So is duct tape - 23 April 2024

Motoring Podcast - News Show

FOLLOW UP: WALES TO CHANGE SOME ROADS BACK TO 30MPH

Ken Skates, the Welsh Government Transport Secretary, has announced that some of the road limits recently changed from 30mph to 20mph, will now revert back to the original limit. This is an acknowledgement that the implementation of the reduced road speeds has not been as carefully executed as should have occured. If you wish to learn more about this story, click this BBC News article link here.

UK GOVERNMENT RULES OUT GRANTS FOR EVS

The UK Government has reiterated that it will not be providing incentives for private buyers seeking an EV. This follows calls from the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee’s Electric Vehicles report, which recommended several actions. Click this Autocar article link, to read more.

BIT OF A WEEK FOR TESLA

Tesla have decided to step up to the plate of not having the best week imaginable. Firstly, they announced the sacking of over 10% of the global workforce, as one step to deal with their declining sales. You can learn more about that, by clicking this Reuters article link here.

Secondly, the company has quickly recalled all Cybertrucks following the news that the accelerator pedal cover can become loose and potentially cause the pedal to be jammed down. We applaud Tesla for quickly reacting to this news, though. To read more, click this article link from The Verge.

Finally, the company announced a new raft of price cuts to it’s models. Reminding all fleet operators why they will not be buying Teslas in the future, where dependency on value is a must. Click this article link from The Guardian for more.

JLR 2023 SALES UP

Now that JLR can get its hands on parts, once again, it has increased its sales in 2023 by 22%. Much of that was from the Defender, Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. However, there is also good news for Jaguar as its sales are up too. If you wish to find out more, click this Autocar article link here.

JLR UNVEILS ENERGY STORAGE SOLUTION

JLR, in partnership with Alley Energy, has revealed their portable Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) which incorporates used PHEV batteries from Range Rovers and Range Rover Sports. Click this press release from JLR to learn more, including how they propose to use it.

VW WORKERS IN US VOTE TO UNIONISE

For the first time, the US car workers union, UAW, has been voted for by workers in Tennessee at a Volkswagen plant. The south of America has attracted manufacturing plants due to previous anti union sentiments, but this seems to be changing. You can find out more, by clicking this article link from The Autopian.

VW IN COURT OVER ID NAME

A former supplier to Volkswagen, Identytec, has given up trying to reach an agreement on VW’s use of the name ‘ID’ and is taking the car company to court. Identytec were using the trademarked name for years before Volkswagen moved to trademark it for their cars. Click this article link from electrive to read more.

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NEW NEW CAR NEWS -

Citroën C3 Aircross

Citroën has revealed their new C3 Aircross SUV that will come in electric and hybrid variants. Using the design language first shown to us via the Oli concept. This utilises the ‘smart car’ Stellantis platform, as well as sharing various body panels with other brands across the group. Click this Top Gear article link to read more.

Vauxhall Frontera

Talking of sharing panels, the Frontera is back for Vauxhall. This time using the ‘smart car’ platform and some panels that the C3 Aircross also uses. As with the C3, it will come as electric and hybrid.Expect to see it everywhere a Vauxhall dealership is based, soon. You can read more by clicking this link to an Autocar article, here.

Mazda CX-80

Mazda reveal their new range topping, 7-seat SUV, the CX-80. With an excellent towing capacity it will compete with the Volvo XC-90 and Kia Sorento. As a consequence there will be a diesel engine option. If this appeals and you wish to learn more, click here for an article from Autocar.

LEVC L380

The makers of the London Cab reveal their first ‘car’ for the UK market, a luxury MPV labelled the L380. There will be various seating configurations and it will be a electric powered vehicle. Another entry to the luxury MPV market. Click this article link to learn more, from AMOnline.

Audi S3

Audi say they have freshened up the new S3, but that is really hard to tell from the pictures. More power, more tech, the interior has been revamped (yes, we can spot that in the pictures). You can read more by clicking this link to an EVO article.

Dacia to offer 7-year warranties

Dacia has announced that it is now offering 7 year warranties on their cars, including used ones, as long as they meet the criteria. This is a good thing and we hope more manufacturers start increasing their warranty time and mileage limits. If you wish to find out more, click this link to an Autocar article.

LUNCHTIME READ: WHAT CAR DESIGNERS DROVE TO IMPRESS

The Autopian has this week’s recommendation. Find out what designers brought to a car meet to impress each other. Click here to read the piece.

LIST OF THE WEEK: STYLISH COUPES OF THE RADWOOD ERA

Thank you, to Antony Ingram and Hagerty, for providing a worthy list after we have struggled in recent weeks. Now is your chance to pick the coupe of choice from the 90s and there are some excellent options. Don’t forget to let the chaps know what you’d go for, after you click this link to see for yourself.

AND FINALLY: EXPLOSIVE SLS DOORS IN ACTION

Ever wondered how you would get out of an overturned SLS? Wonder no more, here is a video demonstrating how Mercedes thought about that issue and their solution. Click this link to watch the YouTube video.