Farting indicators - 6 February 2024

Motoring Podcast - News Show

FOLLOW UP: PARIS VOTES TO CHARGE EXTRA FOR HEAVY CARS

Just under six percent of eligible Parisians voted on charging extra for non resident parking permitted heavier vehicles, with 54.6% voting for this. Therefore, internal combustion engined cars (ICE) weighing over 1.6 tonnes and electric vehicles weighing over 2 tonnes, will be charged extra. Click here to read a misleadingly headlined article from The Guardian that is an example of some of the pathetic reporting on this matter.

FOLLOW UP: LITHIA TAKEOVER PENDRAGON

Lithia, the US based firm, has finally taken over the motor retail group, Pendragon. This makes Lithia the second biggest retailer in the UK, ahead of Arnold Clark but behind Sytner. You can read more by clicking this AMOnline article link here.

JANUARY 2024 NEW CAR REGISTRATION FIGURES

SMMT has released the January 2024 new car registration figures. They are up on 2023, but still down on the Before Times. Fleet is doing a lot of the heavy lifting, with Private down once again. Worryingly, in the first month of the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, the battery electric vehicle (BEV) share is only 14.7%, well below the 22% required from each manufacturer. Click here to read an interesting article from Tristan Young in Broker News, which hints that the figures could have been even worse. For the SMMT article and detail, click this link here.

RENAULT CANCELS IPO FOR EV DIVISION AMPERE

Renault has confirmed that they will not separate their electric vehicle division, Ampere, and list it on the stock exchange. The reasoning is that the market is “sluggish”, which has also been compounded with a slow down in EV uptake across Europe at the end of the year. The company is adamant that they are cash rich and their ambitions are not dependent on an IPO. If you wish to learn more, click this article link from Reuters here.

VW PAUSES IPO OF BATTERY DIVISION

Volkswagen has paused proceeding with listing their battery division, PowerCo, with the EV market slowing in Europe. On top of that, they have not yet decided where their fourth battery factory will be located in Europe. Click this electrive article link to read more on the IPO situation. For the battery factory story, click this InsideEVs article link here.

For the Autocar article on the subject of the stock market and EV companies, click this link here.

VOLVO TO STOP FUNDING POLESTAR

Amongst the detail of Volvo’s 2023 financial results, they announced that they will be ceasing to continue to fund Polestar and be focusing solely on their own projects. This could lead to Volvo selling their shares or Geely just buying more. They will continue to partner up over R&D, manufacturing and commercial elements. For a fuller explanation of what is going on, click this Autocar article link here.

SMART UK APPOINT NEW CEO

Congratulations to Jason Allbutt, who has been appointed as the new CEO of smart UK. He takes over from David Browne, who oversaw the relaunch of smart in the UK. If you wish to learn more, click this link to an AMOnline article link here.

TYRE PRICE FIXING CLAIMS INVESTIGATED BY THE EU

The European Commission has visited several manufacturers in several countries whilst investigating the question of possible cartel activity by the tyre industry. Questions have been raised about collusion on price fixing, enough to warrant the investigation. You can learn more by clicking this article link here to AMOnline.

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NEW NEW CAR NEWS -

Ford Mustang

The new Ford Mustang is coming to the UK and will be the cheapest V8 we can buy new, but it still starts at £55, 685. There will be no alternative engine choice, so go V8 or go elsewhere. There is also a new screen and tech, for the interior, including the ability to have digitised versions of classic Mustang dials - why does no one else do that? For more information, click this Autocar link here.

BMW 4-Series

BMW is updating the 4-Series range, including the M4. All get the tricksie CSL rear lights and after that apart from bringing the interior up to the current spec, its really hard to spot the differences between the existing and new. If you wish to learn more, click this EVO article link here and this CAR article link for details about the M4.

BMW Z4

In another game of spot the difference, BMW announce the new Z4. Except, this time it can be specified with a manual gearbox, which allows you to add a special colour. To find out more, click this CAR article link here.

Audi Q7

You can now ‘personalise’ the front end, well, the daylight running lights (DRLs) by setting them to one of four designs. That really is all very nearly that has changed. Do click the CAR article link to find out more.

Volvo EX30 deliveries delayed

Some Volvo EX30 customers are having to wait a touch longer for their car to be delivered after Volvo noticed an issue with the software and is having to update all of them. Alas (or good), there is no over the air option therefore this takes a little longer to execute. More information can be found by clicking this InsideEVs link here.

LUNCHTIME READ: MEET THE MG B-EAST

We finally get round to bringing you an excellent article about the UK winner of the Hot Wheels Legends 2023 Tour. Click the link for the writing and stay to gawp at the pictures and detail of this mad car, thanks to Hagerty.

LIST OF THE WEEK: BEST FIRST CARS FOR ENTHUSIASTS

Know someone who’s just passed their test? Are they a bit of a car person? Well, we bring you a list with options (even though there really is one option to pick!). Click this Autocar link to see what is being suggested.

AND FINALLY: HONDA’S LOGO HISTORY

Hagerty, thanks to Antony Ingram, brings you the history and evolution over the years of the Honda logo. Fascinating stuff. Click this link to find out more.