Overdrive: Tesla’s Troubles, Touchscreen Backlash & Royal Recognition
In this episode of Overdrive, David Brown and Paul Murrell unpack a mix of major shifts and motoring curiosities. From plummeting Tesla sales and BYD’s meteoric rise, to Australia's evolving road rules and the debate over touchscreens in modern vehicles—this week covers the latest in transport, design, planning, and culture.

⚡ Tesla’s Decline & BYD’s Boom
 Tesla has taken a major hit in Australia with a 75% drop in April sales, influenced by expiring tax perks and consumer uncertainty. Plug-in hybrid sales also dipped to 2.9%. Meanwhile, Chinese EV giant BYD has overtaken Tesla globally. In the US, Tesla is sitting on 10,000 unsold Cybertrucks, raising concerns about demand for the futuristic model before its Australian debut.

📉 The Touchscreen Controversy
 Euro NCAP will soon penalise cars that hide basic functions like headlights or air-conditioning behind complex touchscreen menus. From 2026, anything requiring more than two taps will impact safety ratings. Brown and Murrell welcomed the change, arguing that physical dials are more intuitive and safer—citing examples from the Genesis G80 and Lexus models. Australian standards often follow Europe’s lead, so local updates are likely.

🛑 New Road Rules Stir Debate
 Recent changes to road laws are drawing mixed responses:
In South Australia, speed limits when passing roadside assistance vehicles have dropped to 25 km/h, compared to 40 km/h in other states.


P1 drivers now face a national curfew from 11 PM to 5 AM and a one-passenger limit unless supervised.


Zero phone tolerance—including hands-free use—can result in $750 fines and 4 demerit points.
 Murrell noted the lack of clarity in the 25 km/h rule, particularly on high-speed roads where abrupt slowdowns could be dangerous.



👑 Jaguar Land Rover’s Royal Warrant
 JLR has retained Royal Warrants from King Charles III and Queen Camilla, continuing a tradition dating back to 1951. Though now owned by India’s Tata Motors, the brand’s British heritage still holds marketing weight. Murrell highlighted how such endorsements, while largely symbolic, remain powerful branding tools—comparable to historic racing sponsorships.

🏁 Fun with Lego and ‘Unexceptional’ Cars
 Lego showcased life-size, drivable Formula 1 cars at the Miami GP, made from over 1.3 tonnes of bricks and 22,000 hours of labour. In the UK, the Festival of the Unexceptional celebrates everyday classics like the Vauxhall Chevette—vehicles remembered not for their glamour but for their place in everyday motoring life. Both stories underline the emotional and cultural connection we have with cars.

🚙 Genesis G80 3.5T Sport Review
 David Brown tested the Genesis G80 3.5T Sport—an impressive luxury sedan priced at $142,000 driveaway. Featuring a twin-turbo V6, noise-cancelling tech, and thoughtful design, it competes well with European rivals. Genesis stands out for offering premium features without the inflated options list. Murrell pointed out that Australians are growing accustomed to six-figure car prices, and Genesis is positioning itself as a smart alternative.

🛠️ Classic Cars: Restore or Reimagine?
 At the St Ives Motor Show, a classic Land Rover fitted with LED lights sparked debate: does modernising classics improve safety or compromise authenticity? Murrell leaned toward safety, especially with today’s traffic conditions, though both agree there’s a balance between preserving history and embracing progress. From LEDs to EV conversions, the fate of vintage vehicles remains a hot topic.

🎧 Listen & Explore More
 Overdrive is broadcast nationally via the Community Radio Network. Catch the full episode, road test videos, and extra stories at our website or search "cars transport culture" on your favourite platform.
Host: David Brown
 Guest: Paul Murrell (SeniorDriverAus.com)
 First Aired: 10 May 2025
 Production Support: Genesis Australia, Bruce Potter, Mark Wesley

Overdrive: Tesla’s Troubles, Touchscreen Turmoil, and the Curious Case of Royal Warrants

Having spent the last two years buying and selling electric vehicles in the retail space, Recharged CEO John Foley said he knows what buyers are looking for and flaws that exist in current remarketing solutions offered for EVs.

Foley shared his opinions during an appearance on the Live Stage presented by SYCN Auto Logistics at this spring’s Auto Intel Summit. The conversation is part of this episode of the Auto Remarketing Podcast.


