FOLLOW UP: JLR WOES STILL CONTINUE BUT SOME PROGRESS
Whilst JLR is still battling against the hack that caused them to shut all their systems down on the 2 September, there is some positive progress. The company has started a phased process of turning back on some systems and they expect to begin limited car production later this week. On top of that, the Government has guaranteed 80% of a loan the company is seeking to take out to help cover the costs resulting from the shutdown. To find out the latest, click this Autocar article link here.
Link to Professor David Bailey’s piece explaining about the loan JLR has taken out and the UK Government has guaranteed a portion of, can be clicked here.
VW GROUP PAUSING EV PRODUCTION
Due to a lower demand than anticipated, the Volkswagen Group is pausing EV production in several factories. The factories in Zwickau and Emden in Germany, as well as Tennessee in the US, will pause production of various electric models in the coming weeks. Tariffs are also impacting the finances of the company which is already struggling to cut costs. Click this InsideEVs article link here to read more.
STELLANTIS PAUSING PRODUCTION ACROSS EUROPE
Stellantis is another company that is pausing their car production facilities due to cost savings, lacklustre sales figures and the impact of the tariffs. Pomigliano factory, in Italy, is currently not making the Fiat Panda and Alfar Romeo Tonale. The Poissy site, in France, will pause production for the middle of October. On top of that facilities in Poland, Spain and Germany are also expected to follow suit. If you want to find out more, click this Carscoops article link here.
BENTLEY TO FOLLOW PORSCHE AND KEEP ICE IN LINEUP
In what should be no surprise to anyone, Bentley will be keeping combustion engine powertrain options in their cars contrary to the previous ‘Beyond100’ plan, just as Porsche has announced. You can read more, by clicking this Autocar link here.
BOSCH CUTS JOBS
Bosch is cutting up to 13,000 jobs on top of the previously announced 9,000. This is a result of trying to save €2.5 billion. Of note, Bosch is the world’s largest automotive supplier. For more on this story, click the link here to an electrive article.
FRANCE REVIEWING NISSAN SUPPLIER PAYMENTS
The French Government has asked to see Nissan’s payments to suppliers. There is no indication as to why this has occurred nor is there a suggestion Nissan has done anything wrong. In France companies have to pay invoices within 60 days. Click this Yahoo!Finance article to read more.
CHANGES IN MERCEDES MANAGEMENT
CTO Markus Schäffer is leaving Mercedes-Benz, after 30 years service. Jörg Burzer will move from head of production, quality and supply chain management to replace him. That means Michael Schiebe will move on from being in charge of Mercedes-AMG to take up Burzer’s old role. A new head of Mercedes-AMG is to be announced later. To read more, click this Autocar link here.
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NEW NEW CAR NEWS -
Kia Stonic
Kia are updating their small Crossover, the Stonic. Design changes bring it bang up to date with the ‘Opposites United’ design language. Interestingly, there will be a manual option. Powertrains offered will both use a 1.0l three-cylinder petrol engine, with one only using that and the other mating it to a mild hybrid. No confirmation on prices yet, but expect it to be a bit more than the existing which starts at 22,085. Click this Autocar article link for more.
TypeH Citroën e-Relay H Van
Citroën, thanks to TypeH, are offering to H Van-like the e-Relay, where they retrofy the outside of the electric Relay van. Probably quite niche but fun that they do it nonetheless. To find out more, click this Motoring Research article link here.
GMA Le Mans GTR and S1 LM
Gordon Murray Automotive has shown off two special cars inspired by the McLaren F1 GTR LM, the Le Mans GTR and S1 LM. All have been sold and only a very small number are being made. Which is a shame as they are great looking, particularly the S1 LM. But they are not all show and no go, as they are fitted with V12s. Click this Autocar article link here for more.
LUNCHTIME READ: RADWOOD 2025 RECAP
At the end of August, there was the 2025 RADwood meet up, where people celebrate the 80s and 90s through the medium of cars. Many also don period dress for the full affect. Click this link here, from Hagerty to catch up on what happened and who won what!
LIST OF THE WEEK: 32 TIMES FIAT GOT IT RIGHT
Classic & Sports Car provide a fabulous list with Fiat’s back catalogue to pick from. Obviously there are some usual suspects, but also some you may not know. Click this link here to check out what options there are.
AND FINALLY: SNAPSHOT OF HISTORY
Photographer Philip Butler has captured 226 garages and service stations, across the country, to document the design and architecture these buildings have before they are lost. Click this link here to visit his site and also find a link in the article taking you a page where you can buy this wonderful book for a very reasonable price.
