Articles by Tim Gibson

Utes are the biggest segment in the Australian car market and have been for years.Among those utes have been some consistently successful ones, but there is a new era emerging to threaten the established pack.Fleets and private buyers are more closely considering the running costs of a predominantly diesel-powered segment.Electrified alternatives are increasingly, but will we see the established pack dislodged this year? With five months worth of sales data to look at, here are the best-selling utes in Australia predicted for 2026. There will be no surprises the Ford Ranger is still sitting at the top of this list. It continues to hold the title for the best-selling ute in Australia, despite a year-on-year decrease. Ford has already shifted more than 20,000 units, which is more than any other rival so far.The Ranger recently saw the popular 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel variant phased out, with Ford providing a cheaper single turbo unit as well as wider availability of the popular 3.0-litre V6 engine, and the brand has also added a range of unique Super Duty variants to bolster its line-up.The HiLux has also held onto its second-place spot up to April and will be expected to carry on this momentum, despite it, too, experiencing year-on-year drops. It still holds a clear lead over the rest of the chasing pack, with more than 17,000 sales so far this year, no doubt helped along by the arrival of the new-generation version late last year. Toyota will launch an electric version of the HiLux later on this year, to complement the current diesel-only range.BYD’s plug-in hybrid ute has well and truly garnered the attention of buyers, especially in a market where fuel prices are a primary consideration.The Shark 6 was one of the only utes to experience growth in 2025 and it has carried on this form into this year, and is on track to surge past the Isuzu D-Max in the coming months.With more than 6000 sales already in 2026, the ute is BYD’s second-best selling model, highlighting its importance to the brand’s top-two spot for April.BYD has added two new variants to the Shark 6 in 2026. A cab-chassis, and a new performance variant, which pushes towing capacity up to 3500kg.These new variants could open up new buyers for the ute Down Under, and push it up the standings further.The D-Max ute has sold steadily compared to April 2025, 4x2 variants picking up a solid boost so far, while the 4x4 variants are down. Based on its more than 8000 sales so far, we can expect the D-Max to stay on track for a finish in the top five, even though the Mitsubishi Triton is fast approaching. An electric version of the D-Max is also not out of the question for the brand, with it recently launching in Thailand alongside mild hybrid variants.The Triton has experienced a resurgent run on the sales charts so far in 2026, with more than 8000 sales, compared to around 7000 up to May 2025.Based on this start, you can expect the Triton to be in around the top places again come the end of the year. Mitsubishi recently unveiled a hardcore version of the ute called the Triton Raider, which has received specific tuning from Aussie engineering company Premcar. It is not a limited edition, and the brand is no doubt hoping it will help continue its renewed push up the sales charts.

It’s rare for a car brand to introduce a petrol variant after its EV is already flying out of dealerships, especially with fuel prices soaring.Many brands have struggled to get EVs up and running in Australia, despite huge popularity for petrol- and diesel-powered variants. This includes the Hyundai Kona, where the sales split is heavily in favour of petrol and hybrid variants at the expense of the EV.But this has not been the case for the Jaecoo J5 EV, which has been a resounding success so far in Australia.It was crowned the best-selling small SUV, and the second best-selling EV in the country, for May 2026. Deliveries of the petrol J5 are about to begin, with dealers currently receiving demonstrator models. The petrol J5 joins the market at a curious time when pure internal combustion sales are dwindling at an increasingly rapid pace.The continuing fuel crisis has accelerated the decline of petrol power in Australia, and Omoda Jaecoo is paying close attention to this.The J5 petrol has the potential to shoot up the sales charts in a similar way to the J5 EV and the closely-related Chery Tiggo 4, but buyers hesitant over fuel prices could now look elsewhere. It is priced from $25,990 (drive-away), making it $2000 expensive than the Tiggo 4 ($23,990), but more than $10,000 cheaper than the J5 EV ($36,990).Omodoa Jaecoo Chief Commercial Officer Roy Munoz said the fuel crisis is impacting expectations for the petrol J5.“Absolutely,” he said. “Fuel prices can hit in more ways than one.“At this stage it really depends if we hit another fuel crisis, where customers will be swayed more into EV or new energy.”The petrol J5 is also facing other challenges in Australia.If the J5 hits a similar run of success to its EV counterpart, it could leave Omoda Jaecoo exposed to potential New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) fines. Brands incur fines on cars sold that emit CO2 over a certain limit, which the J5 petrol does.Munoz said Omoda Jaecoo was aware of the potential impacts of a huge petrol J5 sales return on the brand’s emissions regulation position.“Potentially it could,” he said.“We are balancing that to ensure we can meet our obligations under NVES. “We’ve sold plenty of J5 EVs to protect us at this stage.” The hybrid J5 is due before the end of the year, and will alter the balance further, offering a more emissions-friendly, but budget-oriented and electrified J5. 

