Tasty Little Mouthful - 3 May 2022

Motoring Podcast - News Show

SUZUKI AND STELLANTIS DIESELS INVESTIGATED

Prosecutors in Germany, Italy and Hungary are investigating Suzuki, Stellantis and supplier Marelli, over use of defeat devices in Suzuki vehicles. Stellantis are engine suppliers for Suzuki and Marelli are a supplier of engine parts. For more, click the Nikkei Asia article link here.

FEAR OF FINES FOR BOX JUNCTION MISTAKES

With local authorities outside of London, allowed to prosecute those who misuse yellow box junctions from June 2022, the fear that drivers could be mistakenly fined was announced. The RAC said that many are incorrectly painted, laid out, located and even hidden from clear view for those approaching. They have called on the Government to clarify the guidance on yellow box junctions, clarifying their use, design and maintenance once in place. To find out more, click the link here for the Motoring Research article.

MOT TEST COULD BE EVERY TWO YEARS

With a suggestion that has been roundly condemned by nearly everyone who has heard it, the idea to move MOT tests to every other year has not gone down well. To be clear, this is only a suggestion, apparently it will help with the cost of living crisis the UK is currently suffering. For more information, click the Autocar link here.

BMW AND AUDI STOP FREIGHT TRAIN TO CHINA

BMW and Audi have ceased sending cars to China via the rail link from Europe, due to the war in Ukraine. To learn more about that story, click the link to the Reuters article here.

To learn more about the rail link to China, click the link here to Rail Magazine’s article.

VOLTA TRUCKS REVELAS SMALLER LORRIES

New 7.5 tonne and 12 tonne lorries have been unveiled but the electric truck company Votla Trucks. They will follow the 16 tonne lorry, being added to the line up in 2025.The previously announced model is undergoing final preparations before they start customer testing and production later in the year. More on this story can be found by clicking this Move Electric link.

VW AND BP ROLL OUT NEW CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE

BP will be partnering with Volkswagen to install their new rapid chargers that have integrated batteries that mean they can be deployed at low voltage sites, avoiding the need for extra infrastructure to ensure a suitable electrical supply is maintained. They will be starting in Germany and moving across Europe. Click here for the Business Motoring article, to learn more.

GOVERNMENT TO LEGALISE PRIVATE E-SCOOTER USE

Grant Shaps, the Transport Minister, has stated the Government plans to legalise the use of private scooters on public roads. Exactly how they will mandate for their safe use is yet to be established. To learn more, click the Move Electric article link here.

PARIS’S ELECTRIC BUSES TAKEN OFF THE ROAD

Following two incidents where Bolloré electric buses caught fire, all have been removed from the roads as a precaution whilst investigations into the causes are run. No one was hurt in either incident. To learn more, click this France24 link here.

MCLAREN NAME NEW BOSS

Ex-Ferrari technology chief, Michael Leiters, has been announced as the new CEO of McLaren. Leiters has worked at Porsche and recently Ferrari. His resume includes developing the Cayenne, prancing horse mid-engined V8s and their first ever hybrid super cars. To learn more, click the EVO article link here.

MORGAN NAME NEW BOSS

Ex-Lamborghini Chief Project Management Officer, Massimo Fumarola, has been named as Morgan’s new CEO. He will lead the company during their most innovative and progressive period since inception. For more on who Massimo is and the challenges he faces, click the PistonHeads article here. ——————————————————————————-

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SMMT DRIVE DAY 2022 ROUND UP:

Below is a list of the cars Alan managed to find time to drive, whilst at the annual SMMT Drive Day, held at Milbrook. Thank you to SMMT, the manufacturers and other motoring journalists for organising, being there and actually talking to Alan so he didn’t feel lonely.

Hyundai Kona N

Mustang Mach-E (Extended Range)

BMW 220i Luxury Active Tourer

Peugeot 508 SW PSE

SsangYong Musso Rhino

Porsche Macan S

Toyota RAV-4 Adventure

Toyota Supra 3.0 Jeramy Racetrack Edition

A look at the Genesis GV60

Skoda Enyaq iV 80 Sportline

Alpine A110 GT

Volvo C40 Dual Motor

AND FINALLY: WHAT IS RUSSIAN FOR “OH DEERE”

Following the invasion of the Ukraine, Russian forces have stolen John Deere manufactured farming equipment and taken it back to their country. However, John Deere has spotted this and ‘bricked’ the tractors and harvesters, rendering them inoperable. Whilst this is a good thing, that John Deere has done, it raises once again the awful concept of remote deactivation capability. Always relieves on you meeting arbitrary standards someone else has decided on, which you have no ability to appeal against. For more, click here to read The Register’s article.