Rollercoaster of Delights - 18 October 2022

Motoring Podcast - News Show

FOLLOW UP: BRITISHVOLT SEEKS EMERGENCY FUNDING

[00:00:24] Britishvolt is searching for investors to plug a £200 million cash shortage it needs to survive until the summer of 2023. Nothing is ‘off the table’ as they look for anything from minority investors all the way up to new ownership. They currently have 300 staff, which is costing £3 million a month in wages, but are not expecting any income until at least 2025. To learn more about this story, click this Business Matters article link.

NIKOLA FOUNDER GUILTY OF FRAUD

[00:03:12] Trevor Milton, the founder of Nikola electric lorry firm, has been found guilty on three counts of fraud relating to the business and tech of the company. The prosecution claimed he lied about the progress of their development, the capability and the deals done. The start of all this was the advert which Nikola claimed showed the vehicle running along the road, which was exposed as it being dragged to the top of a hill and rolling down. On january 27 2023 Milton will find out what he is sentenced to, out of the possible 20 years. For more, click here for the Engadget link.

ELECTRIC MINI PRODUCTION MOVED FROM OXFORD

[00:04:58] Oxford is losing the production of the electric MINI, but gaining the convertible version from the factory in Holland when the next generation comes along. However, tied in with the first story, this is another blow to the UK car industry. BMW state the plant needs investment and refurbishment, but a lack of battery production facilities in the UK must also be a factor. Click this link from The Telegraph to find out more.

NISSAN EXITS RUSSIA

[00:07:03] Nissan has agreed to sell its total operation in Russia to the Government backed company NAMI, for €1. On the upside, that is more than Real Alliance partner Renault got for AutoVaz. Nissan has a six month buy back offer, if the situation significantly alters. Only Mitsubishi, of the three Alliance members, still has any footprint in Russia. You can read more, by clicking here for the Forbes article.

TRANSPORT FOR WEST MIDLANDS AND WAZE PARTNERSHIP

[00:08:28] Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) is partnering with Waze to help provide smoother travel across the region. With Waze providing real time traffic data, to help plug the gaps where WfWM is not monitoring, the expectation is that planners can better deal with planned and unplanned restrictions. Key to this will be how many actually use Waze in the area, who is passing what info to whom and has the small print been read? Click this Autocar link to read more.

FUEL SHORTAGES IN FRANCE

[00:12:57] France has introduced bans on citizens filling up any jerry cans at petrol stations as they endure fuel shortages thanks to strikes at six of the seven refinery plants. Making huge profits, giving the boss a massive pay rise and then telling staff there’s no money to pay rises hasn’t gone down well. The French Government has reclassified some staff as vital workers, who are key to the safety and ability of the country to function and therefore stating they cannot strike. The move, whilst understandable, has pushed the people to the verge of a national strike. More can be found out by clicking this link for The Guardian article.

HYDROGEN STATIONS CLOSED

[00:15:39] Cobham, Gatwick and Swindon hydrogen refuelling stations were closed earlier this year, by Motive. That does not mean they are leaving the market, instead they are developing locations that allow for larger vehicles to refuel, such as lorries, which was not possible with the original sites. To read more, click this link here from the company.

DIESEL ENGINE RETROFITTED FOR HYDROGEN FUEL

[00:18:13] Scientists in Australia have retrofitted a diesel engine, with a hydrogen fuel injection for the cylinder, resulting in 26% increase in efficiency. Added to this, the quality of hydrogen that can be used does not need to be high purity, therefore reducing the production impact of the hydrogen. The researchers also managed to reduce the amount of NOx being emitted thanks to how they put the hydrogen into the engine. To read more, click this Interesting Engineering article link.

BMW TO BRING GAMING IN-CAR NEXT YEAR

[00:20:58] If you own the latest 7-Series, from 2023 you will be able to game via the centre console, during those times you’re resting. The new 7-series is the first car from BMW to be fitted with the hardware that will allow this to happen, but expect it to trickle down to the rest of the range as that is updated. No doubt you’ll need to purchase a subscription to access this feature and we are not sure why you would do this over, say, your own phone. Click here to read The Verge’s article on the news.

NEW PRODUCT BOSS FOR PORSCHE 911 AND 917

[00:23:20] Frank Moser will be in charge of the next generation 911 and 917 models, Porsche announced. He has been in charge of quality for these vehicles, so the step up is not a major one. Frank-Steffen Walliser is the vice president complete vehicle architecture and characteristics, and therefore not leaving the 911 and 917 behind completely. To read more, click this Autocar article here.

EV MACAN DELAYED DUE TO SOFTWARE ISSUES

[00:24:27] Porsche announced in their IPO prospectus, that the electric version of the Macan was delayed due to problems with the software, provided by the VW Group Cariad division. The document also stated that the company will decide next year whether to go on their own, with software, or stay tied to the VW Group. Click here to read the Autocar article.

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NEW NEW CAR NEWS:

Honda Sony -

[00:27:26] Honda and Sony has announced their first joint-venture car will be launched in 2026, in the US and Japan. This will be, apparently, a premium vehicle with a subscription model for the accessories and options. We are still bemused by this teaming up and really do wonder if anything will come of it. Click this Reuters link to read more.

Ineos Grenadier -

[00:31:01] The Ineos Grenadier is about fourth months behind schedule and has cost around £2 billion so far. Whilst the chaps have been happy to stick the boot in when deserved, over past actions, this is quite impressive from a brand new brand, with no experience in vehicle manufacturing AND in the current global climate with all the issues we’ve had over the past few years. To read more, click The Guardian article link here.

LUNCHTIME READ: MEASURE OF SUCCESS

[00:33:40] This week Design Field Trip provide the article we are recommending you peruse at your leisure. This is part two of two pieces which is about who is successfully capturing the current trend for retro-futurism. There is, in their opinion, only one who is managing it right now. Click here to read the thoroughly enjoyable piece.

LIST OF THE WEEK: 39 LONGEST RUNNING CARS AND TRUCKS

[00:34:49] Motoring Research give us 39 options, when it comes to picking our favourite from the list of the longest running cars and trucks. Have a click through to the link here and see if you agree with the chaps. Don;’t forget to tell them what you would prefer.

AND FINALLY: MOTORING ART - KIERAN GABRIEL

[00:36:47] Artist Kieran Gabriel is featured in Classic & Sports Car, where they showcase a small selection of his work. Inspired by both Edward Hopper and David Hockney, his pictures are undeniably British. Click here to see the article and then click the link at the bottom of that to see his portfolio. Better hurry though, before Alan buys up everything.