Articles by James Cleary

Hyundai has come out with all guns blazing at its 2026 CEO Investor Day, sharing strategy related to everything from increased global production targets, boosted manufacturing and a plan to launch more than 100 new or substantially refreshed products by 2030.Headlining the event in Seoul, Hyundai Motor Company President and CEO Jose Muñoz also confirmed Hyundai will aggressively expand into body-on-frame SUVs and pick-ups as well as other new segments to deliver a 35 per cent increase in worldwide sales to 5.55 million units across the group by 2030.Global manufacturing capacity to expand by 1.27 million units by 2030Seven new vehicles arriving in the next eight monthsElectrified vehicles to represent 60 per cent of sales by the end of the decade (up from 23 per cent in 2025)The group’s first Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) models (targeting around 960km range) hitting showrooms from the first half of 2027 Genesis to launch its first hybrid, first EREV and GV90 flagship SUV, targeting 350,000 annual sales across more than 40 markets by 2030Hyundai N performance line-up to “expand to 100,000 annual sales by 2030 and be joined by a new volume high-performance tier”Scaling Boston Dynamics robotics commercialisation to expand 10-fold by the end of the current financial yearNo surprise, given the current US federal administration's tariff regime, North America is set to increase production by 500,000 units over the next four years with end-part localisation rising above 80 per cent.This will be led by a new Santa Fe EREV to be built at the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing facility in Alabama and followed by the push into shared ladder-frame models produced at the group’s ‘Metaplant’ in Georgia.In emphasising Hyundai’s shift towards body-on-frame SUVs and pick-ups Mr Muñoz referenced the recent Hyundai Boulder and Crater SUV concept vehicles, noting a rapidly growing customer base feeding demand for tough, off-road capable vehicles “providing a prime opportunity for Hyundai Motor, which already has an 8.4 per cent share of the highly profitable market.”Speaking with Automotive News after the formal presentation, Munoz said, “We want to develop a family of products capitalizing on platforms.“You would typically see several models derived from the same platform and will try to maximize the volume.”He confirmed ‘frame-trucks’ will account for 50 per cent of planned volume growth over the next four years, adding, “This already gives you an indication that (truck volume) is going to be significant,” although he declined to give sales estimates, saying volume will partly hinge on whether Kia or Genesis also develop vehicles based on the same ladder-frame platforms.During the main presentation Muñoz said, “Our fundamentals have never been stronger. Hyundai Motor Group is the third-largest automotive group and the second-most profitable, which gives us the ability to invest while others are pulling back.” He confirmed many of the new product arrivals across the group will be entries into “white spaces” where the brand is underrepresented, the first newcomers arriving soon, including:Hyundai Ioniq 3All-new Hyundai ElantraHyundai Tucson (including hybrid)Hyundai Santa Fe EREVAll-new A-segment SUV EV for IndiaAll-new global B-segment SUVAll-new B-segment SUV for EuropeThe compact, pure-electric Hyundai Ioniq 3 EV is set to arrive in Australia in the first half of 2027, offering a maximum 496km range.

For more than 70 years the Chevrolet Corvette has been a sports car icon and the current eighth-generation version comes to Australia in factory right-hand drive form. The petrol-electric hybrid Corvette E-Ray is arguably the most interesting version and we spent a week behind the wheel to see how 'America's sports car' fares in local conditions.

