Articles by Tim Gibson

Latest sales data shows buyers now prefer cheap EVs to budget petrol hatchbacks in Australia. More affordable EV models have hit the Aussie market in the last year, with Chinese brands putting forward competitive propositions. Cheap petrol-powered hatchbacks the Mazda2 and Toyota Yaris used to be staples for first-car buyers, but it looks like that's starting to change. The electric-only BYD Atto 1 and Geely EX2 are affordable routes into the electric car market for buyers, and its showing on the sales charts in 2026. The petrol- and hybrid-powered MG3 is the best-selling light car in Australia this year, but it's attracting competition from electric Chinese rivals.  The Geely EX2 has had a bumper start to life in Australia since it went on sale in late July 2026. It's approaching nearly 2000 examples sold in a little over a month, compared to the MG3’s roughly 5500 across the year so far. In August alone, the EX2 held nearly 38 per cent of the market share in the light car segment.  It was close to doubling the MG3’s August total, while it was confidently ahead of the petrol-only Mazda2.  Its success is in part due to the fulfilment of extensive pre-orders. Geely's Director of Product Planning and Marketing Andrew Tuitahi recently told CarsGuide small EVs like the EX2 were showing promising signs of reigniting interest in the light car segment. “So a lot of the compromises that you typically make if you were going to buy a b-segment or a light hatchback - things like drivetrain, power, performance, safety, style, you know, space - a lot of those things are solved with a battery electric platform," Tuitahi said. “So I think consumers are able to prioritise maybe some features by sacrificing a segment, but still getting that same space.” It’s not just EX2 that is shaking up the established affordable car segment.  The BYD Atto 1 is still the cheapest electric car on sale in Australia, and owns nearly 20 per cent of the light car segment in 2026 so far.  The Atto 1 and EX2’s rise has been at the expense of its petrol competition. The MG3’s August represented a more than 80 per cent increase on July, but it was still a way off the EX2.  Its sales so far in 2026 are down nearly 11 per cent compared to August 2025.  The Toyota Yaris hybrid has experienced a near 30 per cent decline year-to-date in Australia The new wave of affordable EVs are also beating its petrol competitors on price.  Buyers may have previously felt priced out by the extra money an EV cost, but the tides are turning. The Atto 1’s $23,990 price tag undercuts the Mazda2 ($27,290) and Toyota Yaris ($29,190), all before on-roads. In addition to fast and cheap EV production cycles from China, brands must contend with fines for petrol-powered models under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES). Mazda increased the price of its entire range, including the Mazda2 earlier this year, while the Toyota Yaris became a hybrid-only model in 2024, ditching cheaper petrol variants.  MG is currently offering the MG3 with a $19,990 drive-away deal, with it previously available from $21,990.  If buyers want a hybrid variant of the MG3, it costs an extra roughly $8000, making it more expensive than the fully-electric Atto 1 and EX2.   

A new Toyota RAV4 rival has just broken cover in China.  The Nissan NX7 has been revealed in Chinese government filings as a new plug-in hybrid five-seat mid-size SUV.  It will take on hybrid family SUV favourites the BYD Sealion 6 and Toyota RAV4, as well as the petrol-only Mazda CX-5.  The car will launch in the fourth quarter of 2026, according to a report in Auto News.  The NX7 is one of 10 new Nissan models to be revealed by 2027 from its Chinese partnership with Dongfeng.     Chinese government filings reveal the NX7 will be powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine producing 73kW, paired with a 170kW electric motor.  It's equipped with a 41kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery, offering an electric driving range of 225km, according to more generous CLTC standards.  There are limited specification details available at this stage, but it will have semi-hidden door handles and ride on either 18-inch or 19-inch wheels.  It is a size up on the Toyota RAV4, boasting dimensions of 4785mm long, 1920mm wide, 1660mm tall, with a 2815mm wheelbase. The NX7 poses in a sporty stance, with a covert rear spoiler and sharp creases on the bonnet. Its exterior design incorporates boxy elements, while still having rounded features for an imposing look overall.  Nissan’s Australian branch has not officially confirmed any details about the Nissan NX7’s future Down Under.  The local branch has been contacted for comment to see if the NX7 will launch here. The car has not been confirmed for any export markets at this stage and will only be sold in China for now.  Some of Nissan’s other Dongfeng partnership models have already been earmarked for an Australian introduction. The Nissan Frontier Pro PHEV ute, expected to be called the Navara Pro in Australia, should arrive in 2027, with the larger NX8 SUV also on the cards.  The NX7 would provide a cheaper hybrid alternative to the Ariya electric SUV that starts from $49,990, drive-away currently. 

