Articles by Tim Nicholson

One of the most important models in Mitsubishi’s long history is drawing closer.

Rumours of Polestar’s demise are premature, according to the company’s global boss.Polestar’s recent financial results included some sobering details, including a billion-dollar loss that had some commentators questioning the long-term viability of the Geely Group-owned marque.But Polestar CEO Michael Lohscheller put a positive spin on the results and said the reason for the massive financial loss was a result of the Chinese-built Polestar 3 no longer being able to be sold in the United States due to tariffs.“The reality is, there was a lot of very good financial news in the H1 results. Why do I say that? First of all, volume was up 51 per cent. Revenue was up 56 per cent. For the first time in the history of Polestar, we achieved a positive operating gross margin. Costs are coming down, and EBITDA losses are also reducing. So all operational indicators show in the right direction and we do the right things,” he explained.“Truth is, we had to impair the Polestar 3 very much driven by the US situation, and that's obviously a one-time impact we had to book. And that's why you get then the headlines like, hey, the losses are big. But I think if you split the story in the two pieces, operational performance is good. We do the right things, and that's the encouraging piece.”Lohscheller said Polestar has put in place some strategies to further protect itself from the Trump Administration's 100 per cent tariff on electric cars made in China, starting with manufacturing for the upcoming Polestar 7 compact SUV.“We will produce this car here in Europe in a Volvo plant in Slovakia, so it's close by. And of course, that makes a tonne of sense, because the majority of our volume is in Europe. Then we don't have to ship the cars around the world. The tariff problem is also then not there. Because you produce locally here in Europe, and then this will make life much easier,” he said.“We also want to go into segments which are bigger, right? So compact SUV segment is quite big, so we do the right things on that side too. And that helps us. At the same time, we have certain flexibility. We use also the Volvo plant in North America. We also use a factory of Renault and Geely in South Korea. And obviously we have the Chinese plant, right? So we have some flexibility, which I think is a very big competitive advantage too.”Sustainability is at the core of Polestar’s brand image and it has talked up transparency with annual public reporting of the sourcing and impacts of its supply chain and manufacturing facilities.Lohscheller said that laser focus on sustainability and transparency did not slow down model development, and in fact, it has resulted in positive outcomes for the company.“No, not at all. I think… it actually makes things easier, because we know that we have to go this way, right? So when we set up new factories, for example, or use factories of our partners, renewable energy is of highest importance. So I think it makes things a little easier, actually. And then the question is, okay, how can you translate that into also economic efficiency? But I think this direction makes it actually easier for us.”

BMW has revealed the look of all of its future models with the iX3, but don’t expect every new BMW to look the same from here out.

Believe it or not, we’re now three quarters of the way through 2025. Where did the year go?

Polestar is set to buck the trend of buttonless minimalist interior design with its next-generation models.