Recharged CEO on what can be improved in EV market

Eric Yeung discusses the global economic shift from West to East, driven by unsustainable U.S. national debt and de-dollarization. Physical gold is highlighted as a key neutral international reserve asset, with China establishing overseas vaults to allow trading partners to convert RMB into physical gold within their own jurisdictions. Bitcoin seems to be supporting the U.S. Treasury market through stablecoin reserves, suggesting it's primarily an "American phenomenon" that may be strategically inflated.

*Support Geopolitics & Empire!
Become a Member https://geopoliticsandempire.substack.com
Donate https://geopoliticsandempire.com/donations
Consult https://geopoliticsandempire.com/consultation

**Visit Our Affiliates & Sponsors!
Above Phone https://abovephone.com/?above=geopolitics
easyDNS (15% off with GEOPOLITICS) https://easydns.com
Escape Technocracy course (15% off with GEOPOLITICS) https://escapethetechnocracy.com/geopolitics
PassVult https://passvult.com
Sociatates Civis (CitizenHR, CitizenIT, CitizenPL) https://societates-civis.com
Wise Wolf Gold https://www.wolfpack.gold/?ref=geopolitics

Websites
Eric Yeung https://x.com/KingKong9888

About Eric Yeung
Eric Yeung is a former contract manufacturer, businessman, and commentator who has lived between North America, Hong Kong, and China.

*Podcast intro music is from the song "The Queens Jig" by "Musicke & Mirth" from their album "Music for Two Lyra Viols": http://musicke-mirth.de/en/recordings.html (available on iTunes or Amazon)

Eric Yeung: The Dollar, Gold, Bitcoin, & China's Bright Future #557

Resumo das Notícias da Semana - 19/05 -- 30/05 -- 2025

Resumo das Notícias da Semana - 01/05 -- 12/05 -- 2025

If you’ve driven in Atlanta since April 2024, you’ve likely seen retrofitted Jaguar I-Pace vehicles navigating the streets without a driver behind the wheel. These robotaxis, operated by Waymo in partnership with Uber, are now available to passengers within a 65-square-mile area in the city. 

 

Atlanta is one of five cities in the U.S. to have access to the new ride option, but with plans to expand to seven by 2026, are the roads and riders ready for an autonomous future?

 

In the latest episode of Generating Buzz, Srinivas Peeta — director of the Autonomous and Connected Transportation Lab and the Frederick R. Dickerson Chair and Professor in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering — shares his expertise on how Waymo’s systems differ from other vehicle manufacturers, how social media influences adoption of the new technology, and what comes next.

Generating Buzz: Your Driverless Ride Has Arrived

Overdrive – Cars, Transport & Culture
Originally broadcast: 14 June 2025
Host: David Brown | Guest: Paul Murrell (SeniorDriverAus.com)

In this episode of Overdrive, we explore the intersection of technology, culture, and controversy in the transport world. From electric vehicle supply chains to self-driving cars and tragic consequences of urban mobility experiments, we cover it all. The show blends analysis, interviews, and a dose of humour to make sense of the evolving car and transport landscape.

Key Segments and Topics Covered:

1. News Headlines and Industry Trends
We begin with a look at China’s suspension of key rare earth exports, which has forced companies like Ford to pause production in the U.S. The discussion examines Australia’s opportunity and challenges in filling the gap, particularly around local skills shortages in metallurgy and refining.

2. Commercial Driver Health Reforms
Paul and David unpack a new discussion paper from the National Transport Commission, aimed at improving health screening for commercial drivers. The goal is to detect high-risk conditions—like sleep apnea—before they cause accidents, using evidence-based protocols and fleet-monitoring technology.

3. Artificial Intelligence in Road Safety
Two firms are pushing AI into different lanes of vehicle safety. Nauto supports human drivers with real-time warnings based on driver behaviour, while Imagry is developing fully autonomous, map-free driving. We contrast the philosophical and practical implications of both approaches.

4. Vehicle Ruggedness and Robotic Testing
Ford’s Ranger undergoes brutal durability testing at Victoria’s You Yangs proving ground using robotic test drivers—highlighting the importance of consistency and safety in off-road evaluation. The discussion also references how electric powertrains could enhance off-road capability.

5. E-scooter Fatality and Policy Response in Perth
A tragic incident involving a pedestrian killed by a drunk e-scooter rider has led to an indefinite suspension of Perth’s e-scooter hire program. Paul and David discuss the broader implications of poor regulation, excessive speeds, and rising injury statistics across Australia.

