Articles by John Law

Following preliminary sales results announced in February, JATO dynamics has confirmed that the Tesla Model Y was the world’s best selling car in 2023. This historic statistic marks the first time an electric car has been the most popular vehicle globally. It achieved 1,223,000 sales for a huge 64 per cent improvement on 2022 to beat previous winners such as the Toyota RAV4 (1,075,000) and Honda CR-V (846,000).Although Model Y’s lead is perhaps not surprising to Oceanic, US or European readers, JATO dynamics analyst Felipe Munoz points out the astounding achievement given the Model Y’s lower demand in emerging markets. The strength of Japanese makers in general, and the RAV4 and CR-V in particular, is that they are not only popular in markets like the United States, Australia and Europe but are offered in lower cost guises that can succeed in growth markets including India (4.13 million sales), Brazil (2.12 million) and Iran (1.43 million).Following the CR-V came the Toyota Corolla sedan (803,000), Corolla Cross small SUV (715,000) and Camry sedan (650,000).The world’s most popular pick-up truck was the Ford F-150 (623,000) closely followed by the Toyota HiLux (605,000). In ninth spot was the Nissan Sentra (534,000) with the Tesla Model 3 (508,000) sneaking into the top 10. Australia’s top 10 featured the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-Max all ahead of the fourth-place Toyota RAV4. The Model Y took sixth spot locally trailing another Chinese-made SUV, the MG ZS. There was not a single passenger car in our top-10 – all were either SUVs or light commercial vehicles. It’s also worth noting our new-car market is forecast around 1.2 million units this year – less than the Model Y on its own globally.But Tesla may not remain at the top of the tree this year, and it will certainly become more challenging come 2025. Its Model 3 and Model Y are both due a facelift if they are to stay competitive in mature markets. Additionally, there is so much growth coming from what Jato has defined as emerging markets that the Model Y and Model 3 are not well-placed to capture. In total, these countries accounted for 22 per cent of new vehicle sales last year. The other looming threat for Tesla is China. For the first time in 2023, Chinese brands sold more cars than United States brands. The highest selling model was the BYD Qin sedan in 12th followed by the Song Plus – known as the Sealion 6 here – in 19th spot. Japan remained at the top of the tree, with 29.1 per cent of all new vehicle sales coming from the country’s marques and European brands accounting for 24.9 per cent. Top 10 best selling vehicles in the world  

Nissan has added a raft of more affordable options to its seven- or eight-seat Pathfinder large SUV range.CarsGuide unearthed the lower grade trims in government compliane documents in April with Nissan now following through for the Hyundai Palisade and Toyota Kluger rival.It lowers the start price a by $11,820 to $59,670 (before on-road costs) for the new front-wheel drive (FWD) ST-L trim or $64,170 for the all-wheel drive ST-L. There's a new FWD Ti trim for $67,990, too.Along with new variants, the existing Ti and Ti-L prices climb by $1000 despite no added equipment.“We have always wanted as many people as possible to experience Nissan’s adventure-ready family SUV and the reintroduction of the ST-L grade only expands the Pathfinder’s appeal further,” says Sriram Padmanabhan, Nissan Australia Marketing Director.There's the option to go down further to ST trim, but it seems Nissan has chosen to launch with ST-L as the new entry, which gets a generous amount of equipment.A set of 18-inch alloy wheels, auto LED headlights with highbeam assist, power tailgate, a 7.0-inch digital driver's display, head-up display, 9.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with wireless smartphone mirroring, heated front seats and cloth upholstery.The Ti, now available in front-drive and AWD, adds an auto-dimming rear view mirror, built-in rear sunshades, wireless smartphone charging, heated second-row seats, leather-accented upholstery and a 13-speaker Bose sound system.The flagship Ti-L is distinguished by 20-inch alloy wheels, second row captain's chairs, auto wipers, power-adjust steering wheel and passenger's seat, front seat ventilation, ambient lighting, larger 12.3-inch digital driver's display, panoramic sunroof and quilted semi-aniline leather upholstery.As before, all Pathfinders use a direct injection 3.5-litre petrol V6 developing 202kW at 6400rpm and 340Nm at 4800rpm. Nissan has not yet developed the X-Trail and Qashqai's e-Power hybrid technology for the Pathfinder.Both front- and all-wheel drive variants use a nine-speed automatic transmission. Towing remains capped at 2700kg braked.The revised Pathfinder range is available now with the Ti-L AWD flagship the only model delayed, expected to arrive in the fourth quarter of this year.All prices are before on-road costs.

