Anarked - 14 July 2020

FOLLOW UP: VW FACES DIESELGATE CLAIMS WHERE CARS ARE BOUGHT

An Austrian court sought confirmation from the EU Court of Justice, if it had jurisdiction to proceed on a class action claim. In essence, these cases can take place where the damage has taken place as opposed to where the defendant is domiciled. This potentially opens the floodgates for claims across the EU. To read more, click the Reuters article here.

FOLLOW UP: JUDGE THROWS OUT GM CLAIM AGAIN FCA

The judge presiding over the claim, by General Motors, that FCA had colluded with labor unions for a higher wage cost to GM, has dismissed the case. He stated that their claims initially looked to have merit but once inspected did not hold up. GM has confirmed they will be pursuing this matter in the courts. To learn more, click the Automotive News Europe article here.

FOLLOW UP: PSA VULNERABILITY CLARIFICATION

Last week’s List of the Week included a vulnerability found by Ian Tabor, in his DS5. Andrew did not make it clear that any PSA vehicle with the same unit fitted had the same vulnerability. You will learn more by reading his report on the issue and his closing remarks, which can be found by clicking the link here.

VOLKSWAGEN SOFTWARE BOSS TO BE REPLACED

VW is looking at a replacement for Christian Senger, who has been heading up the new software division within the Group. There have been a number of issues with the software for the ID3 and the latest Golf. Senger will be joining Andreas Renschler and Stefan Sommer, in leaving the company. All three were brought in from outside the Group. To read more, click the Carscoops article here.

SKODA BOSS LEAVING

Bernhard Maier is set to leave Skoda at the end of the month, with no news as to his next move. He took over the helm of the Czech firm from Porsche. To read more, click the Autocar article here.

SUZUKI DROPS JIMNY FROM UK

Suzuki has dropped their small 4x4, the Jimny, from their lineup in the UK, however, they will fulfil orders already placed. This is due to the average CO2 emissions across the fleet, as previously discussed. To read more, about this sad news click the CarScoops article here.

BRITISH GAS SWITCHES TO ELECTRIC

British Gas has placed an order for 1,000 all-electric Vivaro-e vans from Vauxhall. This is the first step in fully electrifying its entire 12,000 fleet by 2030. For Vauxhall, this is a massive shot in the arm for the sales of their first full commercial EV. To read more, click the Motoring Research article here.

CLAIMS GOVERNMENT ROAD BUILDING AT ODDS WITH CO2 LIMITS

A report from Transport for Quality of Life, has claimed that the Government’s plans to invest £27 billion in road building projects would scupper the aim to meet the strict CO2 emission targets. The Government rebuffs these claims, due to out-of-date data being used. However, one aspect that the podcast has mentioned a couple of times, is the mention of brake dust pollution. To read more,

FOLLOW UP: VW FACES DIESELGATE CLAIMS WHERE CARS ARE BOUGHT

An Austrian court sought confirmation from the EU Court of Justice, if it had jurisdiction to proceed on a class action claim. In essence, these cases can take place where the damage has taken place as opposed to where the defendant is domiciled. This potentially opens the floodgates for claims across the EU. To read more, click the Reuters article here.

FOLLOW UP: JUDGE THROWS OUT GM CLAIM AGAIN FCA

The judge presiding over the claim, by General Motors, that FCA had colluded with labor unions for a higher wage cost to GM, has dismissed the case. He stated that their claims initially looked to have merit but once inspected did not hold up. GM has confirmed they will be pursuing this matter in the courts. To learn more, click the Automotive News Europe article here.

FOLLOW UP: PSA VULNERABILITY CLARIFICATION

Last week’s List of the Week included a vulnerability found by Ian Tabor, in his DS5. Andrew did not make it clear that any PSA vehicle with the same unit fitted had the same vulnerability. You will learn more by reading his report on the issue and his closing remarks, which can be found by clicking the link here.

VOLKSWAGEN SOFTWARE BOSS TO BE REPLACED

VW is looking at a replacement for Christian Senger, who has been heading up the new software division within the Group. There have been a number of issues with the software for the ID3 and the latest Golf. Senger will be joining Andreas Renschler and Stefan Sommer, in leaving the company. All three were brought in from outside the Group. To read more, click the Carscoops article here.

SKODA BOSS LEAVING

Bernhard Maier is set to leave Skoda at the end of the month, with no news as to his next move. He took over the helm of the Czech firm from Porsche. To read more, click the Autocar article here.

SUZUKI DROPS JIMNY FROM UK

Suzuki has dropped their small 4x4, the Jimny, from their lineup in the UK, however, they will fulfil orders already placed. This is due to the average CO2 emissions across the fleet, as previously discussed. To read more, about this sad news click the CarScoops article here.

BRITISH GAS SWITCHES TO ELECTRIC

British Gas has placed an order for 1,000 all-electric Vivaro-e vans from Vauxhall. This is the first step in fully electrifying its entire 12,000 fleet by 2030. For Vauxhall, this is a massive shot in the arm for the sales of their first full commercial EV. To read more, click the Motoring Research article here.

CLAIMS GOVERNMENT ROAD BUILDING AT ODDS WITH CO2 LIMITS

A report from Transport for Quality of Life, has claimed that the Government’s plans to invest £27 billion in road building projects would scupper the aim to meet the strict CO2 emission targets. The Government rebuffs these claims, due to out-of-date data being used. However, one aspect that the podcast has mentioned a couple of times, is the mention of brake dust pollution. To read more, click the BBC News article here.

COUNCIL PARKING REVENUE BADLY CUT

Councils, who all rely on revenue from parking, have been hit hard due to an estimated £885 million reduction in income across the country, due to the reduction in travel and free parking offers. Councils are now stuck between encouraging people to return to high streets and potentially putting them off by re-introducing fees. To read more, click the Autocar article here.

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FORMULA E: MISSION CONTROL CENTRES BANNED

So-called ‘mission control centres’ are to be policed by the FIA, after they became aware that engineers were working in a support function to the trackside team with additional analysis and advice, for some teams. Added to this fewer operational passes will be allowed, cutting the number to 17. To read more, click The Race article here.

LUNCHTIME READ: CHANGE OUR MINDS - HATCHBACKS DON’T NEED MANUAL GEARBOXES

This week Top Gear provides the thought-provoking article, discussing gearboxes suitable for a hatchback. We encourage you to read it and consider if a car has to have a manual gearbox to be considered a ‘proper car’ or you to be a ‘proper driver’. To read, click the link here.

LIST OF THE WEEK: THE GREATEST CARS FOR CORNERS

As we are a country filled with corners, one may think this could just be a list called The Greatest Cars. Motoring Research has put forward their suggestions for the best cars to enjoy the twisty stuff in. There are some cracking cars, with the odd surprise. To read through, click the link here.

AND FINALLY: ARE CLASSIC CARS ALL BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Si Browse, who runs a classic car hire company, has recorded a short video discussing classic cars, particularly in the current climate of moving everything away from the combustion engine. To watch, click the YouTube video here.

ZOOM ZOOMERS CALL

Alan takes part in a gathering of folks from the motoring world, on a Monday night, run by Damien Cross. If you would like to see last Monday’s meet up please click the YouTube link here.