Articles by Jack Quick

The Federal Government is soon set to announce the carmakers that have and haven’t met the first phase of its tightening CO2 emissions standards.The New Vehicle Emissions Standard (NVES) came into effect on January 1, 2025, with mandatory compliance and fines coming into effect from July 1, 2025.As of December 31, 2025, the first performance period will end and the findings will be published by the NVES Regulator in February 2026.In this forthcoming report every carmaker will receive its so-called interim emissions value (IEV) which will indicate whether it is either above or below the predetermined CO2 emissions target.It’s worth noting that each vehicle has its CO2 target adjusted in terms of its vehicle type and weight. It’s currently a two-tiered system providing separate CO2 limits for smaller and larger vehicles.For brands that are under the CO2 emissions target they will also receive NVES credits. These can be used to offset higher CO2 polluting vehicles, or sold to other carmakers that aren’t meeting the CO2 targets at a price they determine.Polestar CEO Scott Maynard has previously told CarsGuide the company will be opting for the latter as it only sells electric vehicles (EVs) which don’t emit any CO2. However, it won’t be selling its credits to every car brand.While fines for carmakers that are above the tightening CO2 targets are now in effect, they have until December 31, 2027 to “extinguish units against a 2025 final emissions value (FEV)”.This means carmakers have until the end of 2027 to offset the fines they have incurred with either more hybrids or EVs, or by purchasing credits from other brands.If a carmaker is still above the 2025 FEV by this point it will be issued an infringement notice in February 2028.This will be charged to the carmakers, however a number of brands have previously noted some or all of the cost will be passed onto the consumer.Brands like Ford, Hyundai and Nissan have previously admitted, at least in part, that their price increases are due to the tightening CO2 standards.The companies have also started to axe certain models and engine types with high CO2 emissions. Examples include the 2.0-litre bi-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine in the Ford Ranger and Everest, as well as the 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine in the Hyundai Kona.Nissan also delayed the local introduction of the Ariya electric SUV, but the introduction of the NVES prompted its arrival.The Japanese carmaker is also set to make its Qashqai small SUV hybrid-only in Australia during 2026 when it introduces the new-generation version of its e-Power hybrid powertrain.

It’s no secret now that Audi is looking to have its own rival to the likes of the Land Rover Defender and Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

South Korea’s KGM (formerly known as SsangYong) has officially revealed the design of its new-generation Musso dual-cab ute ahead of more details surfacing in the new year.Dubbed the ‘Q300’, this generation of the Musso dials up the style factor with glitzy looks that are similar to the current Actyon- and Torres-based Musso EV.The front particularly is busy with lots of design elements. KGM has shown off two grille designs, but both feature big LED headlights that are joined by a full-width LED daytime running light set-up.Around the side there is plenty of thick black cladding around the wheel arches and the door sills. There are also vertical accent strips at the top of the wheel arches, like the Musso EV.At the back there is a step into the tub, vertical tail-lights, KGM embossing on the tailgate, as well as a complex sports bar.Beyond this KGM hasn’t provided any further details. It appears this new-generation ute has a body-on-frame chassis, though it’s unclear how much has been altered compared to the outgoing generation.Globally this new Musso will be offered with petrol and diesel powertrains, though no specifications or outputs have been announced yet.The current Musso is offered with a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that produces 133kW and 420Nm. In other markets there’s also a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine available.KGM plans to launch this new-generation Musso in the domestic market in the first quarter of 2026.It’s unclear when it will be coming to Australia. We’ve reached out to KGM Australia and will update this story once we hear back.The Musso name dates back all the way back to 1993 when it was adorned on an SUV. It later spawned a dual-cab ute version in 2002 called the Musso Sports.The outgoing version of the Musso, dubbed the Q200 generation, dates back to 2018. It has received a number of updates over the years, including one that launched in Australia earlier this year with the availability of electric power steering among other safety feature additions.It also saw SsangYong dropped from the name altogether.Given there is a new Musso that’s now been revealed, it’s unclear whether a new-generation Rexton SUV is also on the horizon. The two vehicles have historically been based on the same platform and share a lot of componentry.

Toyota put a lot of effort into developing the current wide-track version of its top-selling HiLux ute and for now it’s a notable absence in the new-generation model line-up.

The LandCruiser is Toyota’s longest-running production nameplate and it has had many iterations over the years.

Ford Australia is recalling the Escape Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) due to a battery issue that may cause a vehicle fire.