The rapid rise and increasing threat of Chinese automakers did not accelerate BMW’s development of its next-generation Neue Klasse vehicle architecture, according to a key executive.The German giant acknowledges the increasing presence of China in the global new-car market, but the advanced vehicle architecture was well under way by the time Chinese brands like BYD experienced growth in Europe.BMW Board Member for Development, Joachim Post, talked up BMW’s reputation for innovation in the face of a rising China.“At that time, I believe China was not the main reason to do that. We are coming from innovation, from technology, to say what is coming up for the future, what could be feasible, how we can be successful. Because we are BMW. We stand for innovation, for features, for functions,” he said.“The second point is, for sure, we have seen that technology development, especially in China, go a fast speed. And to be successful also in that market, technology integration is very important. It's a competitive market. And there are some cars from China coming up which are good cars, which, let's say, it is good that we have made a decision to be on the technology jump and to be prepared for that.“And let me say I won't be in a situation like others, to be not prepared in that matter for the whole fleet like some others are.”China is BMW’s largest market by volume with total sales equalling between 20 and 30 per cent of the Group’s total sales spending on the year. It is a bigger market than the US and Germany.Post denied that Chinese carmakers presented an existential threat to BMW, and compared the country’s rise to that of Korean brands decades earlier.“Looking a lot of years ago in Europe, where the Korean brands came to Europe, same discussion. And finally, to be competitive in the market, to have attractive product, attractive features, functions… and have heritage on a brand is important, and we will see what's coming up.“The Chinese are going abroad, especially Asia. They will also come to Europe. But to be honest, they also have to earn money for the future. And when you look at what's going on in the Chinese market, not all of them are really earning money. And they have a reality when they come to Europe… and we will see what's coming.”At the same iX3 reveal event, BMW Board Member for Production, Milan Nedeljkovic, highlighted the differences in cost between manufacturing in China compared with Europe.“It has four or five relevant factors, which make economic difference between Europe and China. One, of course, is the cost level of salaries and people in fact, but more significant is even the price of energy. So how much do we pay for energy and secure price levels for long-term investment in salaries?“Secondly, it's access to raw materials and to refined raw materials. It's not about the mining. It's about refining. And China has significant capacities in refining raw materials. So to bring these raw materials back to Europe is rather ineffective, instead of getting it manufactured in China and having to finish it. So there are some advantages, which China has, and you can see it in the competitiveness of China when it comes to electric mobility in the pricing.“Nevertheless, at the same time, there are investments in Europe, also from Chinese companies and others, which show that if you want to be successful in the market, you must be in the market. It's not about import/export. It's about being part of the ecosystem of a region. That's why we have our footprint worldwide, and that's why all the other global players have a diverse manufacturing system to cover the main regions.”BMW Group has four main factories in China with its domestic partner, Brilliance, and one of the facilities - Dadong - was the company’s most production plant in 2023.

BYD’s aggressive growth strategy is set to ramp up considerably before the end of the year with confirmation of four new models to launch.The four new models are no huge surprise with CarsGuide reporting earlier this year the likely arrival of each of them.The biggest news in BYD’s confirmation is the Atto 1, which is better known as the Seagull in China and the Dolphin Surf in the UK.This fully electric light hatchback will be the cheapest EV in Australia, according to BYD Australia COO Stephen Collins.“When it comes to the Atto range, start believing the hype,” he said.“The Atto 1 will be Australia’s most affordable EV by some margin, opening the door for even more Australians to get behind the wheel of their own new energy vehicle.“As we’ve seen with those incredible sales numbers overseas, we expect really strong pre-order interest locally.”BYD already has bragging rights as offering the cheapest EV on sale in Australia with the entry grade Dolphin Essential from $29,990 before on-road costs. The GWM Ora is the second cheapest at $35,990 drive-away.That means the Atto 1 will likely come in at around $25,000 before on-roads.BYD is yet to confirm full specification, powertrain details or pricing, but expect that information to be revealed closer to each model’s respective launch.The version of the Atto 1 that's coming to Australia is expected to be more closely related to the European and UK-spec Dolphin Surf as it more closely aligns with Australian Design Rules (ADR) compared with the China-market Seagull.The Atto 1 will launch in November alongside the larger Atto 2 electric small SUV. The Atto 2 model will compete directly with the MG S5, Chery E5, Kia EV3 and Hyundai Kona Electric, but it is expected to undercut the price of the Kia and Hyundai.Further up the model range, BYD will add to its family SUV stable that already includes the Sealion 6 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and the Sealion 7 EV, with the Sealion 5 and 8 PHEVs.The Sealion 5 is a five-seat mid-size SUV and at 4735mm long, 1860mm wide and 1710mm tall, it’s longer, has a longer wheelbase, but is shorter and lower than a Mitsubishi Outlander.In China, the Sealion 5 is powered by BYD’s 'DM-i' (dual mode - intelligent) plug-in hybrid set-up which combines a 74kW 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a 120kW permanent magnet synchronous electric motor. It uses an electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT) driving the front wheels. Depending on the battery size it offers up to 115km of electric driving range.The Sealion 8 is larger than the 5 and it comes standard with seven seats, making it BYD’s first three-row model in Australia. This is also a plug-in hybrid model and it will sit above the Sealion 6 and 7 in the expanding line-up.It will likely compete with other seven-seaters like the Chery Tiggo 8, Kia Sorento and Mazda CX-80 PHEVs.Timing for the Sealion 5 and 8 is not locked in but if it's not before the end of 2025 it will be early 2026.The BYD new model bonanza follows last week’s official confirmation that BYD’s premium Denza brand will launch before the end of the year. Denza - a Lexus and Genesis rival - will launch with the B5 and B8 premium plug-in hybrid off-roaders. In China these models fall under the Fanchengbao brand.Denza will eventually source models for Australia like the D9 people mover, N9 upper-large SUV and Z9 GT four-door coupe from the Denza stable, but it will also cherry pick from Fanchengbao and BYD’s upper premium brand, Yangwang. The latter includes the wild U8 off-roader and the potent U9 electric supercar, known for its ‘jump’ function.

