[Just Rick]

What, the Tourer's or the peeling steering wheels. 

I am aware the Tourers are here, thanks Rick.

I was actually referring to the steering wheels, mine is slowly getting worse

[baroudeur]

I am wondering if this battery problem is due to the high usage of the gel cell batteries over that way,this would be an interesting stat as to how many of the 37% battery call outs were gell batteries

Are there cars with gel batteries or do you mean AGM (absorbed glass mat) batteries? 

Gel batteries are very susceptible to damage by incorrect charging  and are not suitable as starter batteries.
 
I believe some of the U.S high-end models have AGM batteries but are there any European cars with them?

[Asterix]

I think one of the reasons for many battery problems in Europe is due to our weather.

Many people only do lots of short trips, thus the battery never gets fully recharged. Combine that with our hard winters with temperatures at -20 to -30 ºC the battery will not be able to have power enough to start at a cold morning.

We see this happen every year when the first hard frosty mornings comes, not just with older cars.

You guys & girls Down Under hardly gets any frost and most of you drive significantly greater distances, thus the conditions to keep the battery in top shape, is much better.

Of course this does not explain why the i30 in particular, have this problem.

[Dazzler]

Thanks Henning (very well put)

[Just Rick]

-20 to -30 I wouldn't want to bloody work either  anything under 15c is far to damned cold for me,I'm like a reptile I need the warmth to help my get going