Xiaomi could be one step closer to Australian buyers. The extremely popular Chinese technology brand will begin selling cars in Europe from 2027, according to reports. Xiaomi’s SU7 electric sedan put the brand on the map. Its second-generation SU7 shifted 15,000 units in only 34 minutes in a complete sell out in March 2026. Xiaomi also sells a YU7 SUV that has given the world’s best-selling EV, the Tesla Model Y, a run for its money in China. The SU7 has garnered praise from around the world, including Ford CEO Jim Farley, who said in late 2024 that Xiaomi was an industry juggernaut much stronger than many car companies. The SU7 directly rivals the Porsche Taycan, along with the Tesla Model 3 and Chinese rival the Geely Galaxy TT, while the YU7 squares up to the Tesla Model Y and other performance-pitched SUVs. Xiaomi will first sell cars in Germany in 2027, before targeting other European markets as it expands its presence outside of China for the first time. Xiaomi will initially partner with eight dealer groups that have an established presence in European new car sales.  The brand has signed non-binding memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with these dealers, which will see them responsible for sales and servicing for Xiaomi cars. Xiaomi won't build its cars in Europe, and will import directly from China, leaving it exposed to hefty electric car tariffs from the European Union.   Xiaomi will import its entire ecosystem to Europe, made up of smartphones, smart-home products and electric cars. The plan is for a buyer’s car, home and phone to all seamlessly connect through Xiaomi’s technology. It is unclear where Xiaomi will take its cars next. Germany is a left-hand drive market like China, making it an easier transition for the brand.  This means Xiaomi cars will not be available in right-hand drive, ruling out an Australian launch for now.   This doesn’t mean the brand won’t consider Australia down the line. The Australian market that has proven fruitful for key Xiaomi rival Zeekr, with the latter surging up the sales charts here.  Xiaomi’s Chief Marketing Officer Xu Fei said at the IFA Berlin technology showcase in early September that Europe is a key market for the brand’s global strategy.  Vice President of Xiaomi Auto and Head International Auto Business Yu Liguo also said Germany was just the beginning for the brand in Europe. “The ambition extends beyond a limited European launch,” he said.   “We hope that one day Xiaomi will be mentioned alongside Germany’s major automakers.” These ambitions could include the United Kingdom in the future, another right-hand drive market, and that would drastically improve Xiaomi’s chances of launching in Australia.  Xiaomi’s global division has been contacted for comment to see if the brand’s cars will launch in Australia and if so when that might be. 

Ford’s two biggest names in Australia suffered huge sales declines in August 2026.  The Ford Ranger sold just 2440 examples across two-wheel and four-wheel drive variants, equating to a more than 50 per cent drop compared to August 2025.  This exacerbates an already challenging year for Australia's best-selling vehicle in 2025. It has sold 32,796 units so far in 2026 compared to 37,183 in 2025 - a near 12 per cent overall drop. Ford said it's a blip on the radar. The Blue Oval was forced to recall almost 14,000 Ranger examples built between November 2025 and July 2026 last month due to a potentially fault airbag. The brand held back deliveries of some of its vehicles to have the issue rectified, contributing to lower figures in August. A spokesperson for Ford Australia said its sales result in August heavily impacted by the temporary delivery and demonstration hold placed on some Ranger dual-cab variants as part of the airbag recall. "The hold prevented Ranger Double Cab vehicles in dealer stock from being delivered during August," they said. "As a result, Ford’s reported monthly volume was approximately 30% lower than anticipated for the month. "The August figure primarily reflects the delayed timing of Ranger deliveries rather than a material change in customer demand." Ford’s Everest large SUV also had a tough August 2026, and was down almost 25 per cent compared to July 2026.  Everest has had an even more steep decline on year-to-date data, with a more than 14 per cent drop up to August 2026. The Ranger has been a staple of the best-selling car charts over the past few years, consistently winning out in a tight wrestling match with the Toyota HiLux.  August 2026 marked one of few occasions where the HiLux outsold the Ranger - and it has done so by some margin.  The HiLux more than doubled the Ranger’s sales in August, registering 4833 units, having also toppled the Blue Oval’s ute in June, but by a smaller gap.  Diesel ute sales are expected to only slow from here, so the Ranger will face a serious challenge to reclaim its place at the top of the charts in Australia.   Increasingly stringent emissions regulations and the ongoing fuel price increases are having a material impact on the future of diesel utes in Australia, like the Ranger. The BYD Shark 6 plug-in hybrid was one of the only utes to experience a meaningful upturn in sales last month, with a near 10 per cent increase.  Electrified utes like the Shark 6 have been eating into the sales of established diesel competition like the Ranger since it went on sale in late 2024.  Ford sells a PHEV variant of its Ranger in Australia, and the local brand has been contacted to see how many units it sells compared to its diesel sibling.  As emissions regulations continue to squeeze big CO2-emitting vehicles like the diesel Ranger out of the market, more hybrid and electric utes have entered the fray.  New options include: KGM’s Musso is available as a fully-electric ute Toyota offers an electric variant of the HiLux, mainly to fleet buyers GWM's Cannon Alpha is offered with a PHEV set-up JAC recently introduced its Hunter PHEV ute that will rival the BYD Shark 6 The pair are soon to be joined by the Stockman diesel PHEV from Chery It's not just Ranger that is facing more tough competition in Australia. The Everest must contend with a raft of new Chinese competition, including the GWM Tank 500 available in conventional hybrid, PHEV and diesel forms.

