Shake All Your Crockery - 31 August 2021

Motoring Podcast - News Show

UN SAYS LEADED PETROL IS NO MORE

The UN has announced that the last country to sell leaded petrol to the public has now stopped. Algeria was the last of 80 odd countries that used this petrol well into the 2000s. The announcement was made on the eve of E10 unleaded petrol being mandated in the UK. To read more, click the Hagerty article here.

DS AND AUDI MAKE FURTHER ELECTRIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

DS Automobiles is the latest manufacturer to announce their shift to fully electric models only, from 2024. To learn more about their move, click the Autocar article here.

Audi have also announced an acceleration to e-mobility, with them saying they will have more than the previously mentioned 20 models as EVs, by 2025, as well as working closer with energy suppliers, as we saw with the recent news of more charging companies being accessible via their one pay service.

WORLD’S LARGEST CHIP MAKER PUTS THE BOOT IN

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company is reportedly putting up the prices of automotive chips, at a time when the industry is struggling just to get hold of them at all. Older chips, such as those the car industry uses, will have a bigger price rise than more modern and profitable products. To find out more, click here for the Autocar article.

LOTUS TERMINATES DEALERSHIP PARTNERSHIPS

Lotus has been reviewing their dealership partnerships and has, apparently by mutual agreement. With the shift in strategy for Lotus more investment will be required by any retail locations, for branding alterations and electrification. To read more about this, click the Autocar article here.

FEARS OVER PLANS TO SCRAP TRAILER AND HEALTH TESTS

The Government is proposing changing the requirement for an additional test, those who wish to tow a trailer and do not meet the exemptions. This is concerning as this is in place due to safety reasons, therefore to discard them seems dangerous. To read more, click the Motoring Research article here.

Additionally, the British Medical Association has expressed fears that the Government is seeking to circumvent the medical assessments required for some drivers, including HGV. This, as well as the trailer test issue, are all suggestions to get around the backlog that has built and the subsequent shortage of lorry drivers the country is facing. To read more, click here for the Motoring Research article.

CITROËN ROLLS OUT SIGN LANGUAGE IN ALL RETAIL OUTLETS

Citroën has started a program that will make their retail outlets more accessible to those who are hard of hearing, with sign language facilities. To find out more, click the Motoring Research article here.

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LUNCHTIME READ: THE UNDEAD - EV MYTHS

David Twohig, writing on LinkedIn, has published an article explaining how difficult it is for a car manufacturer to actually design and make an electric vehicle. In doing so he is popping some of the more persistent myths that those outside of the industry do not understand. To read this excellent article, click the link here.

LIST OF THE WEEK: THE MOST OVERRATED CARS EVER MADE

As a counter to the last List of the Week we are suggesting you check out this Jalopnik slideshow, pointing you to cars they feel are overrated. They pick some special cars too, do check out the list and see if you actually agree with them or not. Click here for the link to the list.

AND FINALLY: THE ELECTRIC XBUS

Want to find out what a cute EV van can look like or even what will be clogging the roads of Britain during the holiday season, then check out the XBUS in this TopGear article. To find out more, click the link here.

Thank you, to Richard Gooding for stepping in to fill Alan’s shoes as he was unable to join Andrew this week. We encourage you to visit Richard on Twitter, via the link to his handle here @richgoodingcom and thank him that you didn’t have to just listen to Andrew prattle on!