Articles by Tom White

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A new report from suggests Honda is considering opening the doors to exporting its US-built Ridgeline ute to Japan.Despite being a good fit for markets like Australia, the Ridgeline ute has remained a North American exclusive model since its original launch in 2005.The news out of Japan is Honda is considering importing the Ridgeline from the US to Japan as part of an effort to reduce its trade deficit and appease the current US administration.According to Nikkei Asia, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism is considering an exemption to current safety rules in place in the Japanese market which makes importing US-built models prohibitive, triggering Honda to consider which models would be appropriate to import.The Ridgeline is one option, but the brand is also considering the Passport large SUV (which sits above the CR-V in the brand’s international line-up), as well as vehicles from Honda’s North American Acura luxury arm.It is said a new process is being considered which will allow vehicle approval with only a document review rather than a round of physical evaluations, which in the past have made it difficult to comply imported vehicles to JapanHonda is joining Nissan and Toyota in considering importing US-built vehicles to the Japanese market, although whether this will include re-engineering to right-hand drive (as is usually required in Japan) remains to be seen.If this is the case, it would obviously be beneficial to off-set the cost of this re-engineering process to consider other right-hand drive export markets like Australia and countries in South East Asia.Built in Honda’s North American plants in Canada and the US, the brand has always considered the Ridgeline ute cost prohibitive to import to Australia (despite the brand toying briefly with importing its original SUV sister vehicle, the MDX large SUV from 2003 - 2006).Back in 2020, Honda’s Australian boss at the time, Stephen Collins, told CarsGuide the Ridgeline was strongly requested by Honda dealers and the public, but required multiple elements to make sense for the Australian market.For the Ridgeline to be competitive, he said, it would require a diesel powertrain, as well as an upgraded payload and towing capacity. The current version is only offered with a 3.5-litre V6 engine (210kW/355Nm), and offers a payload and towing capacity of up to 700kg or 2300kg respectively.Unlike the rest of Honda’s Australian range, which use either a continuously variable automatic transmission or a hybrid transaxle, the Ridgeline employs a ZF nine-speed torque converter automatic.While it is size-comparable to a dual-cab, it rides on a monocoque rather than a ladder frame, has an all-wheel drive system rather than a solid axle 4x4 system, and features coil sprung suspension rather than heavy-duty leaf springs.Another factor to consider is the current second-generation Ridgeline’s age. Debuting back in 2017, the current version is now eight years old, although received a significant facelift in 2024 with more cabin tech and standard equipment like re-tuned suspension and standard all-terrain tyres.Pricing may also place the Ridgeline into a niche space for Aussie buyers. Currently the ute costs the equivalent of A$61,000 in the American market, which would likely be hiked significantly to cover shipping and conversion costs for right-hand drive destinations.On the other hand, the Ridgeline’s shared platform with the large Pilot and Passport SUVs may also open up potential cost-reductions for wider export.Honda in Australia has had a decent year, up 9.1 per cent, although this is off a low base. Its range of cars, which is now limited to the Civic hatch and Accord sedan, as well as the HR-V, ZR-V and CR-V SUVs is down to a footprint of just 14,194 units a year. This makes Honda equivalent in sales to Lexus, LDV, and even now Suzuki, which has taken a large hit this year (-27.4 per cent) as Chinese rivals move into its budget-friendly space.

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Audi has revealed its next electric SUV, dubbed the E7X, but it’s not Audi as we know it.Instead, the E7X comes from the German luxury brand’s tie-up with MG owner SAIC in China.Styled AUDI, models from this joint venture dump the four-ring logo in favour of typeface only. The E7X is its second model after the E5 Sportback which hit the Chinese market earlier in 2025.What sets the AUDI models apart from their four-ringed counterparts is their use of SAIC platforms. For example the E5 and E7X share their underpinnings with models from the Chinese brand’s IM arm, which are sold in Australia badged as MGs.At over five-meters long, the E7X is even larger than the German brand’s Q8 e-tron, and it features an over-three-meter long wheelbase, suggesting generous interior dimensions. Two versions have been announced, a rear-wheel drive version which produces 300kW/500Nm and an all-wheel drive version which adds a 200kW motor on the front axle, and produces a total torque of 800Nm. Its battery capacity and driving range are yet to be revealed.Like other Chinese domestic market models, the E7X features a detailed LED light feature in the front, an illuminated logo, and similar light detailing for its rear lights. It offers enormous wheels in either 21- or 22-inch sizes, as well as trendy flush doorhandles, and a LiDAR pod on its roof. Interior images are yet to be revealed, although the car will likely follow in the footsteps of the E5 before it and look unrecognisable from Audi’s international range.The E5, for example, features a dash-spanning array of screens with Chinese-market specific software, a minimalist centre console and stripped-back steering wheel design. Like the E5, the E7X also features the option to have camera-based wing mirrors, which expand on the already massive screen real-estate on the interior.The Audi E7X is set to be fully revealed at the Beijing Motor Show in April and will go on sale in China shortly afterward.Audi’s SAIC joint-venture is regarded as a success in China, with the E5 amassing over 10,000 pre-orders as soon as it went on sale.While the E5 may remain a Chinese domestic market option, the E7X nameplate has been registered in Europe, suggesting Audi is considering overseas markets for the JV models.This comes with the backdrop of Audi’s Volkswagen parent company lobbying the European Union to relax tariff structures so it can bring Chinese-built models to Europe.The EU introduced tariffs in 2024 in order to protect domestic automakers from a torrent of lower-cost Chinese vehicles which it claimed at the time were unfairly subsidised by the Chinese government.According to industry source, Automotive News, VW Group is hoping the EU will grant it an exemption from what is currently a 20.7 per cent tariff.Volkswagen, which has been active in joint ventures in China for longer than most global car companies, gambled on new global models in China prior to the EU’s tariffs being introduced.For example, the Cupra Tavascan (which is built in a joint-venture with JAC and rides on the same MEB platform as the ID.4) is built in Anhui province with the original plan to sell it in Europe and abroad.If VW Group can secure an exemption to these rules, it opens up the opportunity for it to export more Chinese-built models, like the E7X and the upcoming large three-row Volkswagen based on the ID. Era concept which was revealed earlier in 2025.

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