Ep 109: Chery's UK production plans, EV sales… and Toyota electrifies the Hilux

The Land Rover Freelander is a compact SUV that was produced as an entry point to the Land Rover lineup. It’s discussed because it has a long history and there’s a well-known “Freelander programme” reference in the podcast context, suggesting talk about its development or branding. It’s also a common model on the used market, which keeps it in conversation.

Nissan is a Japanese automaker that can build cars in the UK through local manufacturing partnerships. In this segment, it’s mentioned as the partner for China’s plans to build cars in the UK, which matters because it affects where production happens and how vehicles are classified for taxes and incentives.

Chery is a Chinese automaker, and the segment discusses its UK production plans. The host connects Chery’s potential UK-built cars to pricing and to how government incentives like the plug-in car grant could apply based on where key components are sourced.

The plug-in car grant is a UK government incentive that helps reduce the purchase cost of eligible plug-in vehicles. The segment highlights that if Chery builds cars in a Nissan factory, the rules may depend on “rules of origin,” which can affect whether the cars qualify and what taxes apply.

Carblare is referenced as a data platform that tracks customer experience and market shifts. The host uses it to support the claim that Chinese brands are gaining share in the UK new-car market.

A customer experience index is a quantified score meant to summarize how customers rate or experience a brand—often based on surveys, service interactions, or reported satisfaction. Here, it’s used to argue that Chinese brands are improving or winning on the overall buying and ownership experience in the UK.

“Range Rover” is a well-known British luxury SUV line from Land Rover. In this segment it’s used as a nickname comparison for certain Chinese SUVs, implying they resemble the Range Rover look (especially the front styling).

A “waterfall grille” is a front grille design where the slats or pattern visually cascade downward, creating a flowing, layered look. In this segment it’s used to describe the E5’s distinctive styling that makes it easy to spot on the road.

“Dealership experience” refers to how a buyer is treated during sales and after-sales interactions—things like responsiveness, friendliness, and how smoothly the purchase process goes. The host argues it can strongly influence which car someone considers, even when the product itself is good.

“CCS” refers to the Combined Charging System, the most common DC fast-charging standard used on many EVs in Europe. The host is saying some EV buyers don’t even know what CCS is or how to use it, which points to a gap in dealer education.

EVs are electric vehicles that use one or more electric motors powered by a battery pack. The episode is focusing on how dealers educate buyers about charging basics, which is crucial because EV ownership depends heavily on understanding charging options.

Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) are cars that can run on both an electric motor and a gasoline engine, and they can be charged from the grid. They’re often easier for new EV buyers to adopt because they can drive short-to-medium distances on electricity while still having a fuel backup.

Tesla is an EV-focused automaker known for scaling battery-electric vehicles and building a large charging ecosystem. In UK sales discussions, Tesla often stands out because its models can be among the biggest EV winners when incentives and leasing deals are favorable.

Renault is a major European automaker that has been heavily involved in EVs, especially through its mainstream electric models. In this segment, it’s mentioned as doing “really really well” in EV sales.

Kia is a mainstream automaker that has expanded its EV lineup and is competing strongly in Europe. The host notes that nearly a third of Kia’s cars are EVs, highlighting how quickly the brand is shifting its mix.

Salary sacrifice is an employment benefit where part of an employee’s pay is redirected to pay for certain perks—often including EVs via lease arrangements. It can make EVs cheaper for workers, which influences sales and uptake beyond just the headline government grant.

Lease deals are financing offers where you pay to use a car for a set period (typically with mileage limits) rather than buying it outright. For EVs, lease pricing can be heavily influenced by incentives and dealer promotions, which can make monthly costs look much lower than the car’s purchase price.

The Abarth 600e is a small, sporty battery-electric hatchback from Abarth (Fiat’s performance-oriented brand), aimed at making EV ownership feel more “fun” than typical commuter EVs. In this segment, the host focuses on its affordability via leasing incentives and its character—more room than the smaller Abarth A290, plus a playful, dramatic vibe.

