation, as a lengthy article about louvres doesn’t sound promising but we assure you it is a cracking read. Included in the Driven to Write piece are some fabulous photographs too. Click here to learn more than you thought you needed to know on the subject.

LIST OF THE WEEK: BIG SELLING CARS VANISHING FROM OUR ROADS

Autocar, once again, provide a slideshow for us to recommend to you, this time about popular cars from the 1980s and 90s which are disappearing. As ever, do let the chaps know if you agree with their choices and if not, what you would pick instead. Click this link here to see the options.

AND FINALLY: CYBERTRUCK TROLLED IN FORTNITE

To get a glimpse into just how badly received the Cybertruck is by non-car people, look at the reaction in Fortnite to the car being included as a collaboration and foisted on players. If a Cybertruck is found in the battle royale style game, players put aside killing each other, band together until the player with the vehicle is eliminated. Even members of the development team and game owners have expressed their dislike for this collaboration. Click this IGN article link to read more.