After years of setbacks and overhyped promises, self-driving car revolution is quietly becoming a reality. The latest episode of Auto Futurecast dives into this transformation, Chris and co-host Natalie Sauber, Global Ecosystems Development Director for Arcadis, were joined by Martyn Briggs, Director at Bank of America. Together, they unpack the journey of autonomous vehicles (AVs) from ambitious beginnings to their growing presence on our streets. As Martyn puts it, “This used to...

Electric vehicles are transforming the automotive landscape, but many fleet managers are hitting an unexpected roadblock: skyrocketing insurance premiums. While the long-term benefits of electrification are clear, the short-term insurance costs can be up to 25% higher than for traditional vehicles. So, what’s driving this trend? In our latest episode Marc Spurling from Aon breaks down the complexities: Why is EV Insurance So Expensive? The insurance industry is grappling with what...

Curious what goes into powering up the EV revolution? In the latest Auto Futurecast episode, we unpack the nuts and bolts of charging infrastructure with Asif Ghafoor, CEO of Be.EV. Fast Facts from Our Conversation with Asif: Start-Up to Scale: Founded in 2021, Be.EV now operates across Greater Manchester, backed by £110 million from Octopus Energy Generation.Reality Check: Building charging sites isn’t plug-and-play—it involves site leases for 20-25 years, up to two years of development, and...

The UK automotive market is at a turning point, with electric vehicles (EVs), new retail models, and Chinese competition reshaping the landscape. Ian Plummer, Commercial Director at Auto Trader, joined Auto Futurecast to share his perspective on affordability, consumer behaviour, and how retailers can adapt in this fast-moving environment. ⚡ EV Affordability and Adoption Price gap between ICE and EVs has narrowed from 36% to 23%.Greater model availability, especially under £30k, is driving de...

The automotive industry is undergoing a profound transformation, and Lotus is navigating this shift with a distinct strategy that bridges its legacy and the future of electrification. Frederik Gollob, COO of Lotus Cars Europe, recently shared his vision on Auto Futurecast, revealing how the iconic British brand balances heritage with cutting-edge technology to serve a diverse customer base. Lotus's Dual Strategy: Heritage Meets Innovation Two pathways for customer engagement:Heritage L...

The EV transition is well underway—but it’s not without turbulence. While automakers race to innovate and new players enter the global stage, the electric vehicle (EV) landscape is increasingly clouded by confusion, mistrust, and misinformation. From viral myths about battery life to political narratives shaping public opinion, the EV sector faces challenges that go far beyond hardware and horsepower. In this episode of Fake News, Real Cars, we sit down with Dan Caesar, CEO of Fully Cha...

If you’re interested in how the automotive sector is adapting to changing customer needs, technological innovations, and evolving financial structures, this episode is a must-listen. Here’s an overview: 1. Jaguar Land Rover Financial Services – Leveraging Partnerships Facilitate financing options for customers purchasing vehicles. Ensure liquidity through wholesale financing to support their retailer network. Adapt flexibly to changing market demands with innovative ap...

In this episode of Auto Futurecast, host Chris Kirby sits down with the CEO of MHP Consulting, Bodo Philipp to explore the evolving world of digital car buying, customer experience, and the role of immersive technology in shaping the future of mobility. From online configurators and AI-guided finance tools to Apple Vision Pro-powered virtual test drives, this conversation dives into the challenges and opportunities OEMs face as customer expectations shift dramatically. Key h...

Join host Chris Kirby for an unmissable episode recorded at the Asset Finance Connect Summer Conference, where innovation meets insight. This special edition dives deep into the transformative forces reshaping mobility, finance, and operations — featuring candid conversations with leading voices in the industry. Key Highlights: The Future of Electric HGVs – Karim Haji, Managing Director at Scania Financial Services unpacks the challenges and slow adoption of electric HGVs in the UK, the...

In this episode of Auto Futurecast, host Chris Kirby collaborates with Euan McTurk from Plug Life Consulting to explore the evolving world of electric vehicles and battery technology. From breakthroughs in solid-state batteries to second-life applications and grid storage, this conversation dives into the innovations and challenges redefining the EV landscape. With a focus on practicality and future potential, the episode covers: Battery Chemistry Diversification: H...

In this packed episode of Auto Futurecast, host Chris Kirby sits down with Tony Whitehorn, former President and CEO of Hyundai U.K. and one of the most experienced minds in the automotive world for a comprehensive conversation about the forces redefining the global car industry. From electric vehicles to geopolitical power plays, connected services to customer expectations, this discussion dives deep into the massive disruption hitting every corner of the automotive value chain. T...

In the latest episode of the Auto Futurecast podcast, host Chris Kirby speaks to Oliver Phillpott, Co-Founder or Generational, a startup focused on EV battery diagnostics. The insightful conversation delves into the growing importance of battery health in the electric vehicle ecosystem, particularly in the context of vehicle financing, leasing, residual values, and the used car market. A key discussion point is the misalignment of traditional vehicle valuation methods—which rely heavily on ag...

Auto Futurecast, hosted by Chris Kirby, is back with the second episode in the new series. In association with Tomorrow’s Journey and Asset Finance Connect and proudly sponsored by Solifi, Chris welcomes Matt Hawkins from Flexis. The pair take a look at the innovative journey of Flexis, a groundbreaking electric vehicle OEM co-founded by Renault, Volvo and CMA CGM. They discuss how Flexis differs from traditional OEMs by creating EVs from the ground up, optimising range, payload, and u...

In the inaugural episode of Auto Futurecast, host Chris Kirby welcomes Ben Boutcher-West, Chief Technology Officer at Connected Kerb, to explore the evolving landscape of EV charging. From his roots in automotive giants like Bosch and Jaguar Land Rover to driving innovation at Connected Kerb, Ben shares insights into building reliable, affordable curbside charging solutions for the UK. The duo dives into the company’s recent groundbreaking fundraising, the challenges of EV adoption, and...