Motoring Podcast - News Show

We completed the Recharging Round Britain road-trip on the 18 July 2026, after six days trying to, sort of, replicate the EV trip we undertook a decade ago. This is the audio from our livestream where we summarised what we got up to this time.
Hear why we did this in the first place, the route, the charging, the car, the calculated costs and how we got on with our I-Spy book!

CHARGING SPONSOR
Thanks to our charging sponsor, GRIDSERVE, They have an EV charging network that spans almost the whole of the UK.
While you can just turn up and pay with a debit card or their app, you can also get 25% off charging rates at all 200 of their locations with GRIDSERVE Plus.
GRIDSERVE Plus costs just £7.99/month and can be cancelled at any time, much like many gym memberships, and as well as the discounted charging, there are many other seasonal membership benefits such as EV heathchecks while you charge, pet portraits, and similar.
Many people take out Gridserve Plus for a month at a time to cover a holiday or seasonal travel.
There's more information at gridserve.com/membership/

VEHICLE SPONSOR
Thank you to Hyundai, who once again have loaned us an electric vehicle enabling us to travel around as much of Britain as we can in six days. This time, we are using an Inster 02. To find out more on the Inster, you can listen to Alan’s time with one during the UK launch of the car, by clicking this link here.
To see more about the car, from Hyundai themselves, click this link here.

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

FOLLOW UP: VW RESULTS FOR H1 OF 2026 ARE BAD
The headline figures for Volkswagen Group’s first half of 2026 financial results make for grim reading. There is a 11.6% drop in profits, despite revenue almost matching 2025. China was a big disappointment, but should not have been a surprise. Company claims cost savings are working already and the plans, which we are yet to know the full details, will accelerate the benefits to the company. Click this Autocar article link here, for more.
Part of the plans to reduce costs, that we have heard about, include shedding jobs. Anything between 100,000 and 140,000 has been rumoured, but they are only rumours to date. Additionally, a cull of their car line ups, plus reducing the model variants which will reduce the crossover, between brands, and complexity. Click this Autocar article link, to find out more.
However, the job cuts, in particular, are going to be a difficult thing to sell to workers. Already there have been protests at some plants, against any reduction in the workforce. To get an idea of what the management board are up against, click this electrive article link here.
To understand how big an issue, just the employee numbers side of things is, click this Carscoops article link here and begin to understand the scale of the problem.
PORSCHE APPEAR TO TURN AROUND FINANCIAL RESULTS IN H1
Considering where Porsche were last year, their financial results for the first half of 2026 are remarkably good. In explaining the turn around, a lot is made of how they have prioritised less volume but more profit per vehicle. The sales of 911s is held up as a very good thing. CEO Michael Leiters will unveil the full plan in October. You can read more, by clicking this Autocar article link here.
BMW SEEKS MORE JOB CUTS
BMW are another company that has announced their first half yearly results for 2026. Profits fell by 29.4%, with margins being squeezed down two percentage points to 6.5%. Reports suggest the company is seeking to cut the workforce by around 8,000, hopefully through severance packages. Most of the jobs will go in Germany and be office based roles. If you wish to find out more, click this electrive article link here.
STELLANTIS RESULTS IMPROVE BUT NOT IN EUROPE
Stellantis announced improved financial results, thanks to the US market that enabled a profit of £37.3bn. Europe, results were flat, which was part of the reason this was the only region to post a negative income margin of - 0.6%. For more on this, click this link here to read a Motor Trader article.
JLR UK GETS A NEW BOSS
JLR has announced that Cian O’Brien will become the managing director of JLR UK, as Patrick McGillycuddy will move to the head of the Defender brand. O’Brien is stepping up from the market and business operations director role he took on towards the beginning of the year. To read more, click this Autocar article link here.
MARIA GRAZIA DAVINO JOINS FORD EUROPE
Mario Grazio Davino, former managing director for BYD Europe, will be joining Ford Europe on 1 October 2026 to become vice president of sales. She will be responsible for all commercial operations, which includes retail, the dealer network and distribution. Click this Motor Trader article link here, for more.
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 -
Bentley Torcal
Bentley has revealed some of the details about their first EV SUV, the Torcal, which will be shown off fully at the end of September. One of the issues their engineers have been tackling is how to match the emotion the sound of a V8 gives the driver and passengers, they think they have the solution. To find out more, click this Autocar article link here and find the video, plus more details about the car.
Xpeng X9
The X9 is a luxury MPV, aimed at moving the wealthy around in supreme comfort. Targeting the likes of the Lexus LM, the X9 undercuts the Japanese offering by twenty odd thousand pounds. To learn more, click this EV Powered article link here.
Amble One
From the pen of the designer who brought us the Audi R8 and the Apple Watch, Julian Hoenig in collaboration with Michael Tropper, the One is a quadracycle that will have a range of 62 miles and be capable of a top speed of 40 mph. The looks are similar but much improved on the Mini Moke and think of it doing a similar job but with off-road capability too. We like this a lot. Click this Autocar article link here for more.
LUNCHTIME READ: HIGH FIDELITY
Hagerty are the supplier of the recommended read this week, as Brendan McAleer tells us all about the fascinating history of Yamaha. How they came about and then moved from making musical instruments, to motorbikes and things such as the Lexus LFA engine. Click this link here to find out more.
LIST OF THE WEEK: 15 QUIRKY JAPANESE CARS OF THE 1990S
Classic & Sports Car provide the list we are running through, this week. All about interesting Japanese cars from the 90s. Do you agree with the choices made by Alan and Andrew? Click this link to see what your options are.
AND FINALLY: GO BACK TO THE FUTURE
We are pointing you towards a new Auto Diktak video, as this time he has the BMW i8 under the microscope. This podcast is a huge fan of the i8 and this video does not disappoint. Click this link to see the YouTube film and enjoy.

