Articles by Chris Thompson

Nissan has introduced a more affordable hybrid entry offering in Australia, with a new Qashqai electrified variant sneaking in under the $50K mark. The 2026 Nissan Qashqai can now be had as a Ti e-Power, a roughly middle-of-the-range variant.

Ford’s iconic muscle car is the first to cop a price increase due to penalties now in effect based on Australia’s new emissions laws. The price of a 2026 Ford Mustang has increased by $5000 across the board, with the entry point to the line-up now $71,990 before on-road costs.

One of the world’s largest carmakers' recent entry into Australia is proving fruitful, as China’s BYD finds itself sitting amongst the nation's top 10 brands.But BYD hasn’t only just managed to nab itself 10th or even 9th - in June 2025 the brand was the fifth-most popular behind Toyota, Ford, Mazda and Hyundai.In fact, in the entire first half of the year BYD has sold 23,355 cars in Australia putting it ahead of competitors like Isuzu (21,883), MG (21,674), Nissan (20,604) and Subaru (19,910).The first six best-selling brands in terms in the first half of 2025 will be familiar: Toyota, Mazda, Ford, Kia, Hyundai and Mitsubishi. But then? GWM and BYD.While GWM’s growth compared to the first half of 2024 is up a steady 17.0 per cent, BYD’s rise since the same period last year is meteoric. Compared to its 9548 sales up to June 30 in 2024, BYD’s 23,355 sales so far this year means it’s up 144.6 per cent.Eighth on the ladder year-to-date is an impressive feat for a brand most Australians likely hadn’t heard of just a couple of years ago, but the brand recognition brought about by its Atto 3 and the few models launched since has clearly worked.The brand has even made it into the ute market before mainstays like Kia, with its plug-in hybrid Shark 6 ute having broken the five-figure sales barrier. The brand has shifted 10,424 Sharks since its launch earlier this year.It’s unsurprisingly BYD’s most popular model, followed by the Sealion 6 PHEV (4375 YTD) and its electric Sealion 7 sibling (3756 YTD).The Atto 3 remains popular enough despite sales halving compared to the same point last year, now 1854 units this year-to-date, followed by the Seal sedan (1609 YTD, down 60.7 per cent) and Dolphin hatch (1337 YTD, up 7.1 per cent).The only thing that seems like it could see BYD come undone is a report from last week via Reuters that production at some BYD factories has been “cut by at least a third”, but it’s yet to be seen whether this is confirmed, or whether this will have a direct impact on Australian sales.

I’ve spent a fair bit of time around new electric cars in the last couple of years and there’s a trend I’m sure you’ve noticed if you’re paying even half the amount of attention I am.

GWM will discontinue sales of the Cannon Alpha Hybrid ute just weeks after the launch of its new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant.The move comes as the 2025 GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV is available on a limited-time offer from $57,490 drive-away for the base Lux variant until September 30, 2025.With the top-spec Ultra PHEV variant available from $64,490 drive-away for the same period, the two plug-ins are both cheaper than or the same as the $64,490 DA standard hybrid variant.The change in line-up isn’t a coincidence, according to GWM the move hasn’t come due to a lack in popularity for the hybrid, but rather due to wanting to offer relevant products to customers.“With advancements in PHEV technology and a competitive price point, our goal is to offer a range that truly connects with customer needs,” a GWM Australia spokesperson told CarsGuide.“The Cannon Alpha PHEV strikes an ideal balance between cutting-edge electrification and uncompromised 4x4 capability. “For those who prefer a more traditional option, the diesel variant remains an integral part of the Cannon Alpha lineup.”For reference, the Cannon Alpha Hybrid made up around a third of Cannon Alpha sales — the rest being diesel — before the plug-in hybrid arrived. In the first half of 2025, GWM registered 1063 Cannon Alpha sales all-up.The PHEV is also more powerful than the standard Hybrid — its 300kW tops the 255kW thanks to more powerful motors assisting the same 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine. The PHEV also boasts a claimed 115km electric driving range under (generous) NEDC testing thanks to its 37.11kWh battery.The only other full-hybrid ute on sale in Australia is the larger American Toyota Tundra, the Cannon Alpha PHEV is one of three plug-in utes on sale in Australia alongside the popular BYD Shark 6 and the recently arrived Ford Ranger PHEV.The Cannon Alpha and Shark sit closely on pricing, with the latter kicking off from $57,900 before on-roads, the Ford Ranger PHEV is much more expensive — it starts from $71,990 before on-road costs.