It’s been in place in various forms for over 25 years and what is now the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance has had many high-profile ups and downs over that quarter of a century.Now, overnight reports out of Japan are pointing to fundamental problems with the working relationship between two of those three alliance pillars - Mitsubishi Motors and Nissan Motor Company.As the 10th anniversary of Nissan’s big investment in Mitsubishi looms, Nikkei Asia has positioned the corporate association as “nearing a crossroads after a lackluster decade” pointing to a potential divestment by Nissan, which could leave room for Honda or Foxconn to swoop in.In October 2016, with a green light from then Chairman (and great automotive escape artist) Carlos Ghosn, Nissan invested around ¥240 billion (A$2.1 billion) for a 34 per cent stake in Mitsubishi Motors.The core aim was to collaborate on new model development to improve speed to market and gain cost efficiencies. But as the report points out, Mitsubishi Motors has shown limited synergy with Nissan in recent years.Early on, the jointly-developed Mitsubishi eK X and Nissan Sakura EV kei city cars were successful and the Mitsubishi Outlander and Nissan X-Trail SUVs were underpinned by a shared platform.But in speaking with Tokai Tokyo Intelligence Laboratory Senior Analyst Seiji Sugiura, the report makes the point that Mitsubishi Motors and Nissan "haven’t made progress on shared parts and procurement"."The investment really seems to have been driven by Ghosn, and I have doubts about whether there was deep discussion in advance about cooperation," Sugiura-san said.Nissan’s relationship with Mitsubishi is believed to have contributed only about one per cent of the company’s pre-tax profit over the past decade.And Mitsubishi Motors' market capitalisation has fallen by around 40 per cent since October 2016, which is ironic given the Nissan investment served partly as a rescue package for Mitsubishi, which had at that point lost customer trust after a scandal related to fuel efficiency data.Mitsubishi is not alone in facing intense competition from Chinese challenger brands in Southeast Asia as well as the impact of US tariffs and conflict in the Middle East. Nissan remains in the midst of a major global financial crisis, recording massive consecutive annual losses, including a A$7 billion net loss for the fiscal year ending March 2025 and a A$4.7 billion net loss for the year ending March 2026.And with the end of the 10-year ‘lockup’ period for Nissan's stake in Mitsubishi (during which Nissan agreed not to sell its Mitsubishi shares) approaching, market analysts suggest Nissan might unload part of its stake and speculation about other possible capital partners is rife.According to SBI Securities Chief Executive Analyst Koji Endo, what cooperation existed between the two companies "wasn't enough to support their earnings.""Staying on its current track won't produce new technology or business models," Endo added.The report puts forward several post-lock-up investment scenarios, the first being buy-in from Honda despite the planned multi-billion dollar corporate merger between Honda and Nissan being officially canceled in February 2025.The report theorises that a three-way alliance might eventuate as Mitsubishi' strength in pick-up trucks might appeal to Honda and as Nissan focuses on restructuring, having Honda take the lead on cooperation could bring better results.At the same time Taiwanese giant Foxconn could be a player with Mitsubishi confirming this month that it would buy an EV developed by an arm of Foxconn, with sales to begin in Australia and New Zealand as early as this year.Watch this space as October approaches.

Volkswagen has used this year’s Peon Festival, Brazil’s largest agricultural fair to unveil a camouflaged version of its all-new South American Amarok, pointing to a long-suspected under-the-skin connection to Chinese giant SAIC’s Maxus Interstellar X, MG U9 and LDV Terron 9 dual cab ute siblings.SAIC Volkswagen is one of the longest established automotive joint ventures in China and has clearly played a significant role in the development of the new pick-up which replaces the 16-year old original ‘2H’ series-based Amarok, still in production in Argentina for the South American market. The outgoing ute was last facelifted in 2024.At the high-profile preview Volkswagen said, “The presentation of the new Amarok is part of (its) pickup truck offensive strategy in Brazil and South America, a region that is playing an increasingly important role in the development of the brand's new generation of pickups, with active participation in design, engineering, testing, and validation.“South America is no longer just a consumer market; it’s helping to define the future of Volkswagen pickups,” it said.Despite its heavy camouflage wrap, the new dual cab bears an obvious resemblance to the Maxus, MG and LDV utes, specifically its bluff, squared-off nose, high bonnet and broad C-pillar panels.If the Latin Amarok adopts the MG/LDV’s powertrains in base versions it will likely centre on a variation of their 163kW/520Nm 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission and 4WD systems. That said, VW has said the new-generation model will also be electrified, supporting earlier reporting from Motor1 Brazil on a plug-in hybrid Amarok 800 TSI version expected to produce around 350kW/800Nm. Rear suspension will likely lean towards the Maxus and MG’s independent set-up rather than the LDV’s leaf-spring, live axle arrangement.Interestingly, Motor1 Brazil has also quoted internal sources confirming the ‘Atacama Project’, a three-row, seven-seat SUV version of the Latin Amarok.Commenting on the upcoming Amarok, Volkswagen South America Executive Chairman Alexander Seitz said, “The future Amarok is being developed based on the needs of South American customers, for one of the most demanding environments in the world.”With the new Amarok’s release scheduled for the second quarter of 2027, Volkswagen is investing over A$800 million in its General Pacheco plant in Buenos Aires, the Amarok production hub for Latin America and Mexico which has just reached the 800,000 unit milestone.Of that total, more than 465,000 units were exported to more than 100 markets.Could Australia be one of them in future?Aside from the no right-hand drive factor VW has already played down that idea, saying in a statement, “While the new Amarok will be developed in South America and produced for the local markets, the existing partnerships for the production of the Amarok in South Africa will remain in place.”The (NF) Amarok currently sold in Australia was developed in parallel with the T6.2 Ford Ranger and is built in South Africa. VW positions it as a premium vehicle for global consumption.