FOLLOW UP: COURT MAINLY RULES IN FAVOUR OF OEMS IN UK DIESELGATE TRIAL
A UK judge has found mostly in favour of car manufacturers in the claims against them regarding defeat devices being fitted to cars between 2012 and 2017. The judge’s decision is based on her decision that a defeat device needs to be deliberately installed to create a different driving operation if it senses it is in test conditions, but this has not been proven to be the case. If you wish to learn more, click this article link here, from The Law Society Gazette.
UK GOVERNMENT CONFIRMS PAY-PER-MILE FOR EVS AND PHEVS
Following the public consultation, the Government has announced that it will introduce a pay-per mile scheme, named eVED, for electric and plug-in hybrid cars, from April 2028. As a result of feedback they have tweaked how the proposal will work. Vehicles under three years old will not have to undertake an additional check to the mileage prior to their age requiring an MOT. A picture of the odometer and an estimation of next years mileage will be sent by the driver. Drivers can opt-in to send the Government the vehicle’s mileage data directly via the connected systems on-board, if they wish. This is not mandatory. To learn more, click this electrive article link here.
PORSCHE FINDS A NEW PRODUCTION CHIEF
Porsche has announced that Christian Friedl will take over as Production Chief, from Albrecht Reimold. Reimold is stepping down at the end of August. If you wish to read more, click this electrive article link here.
ASTON MARTIN SHAREHOLDERS FORM CO-OP
More than 50% of the largest shareholders in Aston Martin have formed a cooperative to insure themselves against any new debt deal that would leave them taking disproportionate losses. During this time, the company has restructured its debt financing, with the revolving credit facility and some of the Yew Tree financing being paid off. Financial results are due to be announced on 29 July 2026. For more on this click this link from Zetik, here. To read about the debt restructuring, click this Morning Start link here.
FORD AND GEELY SIGN EUROPEAN DEAL
Ford and Geely has agreed to a new joint-venture that will run the Blue Oval’s Valencia facility, eventually producing two Ford SUVs and two Geely SUVs. Ford will bring a European Bronco inspired car and develop another C-Segment SUV with Geely. The Chinese company will be building two electric SUVs in the same facilities. To read more, click this Autocar article link here.
CARWOW RUNS AD CAMPAIGN USING ANPR TO TRACK YOU
Carwow is using ANPR in a UK-wide advertising campaign, encouraging owners of cars the company is targeting to sell to them through their system. Does that step over the line into tracking far too much? Does it contravene the ICO’s rules on using ANPR? Click this Motor Trade News article link to read about the plan from Carwow.
Click this link to the ICO’s own page on fair use of ANPR data and camera systems.
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 -
Range Rover GT
JLR has revealed a new model line for the Range Rover brand, the GT. The claim is it sits between a grand tourer and an SUV. The images issued appear to show the typical bluff Range Rover range front end, with a coupe style rear. Either this is a brilliant move to capture buyers who’ve lost out due to Porsche leaving or many years too late. The interior is really leaning into ‘minamilist’, with a very thin screen directly on top of the dash in front of the driver and a huge screen slapped in the middle, quite low down. Prices and specifications are yet to be revealed. Click this Autocar article link, for more.
Dacia Striker
Dacia has revealed their latest model, the Striker. The overall design concept, jacked-up estate, is reminiscent of the Subaru Outback. Prices will start at a smidgen under £25,000, when launched in the UK, but the full price and specifications are yet to be released. Click this Motoring Research article link, for more.
VW ID Cross
Volkswagen has shown off images of their latest ID model, the Cross. Using the same MEB+ platform as the ID Polo, this will go up against the Ford Puma and Renault 4. There will be a variety of motors and battery packs offered, which will give ranges varying from 196 to 271 miles. Prices are expected to start around £25,000. Click this Autocar article link, for more.
LUNCHTIME WATCHES: FOTU 2026
Last weekend was the 2026 Festival of the Unexceptional, from Hagerty. A much loved car gathering, where the common cars from yesteryear gather and everyone enjoys their trip down memory lane. For those of us who couldn’t attend, thankfully YouTube has many videos showing off the wonderful event. We have but a tiny fraction of what is out there, do go search for more and spread some love to all those who make content for us to enjoy.
To watch I Drive a Classic, click on this link to see what caught Steph’s eye.
To watch Furious Driving, click on this link to see what caught his eye.
To watch Jon Coupland Cars, click on this link as he watched the cars enter the show.
LIST OF THE WEEK: 23 COLOURS WITH GREAT NAMES
Classic & Sports Car have a list about some of the best named colours that you could have specified for your car. Do you agree with Andrew’s choice? What would you like to have, adorning your car just so you could tell people the name of it? Click this link to check out your options.
AND FINALLY: TECH BROS MAKE A BUS. AGAIN.
In an ever increasing number times the tech bros design a transport ‘solution’ it turns out we already have that solution, but perhaps it hasn’t been maximised to exploit the customers enough. This time, Uber have designed ‘the bus’, albeit named the ‘Uber Shuttle’ that runs from Logan Airport, in the US, on a fixed route with dedicated stops. Click this YouTube link to then join in pointing and laughing and the ridiculousness of these companies.