Jaguar has produced its final internal-combustion engine (ICE) vehicle, at least for now.

Ford Australia has issued a recall for its Transit Custom and Tourneo vans due to a risk of toxic gases potentially leaking into the cabin under certain driving conditions.

Whether BYD wants to confirm its existence or not, the Chinese carmaker has clearly been working on a smaller, more lifestyle-oriented dual-cab ute to sit under the Shark 6 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) ute.

Suzuki Australia is urging customers to not use the rear seats of its new Fronx small SUV until a fix can be identified.The Japanese carmaker is now officially recalling certain examples of the Fronx following a major safety defect that was uncovered during crash testing by independent Australian safety authority ANCAP.A total of 324 examples of the Fronx are being recalled due to a manufacturing defect that may cause the rear left seat belt retractor mechanism to not work as intended.As a result, excessive seat belt lengths may be released in the event of crash or hard braking.A total of 324 vehicles are affectedVehicles were produced during 2025VIN lists are attached here and hereIf you own an affected vehicle, Suzuki Australia advises customers to “immediately cease” using the rear seats.The Japanese carmaker is still undertaking “urgent investigations of this phenomenon”. It will detail any further actions required from affected customers at a later date.This follows the Fronx receiving a one-star safety rating from ANCAP.It received 48 per cent for Adult Occupant Protection, 40 per cent for Child Occupant Protection, 65 per cent for Vulnerable Road User Protection and 55 per cent for Safety Assist.Due to a number of issues noted in the frontal offset physical crash test, the Fronx received zero points in the test.Protection for the driver’s chest was weak and adequate for lower legs, rearward displacement of the pedals was excessive and protection of the driver’s feet marginal, plus structures in the instrument panel and dashboard were found to be potential sources of injury to occupants.Additionally, rear passenger chest protection was poor, with high chest deflection and high seatbelt load.“What concerns us is that this particular vehicle could have been purchased by an ordinary consumer, and in an on-road crash this failure could have had serious consequences for the person sitting in the back seat,” ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg said.“ANCAP’s view is that adult and child passengers should not travel in the rear seats of the Suzuki Fronx until the reason for the failure has been determined and relevant rectifications have been carried out.”Suzuki, at least at surface level, has been struggling to achieve high ANCAP safety ratings over the past few years.Before the Fronx’s one-star rating, the Swift had a one-star rating that was then revised in 2025 to a three-star rating following additional front-end reinforcement to align it with the European-specification model.The Jimny and Vitara are now unrated as it has been over seven years since they were last crash-tested.Earlier this year Suzuki Australia Managing Director Michael Pachota weighed in on the company’s relationship with ANCAP and whether the scores are affecting sales.“Obviously, ANCAP exists, and it's an independent body that does crash testing for Australian consumer knowledge,” Pachota told CarsGuide in August 2025.“But with that said, our safety features, the safety suite, are constantly advancing, and accident avoidance or prevention technology is getting better and better.“Our, for example, Swift is a much safer car than the previous car, but with the goal posts moving so quickly on the ANCAP ruling, the previous car outgoing was a five-star safety rating, and all of a sudden the new one was a one-star. So tell me how that works.“Look, safety is a high priority, absolutely,” added Pachota.“But with that said, we believe our vehicles are definitely safe and fit for purpose. Otherwise they wouldn't be allowed into the country. ADR, strictly has requirements to make sure the vehicle is safe. “So the vehicles allowed in the country, and ADRs in Australia, as you know, are quite, quite strict in terms of comparison to other countries.“Then tell me that car’s not safe.”When asked about the differences in specifications between Australia and the rest of the world, and whether our cars were up to scratch in the global context, Pachota pointed to the average age of cars on Australian roads.“Absolutely. It's funny, you know, like you can get a car that a decade ago got a five-star safety rating, five years ago got a five-star safety rating and wouldn't even be eligible for a one star or even a zero at this stage. “ majority of the Australian car park is nowhere near ANCAP’s ratings now. Nowhere near. So tell me, is everyone not safe now? Should we be scared?”According to the most recent Australian Motor Vehicle Census released in 2021 by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the average age of vehicles registered at the time was 10.6 years, a figure unlikely to have changed dramatically in the time since, given previous similar figures.Pachota added, “I think it's not about if it's important to Suzuki or not, it's whether or not it's important to the customer, and if the customer can see the safety features and understand what's in the vehicle, and if they need to go to a third party source to get an evaluation, that is entirely up to the customer, and we respect that in the customer's journey.”