BMW is preparing for the next generation of M high-performance models, with the brand looking to satisfy both traditionalists and electric vehicle fans.Currently, full-fat M models remain internal combustion engine (ICE) models with some electrification, as is the case with plug-in hybrids the new M5 and the XM SUV.But the Bavarian brand wants to cover its bases with future M and M Performance models. BMW has just rolled out the first model from its Neue Klasse (New Class) group of models, the iX3.These models feature high-tech computers dubbed ‘Superbrains’, a new level of connectivity and digital features, and in the case of the iX3 SUV and incoming i3 sedan, full electrification.According to Head of BMW Neue Klasse, Mike Reichelt, the carmaker is readying a two-powertrain strategy for its future M cars.“We prepare for the first M model of the Neue Klasse, but we know … there are many customers will love the M3 ICE, and maybe there are two offers,” he said.BMW will launch the next Neue Klasse model, the all-electric i3 sedan, in 2026, and it will precede the ICE version of the next-generation 3 Series.The company also previewed an electric M3 with the BMW Vision Driving Experience concept from this year’s Shanghai motor show.With the iX3 launching in Australia in 2026, it’s expected that a performance focussed M version will follow, however BMW is yet to officially confirm it.When asked if BMW X3 owners are as passionate about ICE powertrains as M3 drivers, Reichelt said:“Maybe they feel today, no, but I'm absolutely sure when they drive the first M model of a Neue Klasse with a ‘Heart of Joy', with four engines on every wheel, and this power, they will love . But then we have customers, who love to drive ICE and more, it's okay, then we get an M3 with an ice engine.”Reichelt would not be drawn on an iX3 M, but said given the massive change with Neue Klasse models, and common parts, it would make sense.“When we go on the M side in such a big step, and we have such a high number of common parts communality, it has a logic to say we have the technology, we have the cars, we combine it. But I can't… confirm it today, but it has a logic way.”Meanwhile, BMW Board Member for Development, Joachim Post, said it was “feasible” to spin off a two-door sportscar from the Neue Klasse architecture.“The philosophy of BMW also has been in the past to, we say ‘baukasten’. That means that we have communal parts for different types of cars in different segments. Electronics control units, for example, a battery cell, all these things are the same, but integrated in a different package.“So for us as BMW, it's always core to think in that way, how we can develop a component that we can scale it in every of our cars. That's why we can be so fast to make now, this new technology, in two years, in 40 derivatives. That gives you the possibility to make scaling combinations, to make them feasible, to run from a business case, we will see what's coming up for future.”The carmaker will have 40 derivatives of Neue Klasse in the coming three years, but not all of them will be full Neue Klasse models like the iX3 and i3. Some will just adopt the in-car tech and new design language, for example.

BMW’s head of design says there was a degree of pressure overseeing the look of the new iX3, one of the most important cars in BMW’s long history.

