Typecast - 12 August 2025

JULY 2025 NEW CAR REGISTRATIONSNew car registrations fall, year-on-year, in July 2025 by 5%. Whilst the electric car grant is now available, which models are eligible and at what rate remains to be seen. This has had a knock on effect with registrations of EVs raising slower than expected. BEVs and PHEVs increased but all other powertrains declined. To read more, click this article linked from the SMMT, here. JLR PROFIT PLUNGE IN FIRST HALF OF 2025Mainly thanks to the tariff farcical situation, JLR saw profits in the second quarter of 2025, plunge by half. Whilst the UK has negotiated a deal that has been implemented, the EU’s one is not yet on stream, thus the Defender is still paying the price. Adding to their woes is the self inflicted issue of warranty costs, but outside of their control is volatile foreign exchange rates. if you wish to read more, click this Autocar article link here. LOTUS LOSE ONE CEO AND FIND ANOTHERMatt Windle has left Lotus, either of his own volition or was pushed, depending on who you listen to. The company has appointed Mao Jingbo, current president of China operations, to oversea the UK and European sector. This is the fourth head of the company in two years, with Windle lasting just four months. Click this Autocar article to learn more. ASTEMO INVESTS IN BOLTON SITEAstemo is investing £100 million at a site in Bolton, which will be staffed by 200 employees, to produce components for the next generation of EVs. They have received Government backing for this move. To find out more, click this article link from The Manufacturer. NISSAN OPENS TRUCK CHARGING HUBNissan has opened a truck charging hub on it’s production site, in Sunderland. This is open to the public, but they will also charge up electric cab units that they use for their own purposes locally. You can learn more, from this link here to a an 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 - Honda CivicHonda is updating the Civic, but you’ll have to be good to spot the differences, according to Motoring Research. Tweaks to the looks and the interior are the order of the day. Hybrid powertrain remains the same, as do the three trim levels. Prices start at £33,795. Click here to read more. Nissan MicraPrices and specs have been confirmed by Nissan for the new Micra. Order books open on 1 September and the starting price matches that of the Renault 5, which this is a rebadge of. The three trim levels are Engage, Advanced and Evolve. Prices start at £22,995. Click this Motoring Research article to read more. VW to end the TouaregVolkswagen are to end production of the Touareg in 2026 and there is to be no replacement. The company feel the role will be fulfilled by the cheaper Tayron that they released recently. Additionally, the ID5 is also being pulled from sale, in 2027. Click this Autocar article link for more. DESIGNERS MOOD BOARD: ERCOLE SPADA PASSES AWAYErcole Spada passed away on 3 August 2025. His might not be a name that many know, however, his work is knows. From cars such as the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato to Alfa Romeo Junior Z to the BMW E34 5-Series, we have all seen his work. To find out more about the man and his work, click this Octane article link here. LIST OF THE WEEK: THE BEST SMALL CARS EVER MADEAutocar has our recommended options for picking your favourite from many, when it comes to small cars. There are some questions about if all are exactly “the best” but nevertheless you have many to select from. Click here to check out what you could decide is the best. AND FINALLY: IT’S BEHIND YOUU-Haul is a famous American rental company, that allows you to hire vans of various sizes and trailers. Alan explains all to us unenlightened heathens outside of the US of A. However, they’ve developed and built a new trailer, one that will allow a lot more to be towed across the continent. Click here to read more, from Car and Driver.