Articles by James Cleary

Although there are some swings and roundabouts in the equation there’s no denying Tesla’s strong sales performance in the first quarter of 2026.According to Electric Vehicle Council data, local year-on-year sales for the pioneer EV maker are up no less than 40.7 per cent to 7260 registrations to the end of March 2026 versus 5160 for the same period in 2025.And Tesla was knocking on the door of the top 10 sellers for March, its 3485 total for the month within sniping distance of MG in tenth (at 4218 units).But there’s a distinctly different story for the two models the brand currently offers in Australia, with the long-serving Model 3 sedan down 33.4 per cent for the first three months (1363 units vs 2046) and the Model Y medium SUV up a whopping 89.4 per cent (5897 units vs 3114).While steep fuel price rises have significantly lifted overall EV sales, Tesla’s turnaround marks a solid comeback from a less than stellar 2025, during which the brand’s local sales fell by just under a quarter compared to 2024 (28,856 units vs 38,347).And it’s worth noting that 2024 Tesla figure was itself down just under 17 per cent from 2023’s 46,120 unit total. Tellingly, established Model 3 competitors are down from their relatively modest base sales; the BMW i4 20.4 per cent behind for the first quarter (246 vs 309) and the Hyundai Ioniq 6 down 61 per cent (17 vs 44).But the big clue to the Model 3’s decline comes in the shape of the BYD Seal, up a staggering 209.3 per cent (934 vs 302) with the Polestar 2 13 per cent ahead (139 vs 123).Alternately, several of the Model Y’s key rivals declined in Q1 with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 down 54.5 per cent (115 vs 253) and the Kia EV5 1.6 per cent behind (1148 vs 1167).But others (operating from much smaller bases) have eclipsed even the Model Y, including the Cupra Tavascan up 366.7 per cent (112 vs 24), Skoda Enyaq up 129.1 per cent (126 vs 55), Subaru Solterra up 246.5 per cent (149 vs 43) and Toyota bZ4X up 300 per cent (840 vs 210) as well as the VW ID.4 up 243 per cent (429 vs 125) and ID.5, 101.4 per cent ahead (143 vs 71).With the current shipping blockade in the Strait of Hormuz further unsettling global oil supply and impacting local fuel prices, it will be interesting to track what is set to be Tesla’s strengthening performance as the year progresses. CarsGuide contacted Tesla Australia for comment on the brand’s sales performance.

Initially a 1.6-litre four-cylinder plug-in hybrid, Peugeot's 408 is now a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder mild 'plug-less' hybrid with $10K slashed off its price tag and fuel economy to frighten the mainstream medium SUV players it now competes with. We spent a week behind the wheel to see if the new package gives this niche player more market bite.

Porsche has unveiled the 911 GT3 S/C, the first-ever fully-automatic convertible version of its highly-focused, naturally-aspirated GT3 model.Powered by the same 4.0-litre (375kW/450Nm), horizontally-opposed, six-cylinder engine as its lightweight hardtop 911 GT3 S/T sibling, the new car boasts a 9000rpm rev ceiling with power going to the rear wheel only via a short-ratio, six-speed manual gearbox.A pure-two-seater, the GT3 S/C’s bonnet, wings and doors are carbon-fibre and the 911 S/T’s carbon anti-roll bars and shear plate are carried over.Other weight-saving measures include the ‘Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake’ (PCCB) package (claimed to be 20kg lighter than cast iron brakes), centrelock magnesium rims (20-inch fr / 21-inch rr) saving nine kilograms of unsprung mass, magnesium ribs and lightweight actuators in the automatic roof and a compact 40Ah lithium-ion battery, the latter saving a further 4.0kg.The less is more approach continues inside with lightweight door panels incorporating carbon-fibre pull handles, carbon shell seats and even lightweight carpeting.That said, the interior is full-leather including the sun visors and A-pillar trim. The seat centre panels are finished in perforated hide as is the steering wheel.Resulting kerb weight is a relatively trim 1497kg which Porsche said is “only about 30kg more than the 991-generation 911 Speedster."Relative to the previous gen GT3 the S/C’s ‘boxer’ engine features more aggressive cams from the 911 GT3 RS, flow-optimised individual throttle bodies and specific oil coolers.Claimed 0-100km/h acceleration is 3.9 seconds with maximum velocity pegged at 313km/h.Under the heading of interesting details, the soft top can be opened or closed in 12 seconds at speeds of up to 50 km/h, the digital tachometer display can be rotated so its 9000rpm limit is positioned at 12 o'clock and an optional ‘Street Style Package’ adds a distinctive colour, materials and graphics treatment.Street Style exterior highlights include ‘PORSCHE’ lettering on the car’s sides in ‘Pyro Red’, wheels finished in slate grey ‘Neo’, brake calipers in ‘Victory Gold’ and tinted HD-matrix headlights.Cabin upgrades include ‘Adaptive Sports Seats Plus’ with centre panels upholstered with four-tone braided leather, while the steering column, seat console, air vents (including the slats!), inner sill trim and fuse box cover are also trimmed in leather.Introducing the 911 GT3 S/C, Porsche Head of GT Cars Andreas Preuninger said, "We have already learned with the 911 Speedster and the 718 Spyder RS just how well our high-revving naturally aspirated engine, a particularly dynamic chassis set-up and thorough lightweight construction combine to create a true driver's car without a roof."For the first time, the 911 GT3 S/C uses the double wishbone front axle on an open-top 911. Combined with the particularly high-grip sports tyres and low weight, the car offers driving pleasure on winding roads that was previously virtually unheard of in an open-top car," he said. The 911 GT3 S/C is a permanent addition to the German brand’s local line-up (rather than a limited edition, as per the GT3 S/T) with pricing set at $588,500, before on-road costs. The Street Style package adds $58,670.2026 Porsche 911 pricing 

