Unsell the idea - 29 October 2024

Motoring Podcast - News Show

FOLLOW UP: VW CONSIDERS RADICAL COST SAVING PLANS

Information has come out as to the extent that Volkswagen Group are considering how to save the $4 billion they state they need to. This includes closing up to three German plants, reducing wages, reducing bonuses and more. Unions have reacted angrily whilst VW has not commented on the claims. To find out more, click this Reuters link here.

FOLLOW UP: JLR STILL HAVING REPAIR ISSUES

A year ago the CEO of JLR, Adrian Mardell, apologised for how long it was taking to repair their customer’s vehicles. This situation is still not resolved. Problems with their supply chain, which not all are their fault, as well as the supply hub they switched to has meant that around 10,000 customer cars are off the road. Click this Autocar article to read more.

RADFORD MOTORS FILES FOR CHAPTER 11 BANKRUPTCY

The car company co-founded by Jenson Button, Ant Antsted and Dan Bednarski, to build a low volume supercar based on a modern interpretation of the Lotus Type 62, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US. This is a debt restructuring move and does not mean the company is folding. There are also two court cases being brought against Ansted and Bednarski over financial matters related to the company. In order to find out more, click this Road & Track article link here.

CHINA DEPORTS VW EXEC OVER DRUG ALLEGATIONS

China has deported a senior Volkswagen executive, Jochen Sengphiehl, over claims he failed a recreational drug test. He was held by authorities for 10 days before the action was taken. Many questions come from this, is it real or China flexing? You can read more, by clicking this Reuters article link here.

RIVIAN AND BOSCH TAKE EACH OTHER TO COURT

Bosch has sued Rivian for breach of contract, which caused Rivian to counter sue. Rivian cancelled their contract for electric drivetrains from the supplier as they will use their own in-house developed ones. Bosch are, understandably, unhappy at the loss of business, whilst Rivian state that this issue is why they did not deliver as many cars as expected previously. Click this electrive link to find out more.

NEW PHEV BATTERY GIVES CLAIMED 249 MILE RANGE

CATL has released information on a plug-in hybrid battery, that gives a claimed electric only range of 249 miles. This has the chaps confused. Why is it PHEV only? Sounds almost too good to be true, but is it? What are Alan and Andrew missing? You can read more on this, by clicking this Autocar article link here.

STELLANTIS TO ROAD TEST SOLID STATE BATTERIES IN 2026

Stellantis are the latest company to announce when they will be road testing their solid state batteries. Using a fleet of Dodge Charger Daytonas, for some reason, they will be trying them out on the roads in 2026. To read more on this, including the list of others who have claimed they will have solid state batteries in cars, click this Autocar article link here.

HYUNDAI AND TOYOTA MOTORSPORT FESTIVAL

Hyundai and Toyota have teamed up to hold their own motorsport festival in South Korea. What a brilliant idea! Click this Motoring Research article link to find out more.

This week we are asking, if you can, please go support Alex Robbins, a friend of the show, who is raising money for Mission Motorsport. You will have heard us talk about this wonderful charity before and Alex is being insane enough to walk from their HQ to Anglesey Circuit in time for the annual Race of Remembrance. Only about 250 miles! CLICK THIS LINK HERE TO GO TO THE JUST GIVING PAGE.

NEW NEW CAR NEWS -

Scout Traveller and Terra

Scout, the US brand owned by VW, has revealed their two initial models. This has caused excitement in their home country, whilst less so outside, which is reflected in Alan and Andrew’s takes.

You can read more, by clicking this DigitalTrends article link here.

InsideEVs also has an in depth article on the vehicles, which you can read by clicking here.

To run through the sales plans, click this article link from The Autopian here.

Morgan Plus Six

Morgan has revealed their run out version of the Plus Six, as production comes to an end. Only 30 examples of the car, which starts at £96, 995, will be sold. Click this EVO article to learn more.

LUNCHTIME watch: EPISODE 39 OF PROJECT BINKY

Bad Obsession Motorsport have released a new episode of Project Binky, the heavily modified Mini. In this one we get to see Nick and Rich transform themselves into electrical engineers. Click this YouTube link to watch another fabulous episode from the lunatics.

LIST OF THE WEEK: THE BEST CARS FROM DEAD CAR COMPANIES

Autocar have compiled another slideshow, this time about the best cars from dead car companies. There are some to be expected but also some excellent other options too. Do you agree with the picks the chaps made? Do tell us what you would want from all on offer. Click this link to see more.

AND FINALLY: CARS AND TRUCKS AND THINGS THAT GO HITS 50

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Richard Scarry book, Cars and Trucks and Things That Go, a new edition has been published. You can click this link to Kottke to read more and access the huge Yale Review which is almost a Lunchtime Read on its own.