The long-awaited replacement for one of the most popular small SUVs in Australia is almost here, with pricing and features revealed for the 2026 Mitsubishi ASX.Mitsubishi has changed the positioning of its baby SUV and it’s now a much pricier proposition than the budget-friendly model it replaces. In turn it also comes with a significantly higher level of tech and safety than the outgoing model ever had.The new-generation ASX is not related to the model it replaces. The original ASX was based on Mitsubishi’s 'GS' platform that underpinned the likes of the last Lancer as well as the recently discontinued Eclipse Cross and more.It was sold in Australia from 2010 until earlier this year, with several facelifts and model year updates throughout its 15-year life.This new version is a rebadged and tweaked version of Alliance partner Renualt’s Captur small SUV, which is not currently sold in Australia. The pre-facelift second-gen Captur was sold in Australia but the refreshed version is yet to be confirmed for sale here.Mitsubishi is offering three grades of ASX and pricing is much higher than the first-gen ASX.Before it was discontinued, the base ASX GS was priced from $26,740, before on-road costs, for the automatic version.Second-gen ASX pricing starts at $37,740 for the entry grade LS, which is about $7K more than the equivalent outgoing LS. The range tops out with the Exceed at $46,490. See tables below for a breakdown of pricing and specification.That means the price of entry for an ASX has increased by more than $10,000. The ASX was known for its value, attracting buyers at the entry-level of the segment. Rivals included the previous-generation MG ZS and GWM Haval Jolion.This pricing puts it more in line with the likes of the Honda HR-V, Nissan Qashqai, Subaru Crosstrek and Toyota Corolla Cross.Powering all ASX grades is a 113kW/270Nm 1.3-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto transmission driving the front wheels only.According to Mitsubishi, the new ASX consumes 6.4 litres of fuel per 100km on the combined cycle, which is 16 per cent more efficient than the old, unrelated 2.0L unit from the previous ASX.The ASX will be available in Mitsubishi dealerships from the fourth quarter of this year.• 10.4-inch multimedia screen• Instrument cluster with 7.0-inch display• 17-inch alloy wheels• Electrically adjustable, heated door mirrors• Centre console with armrest• Manual dimming rear-view mirror• Cloth seats • Height adjustable driver seat• Soft-touch steering wheel• Vanity mirrors for driver and front passenger• Cruise control with speed limiter• Eco drive mode• Rear parking sensors• Gloss black door mirrors• Climate control air conditioning• Paddle shift• Smart card• Electric parking brake with auto hold• Dusk sensing headlamps• Rain sensing wipers• Rear view camera• Embedded sat nav and Google built-in, featuring Google Assistant, Google Maps & Google Play• 10-inch digital instrument cluster • 18-inch alloy wheels• Privacy glass• Electric folding door mirrors• Ambient interior lighting• Auto dimming rear-view mirror• Height adjustable driver and passenger seat• Heated steering wheel• Illuminated vanity mirrors • Wireless charging• Instrument panel decoration – gloss black• Drive modes, including 'Eco', 'Comfort', 'Sport' and ‘Perso’• Panoramic sunroof• Two-tone exterior paint• Frameless auto dimming rear-view mirror• Black leather seats • Heated front seats• Power driver seatThe new-gen ASX is yet to be crash tested by safety watchdog ANCAP.• Driver attention alert• Emergency lane assist• Forward collision mitigation• Lane departure prevention• Lane departure warning• Safe distance warning• Front, rear and side parking sensors• Lane keep assist• Adaptive cruise control• Traffic jam assist• 'Mi-Pilot' - semi-autonomous driving system• Blind spot warning• Rear cross-traffic alert• Safe exit assist The ASX is covered by Mitsubishi’s 10-year/200,000km warranty which is conditional on the owner servicing the car at a Mitsubishi dealership. It also comes with 10 years' capped-price servicing and up to four years of complimentary roadside assistance.