BMW haven't learned from Volkswagen's mistake.
They did learn from their own mistake though.
But it looks like Hyundai haven't learned from BMW's mistake.
They want to charge extra for an instrument binnacle!
An instrument binnacle that stops the car looking like the inside of a Tesla.
Meanwhile, Ford are charging Mustang Mach E buyers $495 to use their front boot.
But then people who are buying SUVs that are named after sporty cars will be gullible enough to pay up.
I keep referring back to this post from 2018.
I was, and still am, upset by this choice of presenters for my beloved Top Gear.
Shame they don't seem to know who the new line-up will be.
The Sun seem to think one will be Jimmy Carr.
I like Jimmy Carr.
Although...
Another name being touted is Joe Marler.
I like Joe Marler.
Although...
If these are chosen, it doesn't bode well - especially as I am not aware of any Marler car connection.
There are some other candidates out there.
Not the first time I've covered this story - here is my blogging from January last year.
Apparently it is young people's fault that the BMW Neue Klasse platform vehicles don't have any buttons.
NO IT ISN'T - IT'S BMW's FAULT!!
According to Vikram Pawah, CEO of BMW Group Australia, people under 45 prefer touchscreens.
MAYBE FOR THEIR PHONES!
I bet there aren't too many 44 year-olds who want them controlling everything in their cars.
Volkswagen found that out a couple of years back. Here's my view.
And, even if it were true, young people are becoming less interested in driving. (That is an old article but anecdotally still seems right)
And if they are less interested in driving, they will be less interested in cars. And that seems to be the nub of his argument.
“I think you need to understand why that change is happening, and once you understand that it’s easier to comprehend what will happen in the future as well. A car is not a stand-alone piece. It’s part of what’s happening around you in society.”
It's the same reason why cross-over SUVs are taking over - the car companies want profits and don't care about the enthusiasts.
At least the Car+Driver readers understand:
This is devastating news and probably the only time I've done a serious post since the very start when I didn't know what this Blog was.
Here is a statement from the BTCC.
There is nothing on the Cataclean-Plato Racing website (at time of me writing this) - although there may be nobody there to update it.
A bit more digging brought up this story.
It looks like Plato Racing has gone out of business less than a year after it was formed. It has lost a lot of cash but just started to have on-track success and the team will probably go on to thrive. The administrators are saying as much - although they are basically salesmen here.
I hope Jason (and driver Dan Rowbottom who is also an investor) get something back out of this. They were basically talked into this venture and things were looking up for Plato after he hit rock bottom with two previous suicide attempts while he was there.
It's all a very sudden end considering the optimism back in April.
I am a huge fan of his and there are massive numbers more out there - his loss to the BTCC will be significant - which is probably why they acknowledge,
Jason is unquestionably one of the BTCC’s greatest stars, and his exceptional record speaks for itself. He has long been – and will remain – a valued part of the BTCC family. Although his involvement with this particular venture appears to have reached its conclusion, we look forward to seeing Jason in the BTCC paddock in the future.
They seemed to have a decent amount of sponsorship and they were a manufacturer team - so how could Mercedes have let this happen? According to Google AI, which seems to have watched a Kwik Fit video on YouTube,
A manufacturer team primarily benefits from larger financial budgets, direct corporate marketing backing, and enhanced logistical support compared to independent privateers.
The car looks very good:
I think Mercedes should have some spare cash they could splash - the fact they haven't means this story makes them look very bad.
I wonder if a lender has got nervous?
Whatever has happened, the team will be continuing under a different name and without Plato.
Maybe someone has seen a chance to cash in given that the team have finally found a winning formula?
Not sure how Rowbottom fits into this as he is supposed to be driving one of the cars.
I guess we'll find out more this coming weekend when the team show up at Donington Park.
Without Jason.
I wish him future success and good mental health.
This driver's head isn't blurry due to high speed.
With no real windscreen.
He is a very lucky policeman.
And the car is one of many seized for antisocial driving/no insurance/no driving licence and/or several other naughty acts.
The BBC have the story here.
That particular car had been in the country for one day.
And was being driven on a provisional licence without insurance.
They estimate its value as £3.7million.
Unfortunately, the police don't get to keep the car - they just charge for its storage.
Unless it isn't claimed within 7 days.
Then they can dispose of it however they want.
According to that story, they also impounded a Rolls Royce, Mercs, BMWs and a Lambo or two.
Bet they didn't impound any Luces.