GWM has just stepped up its budget EV game in Australia, unveiling the Ora 5 hatchback.There is no official news on a launch for the Ora 5 hatchback, but there is a good chance it will hit showrooms before the end of the year, with deliveries of the SUV variant already beginning.GWM Australia has been contacted for comment to find out launch plans for the car. The Ora 5 hatch shares much of the same design and set-up as its SUV sibling, but it has been given a lower and sportier stance, according to GWM. It differs from the SUV as it does not featuring roof rails. It keeps the same bubble headlight design and general exterior look. GWM also confirmed it has the same 58kWh battery with a driving range of 435km on WLTP standards. The brand did not confirm what will power the hatch, but given it is so similar to the SUV, it is expected to have the same single electric motor producing 150kW and 260Nm. Pricing remains unknown at this stage, but there is potential for it to be priced under the SUV, which starts from $33,990 (drive-away).The news comes after the brand ditched its Ora hatch Down Under earlier this year to make way for the Ora 5 SUV. The Ora faced serious budget competition from other Chinese rivals such as the BYD Dolphin that is priced from under $30,000 (before on-road costs), while the Ora was priced from $35,990 (drive-away).Competition in the EV hatch space has increased significantly, including the arrival of the GAC Aion UT ($31,990, before on-road costs). The Ora 5 is generally bigger than many of these EV hatch rivals.It joins at a time when GWM continues to grow on the sales front and chase down legacy brands in Australia.Chinese competitors such as BYD and Chery have experienced more growth than GWM in 2026, with the affordability proving a key selling point.

The way we use utes in Australia is changing and BYD is preparing one that could take this to the next level. BYD’s monocoque ute, called the Mako in South America, has been steadily making progress towards an official launch.It could come to Australia as an absolute game-changer for the ute segment. A monocoque chassis underpins SUVs, hatchbacks and sedans, giving it superior and more comfortable driving dynamics compared to ladder frame alternatives on more conventional utes such as the Ford Ranger and BYD Shark 6. A monocoque ute combines a car-like driving experience with sufficient towing and carrying capacity.SUV-based ute have gathered steam globally, with the Ford Maverick a big hit in the US and several SUV-based workhorses under development, including a Toyota Corolla-Cross based utility.There is a strong chance this ute could appear in Australia. BYD recently confirmed it is plotting a model to specifically target the Australian market. Could it be the Mako? The Mako will be officially unveiled in September and will first go to South America, but its international potential means Australia is not out of the question. Here is what me know so far about BYD’s promising new ute. It is expected to feature a plug-in hybrid set-up, but it will not be the same as currently found in the bigger Shark 6. Instead, it will use the hybrid set-up found in the Sealion 6 mid-size SUV. In the Sealion 6, its 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and electric motor set-up produces up to 253kW and 550Nm, which is in the same ballpark as a V8-powered Holden Commodore ute.They are some impressive numbers for a small ute.The Mako is rumoured to produce 175kW when it lands in South America, with European reports indicating power will be closer to 200kW. In Europe it will be dubbed the ‘Shark 5’. It is also expected to have an electric-only driving range of around 100km.  BYD’s new ute has already been spotted in spy shots undergoing testing in China. They show a rounded overall body shape and a more compact tray compared to conventional utes. It also appears to ride lower than other ladder frame utes, while still providing a decent amount of ground clearance. The front grille gets a similar look to the one currently found on the Sealion 5 SUV, along with an integrated rear sports bar. Pricing remains a little while off, especially from an Australian perspective, but we can expect it to come in cheaper than the Shark 6 on sale, which starts from $55,990 (before on-road costs). There is likely to be more news on the price front for the Mako later this year when it launches in September. With other markets likely to get the Mako towards the end of this year, the earliest we can expect it to land in Australia would be 2027. BYD is known for its ability to launch new models and change directions quickly, so don’t rule out its Aussie prospects. 

