Delicious (and quietly vicious) exploration of what’s going on among the automotive design leadership positions in Europe, courtesy of the ever excellent Christopher Butt:

h/t @hennagaijinapb.bsky.social

Thanks - you’re too kind. And yes… we are back with a new podcast, finally! More coming soon…

Notwithstanding the sensory qualities of this interior, squint and it’s easy to think: huh, that new Hyundai’s kinda rocking.

Which for Hyundai is amazing.

For Ferrari?

Not so much.

@joesimpson.bsky.social & I talked about this in Looking Out - The Podcast

podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/l...

For the first time since leaving university I’m now, thanks to redundancy, a jobless bum.
It feels weirdly anticlimactic.
Anyway, if anyone’s looking for a car-obsessed enterprise architect who’s an expert with MEGA HOPEX and accompanying methodologies, let me know.

hey I wrote a story about trying to remain functional as the country collapses, bad luxury SUVs, the contradictions of wealth, and quitting my job. if you wanna read it, it’s available here for free: www.patreon.com/posts/125140...

I remember meeting Jean Jennings at the Automobile office back in 2009 together with Mark Charmer, in what was, I think, one of the most amusing afternoons Ive ever had. She was completely brilliant, hilarious and massively knowledgeable. RIP

This is the only post where you can see video of the car’s tiny trembles 🤭

The original “car in a pink landscape” launch, from back in 2021. All credit to Petter B for pushing this through. Yes I’m biased, but we saw how it had a lot of influence on how OEMs have started to present their cars over the past years. Copy nothing, as someone once said.

By the way. If you’re after a wider, hotter take on why stuff like the jag rebrand is like it is, and the wider industry malaise, check out my podcast co-hosts other pod. Great (and very personal) listen.

The JaGUar situation might be bad but it’s just part of a wider problem with the industry, which @drewdraws2.bsky.social and I term Neo Malaise.

Here’s me explaining what it all means (please share widely!):

Apple: podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/t...

Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/1USm...

Wonder if it’s just me: Ioniq 9 seems easily the weakest of the Ioniq line up so far, design-wise. Yes technically it will be brilliant but has odd proportion (not in a futuristic way) and somehow old-fashioned looking details, which surprise me (and I’d buy an Ioniq 5 or 6 in a heartbeat).

Me? I spent the day listening to customers view and give insight on a future car. Which is one of my favourite things to listen to. And a nice reminder, on a day which can make you doubt people, that they can also be kind, insightful, smart and funny.

If you’re seeking escape from the day’s news, can I recommend my podcast co-host’s blog, as he walks across the mountains of Japan? It’s the escape you need. buttondown.com/drewpasmith/...

Useful SIXT upgrade while in the uk - getting to check out what the competition is up to. First reaction “ooh it has lots of buttons, good”. Quickly followed by “oh god they’re all capacitive touch or weird sliders… and the entire panel all moves when you prod them.” 😵‍💫