6. The Rapid Rise of Waymo in San Francisco
Self-driving car company Waymo now accounts for 27% of San Francisco’s rideshare market. We explore why consistency, comfort, and reduced crash rates are contributing to faster-than-expected adoption of autonomous vehicles, despite their higher cost compared to traditional rideshare options.

7. Car Myths Debunked
From battery longevity and fuel economy to aerodynamics and fire risk in EVs, the team breaks down popular car myths. Key points include:

Car batteries can last well beyond five years with proper maintenance.

Smaller engines aren’t always more fuel-efficient in real-world driving.

EVs are statistically less likely to catch fire than petrol vehicles, but fires are harder to extinguish.

8. Spotlight: Giotto Bizzarrini
We dive into the remarkable story of Giotto Bizzarrini, a brilliant but overlooked automotive engineer who worked with Ferrari, Lamborghini, and others before creating his own exotic car marque. The discussion includes a recent revival of his 5300 GT Strada and the challenges of branding in the automotive world.

9. Road Test: 2025 Mitsubishi Triton GLS
We test the latest Mitsubishi Triton dual cab ute and assess its appeal to both tradies and families. Topics include:

Toughness and payload capability

Security and lockable tray cover

Interior simplicity vs. tech complexity

Safety features and lane assist quirks

Parking challenges due to size
We also touch on the marketing impact of using Russell Coight in ads, and how humour wears thin over time.

Credits and Further Info:
This episode was produced with thanks to Paul Murrell, Mitsubishi Australia, Bruce Potter, Mark Wesley, and mechanical engineer Fred Brain.

Get more from Overdrive:
For videos, longer interviews, and road test visuals, search Cars Transport Culture on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, or your preferred podcast app.

Overdrive is syndicated nationally via the Community Radio Network.



OverDrive: Triton Road Test, EV Fire Myths, AI Cars, E-Scooter Ban & The Legend of Bizzarrini

Welcome to Overdrive, the show that dives into the quirks, questions, and cultural shifts shaping how we move. Host David Brown is joined by Brian Smith, transport planner and original Overdrive contributor, for a jam-packed episode that blends industry news, thoughtful critique, and cheeky observations.

🎙️ This Week on Overdrive:

📊 1. J.D. Power’s 2025 Vehicle Quality Study – More Tech, More Trouble
While overall vehicle quality has ticked up slightly, touchscreen systems remain the most complained-about feature in new cars. David and Brian discuss why the removal of physical buttons frustrates drivers and how infotainment failures are now a core part of early car returns.

🔌 2. Plug-in Hybrids: The Worst of Both Worlds?
Despite their eco-friendly label, plug-in hybrids are proving problematic. Many owners don't plug them in, defeating their purpose and contributing to mechanical complexity without the payoff. We ask: are PHEVs just a stopgap that never lived up to their promise?

🛴 3. World’s Fastest Scooter – Innovation or PR Stunt?
A British startup wants to break the 160km/h mark with a high-speed e-scooter. But is this headline-grabbing move advancing micromobility—or undermining it? We explore why promoting e-scooters with speed risks repeating the mistakes of muscle car marketing.

⚡ 4. EV Ambitions Stalling? Inside the Industry’s Electric Pause
Volvo, GM, and others are hitting the brakes on US EV rollouts. We unpack the influence of changing subsidies, global tariffs, and consumer hesitancy—especially at the luxury end—and ask whether retro-styled EVs like the VW ID. Buzz are moving the market forward or clinging to outdated dreams.

🚚 5. Commercial Fleets & Carbon: Australia’s Net Zero Blind Spot
With commercial vehicles making up nearly half of new car sales and one-fifth of emissions, Australia’s electrification of its fleet is lagging badly. We examine five key reasons—from infrastructure gaps to outdated procurement mindsets—and highlight smart fixes like shared depot charging.

📬 6. Feedback from France: A Hot Hatch Lives!
A French listener shares his love for the Hyundai i20N—proof that the spirit of manual, high-revving hatches still has global fans. We celebrate a rare survivor in an increasingly homogenised auto market.

🎨 7. Austin-Healey Car Show: Colour, Character & Noise
David attends a vintage Healey event marking Donald Healey’s birthday. From two-tone colour schemes to the visceral sound of tuned exhausts, we reflect on an era when you really had to drive the car—and feel every bump and brake fade along the way.