An iconic revamped hot hatch from Peugeot is about to take a big step towards an official launch. The fully-electric Peugeot E-208 GTI will launch later this year as Peugeot seeks to transition one of its most iconic nameplates into the electrified era.A rival to the incoming Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI and Renault 5 E-Tech, it joins a raft of competitors looking to make the same transition.In Australia it would be a direct rival for the Abarth 500e, but there is no official news on whether it will land Down Under. It will need to satisfy the business case to launch in Australia. The hot hatch, which was once offered here in a previous iteration, will face hurdles to remain profitable but offered at a competitive price, given it will need to be shipped over from Europe.This is something preventing several smaller and budget-targeted models from coming to Australia, although occasional exemptions are made for hot hatches, as was the case for the recently-discontinued Hyundai i20 N.Similar issues have prevented the standard E-208 from going on sale in Australia, even though Peugeot went to the trouble of getting it approved and announcing it for an Australian launch, which was then cancelled.Peugeot Australia has been contacted for comment to see if the E-208 GTI will launch in Australia.The brand will show off three production versions of its new EV hatch later this week to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its first 24-hour Le Mans race entry.This will be the first time we will see the final production E-208, following an extended period of development.The car has spawned from the petrol-powered 208, which has been a popular hatchback model across Europe. It will be powered by a single electric motor, producing 209kW and 345Nm, so it can sprint from 0-100km/h in less than six seconds.It features a 54kWh battery, offering a driving range of 350km, according to WLTP standards.This latest reveal could provide more details on the specifications for the car as it nears full-scale production.Peugeot has had a tough time in Australia recently, selling less than 400 units across its range up to May 2026.

One of the biggest car makers in the world has reportedly forked out billions in warranty claims over the past year. Stellantis, parent company of brands like Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Peugeot and Jeep has paid out the equivalent of more than $10 billion in global warranty expenses for the 2025/26 financial year. This tough reliability run has seen Stellantis begin a complete reset of its processes to get on track. The big news out of this reset is that the brand will launch its first model riding on its new STLA One platform next year. The brand said the platform will underpin up to 30 new vehicles in the small and mid-size SUV categories. This will equate to more than two million sales annually by the time 2035 comes around. Stellantis also said it is targeting improvements to quality even before this new platform gets underway. “If we do the right things earlier in the program, that means that when we get closer to launch we’ll have fewer problems,” Stellantis propulsion systems testing and analysis lead Mark Christie told Auto News.  “The product life target for powertrain components is 10 years and 150,000 miles (about 240,00km).”The brand is plotting the launch of 23 new and updated models in the next four years across its portfolio. It has been a turbulent time for Stellantis in recent years with the departure of Chief Executive Officer Carlos Tavares and subsequent appointment of Antonio Filosa.The brand reported a $37 billion net loss earlier this year.Reports indicate focus will shift to Fiat, Jeep, Peugeot and Ram, but other brands in the group will benefit from the technology acquired.Peugeot recently unveiled its all-new E-208 GTI fully-electric hot hatch in what will be an early test for Stellantis' change of direction.  

There is a tough new three-row plug-in hybrid SUV from China that could be headed to Australia.The Jetour G700 has been teased by on social media ahead of its appearance at the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Shaw. The Jetour brand has already been confirmed for Australia and is scheduled to arrive early next year, but there is no news yet on whether the G700 will be one of its models at launch.Jetour will not fall under the Chery name in Australia, despite being a sub-brand, and will be its own operation.The G700 will be available in right-hand drive for Malaysia, which increases its chances for Australia in the future.It would line up against the Denza B8 ($91,000, before on-road costs) and GWM Tank 500 ($79,000, drive-away) plug-in hybrid 4WDs.It would also tackle more established 4WDs, the Nissan Patrol and Toyota LandCruiser.It is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and electric-motor set-up, producing a whopping 665kW and 1135Nm, so it can shift from 0-100km/h in less than five seconds. There is a 34kWh battery, with an electric-only driving range of 150km, according to more lenient CLTC standards. With a fully-charged battery and brimmed tank, total driving range sits at 1148km on more accurate WLTP standards. DC charging at 170kW takes just 10 minutes for a 30 to 80 per cent boost.The G700 has an overall boxy look, including a rectangular-encased headlight design and flat roofline. The car gets a suite of high-end luxury features, simialr to other Chinese large SUVs. On the inside, there is a panoramic dashboard display measuring at 35.4-inches, along with a 15.6-inch central touchscreen. A 17.3-inch rear screen folds out from the roof for rear passenger entertainment, while an 8.8-inch touchscreen controls the climate.The G700 is priced in China from just under the equivalent of $70,000, but expect it to be more than the $80,000 mark if it comes Down Under, which will put it in close proximity to other rivals. 