Ram Trucks Australia has confirmed the return of the 1500 TRX muscle truck to the local market, this time around in SRT form, powered by an “uprated” 580kW (777hp) version of the 6.2-litre supercharged Hemi V8.Due to hit local showrooms in the first half of 2027, Ram said initial production allocations of the Ram 1500 TRX SRT will be limited, at the same time confirming “several hundred customers” in Australia attempted to place pre-orders on hearing the news in January this year that the performance pick-up was returning to the US market.Ram said technical specs and standard features for the MY27 Ram 1500 TRX SRT will be announced closer to local showroom arrivals.For reference, in US-spec this beast sends 580kW (+57kW) and 922Nm (+40Nm) to all four wheels via an eight-speed auto transmission, complete with sequential manual shifting.0-100km/h in 3.6 secondsWith the help of launch control the 3.0-tonne-plus beast storms from 0-60mph in a claimed 3.5 seconds, which would translate to 0-100km/h in a jaw-dropping 3.6 seconds.The Bilstein Black Hawk e2 shock absorber system is also onboard to “continuously adapt to speed, throttle position, braking, torque, steering angle and more”.Initially arriving here in mid-2022, close to 1000 examples of the first-generation Ram 1500 TRX were sold in Australia and New Zealand, finishing with a 130-unit Final Edition in 2025.Revived by Ram CEO Tim KuniskisThe Ram 1500 TRX SRT was revived by Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis for the North American market in the context of a broader change in business focus for the brand’s parent company, Stellantis.A renewed emphasis on North America is a clear rebalancing of the corporate scales by Stellantis Group CEO Antonio Filosa, with former chief Carlos Tavares widely perceived to have favoured the group’s European brands including Alfa Romeo, Citroen, Fiat, Opel and Peugeot, with his successor Filosa now leaning into its US nameplates - Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram.In fact, Kuniskis is on the record with the goal of making Ram “number two in trucks” in the USA by the end of the decade.Ram Trucks Australia said it has been working closely with Ram Trucks USA to secure the updated TRX for Australia and New Zealand since its North American return was confirmed.Passion for the TRX in AustraliaRam Trucks Australia General Manager Jeff Barber said, “We know there is a lot of passion for the TRX in Australia, which is why we have worked hard to secure production out of the US for our market.“Supply of the new TRX will initially be restricted because demand is off the charts in the US, however the factory has been incredibly supportive of the Australian market and we are pleased to confirm the TRX is coming back,” he said.Pricing is confirmed with a 15 per cent increase over the previous standard model, which was pitched at $224,950, before on-road costs (Final Edition $249,950, BOC).Ram 1500 TRX SRT (MY27) pricingAvailable colours are: Bright WhiteDiamond BlackForged BlueMolten RedSerrano GreenSpitfire Orange 

He’s a father, a car enthusiast and deserves a great prezzie on his special day of the year.This year, Father’s Day in Australia is celebrated on Sunday September 6 and we’ve put together 10 thought-starters across a range of budgets to help you send some automotive-themed love to your petrolhead Dad. It even comes with its own kelpie, tool box and surfboard. Solid timber and measures a healthy 35.5cm long, 13.5cm wide and 11cm tall. Strewth, what a ripper!$90 - Make Me Iconic  Talk about a win-win. Dad gets a 100 per cent cotton tea towel covered in the VWs he loves as the rest of the family drops a subtle hint that he should pitch in on the washing up a bit more often.$14.90 - Austpicious  You can wear your automotive heart on your sleeve, or right across your chest with this classic tee proudly repping the Ford Falcon emblem. Multiple colours and hoodie versions available. $30.75 - RedbubbleHe’s responsible for some of the most successful F1 racing machines ever as well as extreme road-going hypercars. What better accompaniment to a shed or garage tinkering session than Adrian Newey telling you how to build a car?   $25.69 - AudibleSurely Dad would like to be the owner of a limited edition Lamborghini hybrid hypercar. Only 63 coupe and 19 roadster versions of this 6.5-litre V12 were built in full scale, but Lego’s kept the production run going.  $689.75 - JustBricks Australia When you drop this bad boy on the table you’re sending a fast and furious message even Vin Diesel will pick. If my keyring is this intimidating, wait until you see my car!    $5.99 - Supercheap Auto Formula 1 is big business with a bit of sport on the side, so what better way to explore the world’s premier motorsport category than through a classic Monopoly lens. I’d like a hotel on Monaco, please.$49.99 - Amazon He may own a Mercedes-Benz, or aspire to sliding one into the garage. Either way this classic nodding dog with three-pointed star collar is the perfect inspiration or finishing touch. $86.90 - Mercedes-Benz Forget the Nissan 180SX or Toyota AE86, this is the RC drift car he’ll want. A 1/10 scale remote-control drift ‘Kei Truck’ looking for all the world like a super cool Daihatsu Hijet.  $102.32 - Hobbies Direct How about a custom bobble head of Dad in race driver mode or posed with his favourite car?  Hand made in polymer clay with an ultra-rapid turnaround time. All you need is a photo or two and you’re off.$119 - Custom Bobble Heads

Nissan continues to refine its business and product strategy with the under-pressure Japanese carmaker set to reorganise 80 per cent of its global nameplates into three broad families.As reported by Automotive News, the brand’s new ‘Family-Planning’ structure will see the introduction of five new body-on-frame models in two years to be introduced at ‘China Speed’.Nissan remains in the midst of a major global financial crisis, recording massive consecutive annual losses, including a A$7.0 billion net loss for the fiscal year ending March 2025 and a A$4.7 billion net loss for the year ending March 2026. Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa launched the revised product approach as part of the company’s goal to cut its global product portfolio by 20 per cent to 45 models from 56 currently and slash development lead times from 50 to 30 months.The three product family groupings are mid-size (think X-Trail), compact family (think Qashqai/Note) and body-on-frame, the latter initially focused on reintroduction of the Xterra SUV in the US market from 2028, with it and “four sibling spinoffs” to be produced at Nissan’s Canton, Mississippi plant by the end of the decade.Speaking at the company’s Yokohama headquarters on Friday, Nissan Deputy General Manager Product Business Division Hidemi Sasaki said the new direction will reduce vehicle development time by 40 per cent, enable a 20 per cent reduction in the number of different parts used and commonise 70 per cent of components.“China players are following different rules; they are changing the game. That’s why we are trying to do this transformation.“By revising the business scheme, we can reduce investment and efficiently engineer cars in a shorter period of time while catering to all the needs in the market,” he said.Nissan is aiming to optimise shared platforms, powertrains, software systems and components by planning an entire family at the same time. The US-made models will lead off with the five-seat Xterra SUV, followed by a three-row Nissan SUV, the Navara-sized Frontier pick-up, as well as two- and three-row Infiniti SUVs. Sasaki-san’s presentation included a teaser image of the upcoming Xterra with what Automotive News described as “a rugged stance, flared fenders, angled C-pillar, indented hood and semi-solid front fascia with the Nissan name spelled out in capital letters.”He said the frame family will share about 70 per cent of components forward of the B-pillar and underneath, including the platform, V6 and V6 parallel hybrid powertrains, software, electrical system, navigation and driver-assist systems.Vehicles will then be given specific rear ‘top hats’ to differentiate them as pick-ups, three-row SUVs or premium Infiniti vehicles, the latter receiving their own interiors and exterior styling.While recognising Nissan already develops multiple vehicles around common, modular platforms, Sasaki said, “The timing is what is different. In the first stage, we will plan multiple models at the same time.“In the traditional way, we tried to do this, but the business planning was not as fast,” he said.Performance models including the Z or a future GT-R, as well as light commercial vans fall outside the scope of the family structure for now.

