Articles by John Law

It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of new-model releases. Lately, product cycles have been getting ever shorter with China in particular’s immense speed of design, development and production eschewing traditional carmakers' usual six, seven or eight-year model replacements.But that doesn’t mean everyone wants the latest and greatest and, in Australia, there remains a huge appetite for familiar nameplates like the Mazda CX-3, MG3 and Nissan Patrol despite fresher models being available in the same class. In fact, until this year, the now nine-year-old Toyota HiLux has dominated sales charts. It’s taken the ‘T6.2’ Ford Ranger over a year to usurp Toyota’s ute despite its much newer cabin, more powerful engines and fresher tech. Even still, the Ranger held a slim 210 sale margin over the HiLux in May. It’s a little easier to imagine how ute buyers – those after a dependable, rugged vehicle with less concern for the latest and greatest – might be less interested in buying the newest model.Though the media expected the CX-30 to become Mazda’s new entry-level SUV, the plan all along was to sell them side by side. At 10 years old, the CX-3 is no spring chicken any more yet with 1300 sales in may it remains firmly ahead of the Yaris Cross and Hyundai Venue in the light SUV class. It is, amazingly, still more popular than the CX-30 (1010 sales in May) as well. Entry-level Pure leads the way as a first-car option that is bigger than a Mazda2 but not unwieldy. Safety features like AEB and collision warning feature and the CX-3 is a known quantity for both reliability and parts availability. MG is finally replacing the MG3 as it celebrates its 13th year on sale – such age is very rare in cars from China. In its final 31 days in dealerships as a ‘new’ model, 1077 MG3s were registered. This puts it leagues ahead of the Mazda2 and Toyota Yaris. The same vintage Mitsubishi ASX may not be quite as popular as a CX-3 (842 sales in May) though like the others in this list, the ASX is having a bumper year of over 5000 sales – up nearly 30 per cent on 2023. Nissan sold 622 Patrol off-roaders last month for 3274 year-to-date. That may be less than half of Toyota’s LandCruiser 300 Series volume but when you consider the basic design is 14 years old (and therefore cost is long since amortised), Nissan is doing very well. Like ASX, the Patrol’s sales are up for 2024 as well, by an impressive 46.3 per cent. Put that down to demand for the new rough-and-tumble Warrior model. We couldn’t write this article and ignore the oldest car on sale today in Australia. Celebrating its 40th year in production and continuing to sell incredibly is the 70 Series LandCruiser range. An iconic vehicle for Australians who buy more of these things than any other nation – mining fleet is a huge part but a renewed popularity with the off-road crowd helps, too.Toyota’s old fourby may not get another ANCAP test any time soon but the new four-cylinder turbo-diesel will extend its sales life further as emissions regulations take hold. There were 1096 sales of the LandCruiser 70 Series in May for a total of 5030 this year, not including Troop Carrier body styles. Its enduring popularity is unlikely to end soon, either, with the new downsized diesel carrying the ageing Toyota into its next decade of sales.