Aussie EV owners could soon be facing a battery crisis. The world’s biggest battery maker CATL has warned shortened vehicle-development and validation cycles are leading to wide-scale electric car battery failures, according to reports.  CATL Chairman Robert Zeng said China’s battery defect tolerances are too lenient for high-volume Chinese EV production.  Chinese carmakers have launched more than 600 new vehicle models this year already, equating to almost three new EVs every day. Potentially rushed development processes could spell trouble for EV buyers down the line.   CATL is calling for defect tolerances to only allow for up to 1000 defective cells for every one billion cells manufactured. Defective electric car batteries don't just stop a car from driving, but they can also give rise to other safety issues. The Chinese GAC Aion S was involved in a “banana battery” swelling issue in mid-2026, impacting 213,000 lithium-iron-phosphate examples, where batteries were physically bending. Australian GAC Aion vehicles use a different battery. This led to cell leakage, insulation faults and power system shutdowns while driving.  Supplier CALB was forced to implement extensive quality reforms and inspection measures as a result of the controversy. It doesn’t take much for an EV battery to stop working, according to Zeng, who said packs are only as reliable as the weakest component.  Just one defective cell can be detrimental to the performance and safety of the whole pack.  There was a high-profile compensation claim from Geely subsidiary Viridi in early 2026, where it sued battery maker Sunwoda for 2.31 billion yuan for defective cells supplied from 2021 to 2023 The pair eventually settled for 608 million yuan.  EV battery reforms are on the agenda in Australia.  A recent report from the Australian Automotive Dealer Network (AADA) called for serious changes to rules around EV battery replacements. The report warned of a “wave of litigation" when EV batteries need replacement outside of the warranty period because their cost could exceed the vehicle’s remaining value.  One particular dealer said Chinese-built cars are “not holding their charge” or are “blowing up on fire”. It puts forward that manufacturers should be required to define acceptable battery thresholds or disclose the expected degrading of a unit.  If a battery holds at least 70 per cent of its charge after eight years, it would be considered to be performing at an acceptable level, for example. 

This is the real danger of utes and SUVs. For the longest time, sedans were the dominant player of the car market and held the majority of sales. Over the past 15 years though, the SUV revolution has been in full swing across the world, taking over from those sedans and hatches that previously dominated the sales charts. SUVs have higher bonnets than regular cars, making it more difficult for drivers to see over the top of, and presenting more deadly consequences for pedestrians when they get hit. When a pedestrian is hit by a vehicle with a lower bonnet, they often roll onto the top of the car. But, on vehicles with raised bonnets like SUVs and utes, pedestrians go under the vehicle, according to research conducted by The New York Times. SUVs and utes are by far the most popular cars in Australia, and research like this is not going ignored. Put simply: Bonnets are getting taller, increasing the danger to pedestrians. The study found that since 2009, the number of pedestrian deaths each year in collisions with vehciles has increased by an enormous 75 per cent.  Between 200 and 400 pedestrians a year would have been spared if vehicles had stayed the same height, according to findings from the study. This is despite significant increases in on-board safety systems and software, with safety groups now placing significant emphasis on preventing accidents and not just how cars perform for occupants in crashes with other vehicles or stationary objects. As the top 10 best-selling cars in Australia are all either SUVs or utes, and this is something the local car safety watchdog is paying attention to.  The Australasian New Car Assessment Programme (ANCAP) weighed in on the dangers of large pick-ups last year. “Larger vehicles pose a bigger threat to other road users than passenger cars,” ANCAP Chief Executive Officer Carla Hoorweg said.  “The best way to reduce the potential risk of fatalities and serious injuries from large vehicles is to make sure they do the best possible job at avoiding a crash. “There is community concern over the size of pickups when they are driving in suburban streets, around schools, and in built-up areas.” A spokesperson for ANCAP told CarsGuide the organisation would consider bonnet heights more closely as part of its safety comparison testing in the future. Transport for NSW have been contacted for comment on bonnet height and their impact on pedestrian safety, but has yet to provide a response.