Alpine revives Renault Sport spirit with A290

A short 15 years ago, the Hyundai Getz was available for as little as $12,990 drive-away, but the cheap end of the new-car market has nearly evaporated today. 

The new BYD Song L was revealed in Chinese technical documents and measures up almost identically to the newly-arrived Sealion 6 SUV (known as the Song Plus in China).The vehicle you see here, though, is powered by BYD’s new fifth-generation plug-in hybrid system debuted on the Seal DM-i sedan that boasts over 200km electric-only and 2100km combined driving range by CLTC standards. This new Song L emerges less than a month after our first Sealion 6 drive and before the medium SUV appears in VFACTS industry sales figures. The Sealion 6 is available to order from importer EVDirect but there’s no guidance on delivery timing yet. The Song L is visually similar in proportion to our Sealion 6 though the details are more striking. A broad ‘dragon face’ grille is expressive and aggressive while retractable door handles tidy up the Toyota RAV4 and Mitsubishi Outlander rival’s sides.At the rear there is a hint of Porsche Cayenne in the light details – probably no bad thing – and the tailgate comes to a very similar point to the existing Sealion 6. Dimensionally, the Song L is only 5.0mm longer and 8.0mm wider than the Sealion 6, while its 2782mm wheelbase is 17mm longer. This size proximity suggests the Song L is the Sealion 6’s replacement in China. While BYD’s plug-in hybrid mid-size SUV is new in Australia, the vehicle was first released in 2020 and facelifted in 2023. An on-sale date in the second half of 2024 is expected in China but Australian arrival is unlikely so soon. Its new fifth-gen plug-in hybrid system promises in excess of 2100km of combined driving range thanks to a 2.9L/100km efficiency when the battery is discharged – beating the Toyota RAV4 and Nissan X-Trail e-Power. So far only a single motor, non-turbo system has been detailed producing a maximum 160kW – the same as the Sealion 6. The system is said to be more efficient, though, as evidenced by such an improvement over the existing car’s 1200km combined driving range. A new turbo twin-motor AWD variant, as found in the Sealion 6 Premium, producing 238kW and 550Nm, is yet to be announced. Though there is some clear overlap between this new model and existing vehicle, they may be sold alongside each other. The Chinese market is vast and, like the MG ZS and ZST, manufacturers occasionally choose to keep the old model in production to offer a lower price point. The Song L, therefore, may become a premium alternative to the mainstream Song Plus we know as the Sealion 6. The Song L’s start price is earmarked at 130,000 yuan, equivalent to $27,000 Australian. Expect the final price to be much closer to the Sealion 6’s $48,990, before on-road costs, starting price if it comes to Australia. CarsGuide has contacted Australian BYD importer EVdirect for additional information and this story will be updated if there is a response. 