🛻 8. Triton Road Test & The Ute Culture Problem
We take the Mitsubishi Triton GSR off-road and discuss how it stacks up against flashier competitors like the Raptor. Beyond the specs, we confront how oversized, aggressive utes are shaping driving behaviour, image, and even pedestrian safety—especially when piloted by P-platers with something to prove.

💡 Themes woven throughout:

Are EVs being sold with outdated emotional appeals?

How nostalgia can cloud smart design

Fleet electrification as climate policy in practice

Why engineering videos still miss the human story

The social impact of high-performance design choices

📡 More from Overdrive:
Want longer versions or to watch our reviews? Find us via:
🌐 Podcast / Website
📺 YouTube / 📸 Instagram / 👍 Facebook
Just search: Cars. Transport. Culture.

Overdrive is syndicated nationally on the Community Radio Network and was first broadcast on 26 July 2025.
Hosted by David Brown. Special thanks to Brian Smith, Mitsubishi Australia, Bruce Potter and Mark Wesley.

Let me know if you'd like the 140-character caption version or a version formatted for YouTube, Instagram, or newsletter as well.

Touchscreens, Utes & EV Slowdown: Transport Trends on Overdrive – 26 July 2025

In this episode of Overdrive, David Brown and Paul Murrell discuss the latest in headlight testing technology at Mercedes-Benz, the real-world usability of driver aids and infotainment systems, and the challenges of understanding electric vehicle range. Plus, a look at GWM’s new Tank 500 plug-in hybrid SUV and how China's automakers are reshaping the value equation in Australia’s large SUV market.

This Overdrive episode captures the tension between technological innovation and practical execution. Whether it’s headlights that bend around corners or plug-in SUVs that can tow 3 tonnes, the industry is evolving fast. But poor user interfaces, inconsistent standards, and unclear real-world data can still frustrate even the most experienced drivers.

Why Headlight Tech, Interface Design and EV Range Still Matter

Jonathan Wellum - Canada's Role in the Coming Resource Boom

This week on Green Street Patti and Doug talk about concerns over radiation in electric and hybrid cars (EMFs and RFR), and the Trump administration's continuing war on science, from which government agencies may never recover. Then Tim Judson, Executive Director of the Nuclear Information and Resource Service, talks about the push for nuclear energy, the problems associated with nuclear, and the opportunities we have to use better sources to satisfy current and future demands for power.

The New Push for Nuclear

In this episode, we rate the Budget against ICAEW’s ten tenets for a better tax system, focusing on the government’s decision to freeze the personal allowance and tax thresholds for an additional three years, the new tax on electric vehicles and changes to the NIC treatment of salary sacrificed pension contributions. 

Budget 25: Do the tax changes meet the tenets?

Auto Hauler Exchange chief operating officer Dana Randazzo spent part of Used Car Week 2025 on the Live Stage presented by SYCN Auto Logistics.

Randazzo and Cherokee Media Group’s Joe Overby shared a conversation titled, “Fact or fiction — The truth behind EVs,” that’s now available via this episode of the Auto Remarketing Podcast.

