Car News-Global and Domestic

[NewcastleFalcon]

EU presses ahead with Chinese EV tariffs after divided vote
(In a pivotal vote on Friday, 10 EU members backed tariffs and five voted against, with 12 abstentions)
The region's biggest economy and major car producer, Germany, voted against the proposal, sources said on Friday.
The EU executive said it had obtained "the necessary support" to adopt the tariffs, although it would continue talks with Beijing to find an alternative solution.
https://www.reuters.com/business/autos- ... 024-10-04/

Pretty chapter and verse, the story as is at this point in time, the effect and subsequent talks yet to follow through.
With Europe's car industry already in partnerships and taking stakes in Chinese battery and automakers, and inward Chinese investment to "build them in Europe" already taking place, and European Countries looking to attract new factories and jobs to their patch, a trade war with China is more likely to bankrupt the European Auto Industry than save it. There are mutual benefits to be had, and the EU having authority to implement those tariffs across the single market may prove to be a useful negotiating stance, time will tell.

The biggest powerhouse of European auto-making Germany voted against of course, reflected in the comments reported from BMW.

BMW (BMWG.DE), Chief Executive Oliver Zipse described the vote as "a fatal signal for the European automotive industry".

Neil

[bobins]

Electric car targets could be eased as demand flags

"Rules on electric vehicle (EV) sales could change as part of a "fast track" consultation from the government, the BBC understands.

Carmakers with factories in the UK have been urging the government to alter the rules, which they say set sales targets too high, because EV demand is not strong enough.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds is expected to announce the consultation at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ annual dinner later on Tuesday.

Under the current mandate, a percentage of the cars that firms sell must qualify as zero-emission.

EVs must make up 22% of a firm's car sales and 10% of their van sales this year. For every car sale that pushes it outside of that mandate, they must pay a £15,000 fine."

More at the Beeb : https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c98dzyy850jo

In further news today...... the pope is understood to be a Catholic, and water is wet

[CitroJim]

Just heard Stellantis are to shut down Luton

Locals say the writing was on the wall when car production ended in 2002 and it's a miracle it's lasted this long...

[bobins]

Looks like Carlos Tavares has run away made a tactical withdrawal from Stellantis with immediate effect.

Stellantis boss abruptly quits in boardroom clash

"The boss of car-making giant Stellantis, Carlos Tavares, has quit with immediate effect following a boardroom clash.
His abrupt exit from the company - which owns brands including Vauxhall, Jeep, Fiat, Peugeot and Chrysler - comes two months after Stellantis issued a profit warning.

........Mr Tavares’ position has been undermined recently by a dramatic fall in sales and profits at the company.
"Critics would say he was just cost-cutting too much and delaying products and also hurting quality," said Mr Greimel.
In September, Stellantis had issued a profit warning after it reported a sharp drop in sales in North America.
Dealers found themselves struggling to shift a glut of unsold vehicles, which customers simply didn’t want to buy.
The company was criticised for producing too many cars of the wrong type, failing to adapt to changing customer tastes and losing ground to more dynamic rivals.
Prof David Bailey from the Birmingham Business School, told the BBC’s Today programme that while there is “huge turmoil in the car industry generally” Stellantis has its own “particular problems".
He said: “What’s really, really driving that, I think, is the situation in North America where they’ve had appalling results, a very dated product line-up, rising inventories and slipping market share as a result of which all the stakeholders involved – suppliers, dealers, workers, investors - are deeply unhappy.
"I think that has penetrated the board and made his position untenable.”

More at the Beeb : https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgx5pe4r0xo

[GiveMeABreak]

Amen to that.

[bobins]

Harry Metcalfe has given a very diplomatic overview of the new jaGUar O dear ...sorry, '00' concept car. He was at a press preview a few weeks ago so got some close up footage.

[mickthemaverick]

bobins can I claim plagiarism here? See POTD

[CitroJim]

Words fail me for once... And anyone who knows me well knows how remarkable that is

I have some thoughts but none printable...

[bobins]

bobins can I claim plagiarism here? See POTD

Sorry I hadn't realised you'd linked to the video, I thought it was just a picture - not that it matters..... the video is now here in the Car news thread

[Huskyxantia]

Sorry i thought that chap was standing next to the worlds largest mouth organ at quick glance .

[bobins]

You should read the comments section in the video. There's possibly a few people who like it.... or at least don't hate it. Most are....... unenthusiastic !

[Hell Razor5543]

Well, there is something else of note in car news;

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/c ... 59a9&ei=29

[Paul-R]

Dear God, that is one ugly car.

[bobins]

I'm not entirely sure what market it's aimed at, although to be fair - this is only a concept car at this stage, though they say the production models won't differ massively. But......... who are the people they want to buy it ? It'll sell at over £100k so it's in no way aimed at a large chunk of the global population. They've abandonned any 'heritage' with it and aren't really bothered about catering for old regular customers. Is this really a car that the bright young things of today want ?

[CitroJim]

One thing that really concerns me is the potential visibility issues when driving the thing... The glass area seems very tiny and restrictive.

Admittedly I do like driving mobile greenhouses. I bet it's bloody claustrophobic in the cabin too; designed by an agoraphobic?

Does this thing make extensive use of cameras to make up for the apparent lack of window area?

That's OK until the lenses steam up or get covered in road muck... As I've seen happen on reversing cameras...

I fear this disaster may well be the final life of the big cat... What a sad and tragic end