Bears exist - 17 September 2024

Motoring Podcast - News Show

FOLLOW UP: BWM DOWNGRADES OUTLOOK

On the back of the news that the BMW brake recall has expanded, which we covered last week, BMW has announced that they have cut their projected outlook for 2024 due to the costs incurred by the issue of the Continental supplied part. On top of that, reports are now surfacing that they were first informed of the issue in June 2022. To read more, click this link to an AMOnline story.

TOYOTA SOLID STATE BATTERY PLANS APPROVED

Toyota has announced that it will begin production of solid state batteries in 2026, with mass production to begin in 2030. Have they actually cracked? If you wish to read more, click this InsideEVs article link here.

MERCEDES AND SUPPLIER DEVELOPING SOLID STATE BATTERY

Mercedes-Benz and Factorial have announced plans that they are developing a solid state battery, but with no confirmation on a date when these might come to market or be fitted to cars. Click here to read more, via a Reuters article link.

MG TO SELL SOLID STATE BATTERY CAR IN 2025

Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), the company that owns MG amongst other brands, has announced that it will reveal their solid state battery in the second quarter of 2025. They then expect to start selling cars fitted with them by the end of the same year. To learn more, click this Autocar article link here.

TOYOTA REDUCES EV TARGETS

Toyota is the latest car maker to lower their production targets for electric cars. They are moving from 1.5 million to 1 million EVs produced, in 2026. Whilst that looks dramatic, it is not as dramatic as the jump from now. If you want to read more, click this electrive article link here.

VOLVO SUBSCRIPTION BUSINESS TO END

Volvo has announced that it will be shutting down their car subscription offering. The system covered all costs except insurance and fuel. Whilst this has not worked for Volvo, or not well enough, others in the industry still think it is a viable business model and something consumers want. To find out more, click this AMOnline article link here.

FORD PATENTS COME TO LIGHT

Ford has submitted patents that are invasive of personal space and information to just a bit silly. We have to remember that patents often don’t make it to market and we can hope some of those unearthed don’t. One is to use in-cabin microphones to monitor conversations, combined with predicting the trip intention and historical data to “serve” you adverts, both visually and through the speakers. Yep, we’re more than appalled at that, just like you. Click this link from The Record, to read more on this.

The other one that raised an eyebrow, is for ‘Smart Vehicle Holograms’ that will, apparently, do a whole host of things from project security guards and dogs patrolling around a car, to showing a restaurant menu and assisting with valet parking. You can learn more and also question the sanity of some Ford employees, by clicking this Top Gear article link here.

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NEW NEW CAR NEWS -

Audi Q5

Audi have shown off the latest Q5, an ICE SUV fitted with a mild hybrid powertrain to help. There’s a myriad of engine options from the base model up to the range topping SQ5. THe interior and exterior are being refreshed to match the rest of the model range. Improvements to handling and power output can be expected. UK specs and prices are yet to be announced. Click this EVO article link to read more.

DS SM Tribute

DS has reimagined the legendary Citroën SM with the SM Tribute concept. Oh boy. What a mess. Things are not helped that they have it photographed next to the original. Inside is the usual concept look of floating, semi transparent materials, rectangular steering wheels and digital displays. You can read more, by clicking this Autocar article link here.

Ariel Nomad 2 EV

Ariel has shown off a near production ready version of the electric Nomad. Astonishingly light, for an EV at only 896kg, the car is expected to be on sale from 2026. No confirmation of what the range will be, but considering the technical specifications and the nature of the vehicle, do not expect continent devouring milage. To learn more, click here for an Autocar article.

Fiat 500e production paused

Fiat has announced that it has paused the production of the 500e, due to a slowing down in demand. They expect this to only last one month and Stellantis say they are not alone in being affected. The car is constrained with a limited range, that is beaten by cars of a similar price and even cheaper. Click this Autocar article link for more.

DESIGNERS MOOD BOARD: CHANGES IN THE BMW GROUP

Alpina are getting a new head of design, the ex-Polestar designer, Maximilian Missoni. Does this mean Alpina will have their own cars? We wait with bated breath! Click this Autocar link to read more.

Meanwhile, BMW’s design boss moves to Rolls Royce. Domagoj Dukec is taking over from Anders Warming as he moves to a new group role. To find out all the changes in the design teams, click this Autocar link here.

LUNCHTIME READ AND WATCH: RADWOOD UK 2024

RADWood Uk 2024 took place recently and whilst we could not get there, we are bringing you some of the coverage. Hagerty provide the reading element, which you can check out by clicking this link here.

Meanwhile, Furious Driving YouTube channel supplies the watching part, as he has a lovely video out showing some of the cars at the show. Click here to watch that.

LIST OF THE WEEK: THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ITALIAN CARS

A short list to select from that has been the case lately, as Goodwood Road & Racing suggest ten options. Do you agree with Alan and his choice? Do let us know after you click this link to review what you could pick from.

We promise Alan is not getting paid to promote this video from HubNut he just really, really likes it. But as he’s mentioned it AGAIN, here is the link you can click to go see what has made him gush so much about Ian’s work.

AND FINALLY: WHAT IS AN EXTINCTION LEVEL CAMPER?

Learn what an extinction level camper is and how wonderfully designed and thought out the one The Autopian took into the woods to give the bears a great big surprise - should be noted no bears were actually surprised or harmed in the writing of the fabulous article. Click here to read more.