Cadillac Senior Vice President of Global Design Michael Simcoe explained how the Celestiq, Lyriq and Optiq get away without looking like computer mouses or soap bars despite solid driving range ratings. Along with his current role at Cadillac, Simcoe has been with GM for forty years now after starting at Holden in 1983. He can boast credit for the Monaro, VE Commodore and more recently rebirthing Cadillac as an EV-first brand with the Celestiq. “Aerodynamics is a very well understood black science,” he told CarsGuide last week. “We have a lot of people who are very intelligent in that space so we know what we have to do to make a vehicle perform in a fashion.”For comparison's sake, the Tesla Model Y ekes 531km of EPA driving range out of its 75kWh battery pack thanks to a small frontal area and slippery 0.23Cd. The AWD Cadillac Optiq uses an 85kWh battery and gets 480km EPA driving range – we don’t know its Cd figure.The Tesla is better then, right? On paper, sure. But Cadillac is not in the business of making efficiency an absolute. Buyers of Cadillacs are chasing opulence, performance and style. The brand naturally has an internal efficiency goal for EVs, with Simcoe saying the team is able to ‘dial up and down’ various factors to achieve the desired result.“Anyone who tells you that to do an efficient vehicle, you have to do a lozenge with wheels is wrong”, he emphasises. “You can make very efficient vehicles that have style as well.”Yet anyone who has looked at vehicles coming out of China to target Tesla – the GAC Aion hyper GT, IM L6, BYD Sealion 6, Xpeng G6 and more – can see the resemblance to the American brand’s soft-sided vehicles.Interestingly, Simcoe sees this phenomena as copycatting for the sake of style rather than outright aero efficiency, citing hidden tricks such as shielding suspension components from the wind and other techniques. “That's more about commoditisation of design and a power to see something that works in the showroom, with customers, and a whole industry that has the speed to – within a couple of years – move in that direction. “And then two years later there's somewhere else, and then somewhere else. But that's commoditisation of vehicles, it's not necessarily aerodynamics that are doing that,” Simcoe explains. “If you've got the speed to react quickly to a trend and you're seeing something on the other side of town that's working and people are buying and you've got the speed to get there before the market dries up, then you're dealing with commodities rather than a real focus on your brand and the value you have in the design itself.“If we all did that you could forget the brand thing because everybody would be buying the same interior and the same exterior. And there is a bit of that in the market right now, globally.” Cadillac is gearing up to launch its first vehicle in Australia, the large luxury BMW iX and Audi Q8 e-tron-rivalling Lyriq, before the end of the year. More models, including the Optiq, are likely to follow shortly after. 

Fiat has confirmed a hybrid version of the 500e electric car will be released in 2026 following slower than expected sales of the EV at home and abroad.The new hybrid city car, to be known as the 500e Ibrida, will be produced at Turin’s Mirafiori plant alongside the existing electric car.Unsurprisingly, there are political reasons surrounding the decision with a need to keep Fiat's Mirafiori plant flowing with production for the local market. Last year, only 64,244 500es found homes in Europe compared to 108,943 combustion models (which are built in Poland).To satiate some of this demand, the 500e Ibrida will use a 1.0-litre mild-hybrid three-cylinder ‘FireFly’ petrol engine as found in the Fiat Panda that develops 51kW and 92Nm.The new car will use the same platform as the 500e which is not the bespoke STLA small platform but an electric capable version of the Alfa MiTo’s SCCS architecture.The 500e hybrid will be highly Italian with its engine produced in Termoli, the exhaust in Napoli and gearbox at its home Mirafiori plant.“Italy serves as our foundation, our driving force and our future”, says CEO Olivier Francois.“And Mirafiori is one of our engines which represents Italy, its people, its values, its pride and the 500.“But today, 90 per cent of Mirafiori production goes abroad. To increase the number of 500s on the road in Italy and to answer the Italian customers, we have decided to produce the new 500 Ibrida”, he added.Naturally, the hybrid 500e will cost less than its electric counterpart which is dear in Australia at $52,500 for the La Prima. No Australian plans have been announced for the 500e Ibrida but it would be a unique option alongside the Kia Picanto, Suzuki Swift and MG3.The previous-gen combustion Fiat 500 is currently built at Stellantis’ Tychy plant in Poland to satisfy the more affordable end of the European and overseas markets. It is understood this plant is where Leapmotor affordable electric cars will be built in the future.The Fiat 500 – that launched in 2008 on the Fiat Mini platform – won’t end its life just yet, though, with production expected to move to Algeria.

