Drinking Game Bingo - 21 February 2023

FOLLOW UP: EU CONFIRMS 2035 BAN ON ICE ENGINESThe European Union Parliament has voted to ban the sale of new petrol, diesel and hybrid powertrain, from 2035. However, there is some breathing space, no pun intended, for small volume manufacturers. They will not be tied into the new CO2 reduction rules that were also approved, until the end of 2035. Interestingly, the EU will also share the methodology for calculating the lifetime CO2 emissions on new vehicles by 2025. Click here to read about the main story, from Autocar. To find out about what it all means for small volume manufacturers, click here to read another Autocar story. FORD TO CUT 3,800 EUROPEAN AND UK JOBS Ford has announced the extent of the job losses across the UK and Europe. 3.800 jobs will go, including 1,300 in the UK. With the move to electrification, fewer workers are required, Ford explained. However, the engineering and administration are bearing the brunt of the cuts as the company becomes “unapologetically American”. Click here to read the AM Online article, for more information. TESLA FORCED TO RECALL ‘FULL SELF-DRIVING BETA’In a shock move, after years of inactivity, the National Highways Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has demanded that Tesla recall some of their cars. In this instance it is the ones that have ‘Full Self-Driving Beta’ software fitted. Due to fears the software is unsafe, particularly when approaching junctions, pass stop signs and incorrectly handle speed limit changes. The recall will be delivered via an over-the-air update. Click this Jalopnik article link for more information. RENAULT REPORT RECORD PROFITS FOR 2022 Renault announced record profit per vehicle, in 2022. Revenue was up to €46.4 billion, with an operating margin of €2.3 billion and that is despite the cost of relinquishing their Russian operations. To read more, click this link to an Automotive Daily article. WALES SHELVES ALL FUTURE NEW ROAD PROJECTSThe Welsh Government announced that it was shelving all new road plans, due to environmental concerns. They will judge any future proposals against a tough criteria for them to be approved. Subsequently, the Government also stated that they did not have the finances to fund road developments. Click here to read a BBC News article about the initial announcement. To find out more about the lack of cash, click this link for another BBC News article. GRIDSERVE PLANNING SECOND CHARGING FORECOURT IN ESSEXGridserve, who have charging forecourts in Braintree, Norwich with one due to open near Gatwick, is planning on a second Essex location. Plans have been approved by Basildon council. Click this link, to read more from Move Electric. DR SHOICHIRO TOYODA PASSES AWAYThe Honorary Chairman of Toyota, Dr Shoichiro Toyoda, has passed away, at the age of 97. He was the first son of Toyota founder, Kiichiro Toyoda, and led the company from 1982 to 1992, where he took on the role as Chairman of the Board of Directors. In 2009 Dr Toyoda was named Honorary Chairman, a role he held until his death. To read more, click this article link from Toyota UK Magazine. If you like what we do, on this show, and think it is worth a £1.00, please consider supporting us via Patreon. Here is the link to that CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST NEW NEW CAR NEWS:Mazda 2 - Mazda has released details of the 2023 Mazda 2 refresh. Stylistically this means a new grille, front wings and a more sporty looking car. Technology improvements include wireless Apple CarPlay, climate control and cruise control as standard. There are no changes to the engine line up, with a 1.5 litre petrol engine producing 73, 88 and 115bhp dependent on specification. There is a mild hybrid version, mated to a manual gearbox. Prices begin at £17, 750. To learn more, click this Autocar article link. Rolls-Royce Spectre - Possibly one of the most important Rolls-Royces ever is now closer to being in customers hands. The Spectre is the first fully electric car from the UK-based manufacturer. Previously this has been tested in the cold and now journalists get to experience it again, this time in South Africa. Fitted with a battery pack of about 106kWh and electric motors to the front and rear wheels the just under three ton car will hit 62mph in 4.2 seconds from a standing start. The estimated range is around 320 miles too. You can read further information on this by clicking this Autocar link here. Mini Electric Convertible - Mini will sell just 150 electric convertibles in the UK, once they find 150 people willing to spend £52, 500 on a soft top Mini with a 125 mile range. Click here to read more, once again from Autocar. LUNCHTIME READ: NEW POLESTAR DESIGN STUDIOThank you, to listener Vroom101 (on Twitter), we are sharing the wonderful article from Wallpaper about how Polestar have utilised the brutalist ex-Volvo offices in Gothenburg for their design studio. Click this link to read all about it. LIST OF THE WEEK: DO YOU REMEMBER ANY OF THESE OBSCURE SUVS?Autocar has produced a list of obscure SUVs which you may have forgotten or not even known about. Run through the 62 slides to see some mad, bad and, erm, decent cars. Don’t forget to tell the chaps if you agree with their selections, this week. Click here to see them all.AND FINALLY: YORK ASKS APPLE WHAT IS IN A NAME? Those trying to input the location of York, in the UK, have been hitting a snag with anything using Apple Maps for locations. For some bizarre reason, this gets corrected to Milby, which is very much not York. Even after a fix was deployed there were still issues. Whilst this has been amusing it does show how easily real problems could occur. Click this YorkMix article link to read more.