Please sir - 4 March 2025

FOLLOW UP: A CORRECTIONLast week, during the discussion on the Kia PV5 Andrew moved onto a matter that was tangentially related as it concerned the coverage of the Government announcing the extension of the plug-in grant for electric vans. However, in how he moved to that and the editing after, Andrew inadvertently gave the impression he was attacking the Professional Van outlet and their writers. That was not the intention and we apologise for how that segment came out. It has been removed.ASTON MARTIN CUTS JOBS IN COST SAVINGS PUSHAston Martin has cut 170 jobs as it looks to cut costs following a disappointing 2023. Hit by supply chain issues production was down and therefore so were deliveries to customers. The company is aiming for £25 million savings annually. To read more, click this link to a BBC News article. STELLANTIS PROFITS FALL 70%Stellantis has released information on their 2024 performance and it is bad. Net profits fell 70% on those of 2023. With an operating income down 80% for just the US market alone. Whilst in Europe it fell 63%. Much of the blame is put on an ageing line up, with much of the hope resting on the new cars coming out. If you wish to read more, click this AMOnline article link here. NISSAN CANCELS NIGHT SHIFT AT SUNDERLAND PLANTNissan has announced that it is cancelling one of the night shifts at the Sunderland plant, as it looks to save costs globally. Click this BBC News article link here, for more. SKODA TO SLASH WORKFORCE BY 15%Skoda is the latest brand to announce it is reducing it’s workforce. 15% of the 41,000 employed positions will go through natural fluctuations, the company stated. For more information on this, click the link here for a Yahoo!Finance article.PORSCHE REPLACES BOARD MEMBERSPorsche has decided the fault of increased costs and sales falling, is due to the chief financial and the marketing and sales directors. They have been now replaced, with Jochen Breckner now in charge of finance and IT, whilst Matthias Becker will be heading up sales and marketing. To read more on this, click the Autocar link here. ITALIAN REGULATORS INVESTIGATE MISLEADING EV INFORMATIONThe Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) and the Italian financial police (Guardia di Finanza) are investigating BYD, Stellantis, Tesla and the VW Group over claims of misleading information regarding their electric vehicles. Driving range, battery degradation and warranty information are all being questioned. If you want to learn more, click this CarScoops article link here. LIVERPOOL TO GET 58 ELECTRIC DOUBLE DECKERSLiverpool City Region Combined Authority has ordered 58 electric double deckers, from Alexander Dennis.The Department for Transport’s Zero-Emission Bus Regional Areas fund (ZEBRA 2) is partially helping to fund the purchase. Click this electrive article link here to read more. 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 - Kia EV2Kia, at the EV event in Spain, previewed the next electric car due to come out after the EV4, the EV2. This is around the same size as the Renault 4 and 5, as well as Vauxhall Corsa, but will be a SUV. Once again, details are scant from the Korean company, yet the price is expected to be around €30,000. To find out more, click this Autocar article link here. Kia EV4 After last week’s tease, Kia filled in the gaps with details emerging at the same Spanish event as previously mentioned. Prices are expected to start at €37,000 and the maximum range will be 391 miles. There will be a variety of battery packs and thus capabilities, which differ between the saloon and hatchback. Click this Autocar article link to learn more. Kia PV5 Again, at the same event mentioned, Kia detailed the specifications and performance of their first foray into electric commercial vehicles. Cargo wise, it should be able to swallow two Euro pallets, however, weight is limited to a maximum of 850kgs for the load. To find out more information, do click this link to a Professional Van article. LUNCHTIME WATCH: ASTON MARTIN’S NEW CEO PLANS TO BE THE FIRST TO MAKE IT SUSTAINABLY PROFITABLEOur recommendation this week is a fascinating interview with Adrian Hallmark, the CEO of Aston Martin. He explains why he took the job and the belief in the mission. This appears to be quite an honest interview too, with his passion and ideas coming across. Time will tell if he is successful, but it seems, from this distance, the best plan the company has had for decades. Click this link to read more from the Robb Report.LIST OF THE WEEK: 25 CARS THAT ARE 25 IN 2025Classic & Sports Car provide our recommended list for you, this week. You may not like it though, as there is a very good chance at making you feel old. Do you agree with the chap’s selections? Let us know your pick. Click here to view what options you have. AND FINALLY: BMW’S PASTBMW has created an online museum for their past models. What an amazing thing it is too. So much information and easy to navigate. Click this link to their website and say goodbye to many hours!