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a substantially updated version of its pure-electric EQS sedan with a claimed WLTP range of up to 925 kilometres, 350kW charging capacity, steer-by-wire technology and supercomputer powered AI software.The German maker says the upgraded EQS consists of 25 per cent fresh components, including an 800-volt electric architecture, new in-house developed electric drive units, a two-speed transmission on the rear axle and larger batteries with revised cell chemistry.Mercedes said the new drive battery cells feature anodes in which silicon oxide is blended with graphite allowing more energy storage per kilogram compared with the previous-gen battery that used conventional graphite anodes.The maximum 925km range represents a 13 per cent increase over the superseded car, the new EQS’s higher charging capacity now able to add 320km of range in 10 minutes when connected to a suitably fast charger.At the same time a new AI-powered, Cloud-connected iteration of the Mercedes‑Benz Operating System (MB.OS) “integrates and controls every aspect of the vehicle.”This includes everything from the front seatbelt heating (up to 44°C) and ‘Surround Navigation’ to cloud-based ‘Airmatic’ damper regulation and even more accurate parking assist.The four-model range includes a new single-motor, entry-level EQS 400 (270kW/505Nm), followed by the single motor 450+ (300kW/505Nm) and the dual-motor, all-wheel drive 500 4Matic (350kW/750Nm) and 580 4Matic (430kW/800Nm) variants.Their new-generation drive units are claimed to be more compact, efficient and robust. The front unit in all-wheel drive models acts as a booster with an integrated disconnect unit switching it on or off as required.Zero to 100km/h acceleration is a rapid 6.2sec in the EQS 400, dropping to a supercar-like 4.1 seconds in the EQS 580 4Matic.Energy recuperation via regenerative braking is up to 385kW, which Mercedes said dramatically increases efficiency.From a design point-of-view, luxury car-spotters should look out for an illuminated three-pointed star on a revised nose including digital headlights (using micro-LEDs), bonnet ‘Powerdomes’ and daytime running lights incorporating star-shaped insignia.The rear light strip features helix elements and an ‘AMG style’ bumper has more pronounced diffuser ribs on the underside and chrome trim running across the width of the car.The EQS remains one of the most aero-efficient production cars ever made with a drag coefficient of 0.20.Inside, the Mercedes ‘MBUX’ user system runs through two 13.1-inch displays, or in upper models, a 12.3-inch driver display, 17.7-inch central display and 12.3-inch passenger display, managing a “high-end entertainment system” and the ‘MBUX Virtual Assistant’ can “conduct complex dialogues” with the car’s occupants.The system’s main ‘star avatar’ is supported by a second human-like avatar and a third, nicknamed ‘LittleBenz’, the latter inviting more “playful interaction.”Active crash-avoidance tech includes 10 external cameras, up to five radar sensors and 12 ultrasonic sensors.Arrival timing and model line-up for Australia is yet to be confirmed, but in Germany EQS cost-of-entry starts at €94,403 (~$156,800) for the 400, rising to €134,732 (~$223,800) for the EQS 580 4Matic.

