Nissan’s own documents show Carlos Ghosn’s arrest was a boardroom coup

I said it a long time ago: that the Carlos Ghosn arrest was part of a boardroom coup, and that the media were used by Hiroto Saikawa and co. (which I said on Twitter at the time). It was pretty evident to me given how quickly the press conferences were set up, how rapidly there […]

Read More… from Nissan’s own documents show Carlos Ghosn’s arrest was a boardroom coup



Carlos Ghosn redresses the balance

It’s been fascinating to watch Carlos Ghosn’s press conference in Beirut, and subsequent interviews, confirming my own suspicions back in November 2018 (as Tweeted and blogged). Carlos Ghosn's criticism of the Japanese justice system isn’t ‘one-sided’ as they claim. For 14 months, they controlled the narrative and the smear campaign against him. He and others […]

Read More… from Carlos Ghosn redresses the balance



Another milestone: 16 million page views for Autocade

Looks like the viewing rate has picked up again for Autocade despite a relative lack of updates over the last six months (in no small part due to our move). Tomorrow it’ll exceed 16 million page views.    Some of the last few entries have been about filling in gaps: the Renault Clio V is […]

Read More… from Another milestone: 16 million page views for Autocade



Bypassing the media, Carlos Ghosn tells it as it is

I haven’t blogged much about Carlos Ghosn, though I’ve Tweeted aplenty since his arrest last November. Earlier this week, his lawyers released a video of Ghosn stating his position, and it echoes much of what I had Tweeted. He couldn’t make a personal appearance at a press conference himself, thanks to some conveniently timed (for […]

Read More… from Bypassing the media, Carlos Ghosn tells it as it is



Capturing a buyer: some advice to Renault New Zealand

On this Pope Gregory Arbitrary Calendar Start Day, I wrote to a contact of mine at Renault New Zealand.    In mid-2018, I joked that, since Renault had no dealers in Wellington (never mind what’s listed on their website—the only people who can see a dealer there are psychic mediums), I could sell them out […]

Read More… from Capturing a buyer: some advice to Renault New Zealand



Autocade hits 13 million; and what’s the deal with Nissan’s withdrawal from mainstream passenger cars?

Some time during May, Autocade exceeded 13 million page views. I can’t tell you the exact day, since it wasn’t a milestone that we’re socialized into noticing: I just happened across it one evening last week. It’s currently on 3,665 model entries, the latest being the Porsche 944. Admittedly, we haven’t added the premium brands […]

Read More… from Autocade hits 13 million; and what’s the deal with Nissan’s withdrawal from mainstream passenger cars?



Consumer’s choice: how I bought a car from the UK over the ’net and shipped it home

Originally published at Drivetribe, but as I own the copyright it only made sense to share it here for readers, too, especially those who might wish to buy a car from abroad and want to do the job themselves. It was originally written for a British audience. Above: The lengths I went to, to make […]

Read More… from Consumer’s choice: how I bought a car from the UK over the ’net and shipped it home



Snapped on Instagram

This wasn’t taken by me, but by another car enthusiast, who goes by Kiwi_cars on Instagram. They (I don’t know the gender though one shadow in one photo suggests it could be a male) photograph some of the more interesting cars in New Zealand, and I was flattered to have mine spotted and posted on […]

Read More… from Snapped on Instagram



The top-selling cars in France, 2013

Interesting what pops up on Weibo: 2013’s top-selling cars in France. 1. Renault Clio IV 2. Peugeot 208 3. Citroën C3 4. Renault Scénic III 5. Renault Mégane III 6. Dacia Sandero 7. Renault Captur 8. Volkswagen Polo V 9. Renault Twingo II 10. Peugeot 3008    The French are a patriotic bunch.    In […]

Read More… from The top-selling cars in France, 2013



Joan Rivers had better facelifts, but it’s the future of the black cab

Part of me admires Nissan for going after the taxi market in a big way in New York and London.    Another part of me wonders why on earth the London Hackney Carriage solution is so ugly.    I think Nissan should have asked Mr Mitsuoka for advice on how to Anglicize one of its […]

Read More… from Joan Rivers had better facelifts, but it’s the future of the black cab