BYD Australia has announced model year 2024 pricing for the BYD Atto 3 small SUV. The upgrades mirror those applied to the China-market BYD Yuan Plus and, like in its home market, the Atto 3 is now cheaper than its launch price starting at $44,990 before on-road costs. That’s a saving of $3021 for the Standard range, while the popular Extended range model is now $3512 more affordable at $47,499 before on-road costs. It may be a less significant price cut that the 12 per cent seen in China – which would’ve brought the Atto 3 down to $42,250 – but there are big benefits with Continental tyres fitted standard in place of the maligned Atlas Batman rubber. Also new is the Cosmos black colour,  larger 15.8-inch rotating touchscreen (up from 12.8-inch) with wireless Apple CarPlay and a karaoke function. The Hyundai Kona electric and MG ZS EV rival's air conditioning can now be engaged with the car turned off, ideal for when charging in hot climates. The MY23 dealer demonstrator price of $45,990 drive-away for the Extended Range has now ended. The Standard Range has a rated driving range of 345km (WLTP) from a 49.92kWh ‘Blade’ LFP battery and the Extended Range’s bigger 60.48kWh pack increases that to 420km (WLTP). Both use a single front-mounted 150kW/310Nm electric motor. Charging is capped at 70kW (DC) for the Standard and 80kW (DC) for the Extended. The variants share interior and exterior spec, including artificial leather upholstery, power-adjust front seats, 5.0-inch digital driver’s display, power tailgate, LED headlights, satellite navigation and voice control. Just like Tesla’s Model 3, BYD has cut prices despite added equipment, better tyres and no loss of driving range. It shows electric price wars are well and truly alive, following cuts from major manufacturers including Tesla, Nissan, Renault and more.The updated 2024 BYD Atto 3 is available to order now. 2024 BYD Atto 3 pricingPrices listed are before on-road costs. 

Once Australia's cheapest new car, the MG3 is now decidedly more expensive but that's for good reason. With a new platform, upgraded cabin, the latest safety technology and an all-new hybrid powertrain MG's new city car isn't just a replacement for your clapped out Hyundai Getz, this promises to be a true rival fro the Toyota Yaris and Volkswagen Polo.

Rumours of the next generation Mitsubishi Delica's launch are gathering steam.Japanese publication BestCar has released a render image showing what the sixth generation of Delica could look like. Rooted heavily in Mitsubishi's D:X concept revealed at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show, it is expected to be an off-road capable plug-in hybrid van with futuristic looks. The show vehicle features wild styling with prominent LED lighting signatures, no B-Pillars or wing mirrors and integrated roof box. In Person, the D:X concept is also significantly larger than the existing Delica. The render image is more realistic with physical mirrors, a toned down front bash plate, tracks for the rear sliding doors and more conventional wheels. There are still some unique features like the low-mount headlights accompanied by a panel just below the windscreen that houses the Delica’s LED signature and badge to give the vehicle a more upright look. Its chunky flared wheel arches hide tough wheels with all-terrain tyres. The result is a futuristic but tasteful evolution of the current D:5 Delica, which has been on sale in Japan since 2007.The current Delica sits on the previous-gen Outlander SUV’s underpinnings that are also shared with ASX and introduced under the 2007 Lancer. It uses a 107kW/380Nm 2.2-litre turbo diesel version of the previous Triton’s four-cylinder with all-wheel drive and low-range transfer case.It’s possible the next-gen minivan will share a platform with the new Outlander with a plug-in hybrid already confirmed for Delica. This ought to give a good blend of efficiency and off-road capability without sacrificing driving range. The Outlander plug-in hybrid produces peak outputs of 185kW and 450Nm while driving all four wheels. It has a 20kWh battery pack for 84km electric only range (WLTP).The Delica nameplate is popular in Japan – and is currently exclusive to the country – but it has found niche success as a grey import in Australia. It’s an off-piste alternative to a Toyota LandCruiser Prado, Jeep Wrangler or even Kia Carnival, offering plenty of practicality at the expense of some outright off-roading ability to established 4x4s.Mitsubishi Australia has expressed interest in the Delica, even bringing one in as an evaluation vehicle for media to sample. It’s understood the current van won’t be sold new here, though the next generation could be a potential. The new Delica appears in Mitsubishi’s Momentum 2030 plan as a teaser with the brand expressing interest in global development of the Delica. With the Delica’s off-road ability and seating for seven there’s potential crossover with the brand’s next generation Pajero Sport and existing ASEAN-market Xpander hybrid but an MPV (just like the Delica) featured in the previously announced mid-term plan. Mitsubishi is readying a selection of electric and hybrid powertrains to further broaden its appeal and the Delica could be a perfect fit for adventure-focused Australians.