Audi has dropped the price and beefed up the standard kit for its enticing new compact electric SUVThe Audi Q4 e-tron line-up has been tweaked with the addition of a 150kW entry model, updated interior design, tech enhancements and additional equipment.The new entry-grade Q4 e-tron is offered in traditional SUV wagon and swoopy Sportback form from $71,650, before on-road costs.That's more than $13,000 cheaper than the previous base model.All-wheel drive examples are now up to $24,000 cheaper, starting at $81,650.Crucially for buyers that means all Q4s now slip under the Fringe Benefits Tax exemption threshold, so they are even more enticing when sourced through a novated lease. Buyers will pay no Luxury Car Tax either, with the previous all-wheel drive versions slugged 33 cents per dollar over $90,000.Powered by a single electric motor sending 150kW/350Nm to the rear wheels it carries a 63kWh battery that supports DC fast charging of up to 160kW, delivering a 10 to 80 per cent in what Audi said is “as little as 27 minutes.”19-inch Aero Black alloy wheelsMatrix LED headlightsDigital DRLs (daytime running lights)Heated, auto-dimming and folding exterior mirrorsKeyless entry and startPower tailgate (with gesture control)Alloy roof rails (SUV only)Contrasting paint finish in blackBody colour wing mirror housingsLeather-trimmed steering wheel (with regen paddles)Leather-appointed upholsteryPower-adjustable, heated front seatsThree-zone climate controlAmbient lighting12.8-inch multimedia touchscreen11.9-inch digital driver displayEight-speaker audio (plus subwoofer)Digital radioApple CarPlay / Android AutoThree new exterior colours - Tambora Grey, Plasma Blue and Sage Green - have been added to the Q4 e-tron palette, joining the existing Pebble Grey, Mythos Black and Glacier White, while the interior features brushed aluminium inlays and door sill trims (illuminated at the front) and cooled inductive charging pads for mobile devices..Adaptive cruise controlSide assist (with exit warning and rear cross-traffic assist)Front cross-traffic assistSwerve and turn assistFront emergency brake assistTraffic sign recognition360-degree camera viewAt the same time the all-wheel drive Audi Q4 e-tron quattro features new electric motors claimed to deliver greater range and torque.Overall power output rises to 250kW with peak torque of 134Nm from the front motor and 545Nm at the rear, for claimed 0-100km/h acceleration in 5.4 seconds.A larger 82kWh battery can now accept 185kW fast charging (up from 175 kW) for the same 27 minute 10 to 80 per cent charge claim as the single motor version. Claimed range is 494km for the SUV and 509km for the Sportback.S line exterior package (new bumpers, body colour grille with black mask and matt silver aluminium inlays)20-inch Audi Sport wheelsLeather appointed Sport front seatsBlack headliningStainless steel pedal coversAudi drive selectAugmented reality head-up displayA 12-inch passenger side screen is optional, giving the co-pilot access to navigation, media and entertainment functions. The new Q4 e-tron and Q4 e-tron quattro models are scheduled to hit local showrooms in the first half of 2027 and if you place an order for one of these new models before the end of 2026 Audi is including a six-year/90,000km service plan to sweeten the deal.Announcing the upgraded Q4 e-tron range Audi Australia Director Jeff Mannering said, “These new models see compelling pricing designed to provide customers with an unmatched offering in the premium segment, while still allowing them to take advantage of government EV incentives.”

