Articles by James Cleary

Hyundai Australia Managing Director John Kett has acknowledged the Korean brand’s reduced sales volume for internal combustion (ICE) models (about 7000 units) so far in 2024, confirming the popularity of battery electric (BEV) options across the Ioniq 5 and 6 line-ups has offset that market share decrease.

Toyota Motor Corporation Australia has posted a monster $342 million after-tax profit in a financial year record result for the local automotive market leader.

In announcing it had sold more than 100,000 hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) last financial year, Toyota Australia also confirmed the waiting time for one of the country’s most in-demand new cars has come down substantially.

Reports out of the UK overnight have highlighted numerous software gremlins impacting examples of Volvo’s recently released EX30 EV SUV sold there. But Australian customers can rest easy with the local subsidiary telling CarsGuide vehicles delivered here are not affected.According to Autocar serious software issues have caused a range of faults from media screens going black and steering-wheel buttons not responding to cars failing to charge and emergency braking systems randomly activating.Despite Volvo UK’s commitment to rectify the problems “as swiftly as possible” the Autocar report alleges some owners have handed their cars back for refund.But a Volvo Australia spokesperson has confirmed this market’s status as a “deep water” export destination has helped it side-step the electrical problems.The deep water term relates to EX30 production in China taking around three weeks from build to showroom in Australia while delivery to Europe can be closer to nine weeks.And that flexibility has meant local cars had the latest, updated software installed to side-step any problems before customers took delivery.Speaking of which, the city-sized SUV has proved popular straight out of the gate. In its third month on sale the city-sized SUV recorded over 400 registrations for a year-to-date total (end June) in excess of 1000 units.

BMW has piled on extra performance, technology and standard specification in a model year upgrade of its M3 performance sedan and M3 Touring wagon.

It seems like the blink of an eye but Ford’s current, all-conquering Ranger ute has been on sale in the Australian new-car market for two years.

For some baffling reason Subaru manual models were missing out on the brand's 'EyeSight' active (crash-avoidance) safety suite but that's been rectified in the six-speed manual WRX RS. What better excuse for CarsGuide to reacquaint itself with this turbocharged four-door flyer.

Volkswagen AG has confirmed an initial US$1B (A$1.5B) investment in US EV specialist Rivian Automotive with the intention of a direct shareholding and developing a 50/50 joint venture business focused on development of electrical/electronic (E/E) architecture.

A recent trademark filing by Ford Group Philippines, registering a ‘Super Duty’ version of the Ranger dual cab ute, validates CarsGuide’s local insider tip that the heavy-hauling variant of Australia’s top-selling vehicle will come to this market in a 2025-26 mid-cycle model refresh.As reported by Ford Authority, Ford has filed to trademark Ranger Super Duty with the Intellectual Property Office Of The Philippines (IPOPHL).With the XLS-based Tremor, an entry-level off-roader, set as a mid-life update addition to the Australian line-up (filling the shoes of the previous-gen Ranger’s hard-working FX4 grade) CarsGuide understands the Super Duty’s spec will likely follow the lead of its larger F-Series Super Duty cousins in the USA.Maybe not the dual-wheel rear axle of the big-bopper F-450 but almost certainly upgraded suspension and greater payload capacity in the style of its F-250/F-350 siblings.At the same time, commercially-focused additions like on-board scales, push-button ‘Pro Trailer Hitch Assist’ and ‘Trailer Navigation’ (drive route adaptation based on trailer width and height clearances) are also possibilities.According to our inside sources, the focus will be on hard-working commercial capability rather than the Ranger Wildtrak or flagship Raptor’s off-road prowess.But how far a Ranger Super Duty stretches towards a genuine heavy-duty version of the popular dual cab ute remains to be seen with ADR compliance on things like towing hardware relative to Gross Vehicle Mass and Gross Combined Mass key factors in the local certification process.Stay tuned for more details as the Ranger’s inevitable 2025 mid-life update draws closer.

After no less than 17 years in production the current ‘R35’ version of Nissan’s iconic GT-R sports car is heading for global retirement in October this year.