300 episodes

Motoring enthusiasts Alan and Andrew discuss their takes on the week's motoring news in this 45 to 60 minute audio podcast.

Motoring Podcast - News Show Motoring Podcast

    • Leisure
    • 4.9 • 10 Ratings

Motoring enthusiasts Alan and Andrew discuss their takes on the week's motoring news in this 45 to 60 minute audio podcast.

    Handbag luxury - 26 March 2024

    Handbag luxury - 26 March 2024

    FOLLOW UP: RENAULT VOLVO JV FOR EV VANS IS ONLast week we discussed the Reuters article that stated Renault and Volvo will announce that their joint venture for electric vans will shut in early April. This turns out not to be the case. Thanks to Renault sources we can confirm the JV is still very much on. Click this article link from AMOnline to read more.
    FOLLOW UP: FISKER TALKS WITH NISSAN BREAK DOWNThe electric car company Fisker, has had their shares suspended following a huge drop in price after news that talks with Nissan had ended. The terms for the extra funding from an existing investor were dependent also on these talks continuing. The expectation is for the company to announce bankruptcy very soon. You can read more by clicking this article link from TechCrunch.
    FOLLOW UP: ASTON MARTIN NAME BENTLEY BOSS AS NEW CEOAston Martin name their next CEO, the boss of Bentley Adrian Hallmark. He has left the Crewe manufacturer with immediate effect and will start at Aston by the 1 October 2024. This will allow Amedeo Felisa to finally enjoy the retirement he was in before Stroll dragged him back into the automotive world. If you wish to learn more, click this Autocar article link here.
    FOLLOW UP: MCLAREN OWNED BY BAHRAIN STATE FUNDThe Bahrain sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat has converted shares from one form into ordinary shares thus taking the total shares in McLaren to 100%. This will make it easier for them to find a buyer, float the company on the stock market or create partnerships. For more to this story, click this Autocar link here.
    FOLLOW UP: INVESTIGATION INTO CAR FINANCE EXPEDITED The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced that the investigation into car financing practices between 2007 and 2021 will be expedited. However, this is dependent on the companies involved providing the information. The FCA hopes to state the next stages of this by September 2024. If you would like to read more, click this Motor Finance Online article link here.
    To check out the MoneySavingExpert help guide to see if you are eligible to claim, click this link here.
    FOLLOW UP: LUTON AIRPORT CAR PARK FIRE DUE TO DIESEL VEHICLEA joint report from Bedfordshire Fire and Police services has been released, with the fact that the fire was due to a faulty diesel vehicle and had nothing to do with any electric, hybrid or plug-in hybrid vehicle. Click this BBC News article link to read more.
    LUNAZ GROUP CEASES ALL OPERATIONSLunaz Group, which under two different companies, retrofits classic cars and commercial vehicles, with electric powertrains, has called in the...

    • 53 min
    Freedom episode - 19 March 2024

    Freedom episode - 19 March 2024

    FOLLOW UP: RENAULT AND VOLVO TO SHUT EV VAN PROJECTRenault and Volvo will announce that their joint venture for electric vans will shut in early April. There is no detail on why this is. Click here for more information, via the Reuters article link.
    UK GOVERNMENT PREPARES TRADE SANCTIONS ON CHINESE EVSAt a SMMT conference, the Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said that the UK Government could impose sanctions to prevent the market being unfairly in favour of subsidised Chinese electric vehicles. If you wish to learn more, click this AMOnline article link here.
    HONDA AND NISSAN SIGN MOU FOR EV DEVELOPMENTNissan and Honda have signed a memorandum of understanding, to investigate working together to speed up the development and production of competitive electric vehicles. They acknowledge that they are behind others, especially newer brands that have come to the market, purely focused on EVs. There are no details on what this partnership will entail. You can learn more by clicking this Reuters link here.
    EU TO ALLOW 60 TONNE LORRIES ON THE ROADSThe EU, has voted to allow ‘mega-trucks’, which are a lorry and trailer combination of just over 25m long and a weight up to 60 tonnes, on the roads of the continent. On top of this, the European Commission wants all countries to ensure it is legal for 17 year olds to be able to drive a lorry. Click this European Transport Safety Council article to read more on these insane ideas.
    POSSIBLE WIRELESS EV CHARGING BREAKTHROUGH Researchers in the US have built a wireless charging system that is 96% efficient and eight to ten times more power dense than existing wireless chargers. The charger had a five inch gap to the vehicle. This is still early days but could mean we are a step closer to the roll out of wireless charging for all. If you wish to learn more, click this InsideEVs article link here.
    JAGUAR CUTS OFF ACCESS TO SOME SMART CHARGINGJaguar has informed owners of the I-Pace that some chargers will no longer have access to smart charging, thus the charging times cannot be controlled. This does not effect all home chargers though. JLR stated that this was due to security and privacy issues. Click this Autocar article link here to learn more.
    FISKER AT RISKFisker, the US based EV maker, announced that it is in financial trouble, serious enough to make it public that it may have to go into receivership. The company had previously stated it was in trouble, but this announcement still came as a shock to many. If you wish to learn more, click this electrive article link here.
    Late yesterday, news came out that the company has paused production, for six weeks, as it gains $150 million extra investment from an exisiting investor. However, there talks are, apparently, underway...