Hyundai has established Ioniq as a sub-brand in China, elevating the South Korean maker’s EV line-up to stand-alone status in a bid to outflank the increasing number of pure-electric competitors it faces in the critical Chinese market.In announcing the move, Hyundai said, “In China, Ioniq will evolve beyond a product line-up into a broader mobility ecosystem tailored to local customers. “While maintaining Hyundai Motor’s globally proven standards in safety and quality, Ioniq is being redefined through localised technologies, services and user experiences for China’s fast-evolving NEV market,” it said.Ioniq’s initial China market-specific initiatives include introduction of autonomous driving systems developed with local partners, and for the first time, an Ioniq incorporating an internal-combustion engine in upcoming Extended Range Electric Vehicles (EREVs). Hyundai is also introducing a unique naming convention for Ioniq in China with future models named after planets, “symbolizing how each vehicle orbits around the customer, the central focus of this new Ioniq universe.”To that end, Ioniq has revealed a pair of pure-electric concept cars to “highlight Hyundai Motor’s readiness for China’s new energy vehicle market.”Previewed before their first public appearance at this month’s Beijing Auto Show (April 24 to May 3), the Venus Concept sedan and Earth Concept family SUV are positioned as “two ‘planets’ in a new ‘universe’ of models.”Finished in ‘Radiant Gold’, the Venus sedan features a ‘one-curve silhouette’, lightweight, frame-structured roof and a transparent spoiler, while the wrap-around cockpit is designed to “evoke Venus’s glowing atmosphere with layered mood lighting.”The Earth SUV has been conceived to “embody the vitality and biological balance of our home planet” blending “sharp edges and sculpted volumes” with details including skid plates and exposed bolt accents. ‘Air-hug’ seats are made of soft air modules and mood lighting is structured to mimic tree shadows.Speaking at the Ioniq brand announcement, Beijing Hyundai Motor Company President Li Fenggang said, “Starting with the two concept cars unveiled today, we will continue to present products that reflect deep insight into Chinese customers and our genuine commitment to this market. “Built on Ioniq’s uncompromising principles of world-class safety and quality, we will soon introduce production models that seamlessly combine the smart driving and smart cabin experiences that Chinese consumers demand,” he said.

Recent reports out of the US are pointing to an all-new, more affordable Tesla compact SUV entering the early stages of formal pre-production.According to Reuters, “four people familiar with the matter” have confirmed the company “has contacted suppliers in recent weeks to discuss details of the plan for the compact SUV – which would be a new vehicle and not a variant of Tesla’s current Model 3 or ​Y.”Members of the insider group said the new model would be produced in Tesla’s Shanghai factory in China while noting the brand is also aiming to later expand ‌production to the United States and Europe.Details including overall length were also shared, the new car said to measure 4280mm end-to-end; appreciably shorter than the Model Y at 4794mm. It is a similar size to new Chinese small SUVs such as the BYD Atto 2, GWM Ora 5 and MG4 Urban.The report questioned whether this decision effectively reanimates Tesla’s low-cost EV program, famously vetoed by CEO Elon Musk in 2024 in favour of a focus on the Cybercab robotaxi and robot technology.In 2020, Elon Musk publicly stated Tesla’s aim of selling 20 million vehicles annually by the end of the decade, close to double current global sales leader Toyota’s world-wide output. And a US$25,000 EV widely referred to as the ‘Model 2’ was expected to drive massive sales growth.So, would the new, cheaper EV represent a “strategy shift back to mass-market human-driven EVs or would it align more with Tesla’s vision for fully autonomous vehicles”.It’s worth noting that in 2024 Musk said it would be “pointless” and “completely at odds with ​what we believe” for Tesla to produce a $25,000 EV for human drivers because the company would “soon offer driverless vehicles”.According to one of the report’s sources and a current Tesla employee “with knowledge of its current product philosophy” in general, the automaker now aims to build models that would be driverless but offer a human-driven option.That appears to be because the company has acknowledged many global markets won’t see “meaningful adoption or regulatory acceptance” of driverless vehicles for some time to come. Interestingly, the report also quoted market analysts predicting a third-straight year of declining sales for the traditional EVs that provide the vast majority of Tesla’s revenue.And so far, Tesla only operates a small number of robotaxis in Austin, Texas, many with human ‘safety monitors’ in the passenger seat.The main group referenced in the report claimed Tesla is aiming to offer the new SUV at a “substantially lower price” than its entry-level Model 3 sedan, a move driven by intensifying global competition from Chinese EV makers.Cost-saving measures allegedly include a smaller battery and RWD-only configuration, which would presumably mean a lesser driving range than the 520km offered by the Model 3 RWD and the Model Y RWD’s 466km (both WLTP).That said, the new car is set to weigh in at around 1.5 tonnes compared to the Model Y’s roughly 2.0-tonne kerb weight.Timing for the new EV’s ramp up is unclear, although Reuters sources said “production is unlikely to begin this year”.

The Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication and the Arts has issued a safety recall notice impacting close to 5000 Hyundai electric vehicles sold new in Australia from 2018 to 2023.

Renault has added another new nameplate to the brand’s local line-up with confirmation its Symbioz compact crossover-style SUV will enter the Australian new car market in the second half of this year.Produced in Spain, the Symbioz will offer mild- and full-hybrid power options across multiple grades with details to come closer to the car’s launch. It will be the brand’s first model to offer a full-hybrid powertrain locally.At just over 4.4m long, close to 1.8m wide and a fraction under 1.6m tall with a 2639mm wheelbase the newcomer is marginally bigger than the recently introduced Renault Duster but smaller than the long-serving Koleos.Mild-hybrid versions of the car are powered by a 1.3-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine sending 104kW/245Nm to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.The full-hybrid features a 80kW/107Nm 1.8-litre, four-cylinder engine working in parallel with a 36kW/205Nm electric motor, the latter powered by a 1.4kWh Lithium-ion battery.It uses a specific multi-mode transmission featuring four gears for the petrol engine and two for the electric motor, again sending drive to the front wheels only.According to Renault, the full-hybrid Symbioz uses the electric motor exclusively for initial acceleration, the engine kicking in at speeds above 60km/h.This is claimed to reduce fuel consumption by up to 40 per cent in stop-start city driving and deliver an overall driving range of up to 1000km (WLTP). The system also harvests energy when the vehicle is braking, coasting or decelerating. Although final specification is yet to be finalised several inclusions have been flagged, including a panoramic ‘Solarbay’ sunroof which uses embedded liquid crystal filaments that can be dimmed on demand, premium Harman Kardon audio, Google Built-In, a 10.4-inch multimedia screen, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 18- or 19-inch alloy wheels and a sliding rear seat to optimise boot space.The Symbioz arrives as part of Renault Australia’s plan to renew or refresh six models over the next 18 months and the company’s General Manager Glen Sealey has previously told CarsGuide the business is open to production sourcing opportunities from Renault facilities around the globe including Spain as well Brazil, India, Morocco, Romania, South Korea, Turkey and of course France.In announcing the Symbioz for local sale, Sealey said, “We know not everyone wants to drive a ‘same-same’ SUV and we know this car will earn its place in this market.“We have worked very hard with the factory to ensure the new Renault Symbioz is well equipped, delivers excellent real-world fuel economy and will be available at an attainable price point,” he said.

