Articles by Jack Quick

It’s EOFY time again!

Kia Australia has detailed the pricing and specifications for its updated 2026 Sportage mid-size SUV ahead of imminent customer deliveries.

China’s Lynk & Co has launched its 08 large plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUV in Europe ahead of an expected launch in other markets, including Australia, in the near future.

MG Australia has locked in the pricing for its new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) HS Super Hybrid line-up ahead of deliveries starting in September.

Subaru locks in more hardcore off-road variants of its core SUV range.

The SsangYong name is now dead in Australia after almost 30 years.

Subaru Australia will have a richer hybrid line-up with its new, sixth-generation Forester and it expects its electrified variants will outsell the petrol variants. Subaru Australia General Manager, Scott Lawrence, said it expects the hybrid sales split to widen as time goes on. “Ultimately, customers will decide, and we have got a really firm view that we need to give customers options,” said Mr Lawrence. “That’s why we have petrol range as well as a hybrid range. “What will be interesting to see how that changes over time. “We see good demand for both, maybe slightly stronger in hybrid, but as time goes on, we do see that customer demand changing towards hybrid.” In 2024, Subaru sold a total of 13,445 examples of the Forester. Only 1718 examples were equipped with a hybrid powertrain, equalling only 12.8 per cent. It’s expected this year’s figure will rise with the introduction of the new Forester. First deliveries are set to take place in early July. Compared to the outgoing Forester Hybrid, this new-generation model is considerably more electrified. It features Subaru’s new Strong Hybrid technology rather than mild-hybrid technology. Using a 2.5-litre flat-four petrol engine as a base (up from the 2.0-litre in the outgoing model), it’s paired with a 90kW/276Nm electric motor and a 1.1kWh battery pack. Total system output is 145kW, which is 9kW more than the standard 2.5-litre flat-four petrol engine the Forester receives. Subaru claims combined fuel consumption for the Forester Hybrid is 6.2L/100km, which is 27.4 per cent better than what the regular Forester claims (7.9L/100km). It doesn't compare to favourably to its main rival, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid AWD, which produces more power (163kW) and drinks less fuel (4.8L/100km). The new Forester Hybrid is claimed to be able to travel over 1000km on a tank of petrol. It has a 63L fuel tank. At launch Subaru is offering the Forester Hybrid in three trim levels – AWD Hybrid, AWD Hybrid Sport, and AWD Hybrid Touring. Pricing for the hybrid models starts at $46,490 before on-roads, and extends to $55,990 before on-roads. Compared to the equivalent petrol variants, the hybrids are between $3000 and $6500 more expensive. It’s worth noting, however, that some trim levels have differing standard equipment. As examples, the Forester AWD Hybrid Sport and AWD Hybrid Touring gain larger 19-inch alloy wheels and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. These don’t feature on the equivalent petrol variants. Another difference is the Forester Hybrid doesn’t come with a spare wheel as standard. Instead it has a tyre repair kit. Subaru Australia however is offering the Forester Hybrid with an optional tow ball-mounted spare wheel accessory. At this stage it hasn’t detailed how much this costs.

Subaru Australia has announced the prices for the new, sixth-generation Forester mid-size SUV ahead of deliveries commencing in early July.

After a four-year hiatus, Renault Group has confirmed the Alpine brand will be returning to Australian shores. Its first model since the A110 sports car that was sold locally from 2018 to 2022, will be the new A390 electric ‘coupe’ SUV that was revealed overnight in France.

China’s new car market has advanced exponentially over the past few decades, but now GWM’s Chairman has indicated the industry is in an unhealthy state due to incessant price cuts. As reported by Chinese publication Sina Finance, GWM Chairman Wei Jianjun said the industry already has its own “Evergrande”, referring to the Chinese property developer that faced a multi-billion dollar debt crisis and collapsed amid liquidation. “If it continues like this, the safety of China’s auto industry will be seriously threatened,” said Mr Wei to Sina Finance in an interview translated to English. “Now, Evergrande in the automobile industry already exists, but it has not collapsed.” He didn’t specify any Chinese carmakers in particular, but said some of the “main manufacturers” are focusing too much on pursuing market value and raising their stock prices. Mr Wei also warned how the excessive and prolonged price war between rival Chinese brands, especially for those selling electric vehicles (EVs), risks cutting corners on safety and reliability. “Some products have been reduced from 220,000 yuan to 120,000 yuan in the past few years,” said Mr Wei to Sina Finance. “What kind of industrial products can be reduced by 100,000 yuan and still have quality assurance? Well this is absolutely impossible.” Suppliers in particular have been struggling to survive, according to Mr Wei, due to ongoing pressure to lower prices. Following Mr Wei’s latest comments, shares in BYD, Leapmotor, Nio, Geely have tumbled by up to 9.5 per cent. In China, BYD recently announced a wide range of subsidies and incentives across a number of its models. Its cheapest model, the Seagull electric hatchback, now starts from 55,800 RMB (~A$12,000). Geely also announced a range of similar incentives in China to further entice buyers.