    • 49 min
    Electric trolley problem - 12 March 2024

    Electric trolley problem - 12 March 2024

    FOLLOW UP: EU CONSIDERING RETROACTIVE TARIFFS ON CHINESE EVSThe investigation, by the European Union, into if China subsidises the homegrown EV makers has, within an interim report, stated there is enough evidence to show there is unfair assistance. On top of this, imports have increased 14% since the investigation began. The fear is, if the rate of increase continues it will cause harm to the European market before the official conclusions come to light. If you wish to learn more, click this link to a Reuters article here.
    FOLLOW UP: VOLTA TRUCKS PRODUCTION TO BEGINFollowing the purchase of the bankrupt company, by Luxor Capital, news is released that they will restart production, in Austria, from May. The aim is for 500 vehicles to be made in 2024 and 2,000 in 2025. There are still questions about the batteries for the trucks after the previous supplier went into receivership and was bought by Volvo. Click here to read more, from electrive.
    CHANCELLOR ACCUSED OF IGNORING THE CAR INDUSTRYA large portion of the car industry convinced itself that the Government would offer any additional assistance to encourage the uptake of EVs, especially by private buyers. However, in last week’s budget announcement there was no additional help forthcoming. This caused an angry reaction, with many accusing the Government of ignoring the industry. For more on this story, including the background to it all, click this EVPowered article link.
    EU DEMANDS BUTTONS RETURN TO CAR INTERIORSThe EU, via soon to be announced new EuroNCAP criteria, has stated that car interiors must have physical controls for certain functions of the car. There is also a drive to reduce the number of screens within cars. If you would like to read further on this story, click the link here to The Verge article.
    FUEL PRICES ROCKET UPWARDS Now we talk about the rise in fuel prices, which was by the highest for two years, off the back of Red Sea disruption and retailers looking to maximise their profits. Click this Autocar article to read more.
    NISSAN ACCUSED OF UNDERPAYING SUPPLIERS IN JAPANThe Japanese Fair Trade Commission has accused Nissan of underpaying their suppliers for two years, but warn it could be much longer. The amount is in the region of $20 million and if true, is a clear abuse of power. For more on this matter, click this Nikkei Asia article link here.
    57 NEW ELECTRIC BUSES FOR LEEDSFirst Bus has added 57 new electric busses to its fleet serving Leeds. Supplied by Wrightbus, who are providing a mix of double and single decker vehicles. Click this electrive article link to read more.
    CAZOO PIVOTS TO ONLINE ADVERTISINGCazoo is to sell off all its stock and no longer sell cars directly but become an online competitor to the likes of...