The next car to come out of Hyundai's N division promises to step up the philosophy and capability of the already-loved Ioniq 5 N. We've been invited to the brand's R&D facility to drive the Ioniq 6 N before the car is even revealed.

Ford CEO, Jim Farley, has laid out some relatively candid opinions regarding the EV sales and manufacturing race and how China is changing the way legacy brands operate.

A new Hyundai electric car is on the way according to reports from Europe, with a light SUV set to bridge the gap between the Hyundai Inster and Kona set for a reveal this year.

A new Renault model, sold under the Dacia brand overseas, is coming to Australia with hybrid options, manual gearbox availability and pricing kicking off well below $40,000.The 2026 Renault Duster is now available to order starting from $31,990, before on-road costs, with first deliveries of the small SUV expected to start this month.There are 4x2 and 4x4 versions of the Duster, the latter being more expensive and coming with a mild-hybrid powertrain and manual gearbox. Renault says its “tall suspension and generous off-road clearance” means the Duster is more off-road capable than rivals.The entry-level variant of the Duster is the Evolution, starting from the aforementioned $31,990, before on-roads, with a 4x2 drivetrain layout. It utilises a 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.The 1.3-litre engine makes 113kW and 270Nm, driving only the front wheels.The Evolution can also be had in 4x4, with a turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder mild-hybrid petrol engine that makes less power and torque: 96kW and 230Nm.It puts power to all four wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox, but is claimed to be more efficient (5.7L/100km versus the 4x2’s 6.5L).The 4x4 drivetrain costs a little more, $36,490, but comes with the same standard equipment including dual-zone air-conditioning, a 10.1-inch multimedia touchscreen and 7.0-inch driver display, wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, USB-C charging ports and a 12-volt socket.Stepping up to the higher-spec Techno variant brings more kit, though its drivetrain options are the same as the Evolution. Pricing starts at $36,990 for the Techno 4x2 and bumps up slightly to $37,990 for the 4x4, though that version isn’t expected to land until December this year.The Techno adds features like more ‘premium’ cloth upholstery, tinted rear windows, auto proximity lock and unlock, auto high-beams and 18-inch wheels to replace the base variant’s 17s.It also adds some safety features not available on the Evolution like blind-spot monitoring, front parking sensors and surround-view parking cameras.Other standard safety features for both models include pedestrian and cyclist detection for AEB, a safe follow-distance warning, lane-keep and departure warning, driver attention monitoring, tyre pressure monitoring and an ADAS shortcut button for advanced driver assist settings.Renault Australia says the “Duster will initially arrive in limited numbers” due to demand overseas.Renault Australia General Manager Glen Sealey said, “Demand for this vehicle in Europe is very strong, so Australia will receive an initial allocation before shipments ramp up next year.“We ordered as many cars as we could this year, and we are now working closely with the factory to improve our allocation moving forward,” he said.

Suzuki has confirmed new timing for three models coming to Australia by early 2026 in an overhaul of the brand’s small SUV range.The Suzuki Vitara Hybrid and electric e Vitara will join the new Suzuki Fronx Hybrid as the Japanese brand aims to “solidify its presence in the Light SUV segment”, though the new timing announcement means there have been delays.Suzuki Australia hasn’t confirmed full local specs - or any specs at all - in the announcement, only broadly outlining the models. Here’s what to expect - starting with the Fronx, the soonest of the trio to arrive given its September 1 on-sale date.The Fronx Hybrid, as Suzuki is calling it, will most likely be a 48-volt or ‘mild-hybrid’ system in truth, utilising a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine.It’s a light SUV with an almost ‘coupe’ silhouette thanks to a sloping roofline, and is built in India by the brand’s subsidiary Maruti.It’ll be followed by a hybridised version of the Suzuki Vitara arriving in Q1 2026 as well as the first electric model Suzuki Australia will sell, the e Vitara.Like the Fronx, the Vitara Hybrid will be a 48-volt system according to comments to CarsGuide from Suzuki Australia last year. A ‘full hybrid’ Vitara is available for sale in Europe.It follows the same name/drivetrain philosophy that led the brand to market the also mild-hybrid Swift hatchback as the Swift Hybrid in Australia.Finally, the fully-electric Vitara will also arrive in the first quarter of 2026.Three key versions of the EV are available - one with a 49kWh battery and 106kW/189Nm driving the front wheels, another FWD version with a 61kWh battery and 128kW/189Nm and an all-wheel drive version with the same bigger battery but an additional 48kW rear motor for a total output of 135kW and 300Nm.Suzuki Australia says local specifications and an official release date “will be the subject of future announcements”.