EVs are more than just cars in Australia. They can charge devices, power houses and even earn their owners money, as Australia's energy grid undergoes a once-in-a-generation transformation. Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) is the final step to fully unlock this potential for electric cars Down Under. V2G is a type of bi-directional charging, a technology that comprises vehicle-to-load (V2L), vehicle-to-home (V2H) and V2G. It allows an electric car to use its battery to send its power back into the energy grid, rather than just power external devices, or charge home batteries. V2G allows owners to charge up their EVs at cheaper times and sell it back to the electricity grid at more expensive times. Rooftop solar, of which Australia has some of the highest uptake in the world, can also be used to charge an EV effectively for free and transfer the stored electricity to the grid for pure profit, especially when an abundance of sunlight has home battery systems fully charged. V2G is not far away in Australia, but there remains roadblocks to its full-scale uptake.  Many car manufacturer warranties do not support V2G use as they do not cover battery damage caused by third-party set-ups. Rapidly transferring energy on incompatible vehicles can cause substantial wear on the battery and cause other safety issues.  There is also debate about which safety protocols V2G should abide by in Australia as the tech faces regulatory hurdles. The latest ISO 15118-20 protocol is deemed safer than the original ISO 15118-2 for example, but it will need longer to be fully implemented in Australia. Manufacturers are starting to alter their warranties and are undergoing extensive trials for the technology with electricity providers.  We are likely to see a full-scale uptake of V2G in Australia within the next couple of years, as regulatory approvals and car warranties catch up, but there is still work to do to make them safer and more efficient.  Hyundai and Kia are expected to prepare major announcements for the tech within the next few months. Some models already on sale with V2G capability may be able to use the technology via a software, such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5, but it is unclear exactly which models will be eligible. The federal government has shown a keen interest in V2G as part of its energy policy and has recently committed substantial investment towards establishing a network through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) which currently helps to fund other EV technologies like public DC fast chargers.

Toyota has updated its smash-hit Crown hybrid in Japan.  The Crown is one of the best-selling cars in Japan outside of the dominant Kei car segment.  The Crown name cover a versatile line-up, available as a crossover, SUV, sedan and estate.  It has launched as a crossover, with sport and sedan variants joining later in September followed by the estate towards the end of 2026.  The Crown Crossover is generally bigger than the Camry and is positioned as a premium choice in the market. Crossover variants start from around 5.2 million yen, which is about $46,000, while the sedan starts from 6.2 million yen, the equivalent of less than $60,000.   Crossover variants now receive red-coloured brake callipers, a dimpled leather gear shifter and a dimpled leather steering wheel. The steering wheel is heated and has touch-sensing functionality, and now features new paddle shifters.   The sedan’s interior now has the option of a 13.2-inch OLED rear-seat display and 10-speaker premium sound system.  Sport SUV variants have an updated interior trim that features new grey ditching and black switch surrounds for a slick feel inside.  The Crown's interior also features a 12.3-inch digital driver display and 12.3-inch central touchscreen.   The Toyota Crown is available with two conventional hybrid set-ups and a plug-in hybrid one in Japan. Hybrid set-ups for the Crossover include a 2.4-litre turbo-petrol engine and dual electric motor set-up, producing 254kW and 460Nm in all-wheel drive, as well as a 2.5-litre petrol electric motor unit, making 172kW and 221Nm in front-wheel drive.  Toyota also offers a plug-in hybrid set-up in the Crown SUV spin-off that pairs a 2.5-litre petrol engine with two electric motors to offer a total system output of 225kW.    Plenty of Toyota Crown examples are brought into Australia via grey importers, but its popularity has not been enough for the Japanese brand to consider offering it officially.  Its luxury-pitched position would see it fall into direct competition with Lexus in Australia - Toyota’s own premium brand. The company's executives have previously poured cold water on the idea of the Crown range launching locally.  "It's a beautiful car but it gets back to what's suitable for our market,” former Toyota Australia Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Sean Hanley told CarsGuide in late 2023.   “We'd love to have everything, but it rationalises down to what services our customers better, and the commercial realities, too.” Sedans and to a degree station wagons are making a small comeback in Australia, with many Chinese automakers looking to exploit an increasingly ignored part of the market. New options coming soon for the mid-size wagon and sedan space include the Mazda 6e and Geely Emgrand, while Zeekr is set to offer its sporty electric 7GT wagon before the end of the year. BYD has already made an impact in the segment with its Seal 6 plug-in hybrid, while the Tesla Model 3 is largely credited with keeping interest in the bodystyle alive for many years, albeit in fully electric form. Whether these shifts in the market could make Toyota think twice about the Crown’s future Down Under remains to be seen.

