Our reporters drive blank notebooks for a week into gossip from all over the automotive industry.
An exotic new hypercar is proving hard to sell in its home region, Jaguar is rapidly improving wait times for its revolutionary electric car, Porsche doesn't keep a tank on emissions rules and more this week to pick up from bitesize car news.
EV demand, but the car stands on top of it
Want I-pace? Jaguar has a waiting list of approximately three months in the UK, securing additional promotion for the domestic market. Some 2500 buyers have found here to date, with more expected next year - NHS just ordered 500.
We do the best for Pininfarina
How are sales going today for Battista Pininfarina? Well in North America, not so good in Europe. Volume is split roughly 80/20 in the two markets until it's revealed the world tour is about to begin. In the US, pre-orders doubled after the car was shown at Pebble Beach.
Alliance holding strong
The Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi-Daimler-Mercedes partnership remains alive and well, according to Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius, despite his decision to shift the smart brand strategy from Renault Twingo to Geely. “The alliance remains strong and we continue to work on several transmission and other projects,” said Källenius.
Speaking at the university
Porsche vice president in charge of the 718 and 911 models, Frank-Steffen Waliser, offered some candid opinions on research when asked about the complexity of the diesel particulate filter. “Governments have already learned, the more pressure they put on, the more the industry moves,” he said. “But it's hard. You have a lot of NGOs and universities that make one-offs and tell politicians it's possible, but we're talking about industrial production - that means 10 particulate filters a day, not a university.”
MORE DETAILS
Battista Pininfarina: 1900bhp EV hits the road in new looks
Jaguar i-pace test: Do driving styles make a big difference in electric propulsion?
Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 from RS Mules press Nurburgring