China’s latest budget SUV has just been priced in Australia and it will come with one key difference to some of its hugely popular rivals. The Leapmotor B10 Hybrid will start from $37,888 (before on-road costs), with the top grade costing an extra $3000. This makes it the same price as the fully-electric version of the B10 already on sale Down Under.The B10 is on the larger end of the small SUVs segment, shaping up bigger than the Hyundai Kona and Toyota Corolla Cross. It will be a more direct competitor to other Chinese rivals like the electric-powered BYD Atto 3 ($39,990) and plug-in hybrid Jaecoo J7 ($43,990).Leapmotor is labelling the B10 as a hybrid, but is more akin to a range-extender set-up, representing a point of difference to key competition.Its 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is solely responsible for charging the battery powering the electric motor.A single electric motor drives the rear wheels and produces 160kW and 240Nm, eclipsing many of its competitors in the small SUV segment.This means it can shift from 0-100km/h in less than eight seconds, going on to a top speed of 170km/h.Its 19kWh battery offers an electric-only driving range of 84km, and when the battery is fully charged, fuel efficiency sits at 0.9L/100km. The range-extender B10 has a total driving range of up to 900km, according to WLTP standards. A DC fast charge at 46kW takes 20 minutes to charge from 30 to 80 per cent. The car’s interior features a 14.6-inch central touchscreen and 8.8-inch digital driver display, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Elsewhere in the cabin, there is a wireless phone charger, along with a fixed panoramic glass roof and electric sunshade. The top-spec grade seats are wrapped in synthetic leather. Both front seats have heating, ventilation with electric operation. It also comes with a heated steering wheel, 12-speaker audio system and power tailgate. The B10 comes with plenty of safety gear, such as a 360-degree camera, rear parking sensors. 2027 Leapmotor B10 range-extender pricing Australia  

Europe’s latest luxury EV comes with a seriously huge driving range.The new BMW 7 Series will start from $277,900 (before on-road costs) for the six-cylinder petrol variant, while the EV starts from $306,900. This means the petrol variant is now $5000 more than its previous model, with the i7 price remaining the same, despite the range-topping version of the car being discontinued.The 7 Series will continue to rival the petrol-powered Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the fully-electric EQS.The S-Class starts from a cheaper price point than the 7 Series starting at $244,700, with EQS EV starting at $219,900.BMW's twin-turbo six-cylinder engine produces 294kW and 580Nm, and also features a mild-hybrid system. Acceleration from 0-100km/h takes 5.4 seconds, with a top speed of 250km. There are dual electric motors in the electric variant, boosting power to 400kW and 745Nm and improving the 0-100km/h time to under five seconds, despite a marginally lower top speed.Its whopping 113kWh battery offers a driving range of up to 727km, according to WLTP standards.DC charging from 10 to 80 per cent takes under half-an-hour, with 235km of range able to be added in just 10 minutes. The 7 Series gets plenty of high-end luxury features as standard, including a panoramic glass roof and a heated steering wheel. There is also a BMW’s 3D head-up display, spanning the length of the dashboard and automatic air conditioning.Seats come with massage function in both the front and rear seats, along with heating functionality for front and rear outer seats. The i7 adds larger wheels and automatic doors. The new 7 Series will launch in Australia in the fourth quarter of this year. 2026 BMW 7-Series pricing Australia  

China’s latest luxe SUV has put up some crazy order numbers in China, following a flying start to life as it gears up for Australia.The XPeng GX now has a waiting list extending until February next year in China. It comes after the brand experienced a serious surge in orders since its official launch two weeks ago, including nearly 25,000 pre-orders within the first 12 hours.The GX remains a strong prospect for Australia, but a spokesperson for XPeng Australia told CarsGuide recently dates were yet to be locked in for this model. XPeng's Australian plans remain unclear at this stage due to the ongoing legal action with the brand's Aussie distributor TrueEV.XPeng Australia recently confirmed it has appointed dealers, opening locations in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, as it seeks to build for the "long-term in Australia", according to a spokesperson.The GX is likely to hit Aussie showrooms later on in 2027, with XPeng's current focus being on the X9 people mover and updated G6 SUV.It shapes up as a rival to other high-end luxury SUVs for the Chinese market such as BYD’s Great Tang. In Australia, it would tackle Range Rover and the incoming Zeekr 9X.It is priced from the equivalent of more than $70,000 in China, but expect a decent bump on that figure Down Under. The car is available in China with range-extender and fully-electric set-ups. The range-extender variant has a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and dual electric motors, producing 370kW, while EV versions have either one or two motors, pumping out up to 430kW. Total driving range with the range-extender is nearly 1600km, including 430km of fully-electric range, but this is according to more lenient CLTC figures.The EV has between 665km and 750km of driving range depending on the variant, also on CLTC. The most popular variant of the GX so far has been the range-topping ‘Ultra’, offering a 33-speaker sound system and a 21.4-inch entertainment screen. The GX is one of many new ultra luxury large SUVs hitting the Chinese market, in what has become a high-demand segment.XPeng said it is making efforts to increase production capacity and bring down wait times.