Articles by James Cleary

Deepal is one of many new challenger brands striving for a foothold in the Aussie new-car market, with the S07 SUV only just launched. Now we've had a preview of one of its next models to arrive, scheduled for the second of 2025; the quirky E07, a combination five-seat SUV/ute.

Kia has used its second-ever global EV Day, held at the Tarraco Arena in Tarragona, Spain, to launch three new concept and production pure-electric models, with the headline act being the much-anticipated EV4 sedan and (Europe-only) hatch.

LDV has addressed a significant specification shortcoming in its T60 4WD dual-cab ute by upgrading its braked trailer towing capacity from 3000kg to a more category competitive 3500kg (750kg unbraked).

Believe it or not, there was a time when Tesla was nothing more than an automotive curiosity.From 2008 to 2012 it produced less than 2500 fairly rudimentary Lotus Elise-based Roadsters. And believe me, despite snappy acceleration, you couldn’t really use it (especially with any enthusiasm) because its range was so limited. Launch into more than a couple of full-blooded acceleration runs and suddenly you’re not getting home. But as the first-generation Roadster left the Tesla stage the Model S emerged to change everything. A sleek, vastly more serious, practical and liveable mid-size sedan, it became the ‘must have’ for early electric car adopters in the USA and soon, multiple export markets.Following the S with the Model X large SUV, smaller Model 3 sedan, Model Y medium SUV and Cybertruck pick-up, Tesla grew into the global phenomenon we know today.And that expansion, fuelled by a seemingly insatiable, but largely unforeseen appetite for battery-electric vehicles, sent shockwaves through car company boardrooms around the world.Caught with their research and development pants down, everyone from Ford and GM to Honda and Nissan, BMW and Mercedes-Benz hit the FOMO scramble alarm, terrified they were about to miss a boat that five minutes ago they didn’t even know was at the wharf.Most of them had dabbled with electric propulsion over time, but suddenly an EV strategy arms race began to build momentum, with bold claims about how quickly individual brands would not only introduce a production EV or two, but become a 100 per cent zero tailpipe emissions maker.Cue massive investment in design and engineering as jurisdictions from local and regional to national and multi-national (hello, European Union) began to jump onboard and formally squeeze the life out of the internal combustion engine through a combination of carbon emissions and vehicle sales regulations.Speaking of the EU, it pretty rapidly demanded that EV sales in its member states account for around 80 per cent of new car sales in 2030, and 100 per cent by 2035.But even outside that group, the Norwegian parliament became the poster child for government incentives, weighting its VAT and purchase tax on new cars dramatically in favour of EVs.The result, in exceptionally short order, was around 90 per cent of new vehicle sales in Norway consisting of EVs. The Chinese sleeping giant began to fall in love with BEV technology and everything was pointing to this seemingly unstoppable, electrically-powered juggernaut gaining world domination.But then… that fundamental element, consumer demand, began to soften.The appetite of hungry, cashed-up early adopters had seemingly been satisfied while many in the next wave of ‘EV curious’ and less tech savvy buyers hesitated.Despite an influx of new brands and models, purchase pricing remains relatively high and charging infrastructure, while much-improved, is still patchy. Even on a fast charger, ‘topping up’ an EV takes a while and over time hybrid has emerged as the preferred stepping stone to full electrification.Sales of pure-EVs are still predicted to increase in years to come, but the rate of uptake is now significantly slower than first thought.The UK’s 2030 ‘ICE Ban’ has been shifted back five years and in the USA zero-emission mandates look to be headed for a more ‘gradual’ application and other countries are making similar moves towards regulatory relaxation.So, which auto brands have publicly noted a course correction. A cynic might say a shift in focus from saving the planet to championing consumer choice!     Here’s our breakdown of where the key players currently stand on the transition from ICE to BEV. 

Widely regarded as one of the most sonorous production cars ever made, the shatteringly fast, V10-powered LFA broke new ground for the Lexus brand.

Having ended a hugely successful 2024 on a massive sales high, Chinese challenger brand BYD has sent shockwaves across the Aussie new car market with sales plummeting in January this year.

Who says a giant ship can’t be turned around quickly?

The Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication and the Arts has issued a safety recall notice impacting 5731 Suzukis sold new in Australia between 2022 and 2023.

A proposed merger between Honda and Nissan, with the potential to create the world’s third biggest carmaker, appears to have stalled, with the main point of contention being Nissan’s reluctance to accept ‘subsidiary’ status as part of the deal.According to Bloomberg sources close to the discussions confirm Nissan’s current position “could jeopardize talks between the two carmakers to join forces”.Following initial talks in March 2024, Honda and Nissan put the operational wheels in motion by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) last December, with the possibility that Nissan’s Alliance partner, Mitsubishi, could join the party in a collective bid to conquer increased competition, especially from emerging Chinese challenger brands.Nissan’s board is scheduled to meet today at the company’s Yokohama HQ where, according to Bloomberg’s sources, it appears likely to vote down Honda’s proposal to buy Nissan’s shares and make it a subsidiary.For context, Honda’s 7.3 trillion yen ($76 billion) valuation is nearly five times higher than Nissan’s and there is no appetite from the latter’s other Alliance partner, Renault (which owns 36 per cent of Nissan), to enter these ‘merger’ talks.Rather, the French giant is said to be primarily concerned with Nissan extracting a premium for its stake if Honda takes control.Officially, Honda and Nissan continue to work towards mid-February (delayed from late January) for release of a combined framework, but the Nissan board’s allegedly mixed sentiment in response to Honda’s offer could still throw a spanner in the works.Target timing for the announcement of a final structure is June this year with a listing of shares in a joint holding company scheduled for August 2026.It's worth noting other regional outlets including the The Asahi Shimbun and Nikkei Asia have reported that the two companies are on the edge of calling it quits, so this week’s Nissan board discussions are clearly critical to the deal’s ultimate success. Stay tuned!

There’s nothing like increased competition from a slew of new challenger brands to stir the Aussie new car sales pot.