Fact or fiction — The truth behind EVs

Overdrive: Fuel security, fast rail reality and living with the Deepal E07

Fuel security, fast rail; living with a Deepal E07
Short description
David Brown and Paul Murrell cut through the headlines and hype, starting with fuel security risks as Middle East tensions unsettle oil markets and sharpen the case for electrification. They look at China’s rapid rise in Australia’s new-car market, revisit Grand Prix history through the Repco Brabham BT19, and question Cadillac’s EV push. The program also highlights overlooked engineering pioneer Frederick Lanchester, the inventor behind the dashboard fuel-door arrow, tests the Deepal E07 as a day-to-day vehicle, and brings a more practical lens to the federal government’s very fast train proposal.
Episode Breakdown
Fuel security and EV shift —			00:00:25
China’s car surge — 				00:05:32
Grand Prix history and Cadillac EVs — 	00:11:05
Frederick Lanchester remembered — 	00:23:41
The fuel-door arrow idea — 			00:27:51
Very fast train reality check — 		00:30:16
Deepal E07 living-with review — 		00:43:22
Fuel security and EV shift
The program opens with concern over fuel prices and supply resilience as conflict near the Strait of Hormuz rattles oil markets. David and Paul argue Australia remains too exposed because it imports most refined fuel, and they suggest the issue is not only price but availability, queues and broader economic disruption.
China’s car surge
They discuss February 2026 sales data showing China overtaking Japan as Australia’s biggest source of imported vehicles. The conversation links that shift to growing sales of EVs and plug-in hybrids, with both presenters arguing buyers may increasingly value energy security and reduced dependence on petrol.
Grand Prix history and Cadillac EVs
Paul highlights the Repco Brabham BT19, which returns to prominence at the Australian Grand Prix as a rolling tribute to Sir Jack Brabham and Ron Tauranac. They contrast its light, mechanical simplicity with modern Formula One, then turn to Cadillac’s local EV launch, questioning whether brand cachet and Formula One exposure will translate into real sales in Australia.
Frederick Lanchester remembered
A standout history segment profiles British engineer Frederick Lanchester, credited with pioneering ideas including four-wheel drive, turbocharging, fuel injection, disc brakes and rack-and-pinion steering. Paul presents him as one of motoring’s great forgotten innovators whose ideas arrived decades before the market was ready.
The fuel-door arrow idea
David notes the death of Jim Moylan, the Ford engineer credited with popularising the small dashboard triangle showing which side the fuel filler is on. It is treated as a modest but brilliant piece of user-focused design that matters even more when drivers regularly swap vehicles.
Very fast train reality check
The federal government’s Sydney–Newcastle very fast train plan gets a sceptical but measured review. David questions whether the project is solving the right problem, arguing that cheaper improvements to existing rail and better local transport could deliver more practical public value than a prestige megaproject.
Deepal E07 living-with review
Rather than focusing on raw performance, the review examines usability, controls and communication. The presenters like the E07’s refinement, features and clever touches, but they also criticise awkward translations, screen-heavy interfaces and some confusing functionality, concluding it is impressive yet still imperfect as a daily driver.
Program Links and Credits
Overdrive is broadcast across Australia on the Community Radio Network.
For longer versions of the program, past episodes and more content, search for Cars Transport Culture on the website, podcast platforms, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

First aired 7 March 2026.



Fuel security, fast rail; living with a Deepal E07

Piers talks with the former CEO of Wheels Media Andrew Beecher about the pros and cons of buying an electric vehicle. With war in the Middle East and prices at the bowser on the rise, now could be the time to make the switch. We consider the various angles: depreciation, associated costs, evolving battery tech, charging options and rebates.

With Oil Spiking, Is It Time To Buy An EV?

Broadcast every Tuesday at 11am AEDT on Radio Port Phillip 98.7 or 98.3 FM. It’s your weekly dose of science and technology.

Including features on cool gadgets, website reviews, the latest science and IT news, not to mention astronomy and space exploration.

http://beyondinfinity.com.au/

Special thanks to John Young, Paul Wattie, Steve Meyers, Brendon Telfer and the team at RPPfm.

The Geopolitics & Empire Podcast conducts interviews with prominent international experts on a wide-range of topics.

Past guests have included diplomats, government officials, whistleblowers, soldiers, spies, economists, academics, scientists, wealthy investors, dissidents, journalists, and musicians.

The broadcast seeks to gain insight from guests who come from the left, right, and beyond. It should go without saying that the host does not always agree with beliefs espoused by podcast invitees, but maintains an open mind, and believes it important to respectfully listen to a multitude of voices and let listeners come to their own conclusions.

*Music used in podcast intro is from the song "The Queens Jig" by "Musicke & Mirth" from their album "Music for Two Lyra Viols": http://musicke-mirth.de/en/recordings.html (available on iTunes or Amazon)

Inspiring leaders with the person and values of Jesus

Your weekly dose of auto industry news and conversation with top executives, specifically tailored for the used-car side of the business.

Overdrive: Cars, Transport and Culture.

A weekly radio program featuring motoring & transport news from Australia & around the world, road tests, feature interviews & quirky stories.

David Brown is a respected motoring broadcaster heard online and across Australia on commercial, public and community radio.

Green Street is a science-based environmental health program hosted by Patti and Doug Wood. Each week, we bring you news and information you need to know and practical solutions for navigating an unhealthy world.

ICAEW is a professional membership organisation that provides insight and leadership to the global accountancy and finance profession.

New tracks tagged #Electric Vehicles