Sales of petrol-powered cars are declining in the Australian new vehicle market and the popularity of electric propulsion is on a fuel price-driven tear, but there are some significant models bucking the EV transition trend.According to data from industry statistician VFacts and the Electric Vehicle Council, year-on-year sales of pure-electric vehicles were up 92.1 per cent at the end of the first quarter (34,382 vs 17,901 units) with EV uptake rising by 88.9 per cent in March compared to the same month last year (15,839 vs 8385 units).At the same time, sales of petrol-powered vehicles have decreased by 17.8 per cent YTD (101,147 vs 123,132) and 20.1 per cent for the month of March (34,694 vs 43,784).And it’s worth noting hybrid sales are in line with 2025 so far this year (46,952 vs 47,014), which may be explained by a supply shortage in the first quarter for Toyota’s top-selling RAV4. Plug-in hybrids are up 40.2 per cent (13,715 vs 19,230).But despite oil supply shortages caused by the current conflict in Iran sending the price of petrol through the roof, several conventionally-powered models have seen sales grow strongly so far this year.  Kia’s compact K4 has clearly built a strong following with the sedan arriving here early in 2025 and the hatch version joining it late in the year.From a modest launch base year-on-year sales are up no less than 240.8 per cent (2771 vs 813 units), the sleek 1.6- and 2.0-litre five-seater now standing as the Korean brand’s third-best seller so far in 2026.And Kia’s Seltos small SUV hit a purple patch in March with sales up 13.8 per cent compared to the same month in 2025 (849 vs 746).Mazda’s evergreen CX-5 medium SUV is up 12 per cent YTD (6247 vs 5538), likely winning over Toyota RAV4 prospects unwilling to wait the three to six months it currently takes to put the previous category-leader on your driveway.The CX-5 (6247 units) is now in a mid-size SUV cage fight with the Mitsubishi Outlander (6363 units) for category leadership.On the subject of Mazda, the long-serving fourth-generation version of the Japanese maker’s iconic MX-5 sports car has jumped 34.2 per cent so far this year (196 vs 146) with 90 sold in the month of March compared to just 34 last year (+164.7 per cent). And thumbing your nose at EVs via a roofless petrol-powered car must be a theme because the Mini Convertible is up 202 per cent YTD (103 vs 34 units).Then, despite Porsche taking a hit in sales overall so far in 2026, the latest iteration of its celebrated 911 is up a healthy 182.8 per cent (345 vs 122) YTD. What fuel price increase?

BYD Chairman and Executive Director Wang Chuan-fu has said competition in the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) industry “has reached a fever pitch” and is entering a “brutal knockout stage”.Speaking at the company’s 2025 Annual Results Announcement in Shenzhen, China, Mr Wang said, “In 2025, as the global landscape evolved at an accelerated pace, the century-long transformation of the global automotive industry entered a critical phase."“We also recognise that competition in the NEV industry has reached a fever pitch, and is undergoing a brutal knockout stage,” he said.The Chinese giant is widely perceived as the instigator of an intense price war in the domestic new car market, designed to apply pressure to newer, more vulnerable players.It’s worth noting XPeng Founder and Chairman He Xiaopeng is on the record with a prediction that the squeeze play to eliminate smaller EV makers “could last up to five years and leave just five survivors” from the 100-plus brands currently active in China.But BYD’s aggressive strategy has impacted its own results with year-on-year sales down 7.8 per cent to 3.55 million vehicles.As a consequence, net profit also fell ¥33 billion (~$6.8 billion) in the financial year to December 31, 2025 and the company’s net profit margin shrank to 4.1 per cent compared to 5.2 per cent in 2024.And a clue to the risky nature of the brand’s brutal discounting tactics is that fall in profit arriving in parallel with a 3.5 per cent increase in revenue to ¥804 billion (~$166 billion).For reference, China’s total automobile production and sales in 2025 reached a staggering 34.53 million and 34.40 million units, representing year-on-year increases of 10.4 per cent and 9.4 per cent, respectively.NEV production and sales hit 16.626 million and 16.49 million units, surging 29 per cent and 28.2 per cent year-on-year.With high tariffs effectively putting the US market off limits for now, Mr Wang noted the company’s growing export presence elsewhere with BYD now represented in 119 countries across Latin America, The Middle East, UK, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.He also pointed to completion of a US$5.6 billion (~A$7.9 billion) round of revenue raising “attracting participation from top-tier global long-term investors, sovereign wealth funds and strategic investors from the Middle East.”And in terms of product research and development across BYD and its Fangchengbao, Denza and Yangwang sub-brands, Mr Wang referenced the Group’s ‘Technology Dream Team’ comprising over 120,000 engineers with recent innovations including the ‘Super e-Platform’, claimed to be “the world’s first mass-produced, full-domain 1000V high-voltage architecture for passenger vehicles”.He also highlighted 'DiSus’, the Group’s proprietary intelligent body control system for NEVs and the second-generation ‘Blade’ battery including ‘Flash Charging Technology’ taking five minutes to charge from 10-70 per cent, nine minutes from 10-97 per cent at normal temperature and 12 minutes to charge from 20-97 per cent at -30 degrees C. The latter is claimed to set a new global record for the fastest charging speed in mass-produced EVs, in the process “overcoming the global challenges of ‘slow charging’ and ‘difficult low-temperature charging’ that have characterised the first half of the electrification race.”