BYD has announced a run-out special on 2023 year model Seal sedans.Those ordering a Seal Premium ($58,798) or Performance ($68,748) with standard paint and interior combination for personal use will only pay the list price with drive-away charges included. This saving for the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2 rival equates to between $535 (ACT) up to $3708 (Vic). Those in WA will pay a little more owing to government charges, at $60,798 for the Premium and $70,748 for the Performance. The savings apply to non-business purchases of Seal sedans – including if you already have an order in but haven't taken delivery – between June 7 and 30.The single motor Seal Premium has a rear mounted 230kW/360Nm electric motor and 82.56kWh ‘Blade’ LFP battery pack for 570km driving range. It also gets 19-inch, LED headlights, a 15.6-inch multimedia screen, ‘genuine’ leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, keyless entry and push-button start. Moving up to the Performance doubles the motor count bringing outputs 390kW and 670Nm while range drops back to 520km. The latest offer hasn’t drastically changed the Seal’s place in the market, it was already well below the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and Polestar 2 for price. It still undercuts Tesla’s Model 3 sedan ($64,500 before on-road costs for the 629km Long Range) despite that car's significant cuts. BYD’s end of financial year offer follows its deal on Atto 3 small SUV demonstrators announced earlier this year. Big name rivals including Tesla and Polestar have jumped on the discount program either slashing prices wholesale or offering retail deals. Smaller players, including Renault, Peugeot and Nissan have also slashed prices on selected models to move stock. 

“No, we would not do a pick-up at Cadillac,” is Senior Vice President of Global Design Michael Simcoe’s refreshingly blunt answer.“That'd be a waste of an entry. You'd spend that sort of capital and that sort of showroom spot on something much more exciting and more appropriate to Cadillac,” he explained. Instead, a Cadillac hypercar – electric or plug-in hybrid – is a much smarter play for the performance-oriented brand. A smaller SUV to play against the Audi Q4 e-tron and BMW iX1 could be clever, too. Yet there’s no update on either of those possibilities today. Simcoe’s robust response didn’t stop us having a brainstorm of what a Cadillac ute might look like – the top example is a modern rebirth of the Escalade EXT based on the latest Lyriq electric large SUV from Cadillac (top image). The Lyriq lends itself well to becoming a ute. Its bluff, square front end with menacing front mask runs up to a black A-pillar to a chunky sloped C-pillar that blends into the long tray. Of course, if Cadillac were to do a ute it could also take Chevrolet’s existing Silverado frame and add some luxury tinsel on the top (below image). It would be unlikely any pick-up would really suit the Cadillac image, according to Simcoe. Still, the imagination has some swagger.  Simcoe expands on whether he’s brought any information from his time at Holden back to the US regarding Australian utes, “everything's still an emotional purchase”, he said.“ that are all about sport and performance, be it off-road or rock climbing and we have ones that are better suited to being on road as very, very high level luxury vehicles. A truck’s not a tool of the trade necessarily anymore,” he continued. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time a luxury brand had entertained the idea of creating a ute for lifestyle customers – Genesis, BMW and others all admitted to the thought. One brand actually did it, and the result didn’t go well. The Mercedes X-Class was a Nissan Navara-based luxury ute that lived a very short life. It was produced from 2018 to 2020, surviving just two years before it was axed due to slow sales. Anecdotally, buyers don’t want 'fancy' utes. If they’re after sheer opulence or imposition on the road, a sedan or large SUV – like Celestiq or Lyriq – delivers that just fine. The Ford Ranger Raptor and Ram 1500 TRX are so expensive not because of interior fit-out or infinite ambient lighting but because of their Fox racing shocks and bombastic engines. That is what sells high-end utes and Cadillac won’t be getting into that game.