Take a French lunch - 3 October 2023

FOLLOW UP: ZEV MANDATE FINALLY ANNOUNCEDThe Government has finally published the details of the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate. As we discussed last week the expected percentage minimums of zero emission vehicles sold per brand have remained from the consultation. However, there is no additional detail from 2030 to 2035 except there being no new internal combustion engines sold from 2035. Click here to read the Autocar article on the story. To read the SMMT’s response, click this link here. UK ROAD DEATHS RISE The statistics on road deaths and injuries have been released by the UK Government. Deaths have risen, for the first time since 2017, but overall incidents are slightly down. Remember it is pointless to compare with 2020 and 2021 figures, therefore one needs to look to 2019 for comparison. Also, note that there is a lot of information and it is handed to us in a variety of formats, which you need to make sure you are aware of if reviewing the data. Click this link here to read Autocar’s summary. If you would like to review the data, click this Government link here. YEW TREE CONSORTIUM INCREASES ASTON MARTIN STAKE The Lawrence Stroll led consortium, Yew Tree, has increased their stake in Aston Martin, once again. They continue to be the largest single shareholder. In order to learn more, click here to read the Reuters article link. PENDRAGON DEALERSHIP CENTRE OF BIDDING WARA trio of US-based bids have been received by Pendragon, for their company, after revealing record profits for the first six months of the year. There have already been increases in bids and counter offers, therefore this may not end anytime soon. You can learn more by clicking this link here to a Car Dealer Magazine article. PERTH TOYOTA DEALERSHIP CONTRACT REMOVEDStuans, the family owned dealer group, has unceremoniously lost their franchise agreement with Toyota, following no consultation or warning. The sites in Dundee and Perth will now be run by Eastern and Western Motor Group. This one is quite personal for Alan and he goes on to explain how little choice Scottish buyers now get. If you would like to learn more, click this AMOnline article link. VW HIRES EX TESLA AND RIVIAN SOFTWARE ENGINEERVolkswagen has brought in a non-VW employee to their CARIAD software division, in a shock move. Sanjay Lal, has previously worked at both Tesla and Rivian, as part of his 25 year career. He is being tasked with trying to improve the speed and quality of software development at the company. You can read more by clicking this InsideEVs article link here.FLEET DATA SHOWS EV TYRES ARE REPLACED MORE OFTENFleet data, analysed by epyx, indicates that EV tyres are being changed 6350 miles ahead of the petrol and diesel engined cars. Whilst there are many nuances and questions, it does appear that the heavier weight is having a knock on effect. More analysis is required but it is good to get actual data from actual real world use. Click here to read more. MERCEDES LORRY GOES 1000KMS ON SINGLE HYDROGEN TANKMercedes-Benz drove a lorry, at its maximum gross weight, over 1000kms in Germany, on a single tank of hydrogen. This is an impressive feat. Unfortunately, there was no where to fill it up at the destination, but this achievement highlighted the potential and some of the existing constraints for the technology. You can read more, by clicking this link to the electrive article. 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 - Skoda KamiqSkoda has face-lifted their small SUV, with minor touches to the external looks and improved technology on the inside. Going up against the likes of the VW T-Cross, Peugeot 2008 and Vauxhall Mokka, Skoda hope this freshening up will lure buyers, as will the starting price of £24,070 for the entry level SE, rising to £29,275 for the range topping Monte Carlo spec. To find out more about engines and the upgrades, click here to read the CAR article link. Skoda ScalaNot content with refreshing one model, Skoda have also given the Scala a spruce up. This small-ish hatchback which sits between B and C segments, has also been given the latest Skoda look, with the latest technology. Prices start at £22,095 for the SE and top out at £27,795 for the Monte Carlo. All engines are internal combustion, the same as with the Kamiq. Once again, CAR give all the fine details which you can read by clicking this link. Porsche 911 GT3 R Rennsport Whilst the Rennsport Reunion was underway, in the US, Porsche revealed their limited edition, track only, 911 GT3 R Rennsport model. Essentially a slightly rebodied derestricted GT3 race car. Costing a cool $1,000,000 we presume all have been bought by specially chosen customers of Porsche. You can read all about it here, after clicking this CAR link. Nissan to stop selling ICE vehicles after 2030We were surprised by Nissan’s announcement that would would only release new EVs from now on and that they would stop selling ICE cars from 2030, but only because we thought they had done so already. If you would like to learn more about what this means, click this Autocar link here. LUNCHTIME WATCH: YEAR LONG RESTORATIONSoup Classics motoring brings this week’s recommendation. Be warned, it is long, but wonderful. Either give yourself permission for a long lunch or watch in stages. Also, if you don’t already, do subscribe to this channel as the work is top quality. Click here to watch more. LIST OF THE WEEK: WORST REST STOPS IN THE WORLDThis is effectively a US list, which we may poke a little fun at, for the disconnect with the title. However, its not the list but the horror stories associated with each nomination that make it so good. To run through several scaring road trips, click this Jalopnik link here. AND FINALLY: THE UK HOT WHEELS LEGENDS TOUR 2023 WINNER We said we would, and now we have, brought you more details on the fabulous car that won the UK leg of the Hot Wheels Legends Tour 2023, the MG B-EAST. To learn all about the work and the astonishing detail and dedication click this CAR link here.