Honda Australia now offers blind-spot monitoring (BSM) and rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA) as $400-$800 options on lower trim versions of its CR-V and ZR-V mid-size SUVs.Buyers are able to order the new variants now, with them complementing the existing range. There are no other price changes.The additional safety equipment will aid Honda's pair of SUVs in the fight against the Nissan X-Trail, Mitsubishi Outlander, Toyota RAV4 and Volkswagen Tiguan.For the ZR-V, the VTi X remains price leader at $39,500 drive-away while the new RCTA and BSM equipped VTi X+ increases that to $39,900.The mid-spec VTi L remains at $42,500 and the VTi L+ ($42,900) retains the same $400 price increase.The Higher trim VTi LX and e:HEV LX variants were already fitted as standard with the tech and therefore do not change.Only the base CR-V VTi X ($43,900 drive-away) was previously not fitted with the equipment. In five-seat guise, the VTi X+ is $800 dearer at $44,700. The seven-seat version is not available with the extra pack.All the additional variants use Honda's 140kW/240Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder paired with a CVT automatic. The upper trim 'e:HEV' hybrid models are already equipped with the safety equipment.Honda Australia has not said the ZR-V VTi X, VTi LX or CR-V VTi X will be discontinued however it did mention that "stock availability of these variants will be limited."There is also an end of financial year offer of an eight-year and unlimited kilometre warranty as well as eight years of premium roadside assist for those who order any ZR-V, a 2023 build CR-V petrol or 2024 build CR-V hybrid.

Volvo has developed the first battery passport, a way to trace the materials, composition, recycled content, carbon emissions and origin of its batteries. The game-changing blockchain tracing technology has been in the works for over five years in partnership with UK company Circulor. It is important because Volvo is a step ahead of other manufacturers such as Tesla, BYD and Ford, all of which will need to supply battery passports to sell electric cars in Europe from February 2027. Volvo's EX90 electric large SUV will launch the technology and it will steadily rolled out to all of Volvo’s electric cars including EX30, EX40 and future products. Also under the Geely umbrella is Polestar, the electric-only brand already using blockchain technology to trace its materials. Volvo has set a global date of 2030 to go fully electric while Australia will be ahead of the curve, selling EVs exclusively from 2026. Owners will be able to scan a QR code for a simplified version of the passport. Also included is a battery health assessment function that will be crucial for residual values. Regulators get access to more detailed information from the passport. This includes all aspects that supplier Circulor traces, including battery materials from mines, through refining processes, energy mixes being used by suppliers, shipping, to eventually ending up in a car for a total emissions figure.In addition to keeping track of emissions throughout production, blockchain technology will also shed light on which suppliers are being used and if they’ve committed human rights violations. "Car manufacturing has never been about which rock went into which component and which got connected to which car," Circulor CEO Douglas Johnson-Poensgen told Reuters. "It's taken a long time to figure that out," she added. 

Mitsubishi Australia is diversifying its powertrain offerings and growing its range to maintain its place as a volume seller in the competitive Australian market.Along with its signature plug-in hybrid powertrain and existing petrol and diesel offerings, Mitsubishi promises to add both Tesla-rivalling electric cars and regular hybrids to fight Toyota by 2030 in response to Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standards (NVES). The brand announced its plans, in line with the global Momentum 2030 movement, at a dealer conference at a time when new Chinese brands are on an astronomical rise in Australia with growing line-ups stacked with affordable hybrid and electric cars. Mitsubishi will roll its new powertrains out on existing nameplates, including the new Pajero Sport and revised Outlander. It also looks like the brand is adding new models such as the Delica pictured at the far back of the image and a sub-ASX SUV. The change has come about after Australia was reclassified as a ‘core’ Mitsubishi market by the Japanese brand. “We will offer not only battery electrics but also plug-in hybrids and hybrids, and introduce appropriate products that will meet the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) set by the Australian government,” said Mitsubishi Motors Corporation President and CEO Takao Kato. Local CEO Shaun Westcott, added: “ is at a key point in its history, and today’s announcements confirm Mitsubishi Motors’ commitment to this market, via a strong product pathway to the end of the decade. “This includes delivering advanced powertrain technologies and a wider product choice, every model endowed with a unique spirit of adventure.” What new models are in the Momentum 2030 teaser?Mitsubishi has not confirmed any model names, details or whether the cars in the ‘Momentum 20230’ teaser will come to Australia. The brand also promised “new or completely refreshed products in multiple market segments,” so let’s have a guess at what’s coming up. Here are our thoughts, from left to right. On the left appears to be a selection of all-new SUV products. Mitsubishi has said electric cars will happen; these could come to fruition as a ute or as a mid-size SUV, given the brand’s access to the Nissan Ariya underpinnings. The front most left car appears to be a sub-ASX coupe-style SUV which has been rumoured as a plug-in hybrid to take the reins from the Mirage sedan, by US sources.Behind it is likely the ASX replacement we’ve all been waiting for. Given Mitsubishi has hinted at a hybrid model in the mix, this small SUV could be a rival for the Corolla Cross and Nissan Qashqai – potentially twinned with the Renault Symbioz. The two centre models are the most obscure, though right down the back is quite clearly the Delica D:5 off-road van. In front of it could be the new Pajero Sport ‘PPV’ but equally the rebirth of the iconic three-row Pajero. Both were hinted at in Mitsubishi’s mid-term plan and Nissan is set to unveil the Pajero’s expected sibling, the Patrol, before March 2025. The three right models are updated or tweaked existing vehicles. The Triton is earmarked for electrification – be that hybrid, plug-in for full EV, or more than one – in the near future. We’re expecting the front right model will be revealed in 2025 as a rugged off-road-focused version of the Outlander family SUV. Further back is a more conventional Outlander. The car debuted in 2021 so come 2025 – four years later – a facelift is due. Mitsubishi could roll out a strong hybrid version of its mid-size SUV alongside a facelift, though it’s safe to expect revisions to suspension, the plug-in hybrid system and in-car technology. Whether Mitsubishi’s updated plan is enough to keep dealers excited remains to be seen. The new Triton is off to a strong start up 12 per cent year-on-year despite a lack of entry models. The Outlander is also performing well finding 2500 buyers in May and up 17.3 per cent.