“8,000 miles a year” is a lease mileage allowance, meaning the contract expects you to drive about that distance annually. Exceeding the limit can trigger extra charges, so it’s an important part of comparing EV lease affordability.

A three-year contract is the typical lease duration mentioned here, setting the length of time you’re paying for the car’s use. Lease terms like this affect the monthly payment and the end-of-contract options.

The Abarth A290 is a smaller Abarth EV that the host uses as a comparison point for the Abarth 600e. Here, the key comparison is practicality: the host says the Abarth 600e has more room, even if the A290 is referenced as having better range.

The Alpine A390 GTS is a high-power electric performance “sports crossover” from Alpine, and the host emphasizes it’s their most powerful SUV-style model. They mention it uses three electric motors and produces 470 horsepower, and they describe using “track mode” to encourage aggressive driving like four-wheel drifts.

Three-motor EVs use multiple electric drive units to distribute torque to different wheels or axles. This can improve traction and allow more precise torque vectoring and stability control behavior than a single-motor setup.

Horsepower is an engineering measure of how much power an engine or motor can produce. In EVs, it’s still used as a comparable output figure, but it reflects power capability rather than “how fast it feels” on its own.

Four-wheel drifts are a driving technique where the car’s front and rear tires both slide while the driver maintains a controlled sideways attitude. On an EV with multiple motors, this can be enabled or encouraged by software that coordinates torque delivery and stability control settings.

The Alpina B10 is a performance-tuned version of a BMW 5 Series, created by Alpina to deliver a more refined, fast-driving experience. It’s often discussed alongside other performance sedans because it’s built for strong performance with a focus on drivability. In the podcast, it’s mentioned as part of a comparison of different “B10” style names and performance offerings.

Kia EV2 is an electric vehicle (EV) that the host drove as part of a real-world range test. The key point is that it’s being evaluated not on lab-style numbers, but on an actual route with real weather and driving behavior in Norway.

A real world range test measures how far an EV can go under typical conditions—actual speeds, hills, temperature, and accessories like air conditioning. It’s different from standardized test cycles that can produce higher, less representative range figures.

NAF is the Norwegian Automobile Federation, an organization that represents drivers and often runs or supports vehicle testing. In this context, they’re helping coordinate the EV range test route and procedures.

Regen (regenerative braking) is how an EV slows down while turning some of its motion back into electricity to recharge the battery. The host notes they can use regen in different ways during the test, which can materially affect range.

The BMW iX3 (G08) is an electric SUV variant based on the X3 platform. It’s discussed because it represents BMW’s approach to bringing an electric powertrain to a familiar SUV shape. In the podcast, it’s mentioned as one of the newer BMW electric models that took time to develop.

Polestar 5 is a Polestar electric grand tourer, and it’s notable here because the hosts are discussing a road-trip video around it. As an EV, it’s built around an electric drivetrain rather than a traditional internal-combustion engine.

BEV stands for battery-electric vehicle. It means the car uses only electricity stored in a battery pack to power its electric motor(s), with no gasoline or diesel engine.

The Toyota Hilux BEV is an electric version of Toyota’s Hilux pickup, aimed at the growing EV pickup segment. A BEV (battery-electric vehicle) runs purely on an electric drivetrain powered by a battery pack, rather than using a gasoline or diesel engine.

The Ssangyong Musso is a pickup truck model, and the podcast context suggests it’s being discussed alongside an EV version. It’s relevant because it represents the brand’s mainstream truck offering and indicates how the lineup is evolving toward electrification. The mention sets up interest in what the electric variant will bring.

The Musso EV is the electric version of the Ssangyong Musso pickup, discussed as part of the brand’s move toward electric vehicles. It’s significant because converting a pickup to electric changes how it’s used and what buyers can expect from range and performance. In the podcast, it’s mentioned as an upcoming or newly relevant option to watch.