Overnight reports out of Japan are pointing to a new-generation Mazda CX-30 arriving in 2030, which would make the current, first-generation model 11 years old on replacement.According to Chugoku Shimbun Mazda plans to launch the new CX-30 by fiscal year 2030 (the Japanese financial year runs from April 1 to March 31 the following year) with the aim of retaining its position as the brand’s second best-selling model globally, behind the CX-5.Introduced in Europe in late 2019 and arriving in Australia early the following year, the Mazda 3-based compact CX-30 was developed to fill the gap between the small CX-3 and medium CX-5 in Mazda’s now extensive SUV line-up.Mazda President and CEO Katsuhiro Moro told the Hiroshima-based outlet the company is aiming to strengthen the CX-30’s product appeal, noting that to reduce costs “we will incorporate the methods used in the new CX-5 into the next-generation CX-30".In 2025, Mazda sold just over 200,000 examples of the CX-30 worldwide, putting it in a clear second spot behind the CX-5 at around 350,000 units.It’s worth noting Mazda’s Chief Financial Officer Jeff Guyton told CarsGuide at the 2025 Tokyo motor show the brand’s next-generation “smaller architecture cars”  were the next priority after the brand finishes its hybrid development.By 2027 Mazda plans to add its next-generation ‘Skyactiv-Z’ internal combustion engine and proprietary hybrid system to the recently renewed CX-5, with two more hybrid models set to follow soon after.Currently produced in Mazda’s main Ujina plant in Hiroshima City, the CX-30 is also produced in Hofu City, as well as in Mexico, Thailand and China with CKD (Completely Knocked Down) assembly in Malaysia and Indonesia.Early Australian CX-30 production came out of Thailand but local examples have been Japan-built since mid-2020 and it’s likely the new model, with a likely hybrid powertrain option, will follow suit.

Twelve months after the local market introduction of its Terramar mid-size SUV, Cupra has added two new limited Tribe Edition versions to the five-seater’s flagship VZ grade.Offered in two “carefully curated” design themes, underpinned by green or black, just 10 examples of the Terramar VZ Tribe Edition Green will be available with 35 VZ Tribe Edition Blacks on offer, both focused on sustainability through the use of repurposed materials.Computerised 3D knitting technology has produced the car’s seat upholstery, “100 percent recycled materials” are used in the seat centres and around 30 per cent of interior plastics incorporate recycled material.Even the Sulfur Green paint applied to multiple internal elements is claimed to be a ‘bio-based’ formulation and the alloy wheels consist of up to 20 per cent recycled material.The Tribe Editions are based on the top-spec Terramar VZ, which means they’re powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine sending 195kW/400Nm to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and part-time all-wheel drive system. Adaptive damper suspension is also onboard.Car-spotters should look out for an exclusive Manganese Matte Green finish, dark chrome exterior detailing and unique 20-inch alloy rims (incorporating Sulfur Green highlights) on the Terramar VZ Tribe Edition Green.The VZ Tribe Edition Black is finished in Midnight Black with black 20-inch ‘Gravity’ alloy wheels fitted.Interior highlights on both versions include the 3D knitted fabric seats and sulfur green and dark chrome interior highlights.The standard features list for these limited editions has also been upgraded to include the normally optional panoramic sunroof.Introducing the cars, Cupra Australia Head of Product Jeff Shafer said, “These editions combine the performance and dynamic capability of the Terramar VZ with carefully curated design elements that allow customers to express even more individuality. “Every detail has been selected to create a vehicle that feels unique while remaining unmistakably Cupra,” he said.The Cupra Terramar VZ Tribe Editions are available to order now with customer deliveries scheduled to begin this October.