    • 48 min
    Butt of many jokes - 5 March 2024

    Butt of many jokes - 5 March 2024

    FOLLOW UP: AGENCY MODEL CLARIFICATION Thank you to all who responded to Andrew’s request for more information on how the agency model works for car retails. We can now confirm, the query about who carries the financial liability, does in fact lie with the manufacturers now. To see who is moving to this model, click this link to an Auto Retail Network article.
    FEBRUARY 2024 NEW CAR REGISTRATION FIGURESSMMT has released the new car registration figures for February 2024 and they are the best in 20 years! Which caused us to raise an eyebrow or two. Battery electric cars are up, slightly, but still a long way off the 22% required by the Government mandate. Diesel is down slightly, with plug in hybrids also up a touch, but petrol is up again. Fleet is doing all the lifting and this is worrying the industry who renews their calls for help to incentivise the Private side of things. To read more, click this link to the SMMT article and details.
    POLESTAR SECURES NEW FUNDINGPolestar are plugging the gap left by Volvo stepping back from funding the EV company, thanks to a loan worth £750 million. According to the company, this will allow them to sell 155,000 vehicles and become cash flow even in 2025. If you wish to read more on this story, click this Autocar link here.
    US INVESTIGATING CHINESE EV DATA COLLECTIONThe US Government announced that it will be investigating Chinese electric vehicles to ascertain how much, what type of and where they send data. However, as there are so few actual brands allowed into the US this does feel part of the ongoing protectionism being demonstrated in North America. You can find out about this by clicking the link here to an electrive article.
    FISKER FINANCES UNSUSTAINABLE BUT NISSAN MAY HELPFisker announced how they were not confident they could last to the end of 2024, but a couple of days later it was revealed that they are in talks with Nissan over possible investment. This would give the Japanese company access to an electric pick up platform, which they do not have currently. Click this Reuters article for the original story. For details on the possible Nissan rescue, click this link to an Autocar article.
    THE POSSIBLE APPLE CAR PROJECT IS APPARENTLY SHUT DOWNReports were all over the internet stating that the secret Apple car project, allegedly called Titan, had been cancelled. But as the company has neither confirmed nor denied this, it is hard to tell if it was real or whether they were looking at specific technologies. For more speculation and the liberal use of the “iCar” click this link to an article from The Register.
    ASTON MARTIN CLOSES LAGONDAAston Martin confirmed that the Lagonda sub brand is officially no more. This surprised us, as we thought it had been killed off a couple of years ago. To learn more and look at...

    • 54 min
    Overly Cheesy - 27 February 2024

    Overly Cheesy - 27 February 2024

    FOLLOW UP: VOLVO TO SELL SHARES IN POLESTARWe begin to get the answer of what difference Volvo cutting funding will mean to their Polestar relationship, as they look to offload a large portion of the shares they hold. The plan is to drop from 48% of shares down to 18%. For more information, click this electrive article link here.
    STELLANTIS TO CONVERT LUTON PLANT FOR EV VANSStellantis has confirmed that they will convert the Luton plant to enable it to build the Group’s electric vans. ICE versions will continue to be built along side the EVs, which will be produced from early 2025. If you would like to read more, click this Autocar link here.
    STELLANTIS UK MAKE MANY MANAGEMENT CHANGESStellantis UK managing director, Maria Grazia Davino, has moved quickly to make changes within the organisation and tying up with the larger group. This is all part of the efforts to improve relations with their dealer network and improve the outlook for the many brands. More details can be read by clicking this AMOnline link here.
    ASA STATES “ZERO EMISSION DRIVING” ISN’T MISLEADINGThe automated system the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) picked up a Ford advert for the soon to be released Explorer, which stated “zero emission driving” and pulled it for review. Following an investigation the ASA decided that it was okay to state this. As we are pedants on this show, we are looking forward to the agency learning about tyre emissions. If you wish to see the latest insanity from this organisation, click the link here to a FleetNews article.
    COMPANY GUILTY OF NOT ENSURING ILLEGAL CAR WOULDN’T BE DRIVEN ON THE PUBLIC ROADOnyx Performance, has been convicted of not ensuring that a car they modified, with a ‘pop bang’ map, new exhaust and removal of a catalytic convertor, was not to be driven on the public roads. This is the second company, in a few months to have been brought to court for the same issue. You can learn more, by clicking this AMOnline article link here.
    UK FUEL PRICES INCREASE QUICKLY ON RED SEA DISRUPTIONSurprising no one, is the news that the retail fuel prices increased astonishingly quickly off the back of the news of trouble in the Red Sea, even before the affects were really being felt. Whilst the wholesale price increased, the retailers have not passed on the buffer the Government has allowed them. Click this Autocar story link, for more on this.
    BBC REPORT INTO ETHNICITY INFLUENCING CAR INSURANCEThe BBC has reported, following their investigation, that there is evidence that car industry rates are affected by location and the percentage of ethnic minorities the location has. The industry strongly deny this claim. We are not...