The Volvo EX30 is a compact electric crossover built around a battery-electric powertrain. In this segment, they highlight its 69 kWh battery pack and 315 kW power, which are key specs for how far it can go and how quickly it can accelerate.

A 69 kilowatt hour (kWh) battery pack is the amount of electrical energy stored in the car’s battery. In EVs, larger kWh generally means more potential driving range, though real-world range also depends on efficiency and speed.

315 kilowatts (kW) is a measure of the EV’s peak power output. Higher kW typically means stronger acceleration potential, though actual feel also depends on torque delivery, traction, and vehicle weight.

A “48 month term” refers to the length of the finance agreement, commonly a lease or hire-purchase style deal for the car. The term matters because it determines how long you’re paying and how the monthly cost is structured.

The Mazda MX-30 is a compact electric crossover known for its unusual design choices and EV packaging. In this segment, the host calls out its “suicide doors” (rear-hinged doors) and notes it has limited rear passenger space but a usable boot, making it a niche fit for certain buyers.

“Suicide doors” are doors that hinge at the rear (so they open opposite the direction of conventional front-hinged doors). They’re often used to make cabin access easier, but they can also affect packaging and how the doors fit with safety and structural design.

The Mazda RX-8 is referenced here as an example of a car that also uses rear-hinged “suicide door” styling. The point of the comparison is that the MX-30’s door design feels similarly unusual and distinctive.

“Claimed range” is the distance an EV manufacturer says the car can drive on a full charge under standardized testing conditions. Real-world range is often lower due to factors like speed, temperature, driving style, and accessory use.

A four-wheel drive EV uses power delivery to both the front and rear axles, typically improving traction and enabling stronger acceleration. In EVs, this is often achieved with one or more electric motors and a drivetrain that can apportion torque between axles.

The Mini Cooper is a small, personality-driven car line, and in this segment it’s specifically referenced as the wife’s EV choice. The host highlights that the owner loves the technology and feels there’s “no going back” to non-EVs.

The Tesla Model Y is a battery-electric crossover known for strong efficiency and a widely used charging ecosystem. In this segment it’s part of a side-by-side EV test-drive comparison, including notes on ride smoothness and energy use.

The Renault Scenic e-tech is an electric version of the Scenic, using a battery-electric powertrain instead of a traditional engine. It’s notable here because the speaker is comparing it directly against other EVs on test drives and real-world efficiency.

The BYD Seal is a battery-electric sedan from BYD, positioned as a value-focused EV with modern styling and a focus on efficiency. It’s included in the speaker’s test-drive lineup for comparing day-to-day drivability and energy consumption.

The BYD Atto 3 is a battery-electric compact SUV from BYD. In this segment it’s part of a group of EVs the speaker tested to compare comfort, smoothness, and efficiency.

“Miles per kilowatt hour” is an efficiency measure for EVs that tells you how many miles you can drive per unit of battery energy. Higher miles-per-kWh generally means the car is using electricity more efficiently in that test or driving conditions.

A home charger is the EV charging setup installed at your residence, typically providing faster and more convenient charging than public options. The segment highlights how installation timing can affect when you can actually start using the car at home.

Octopus (in this context) refers to a UK energy supplier involved in EV-related charging and/or home-charger installations. The speaker attributes the delay to a surge in orders “according to Octopus,” tying the company to real-world customer timelines.

The Jaguar I-PACE is an all-electric SUV known for its performance-oriented driving feel and premium interior. In this segment it’s the owner’s current car, used as the baseline for comparing winter drivability and whether switching to another drivetrain would matter day-to-day.

In winter conditions, tires (especially their compound and tread design) strongly influence traction, braking, and how predictable the car feels. This episode emphasizes that tires can matter more than drivetrain layout (4WD vs RWD vs FWD) for day-to-day snow and ice confidence.

