Tom Sharpe

South Yorkshire

Steel Sector Writer and Editor at MEPS International Ltd.

Managing Editor in the Steel City with @mepssteelprices. Also a motoring writer and UK Car of the Year judge. Any opinions expressed are my own.

Articles

I’ve read the Defence Review. Now show me the money

6 days ago | yahoo.com | Tom Sharpe

Today saw the unveiling of the much awaited Strategic Defence Review. Commissioned nearly a year ago and presented by an independent panel including Lord Robertson, Fiona Hill, and General Richard Barrons it has been a long time coming and the crescendo of speculation and rumours is now at an end. Which is a shame really because the review itself is something of a disappointment. It’s long, well written, insightful in places and contains some interesting strategic guidance.
Another example of two-tier Britain: the Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigate

1 week ago | aol.co.uk | Tom Sharpe

Today marks another important milestone in the regeneration of the Royal Navy. Last week it was the naming of HMS Glasgow, our new Type 26 anti-submarine frigate. Today, it is the roll out of HMS Venturer, the first Type 31 general purpose frigate: a class of ships that, if we get it right, could form the backbone of the Royal Navy for the foreseeable future. That we have two major Defence Primes building ships on both Scottish coasts at the same time is good news on many levels.
Vauxhall’s flagship starts to live-up to grand billing

1 week ago | rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk | Tom Sharpe

HAVING been christened with a name like Grandland in 2017, it often felt like Vauxhall’s flagship SUV had aspirations a little above its station. As tested here, with a mild hybrid drivetrain featuring a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged engine propelling its sizeable frame, there might be an initial concern that this second-generation version is also writing cheques it cannot cash.
I’ve gone up against the Russians. Here’s my review of the new frigate the Princess launched

2 weeks ago | aol.co.uk | Tom Sharpe

Thursday marked a significant milestone for the Royal Navy as HMS Glasgow was formally named by the Princess of Wales. Glasgow is the first of eight new Type 26 anti-submarine frigates. She is expected to be fully operational by 2028, with the remaining seven entering service at regular intervals through the early 2030s. There is a real buzz around this ship – a sense of excitement about its potential. Some caution is required here.
The one mistake that meant the Brooklyn Bridge sailing ship crash couldn't be avoided

2 weeks ago | telegraph.co.uk | Tom Sharpe

The first is that both the wind and the tide were from the southwest, i.e. pushing the ship towards the bridge (which the ship's masts were too tall to pass under). The wind was about 10 knots and the current probably not even a knot on top of that. Neither is extreme - nor even close - and actually a wind off the berth can be quite helpful in the initial stages, but both will make the ship hit the bridge if nothing else appears. The second is the proximity to the bridge.
Kia’s EV family continues to breed success

2 weeks ago | rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk | Tom Sharpe

KIA must have known it was onto winner when it set about distilling the ingredients of its giant EV9 into the more accessible EV3 crossover. Sure enough, a year after the Korean brand’s seven-seat, electric flagship secured 2024’s World Car of the Year accolade, the feat was repeated by its smaller stablemate. A week at the wheel suggests that early awards win was an indicator of sales success yet to come as the EV3 takes on Skoda’s Elroq and Volvo’s EX30.
The Navy leadership is in crisis, but the Service itself is fine

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Tom Sharpe

There is currently a crisis among our Navy’s top leaders. The outgoing First Sea Lord – the head of the Service – Admiral Sir Ben Key, has been asked to “step back” while the claim of affair with a subordinate officer is being investigated.
The Navy leadership is in crisis, but the Service itself is fine

3 weeks ago | telegraph.co.uk | Tom Sharpe

You may have noticed I said "Navy's leaders" and not "naval leadership." I firmly believe the latter is in good shape. The problem the Royal Navy now has to address - while unpicking this mess and its surrounding conspiracies - is: why would anyone believe that?
Mazda MX-5 becomes restomod rocketship

3 weeks ago | rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk | Tom Sharpe

BRITISH restomod specialist Rocketeer Cars has set its sights on reshaping the perceptions of those misinformed few who still refer to the Mazda MX-5 as “a hairdressers’ car”. New funding means that the Hampshire-based operation, which has sold more than 30 updated and upgraded MX-5s and over 150 self-build kits to date, is now upping the ante with a brace of three-litre V6-powered models.
Driven by value: MG’s new ZS Hybrid+

3 weeks ago | rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk | Tom Sharpe

A QUICK glance at the MG ZS Hybrid+ spec sheet pretty much answers the questions about whether this Chinese-owned British brand is onto another sales success. I often gleefully refer to my Rotherham gym as the “land that inflation forgot”, due to its remarkable value, and MG showroom’s could share the description. MG offers SE and Trophy specifications of its Dacia Duster rival at £22,495 and £24,995, ensuring it undercuts its value-driven rival on price.