    • 41 min
    Corporate tomfoolery - 20 February 2024

    Corporate tomfoolery - 20 February 2024

    FOLLOW UP: CRUISE APPOINTS FIRST EVER SAFETY OFFICERIn a move that should have more people stunned, Cruise has announced their first every safety officer. Steve Kenner has worked at a number of places in the autonomous vehicle industry. Louise Zhang, who is a VP of safety and systems will remain in her role. Astonishingly. If you wish to learn more, click this TechCrunch link here.
    FOLLOW UP: FRENCH SUBSIDY FOR LOW INCOME HOMES HALTEDThe recently launched subsidy to help low income families into EV has already been halted, due to an overwhelming demand, according to French Government officials. They will be relaunching it in 2025. To read further, click this link to The Guardian article.
    GOVERNMENT U-TURN ON TAX OF DOUBLE-CABSIn a crazy few days, the UK Government went from declaring that double-cab pickup’s tax category was going to change to that of a car, but still be classed as a light commercial vehicle (LCV) from 1 July 2024, to u-turning and saying no they wouldn’t. This came around due to a court case where it was ruled that they have a dual purpose of carrying people and cargo, therefore cannot be classed as “primarily” transporting cargo.
    The reaction from the public was loud and angry. The blanket move, with what appeared to be very little thought on the use of these vehicles and who these changes would hit, was decried not just by management consultants, architects and dentists who would have to change their vehicle as the tax loophole closed, but by those who genuinely need a multipurpose vehicle.
    To see what the original issue was all about, click this link to a Professional Pickup article link here.
    If you wish to read about the u-turn and what that means, click this link here to a Broker News article.
    AUDI, PORSCHE AND BENTLEYS STUCK AT US PORTSThanks to Audi, Porsche and Bentley utilising components that are on the banned list, for the United States, their cars are sitting dockside waiting for replacement parts. The parts in question are claimed to have been sourced from companies operating in areas where forced labour is the norm, the Xinjiang province. VW Group claims it had no knowledge as it was part of a larger part and only found out due to information received. Click this Yahoo News article link if you wish to learn more.
    BMW LEAVES ONLINE STORAGE SET TO PUBLICA Microsoft Azure storage ‘bucket’ run by BMW was mistakenly left with access set to public, rather than private. This meant that anyone could have accessed the huge amount of code, credentials, data and information held. This is very similar to what happened with Mercedes a couple of weeks ago. There is no knowledge if this data was accessed by unauthorised persons. BMW stress that there was no customer data held or at risk. If you with to learn more, a...

    • 55 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
10 Ratings

10 Ratings

fueledbymetal ,

Excellent automotive news!

Entertaining & informative!

Mitt Gingrich ,

Like the UK perspective and accents

Entertaining and thoughtful discussions about the current motoring scene. The hosts are cheerful, articulate, and quick witted. I enjoy this podcast every week.
Bonus: I can play it when my young son is with me in the car because they don’t swear!
As an American I find it fascinating to get their UK point of view expressed in British vocabulary. For example they mention when a car is equipped with “carry hooks” in the boot. But it sounds like they’re saying “curry hooks”, and I picture a plastic bag with Indian food (American: “to go”. UK: “take away.”) Is it curry or carry?
Also I’ve learned how Brexit, local councils (town governments) and UK regulators blunder into a variety of “brilliant” ideas with unforeseen negative consequences for motorists! I guess America doesn’t have all the horrible politicians, uninformed voters and insular regulators.

Easthampton Guy ,

Engaging, entertaining, exceptional

Motoring Podcast accomplishes the rare feat in a podcast of making the most of the cohosts' rapport while keeping the content interesting, engaging, and relevant.

A wonderful accompaniment to errands, or a relaxing distraction while working on an ostensibly sisyphean project car.

Alan and Andrew clearly work hard to discuss the most current news, but with care taken to avoid disseminating far-fetched clickbaity.

The show dovetails well with the hosts' Twitter presences, functionally a way to have deeper conversations about the subjects that come up, sometimes all too ephemerally, on that platform.

The car reviews benefit from the varied perspectives of the hosts (how the car works in the city and the country, how it copes with the demands of family car duty) and attention is given to
practical aspects too often ignored by more mainstream review channels.

I was sad to hear Alan's had to sell his Vehicross, but hope he can find another spaceship.

The "Rear View" podcast, an associated production, is another of my favourites and highly recommended.

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