Rear wheel drive (RWD) means the engine sends power to the rear axle, so the rear tires do the work of accelerating and providing traction. In snow, tire choice often matters more than drivetrain layout, but RWD can feel more predictable than some four-wheel-drive setups when the tires are mismatched.

The Tesla Model 3 is used here as a reference point for how some EVs can be relatively lighter than comparable internal-combustion cars. The host’s point is that EV weight varies by model, so you shouldn’t assume all EVs are heavier than everything else.

The Audi A4 is mentioned as the comparison point for weight versus the Tesla Model 3. The host is using it to argue that EVs aren’t automatically heavier than equivalent gas cars.

The Ferrari Lucio is a highly stylized, concept-style Ferrari that drew strong reactions after it was unveiled. The host frames it as polarizing—suggesting its design is so unconventional that people either love it or find it hard to accept.

Depreciation is how much a car’s value drops after you buy it. In this discussion, they’re specifically talking about whether the Lucio’s depreciation could be unusually low (or even reverse) compared with other expensive cars.

A “collectible classic” is a car that becomes desirable over time—often because of limited supply, strong brand appeal, or cultural significance—so its market value can rise. The debate here is whether the Lucio will become that kind of long-term investment.

The speaker mentions the Ferrari Portofino as an example of a “gateway” model—something buyers might purchase before moving up to a more hardcore Ferrari. The point is about brand strategy and how buyers progress through the lineup.

The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the 3 Series, built for drivers who want a sporty, track-capable feel. It’s significant because it’s one of BMW’s best-known performance models and tends to hold strong interest among enthusiasts. The podcast references it in the context of availability and desirability of specific models.

The Porsche Cayenne is used as a comparison point for how public opinion can shift after a new model arrives. The speaker says “2026 is mark one Porsche Cayenne,” implying the first EV from Ferrari could trigger a similar wave of initial skepticism followed by broader acceptance.

The Lamborghini Urus is Lamborghini’s high-performance SUV, known for bringing supercar-style power and styling into a practical four-wheel-drive package. In the episode, it’s used as an example of a car that many people criticized but still sold very well.

An “electric four-door coupe” is a body-style concept where the car is electric, but styled like a coupe (sleeker roofline and more dramatic proportions) while still having four doors. In this episode, it’s used to describe the Mercedes-AMG model Nikki reviewed and to frame the discussion about design reception.

The Ferrari Luce is referenced in the podcast as a model people are thinking about, with discussion around how it compares to an AMG that was “swamped.” It’s significant mainly because it’s being positioned as a desirable new or upcoming Ferrari, drawing attention in the market. The conversation suggests it’s part of a broader comparison of what buyers might choose next.

The Pontiac Firebird is a classic American muscle car known for its bold styling and rear-wheel-drive character. It’s often referenced when someone notices a similar silhouette on another car. In the podcast, it’s used as a visual comparison for the shape of a vehicle’s rear end.

“Flux motors” here refers to a type of electric motor design used in EVs where the magnetic field is managed to improve efficiency and performance. The host emphasizes that these are “actual” flux motors and that the specific motors are Oxford-based and built in Britain.

The Alpine A290 is a small French EV that’s being used in the discussion as an example of how “practical” features can differ from what buyers expect. The host highlights a specific usability point: the A290 does not have a cup holder in the center console.

The Renault 5 is being contrasted with the Alpine A290 on a very specific interior-practicality point. The host says the Renault 5 does have a cup holder in the center console, while the A290 does not.

The Renault 5 E-Tech Electric is an electric version of the Renault 5, designed as a small, modern EV with a retro-inspired look. In the podcast, it’s mentioned in a practical comparison about interior features—specifically cup holders—against another car. That kind of detail matters for everyday usability when choosing between small EVs.

“Public rapid chargers” are fast EV charging stations available to anyone, typically using higher-power DC charging to add significant range in a short time. The host’s trip description highlights how charging availability and station congestion can affect real-world EV travel planning.