Articles by Byron Mathioudakis

What is the future for the underwhelming Toyota Fortuner? Is it LandCruiser FJ-shaped? Or perhaps new 4Runner-esque?

Toyota has launched the ninth-generation Camry in Australia this week, with changes that run deeper than the similar-to-last-time styling suggests.

Backed by one of the largest legacy car companies in the world, Chinese EV start-up upstart Leapmotor is about to pounce on the BYD Atto 3, Tesla Model Y and Kia EV6 electric vehicles (EVs) with the C10.

The Puma is now extinct in Australia, with Ford expected to cancel the battery electric vehicle (EV) version of the European small SUV for this market, at least for the foreseeable future.This is despite announcing plans nearly 18 months ago to release the Puma EV (dubbed Gen-E) by the end of this year, as part of five new EV models for Australia by the start of 2025.At the time, Ford also revealed that the regular petrol-powered versions of the Puma would be discontinued after stocks of the current model depleted.As only a handful of these remain in dealerships to date, it was thought that Australian consumers would only have to wait for a few months before given the chance to buy a new, cheaper electric Ford.However, a reader tipped us off otherwise earlier this week, after being told of the fate of the Puma Gen-E by a Ford dealer.Since then, it has also come to our attention that Ford’s public website has deleted all references to the electric Puma, prompting us to reach out to the company for clarification.While Ford Australia has declined to comment about the Gen-E’s future, a spokesperson did email CarsGuide the following statement:“The Puma page on the Ford website was removed as we clear the last remaining stock of the current model. We will share more details on Puma Gen-E later in the year,” it read.Given the Gen-E does not officially exist in production form anywhere in the world (the facelifted Puma that it is based on has only just had a European press launch), it seems Ford Australia may have to wait until after the EV version's global debut before announcing the series' now-uncertain future in this country.With stalling EV sales globally, the decision to drop the Puma altogether in Australia would not be a surprising one.We also understand that meeting anticipated European demand first – especially in markets that have punitive carbon-related taxes – may also play a role in the decision to back out of the Gen-E locally, should that happen.The electric Puma's expected cancellation here does also raise concerns over how Ford plans to meet next year’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (known as NVES).With the diesel-powered Ranger and Everest combined accounting for about 90 per cent of total volume, the Blue Oval may face some very heavy fines moving forward.Today, the only electrified vehicles in the local artillery are the slow-selling Mustang Mach-E and full-sized e-Transit, though the smaller e-Transit Custom is still set for a 2025 launch, alongside one more mystery EV if the company's 2023 announcement comes to fruition.But all, along with the Ranger plug-in hybrid EV (PHEV), will likely only be niche sellers at best.Speaking of the latter and its powertrain, Ford did offer the Escape PHEV midsized SUV for a brief period from 2022, until the whole series was shockingly dropped towards the end of last year.Should Ford import the Puma Gen-E to Australia? Do Blue Oval fans deserve an affordable and accessible EV? Let us know in the comments below.

Toyota is trialling a different way of allocating popular models in Australia, with the aim of avoiding wait-time blowouts through a fairer and more-even distribution methodology.

Having vanquished the HiLux ute so far in 2024, can the Toyota RAV4 reel in the bestselling Ford Ranger as well for the number one sales spot in Australia?

Should Toyota consider a taxi pack version of its new-generation Camry?

Volvo is confident that it will rule the premium EV world with a two-tiered approach moving forward. While all will encompass the Swedish brand’s core pillars of safety, efficiency, technology and luxury, where they are positioned in terms of price and size will determine which platform each model will employ.

Why the Volvo EX90 is late and why it's probably likely to be very worthwhile as a result.

The Volvo EX90 is the company's first entirely in-house-developed and purpose-built electric vehicle, but it's much more than that. Advanced safety and multimedia tech, combined with intelligent interior packaging as well as sophisticated chassis and powertrain engineering, aim to make the Swedish large luxury SUV EV best in class. Not that you'd know all this from its pretty though safe design.