DAY 6
Today, Saturday 18 July 2026, we continued with Day 6 of Recharging Round Britain the final leg, where we are trying to, as closely as we can, recreate the route we undertook nearly a decade ago. Hear how we got on yesterday to the final destination of Fort William and today as we travelled from Fort William, via Bothwell services, Tebay services, Killington Lakes services, Blackpool and the end of the road near Preston.
CHARGING SPONSOR
Thanks to our charging sponsor, GRIDSERVE, They have an EV charging network that spans almost the whole of the UK.
While you can just turn up and pay with a debit card or their app, you can also get 25% off charging rates at all 200 of their locations with GRIDSERVE Plus.
GRIDSERVE Plus costs just £7.99/month and can be cancelled at any time, much like many gym memberships, and as well as the discounted charging, there are many other seasonal membership benefits such as EV heathchecks while you charge, pet portraits, and similar.
Many people take out Gridserve Plus for a month at a time to cover a holiday or seasonal travel.
There's more information at gridserve.com/membership/
VEHICLE SPONSOR
Thank you to Hyundai, who once again have loaned us an electric vehicle enabling us to travel around as much of Britain as we can in six days. This time, we are using an Inster 02. To find out more on the Inster, you can listen to Alan’s time with one during the UK launch of the car, by clicking this link here.
To see more about the car, from Hyundai themselves, click this link here.
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

DAY 5
Today, Friday 17 July 2026, we continued with Day 5 of Recharging Round Britain, where we are trying to, as closely as we can, recreate the route we undertook nearly a decade ago. Hear how we got on today as we travelled from Inverness, via Wick, John o’Groats, Tongue, Lairg, Ullapool and hopefully ending up at Fort William.
CHARGING SPONSOR
Thanks to our charging sponsor, GRIDSERVE, They have an EV charging network that spans almost the whole of the UK.
While you can just turn up and pay with a debit card or their app, you can also get 25% off charging rates at all 200 of their locations with GRIDSERVE Plus.
GRIDSERVE Plus costs just £7.99/month and can be cancelled at any time, much like many gym memberships, and as well as the discounted charging, there are many other seasonal membership benefits such as EV heathchecks while you charge, pet portraits, and similar.
Many people take out Gridserve Plus for a month at a time to cover a holiday or seasonal travel.
There's more information at gridserve.com/membership/
VEHICLE SPONSOR
Thank you to Hyundai, who once again have loaned us an electric vehicle enabling us to travel around as much of Britain as we can in six days. This time, we are using an Inster 02. To find out more on the Inster, you can listen to Alan’s time with one during the UK launch of the car, by clicking this link here.
To see more about the car, from Hyundai themselves, click this link here.
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