Happy chirpy - 22 September 2025
About this episode
A deep dive into the latest automotive news reveals ongoing challenges for JLR following a cyber attack that has halted production, costing them millions daily. The episode also discusses Citroen's recall of several models due to brake issues, Nissan's downsizing of its design studio, and Ford's job cuts in Germany amid weak EV demand. Notably, the episode pays tribute to Tsutomu Tom Mutano, the designer behind the iconic Mazda MX-5, and highlights Toyota's reintroduction of classic engine components. The hosts emphasize the complexities of the automotive industry and the impact of current events on manufacturers and suppliers.
JLR have put back their proposed production restart from 24 September to 1 October as they continue to try and deal with the hack on their systems where the effects became apparent on 1 September. What has only started to be appreciated is the knock-on effect the closures have had on suppliers to the company. Staff have been told to apply for Universal Credit, due to stopped wages, and many are calling on a furlough scheme to be instigated by the Government.
To read more about the ongoing issues for JLR, click this Autocar article link here.
To gain an understanding of the affects down the supply chain, click this article link from The Record.
CITROËN ISSUES NEW NO-DRIVE WARNINGCitroën UK has issued a new no-drive warning, covering the C3, ë-C3, C3 Aircross and ë-C3Aircross, due to potential brake failure. This no-drive notice is on top of the other two the company is already dealing with. Click this Autocar article link here to read more.
PORSCHE DELAY EV MOVE GIVING VW GROUP $6BN PROFIT HITPorsche has announced that they are delaying their move to EVs as had been expected. The Panamera and Cayenne will have ICE and hybrid options into 2030, rather than going all electric. Likewise the new 718 models. The projected hit to Volkswagen Group profits is a smidgen under $6 billion, following this move. You can read more by clicking this Yahoo! Finance article link here.
NISSAN SHRINKS LONDON DESIGN STUDIO AND CLOSES OTHERSNissan cost cutting efforts have been turned to the design studios across the globe. Those in California and Brazil will be shut, with the Paddington studio expected to lose some staff numbers too. Click this Autocar article link here.
FORD CUTS JOBS IN GERMANYDue to much weaker than expected sales of the Explorer and Capri, Ford has announced that it is cutting up to 1,000 jobs at their Cologne factory. This is on top of the previous 2,900 jobs that went at the end of 2024.If you wish to read more, click this Autocar article link here.
TOM MATANO HAS PASSED AWAYTom Matano was the designer of the first two generations of the Mazda MX-5 and has sadly passed away on 20 September 2025, aged 76. He had a long career where he worked for GM, BMW and then onto Mazda. To learn more about him and his career, click this Classic & Sports Car article link here.
BUFFETT SELLS ENTIRE BYD STAKEWarren Buffett, the renowned investor, has sold his entire stake in the Chinese EV maker BYD. This is the first time since 2008 that Berkshire Hathaway did not hold any stock in the company. Click this article link from Fortune for more information.
TOYOTA AE86 ENGINE BLOCKS BEING BUILT AGAINToyota is building the parts...
Citroen C3 Aircross
"... worries. The issue affects the C3, the EC3, the C3 Aircross and the EC3 Aircross, which if they've been tryi..."
Porsche Cayenne
"...e. None, not only that, but the Panamera and the Cayenne are going to come out and continue to be offered..."
Porsche Panamera
"...as the new vehicle. None, not only that, but the Panamera and the Cayenne are going to come out and continu..."
Porsche Taycan
"...e jerk reaction because dieselgate happened. The Taycan was kind of cool, still is. Yeah, but there's pr..."
Nissan Juke
"...that the Cossana and the grips, which became the juke marks one and two and the new micro one and the m..."
Ford Explorer
"...1,000 jobs at the Cologne factory that makes the Explorer and the Capri due to Bricks fingers with quotati..."
Ford Capri
"... Cologne factory that makes the Explorer and the Capri due to Bricks fingers with quotation marks, weak..."
Toyota Corolla
"catalogue. That's the engine that powers the Corolla AE86 and many other Toyotas of that period to ge..."
Toyota A80
"...his goes on the back of the 2000 GT, the A70, the A80 Supras, as well as Land Cruisers, ranging from t..."
Toyota Land Cruiser
"...the 2000 GT, the A70, the A80 Supras, as well as Land Cruisers, ranging from the 1960s into the late 90s. These..."
Hyundai Veloster
"...ignoring the name, the car looks fabulous. Think Veloster, but electric and they have gone to town on it. ..."
Volkswagen Golf
"...same group. Kia has announced that the Kia K4, a golf, roadling, flash-sized hatchback has been confir..."
Lamborghini Diablo
"...f the show. And this is the RestoMod Lamborghini Diablo from Accentrica. No, you've just made it sound l..."
Chevrolet Corvette
"Love it. C4 Corvette style. I mean, this is this goes on the back of ..."
Request an Explanation
Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.
Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.
Want to learn more?
Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.
Help improve this episode
See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.