Set him off - 21 October 2025

FOLLOW UP: UK DIESELGATE TRIAL BEGINSA trial has begun in the UK High Court to decide if some manufacturers used software to pass emission tests but then acted differently outside of test conditions. The brands all deny the charge. To read more, click this Motor Trader article link here. FOLLOW UP: JLR RESTARTS ALL PRODUCTION LINESJLR has now started the last of their production lines following the chaos from the cyber attack at the start of September. Halewood was the last facility to get back up. If you wish to find out more, click this Autocar article link here. PORSCHE FINDS A NEW BOSSFollowing the announcement that Oliver Blume would relinquish his role as CEO of Porsche the company has been searching for a replacement. Ex-McLaren CEO Michael Leiters returns to the brand to lead it, allowing Blume to focus on his Volkswagen Group role. You can learn more, by clicking this Autocar article link here. TOYOTA GB FINDS A NEW BOSSToyota GB has announced that Luigi Ksawery Lucá will be the new prsident and managing director of the company, as Scott Thompson will be returning to Toyota Australia. Lucá starts in the role from 1 January 2026. For more, click this Motor Trader article link here. CARDIFF PARKING PLANCardiff Council has announced how they will be revamping parking within the city. Unfortunately, nearly all of the reporting on the matter has been shockingly bad thanks to equating weight with size. There are no restrictions to the size of a car, being introduced only the weight. Cars over 2400kg revenue weight (gross weight) will face a surcharge for a parking permit. This includes EVs. However, they plan to phase in a reduced weight for the surcharge, of 2000kg revenue weight that will exempt EVs. Do residents actually know what cars will be charged extra? In all likelihood they are going to be surprised, especially when the reduced limit comes into force. To read one of the better articles out there on this story, click this Motoring Research link here. To read the Cardiff City Council parking plan, click this link here. QUICK FIRE CATCH UP ON EV RELATED NEWSTo read about the new funds for Cornish Lithium, click this electrive article link here. To read about Duracell entering the ultra-rapid charging network space, click this electrive article link here. To read about Blink Charging being engaged in a West Yorkshire charging infrastructure project, click this electrive article link here. To read about Openreach’s deal with myenergi for staff home chargers, click this link here from EV Powered. To read about Compleo leaving the UK charging market, click this electrive link here.To read about BP Pulse and Moto installing lorry chargers at motorway services, click this electrive article link here. To read about E.ON testing a booking system for charging EV lorries, click this electrive article link here. 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 - Cupra Formentor updateCupra is going to fit the same engine from the Audi RS3 into their Formentor, boosting power and performance but also the price. To read more, click this Autocar article link here. Alfa Romeo TonaleAlfa is already updating the Tonale, increasing the width of the track, changing the grille and powertrain options. Will this help boost sales? Time will tell. To find out more, click this Top Gear article link here. VW ID.4 and ID.5 eligible for ECGVolkswagen has gained approval for Level 2 of the Electric Car Grant (ECG), enabling it to take advantage of a £1500 from the UK Government, for some versions of the ID.4 and ID.5. Click this Motor Trader article link here to find out the details. LUNCHTIME READ: WHEN PERFORMANCE MAGAZINE CLOSED TWO WRITERS AND A SUBARU KEPT DRIVINGThis week’s recommended read is a light hearted piece about when Performance Magazine closed and EVO came into being, thanks to Richard Porter’s imagination. Click this EVO link here to put a smile on your face. LIST OF THE WEEK: HERE ARE NINE OF THE BEST CLASSIC CAR INTERIORSThis week we have a Top Gear list to chose from, all about the best car interior. Do you agree with Andrew’s choice or would you go for something else. Click this link to see what your options are. AND FINALLY: HOW TO BE A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSMAN AND KINDThe Autopian has the article that rounds the show out with a heartwarming story of a cardboard manufacturing magnate who used some of his wealth to help others by overpaying for their cars when they were in need. He’s now putting all those cars up for auction. Click this link to read more.