Handbag luxury - 26 March 2024

Motoring Podcast - News Show

FOLLOW UP: RENAULT VOLVO JV FOR EV VANS IS ON

Last week we discussed the Reuters article that stated Renault and Volvo will announce that their joint venture for electric vans will shut in early April. This turns out not to be the case. Thanks to Renault sources we can confirm the JV is still very much on. Click this article link from AMOnline to read more.

FOLLOW UP: FISKER TALKS WITH NISSAN BREAK DOWN

The electric car company Fisker, has had their shares suspended following a huge drop in price after news that talks with Nissan had ended. The terms for the extra funding from an existing investor were dependent also on these talks continuing. The expectation is for the company to announce bankruptcy very soon. You can read more by clicking this article link from TechCrunch.

FOLLOW UP: ASTON MARTIN NAME BENTLEY BOSS AS NEW CEO

Aston Martin name their next CEO, the boss of Bentley Adrian Hallmark. He has left the Crewe manufacturer with immediate effect and will start at Aston by the 1 October 2024. This will allow Amedeo Felisa to finally enjoy the retirement he was in before Stroll dragged him back into the automotive world. If you wish to learn more, click this Autocar article link here.

FOLLOW UP: MCLAREN OWNED BY BAHRAIN STATE FUND

The Bahrain sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat has converted shares from one form into ordinary shares thus taking the total shares in McLaren to 100%. This will make it easier for them to find a buyer, float the company on the stock market or create partnerships. For more to this story, click this Autocar link here.

FOLLOW UP: INVESTIGATION INTO CAR FINANCE EXPEDITED

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced that the investigation into car financing practices between 2007 and 2021 will be expedited. However, this is dependent on the companies involved providing the information. The FCA hopes to state the next stages of this by September 2024. If you would like to read more, click this Motor Finance Online article link here.

To check out the MoneySavingExpert help guide to see if you are eligible to claim, click this link here.

FOLLOW UP: LUTON AIRPORT CAR PARK FIRE DUE TO DIESEL VEHICLE

A joint report from Bedfordshire Fire and Police services has been released, with the fact that the fire was due to a faulty diesel vehicle and had nothing to do with any electric, hybrid or plug-in hybrid vehicle. Click this BBC News article link to read more.

LUNAZ GROUP CEASES ALL OPERATIONS

Lunaz Group, which under two different companies, retrofits classic cars and commercial vehicles, with electric powertrains, has called in the receivers as it “restructures”. All staff have been let go with immediate effect. You can read more by clicking this electrive article link here.

POTHOLE FUND IS NOT RING-FENCED

The Government’s latest pot hole fund was not ring-fenced, unlike the previous one, therefore councils across England have been using that money for other services that they feel are more of a priority. To find out more, click this Autocar article via the link here.

HOME EV CHARGE GRANT EXPANDED IN SCOPE

The Government has announced that the home charging EV grant will be expanded to include residents without off street parking or even an EV, but there is no extra money. Click this Autocar link here to read further on this story.

ADAS SAFETY IMPACT CALCULATED FAR LOWER THAN PROMISED

The VVT university in Finland has calculated the positive effect in reducing collisions and injuries of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in Europe by 2030. The EU’s aim is for a 50% reduction however the figures, which used the market penetration of the systems being fitted, combined with incident figures where the various systems might be deployed, show at best a 5.4% reduction with AEB. This does not take into account the technology actually working as hoped either. Click this Nordic Road and Transport Research article link here.

EU TO PERMIT HANDS-OFF EYES-ON DRIVER ASSISTANCE

Behind closed doors and exemption was granted for Ford’s BlueCruise and BMW’s driver assistance technology that allows hands-off eyes-on operation. We take the time to remind all why this is a dreadful idea. You can read more by clicking this European Transport Safety Council article link here.

RESEARCHERS SPOOF CURRENT AND NEXT GEN LIDAR

To round out all the good news for driver assistance and autonomous vehicles, we end the first part discussing how current and next gen LIDAR, the radar systems used currently with ADAS and autonomous vehicles being tested, can be spoofed and fooled. Wonderful. Click this article link from UC Irvine for more information.

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NEW NEW CAR NEWS -

Peugeot e-5008

Peugeot has revealed their next generation seven seater SUV, the e-5008, in electric only form, along with a mild hybrid and following a plug-in hybrid version. Compromises have been made to accompany the powertrains, with luggage space reducing. However, it is still quite close in dimensions, to the current version. Prices for the EV are expected to start at just under £50,000, which will make it the cheapest seven seater on the market. Click this Autocar article for more.

Callum eVita

Callum Design and Motability have worked together to produce an EV designed specifically for wheelchair users. Do click this link, from Autocar, to check out more details, as the thought which has gone into this is excellent. As you wold expect.

Seat back from the dead

After a stonking 2023, Seat has revived faith in the brand, from within the VW Group, meaning it will be given money to help it develop new models moving forward. Yep, we’re just as confused as you are. Who knows, maybe by next week this will all change? Click this Autocar article link to find out what the current plans are.

Bentley delays moving to EVs

Bentley are going to delay their first EV model until 2026, as it focuses on hybrids in the short term. We all need to remember that their market is not necessarily one that is rushing to electric only. On top of which, they are waiting on the Audi developed platform that has suffered from delays. To read more, click this Autocar link.

LUNCHTIME READ: MITSUBISHI FUSO CONCEPTS WERE FANTASTIC, FUTURISTIC AND FORGOTTEN HAULERS

Mitsubishi Fuso, in the 1980s, created some wonderful concept lorries with a host of clever design nuggets that are evident in today’s heavy goods vehicles. Click this Hagerty article link here to learn more.

LIST OF THE WEEK: 10 WEIRDEST HOMOLOGATION SPECIALS EVER

The list of cars we have to pick from is wonderful, but so to are the stories behind them. Come for the pictures, stay for the words! Do not forget to tell the chaps if you agree with their choices or what you would have instead. Click this CarThrottle link here.

AND FINALLY: WHAT DOES A RENAULT SAFRANE SOUND LIKE

PetrolBlog has a video, letting us sample some of the voice notifications from the Renault Safrane, which are wonderful. Click this link to their article to find out more.