NEW CAR REGISTRATIONS AUGUST 2025

August registration figures are down on 2024. Typically a quiet month prior to the number plate change in September, it was still a disappointment. We also do not know how much of an effect the mishandling of the ECG approval list had on the overall numbers. BEVs took a 26.5% market share. There are also some returning models to the Top Models list and a newcomer. To read more, click this link from the SMMT.

JLR HIT BY CYBER ATTACK

JLR have been hit by a cyber attack that has halted all sales, aftersales and production work. The group claiming responsibility are the ones who hit M&S and others on the UK highstreet. The company has employed specialists to help address the problem but communication has been limited as to what has happened and what is going on. If you want to learn more, click this Autocar article link here.

PORSCHE CHANGES TACK ON BATTERIES

Due to recent financial performances and market conditions Porsche has reviewed their high performance battery projects and decided to shut some down. They have a battery subsidiary called CellforceGroup which they are reorganising and CellForce will become a small R&D company focusing on developing batteries. This will result in approximately 200 jobs going. For more on this, click the link here from electrive.

ZOOPLA TO SHOW PUBLIC EV CHARGER LOCATIONS

Occasionally there are stories you hear and think “why hasn’t that been done before” and this is one. Zoopla, in partnership with Vauxhall, are adding whether a listed house has a home charger and if not, the location of nearby public chargers. This is a great initiative. Click this Autocar link here to read more.

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NEW NEW CAR NEWS -

Kia EV5

Kia has revealed the specifications and pricing of the EV5, prior to going on sale later this year. Looks wise, it is very similar to the EV9 but smaller and without the third row of seats. Pitched against the Skoda Enyac and Renault Scenic. Kit will be comprehensive, especially as you move up the trim levels and it come with up to 329 WLTP miles. Expect to see these everywhere. Click this EVPowered to find out more.

Audi Concept C

Ahead of the IAA Munich show Audi revealed their Concept C, inspired by the TT but is not to be seen as a replacement for one. The design is similarly executed that of the Jaguar 00 concept. Design chief Massimo Frascella claimed that this is virtually the production ready design, although we have to wait until 2027 before that is shown. Click this Autocar article link here to read more.

Porsche culls the 718

Linked to the Porsche battery story and the Audi Concept C story, Porsche announced that the 718 models will end production. Partly this is due to recent cyber security rules which the car cannot meet. There was supposed to be the electric replacement but many issues have hit that project, and like the Concept C, will not be ready until 2027. Click this EVO article link to read more.

To listen to the Special Edition where Alan got time with some Porsches, click this link here.

LUNCHTIME READ: FRANKLY WE DON’T TALK ABOUT THE PEUGEOT 309 ENOUGH

For this week’s recommended reading, we return to PetrolBlog as MajorGav talks about the Peugeot 309. This is a wonderful piece which reminds us all of how good and important a car it was, even though it was in the shadow of more illustrious siblings. Click this link here to read on.

LIST OF THE WEEK: THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE LARGEST CAR MUSEUM IN THE WORLD

Autocar provide the slideshow we are sharing with you this week. See what the options are from this wonderful French museum, by clicking this link here.

To listen to the Special Edition where Alan visited the same museum, click this link here.

AND FINALLY: MINI JEEP ADVENTURES CONTINUE

Ed March continues his crazy adventure of taking a Chinese mini jeep, which he has only ‘slightly’ modified to help him try to get Area 51. Click this YouTube link here to continue the amazing journey.