Cadillac's design bosses believe it will be fairly straightforward talking buyers out of their Audis, BMWs and Benzes with new electric cars.

Hyundai has introduced a sporty N Line pack to the 2025 Kona electric small SUV range.Exclusively available on the Kona extended range models with the more powerful 150kW motor driving the front wheels, the N Line pack adds between $3000 and $4000 to the price. Additionally, the base model Hyundai Kona Electric is now fitted with padded door armrests, addressing complaints made in reviews of the vehicle. There are no further changes to the range which now spans $54,000-$71,000 before on-road costs. Priced from $62,000, the entry-level Kona Electric with N Line pack gets all the exterior swagger of the petrol N car.  With body colour cladding, a new front bumper featuring ‘a lower parametric pixel garnish’, sporty rear bumper with diffuser, large roof-mounted spoiler black mirror caps and 19-inch alloy wheels, the electric N Line looks the part. There are no changes to the chassis or powertrain. A high-performance new-gen electric Kona N has been discussed but no plans have been announced yet.Inside, the N Line pack changes upholstery from black cloth to Obsidian black leather with Alcantara accents and red stitching while there’s a leather-appointed dash tray, sports metal pedals and the steering wheel is wrapped in perforated leather with N Line trim. Standard equipment otherwise includes six speakers, dual-zone climate control, wireless phone charging, 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen with wireless smartphone mirroring, full exterior LED lighting and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. While the regular Kona long range boasts 505km electric range, with the Premium and N Line's 19-inch alloy wheels that falls to 444km.The N Line Premium costs $71,000 before on-road costs adding a premium eight-speaker Bose sound system, power tailgate, ambient lighting, power-adjust front seats with heating and ventilation and rear privacy glass. Hyundai has not dropped pricing on its electric small SUV unlike rivals. BYD, Renault and Peugeot all recently chopped asking prices to run out their small SUVs before the end of the financial year, while Tesla has brought entry charges of its Model Y and Model 3 down drastically. “The new optional N Line styling pack and upgraded features build on a spacious, versatile and highly equipped package in 2025 Kona Electric,” said Hyundai Motor Company Australia Chief Executive Officer Ted Lee.2025 Kona electric pricingPrices are before on-road costs 

Renault was expected to partner with Volkswagen to reboot its Twingo nameplate in the electric era, twinned with the German brand’s ID.1, the electric Up! replacement.

Volkswagen unveiled the most hardcore front-wheel-drive Mark 8.5 Golf, the GTI Clubsport, at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring endurance race.