A new affordable electric SUV is one step closer to Aussie buyers. Lepas has announced initial details for the L6 mid-size SUV that will land in showrooms in October 2026. The L6 will be Lepas’ first model put on sale, joining Chery, Jaecoo and Omoda under the Chery Group umbrella. These details come after a delayed Australian arrival for Lepas, with the brand originally supposed to launch in mid-2026. The L6 will be officially revealed at the Everything Electric event in Sydney on the 18th of September. It will rival other affordable mid-sizers, including the smaller BYD Atto 3 Evo and the strong-selling Geely EX5 that both start from $41,990, before on-road costs. The Lepas brand targets lifestyle-focused buyers, boasting a more Euro-influenced design, differing from Chery, Jaecoo and Omoda. The L6 rides on Lepas’ new LEX platform that can support electric and plug-in hybrid variants, with the L6 PHEV expected to land in Australia in 2027. The electric L6 will be powered by a single front-mounted electric motor, producing 160kW and 275Nm. The L6 will only launch in Australia in front-wheel drive, and there are no confirmed plans for an all-wheel drive variant to arrive in the future. It will be equipped with a 65kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery, offering 440km of driving range, according to WLTP standards. It is capable of DC charging from 30 to 80 per cent in 22 minutes. The cabin’s interior features a 13.2-inch central touchscreen and an 8.88-inch digital driver display, along with an eight-speaker Sony sound system. It comes as standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a 50W wireless phone charger. Seats are wrapped in a synthetic leather, with the front ones heated and ventilated. There is a panoramic sunroof, with a slide and title function and a powered sunshade to compliment 19-inch alloy wheels. Lepas will reveal official pricing closer to the car’s launch. Buyers can expect it to be competitive with the $41,990 price tag of the Atto 3 and the EX5. The similarly-sized Jaecoo J7 PHEV starts from $43,990 (drive-away), so the L6 is likely to be more expensive, but still slip under the $50,000 mark.

This Mercedes-Benz SUV just got cheaper in Australia. Mercedes-Benz announced pricing and specifications for the new GLB compact SUV with a price cut of more than $2000 over the outgoing model. It now starts from $65,400 instead of $67,600, before on-road costs for the petrol-powered GLB200. All-wheel-drive power costs more than $10,000 extra, starting from $76,100.  The German giant has also introduced a fully electric GLB for the first time Down Under, starting from $74,990, with the range-topping variant starting from $86,200. The mild hybrid petrol version is still more expensive than the Audi Q3 ($61,600), but is now cheaper than the BMW X1 ($67,500). The new Mercedes-Benz GLB is available in Australian dealerships from today.  Petrol variants employ a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and mild hybrid set-up that produces up to 140kW and 300Nm. Both front-wheel and rear-wheel-drive variants have an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The base FWD variant rides on 19-inch alloy wheels, while all other examples feature 20-inch AMG wheels.  Electric variants have a single motor, producing 200kW/335Nm in FWD or 260kW/515Nm in AWD.  Acceleration from 0-100km can be as fast as 5.5 seconds in the AWD.  Electric GLBs are equipped with an 85kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery, offering a driving range of up to 626km in the FWD or 609km in the AWD, both according to WLTP standards. The electric GLB uses an 800-volt platform, so it can DC charge at 320kW and add up to 260km of range in only 10 minutes.  Inside, there is a 10.25-inch digital driver display and 14.0-inch central touchscreen, with an optional 14.0-inch front passenger display, costing an extra $4000 as part of the Premium Plus pack.  Mercedes-Benz also reintroduced physical buttons for key interior functions like audio and climate control to increase functionality and practicality in response to customer feedback.