Earned Their Prosecco - 4 January 2022

Motoring Podcast - News Show

FOLLOW UP: CHANGES TO CHARGER RULES ROLLED BACK

Over the festive period, the Government quietly rolled back some of the changes they had outlined would have to happen when it comes to installing charging points at non residential properties with a large car park. Now only new or refurbished commercial properties will be required to install at least one charging point. To read more, click The Guardian link here.

FOLLOW UP: NEW GREG KELLY EVIDENCE EMERGES

Information disclosed to Asia Times seems to show that Greg Kelly is innocent of the charges brought against him, yet is still facing trial. In a damming report, outlining the tale of what happened, how both he and Ghosn were tricked and how those inside Nissan have behaved has to be read to be believed. For more information, click here for the Asia Times article.

FCA RULES SHOULD REMOVE NEED TO HAGGLE INSURANCE EACH YEAR

New rules from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) should mean that when it comes to renewal time we will not have to haggle to get the best price from our existing insurer. Firms are no longer allowed to offer new customers a better rate than those who already have a policy with them. To read more about this, click the Autocar article here.

TESLA RECALLING OVER VARIOUS SAFETY ISSUES

Tesla is recalling 356,309 Model 3 cars over an issue with the reversing camera. Meanwhile they are recalling 119,009 Model S cars over a problem with the bonnet. Both of these are US only at this time. This is on top of the debacle over allowing games to be played on the touchscreen as the car is driven, forcing Tesla to disable that “feature”, as well as the ongoing investigation into their rollout of the testing program for “full self driving” software/feature, to name but two. For more information, click here for the CNBC article.

CHINA REMOVES FOREIGN INVESTMENT RULES FOR CAR MANUFACTURING

As of 1 January 2022, the rules on ownership of car manufacturing facilities in China are changed, to allow 100% foreign ownership, instead of the joint-venture policy previously. How quickly any firms move to enable this will have to be seen. To read more, click the CNBC article here.

RIVIAN BATTERY FACTORY OFFERING

Rivian, the EV start up based int he US, is being courted by the UK Government in the hope that they choose an offered site near Bridgewater, Somerset, over two option in the EU for their factory. A decision is expected within the first quarter of 2022. To find out what the site could be and what has been offered, click the Somerset Live article here.

HYDROGEN FUEL-CELL CARGO BIKES TRIALLED IN ABERDEEN

Aberdeen has been selected to trial the viability of hydrogen fuel-cell cargo bikes. Electric Assisted Vehicles (EAV), have stressed they focus on lightness in their vehicles. How they cope with Aberdeen’s weather will be interesting. If you wish to learn more, click here for the Autocar article.

MILTON KEYNES TRIALLING REMOTE OPERATED VEHICLES

A trial of remotely operated vehicles will begin soon, in Milton Keynes. Initially there will be a safety driver on board as back up, but Fetch, the company behind the idea, plans to remove them as soon as possible to be run from a remote location. For more information, click the BBC News article here.

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NEW NEW CAR NEWS

Cupra Born EV

The chaps have covered the car before, but now we know specifications and prices. Initially the mid range version will be released, shortly followed by the entry level and then a year later the top of the range. TO learn about the prices and specifications, click the Autocar article here.

2022 Volkswagen Multivan

Prior to the ID Buzz coming out, Volkswagen has revealed details of the replacement for the Caravelle, now called the Multivan. There will be a choice of powertrains, including hybrid, sizes and specification levels. Expect to see them hurtling to the seaside soon, in the meantime click the Autocar article here to get an idea of specs and prices.

Honourable Mentions

We wave goodbye to the Nissan Navara, as production comes to an end at the Barcelona plant. We say hello to the Toyota Hilux GR Sport. We did into some of the clever engineering of the concept car from Mercedes Benz, the Vision EQXX, and as a bonus we get to hear Alan go on about coefficient drag factors!

LIST OF THE WEEK: 30 YEARS ON - GREAT CAR ADVERTS FROM 1991

This Autocar slideshow will remind some of us that there used to be very good adverts in magazines, many of which would be banned now. Have fun by clicking the link here and flicking through the trip down memory lane.

LUNCHTIME READ: WHAT DO CAR DESIGNERS DO ALL DAY?

As Alan points out in the show, we do not put up links that are behind a paywall, but have made an exception for this article from The Intercooler. If you’ve not tried it, you can get it for 30-days free, before committing to the on-going payments. To read the article, click this link here.

AND FINALLY: PLANS TO RESTORE FUZZY BEAR’S STUDEBAKER

The Studebaker Museum wants to restore Fozzy Bear’s car, from the original Muppets movie. This is a good thing. Click the Jalopnik link here, to learn about the plans and what happened in the movie.