Articles by Tom White

MG has finally revealed pricing for its incoming range of luxury electric cars from its IM division.The sub brand, dubbed IM Presented by MG Motor, launches with two models based on the same underpinnings in much the same fashion as the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y.The IM5 is a sedan, while the IM6 is its SUV relation, and both are aimed at the luxury market with plush interior trims, large multimedia displays, and features like rear-wheel steering and an 800-volt electrical architecture (for the top two variants).Driving range reaches up to 655km (on the more accurate WLTP cycle) for the aerodynamic IM5, while the IM6 SUV can travel up to 555km in the same trim level. Both can be charged from 30 - 80 per cent in a claimed 15 minutes.The pricing though is the headline figure, with both cars sharing the same pricing and variant structure, split across three trim levels at a highly competitive price point with equivalent rivals.The base IM5 and IM6 Premium cost $60,990 drive-away and are rear-wheel drive with a 75kWh battery pack good for a WLTP range of either 490km for the IM5 or 450km for the IM6, although it is rated to 400 volts and can charge at a maximum rate of 153kW on a DC charger. It is equipped with a 217kW rear electric motor allowing a 0-100km/h sprint time of 6.8 seconds for both body styles. The mid-spec Platinum versions are priced at $69,990 and have a 100kWh battery for ranges of 655km for the IM5 or 555km for the IM6. This battery is rated to 800 volts and can charge at a maximum speed of 396kW on a compatible charger. The rear motor output is also upped to 300kW for a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.9 seconds for the IM5 or 5.4 seconds for the IM6.The top-spec Performance wears a price-tag of $80,990. It is also equipped with the 800-volt 100kWh battery, although it adds all-wheel drive which consists of a 372kW rear motor and a 200kW front motor for a 0-100km/h sprint time of 3.2 seconds for the IM5 or 3.4 seconds for IM6. Its driving range is reduced to 575km for the IM5 or 505km for the IM6.Other features include one-touch automatic parking capable of adjusting to multiple parking situations, as well as compatibility with MG’s iSMART phone application which allows the owner to remotely control a slew of the vehicle's features.Inside the IM5 and IM6 both score an enormous 26.3-inch multimedia touchscreen and 10.5-inch digital instrument cluster, a panoramic sunroof, and a 20-speaker premium audio system.The base Premium comes equipped with 19-inch alloys, while the Platinum and Performance have 20-inch alloy wheels. The IM5 and IM6 is available in five exterior colours (white, beige, grey, blue or black) and two interior schemes (beige or grey). The interior can be further customised with a range of accessories which are secured by a magnet mounting system. IM is a triumvirate joint-venture founded in 2020 in China between MG's SAIC Motor parent company, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech, and Alibaba Group. Its luxury positioning will place it in direct competition with other EV-focused Chinese luxury newcomer brands like Geely's Zeekr and BYD's Denza in an increasingly busy Australian new-car market.The pricing of the IM range is slightly higher than that of the basic trims of the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, although higher-grade versions are more affordable.MG covers the IM range with a seven-year and unlimited kilometre warranty. The IM5 and IM6 can be ordered now, with first customer deliveries estimated in September.

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As the trade war between the US and China intensifies, new reports from auto industry suppliers cast a dark cloud over important component supply for new cars.Beijing has placed some key minerals on an ‘export control list’ as part of a response to the Trump administration’s increased tariffs on goods imported from China. This has disrupted global supply chains and could potentially lead to the same six-month-plus wait times for new vehicles, which was experienced during COVID-related factory shut-downs and supply disruptions.Seven of the minerals on the list for export restrictions are rare earths — a group of materials used for the production of alloys and magnets — which are key components in many automotive parts from mirrors to fluid pumps, but particularly permanent magnets used in EV and hybrid motors and alternators for combustion cars.China is responsible for up to 90 per cent of production of these key components, and Reuters cited executives from suppliers who said the “industry was in full panic” over restrictions on supply.The publication also cited analysts who said the knock-on effects of the restrictions could force automakers to make cars without certain parts and park them until they become available - in echoes of similar practices that took place during the COVID-era supply disruptions. During the COVID-era and subsequent microprocessor shortage, some cars were delivered without various difficult-to-acquire features like blind spot monitoring, either through the introduction of limited variants or tweaks to standard specifications.How bad could it get? During the peak of the COVID-19 era shortages, models in high demand such as the Toyota RAV4 were attracting wait times of more than 24 months.Fresh supply shortages could start as soon as July as the world’s automakers analyse the impact on their supply chains.It seems automakers from Europe, America, and Japan will be most exposed to these issues, handing Chinese automakers yet another advantage over their rivals.Reuters also reported Hyundai Group and its suppliers have stockpiled between six to twelve months of rare earths.Another round of supply shortages or price increases to traditionally popular brands could continue to transform the landscape of new cars in Australia. During the microprocessor shortage, less exposed brands such as MG and GWM started to leap up the sales charts at the expense of others, a trend that hasn’t been reversed since.The same Reuters report said some companies seeking to shake China’s hold on the supply of magnets and key materials, either through recycling existing materials or building new parts which are rare-earth-free, have seen a boost in interest since restrictions began in April, but it could take years for these suppliers to have the scale be able to meet demand or be cost competitive with Chinese exporters.As usual, Australia will be particularly exposed to any supply-related changes, as our relatively low-volume market tends to be far down on the priority list for the largest groups out of Japan and Europe.During the previous new-car shortages, even prices of used cars skyrocketed as buyers couldn't wait to source individual transport away from a risk of being exposed to COVID in a double-whammy effect. The effect on used car prices in some segments has never recovered to pre-covid levels.

Toyota has detailed its Chinese-market bZ5 crossover SUV ahead of its launch overseas.The bZ4X is Toyota’s sole fully electric SUV offering here, but the bZ moniker (short for beyond zero) is home to an entire range of EVs in China that Toyota builds with its joint-venture partners.The bZ5, a joint-venture with China’s FAW, joins the already-launched bZ3 sedan (a joint-venture with BYD and FAW), bZ3X mid-size SUV and bZ7 sedan (both joint-ventures with GAC).The bZ5 shares similar styling points and interior features to the bZ4X, although it sources its 200kW electric motor from BYD and its 74kWh LFP battery from Fudi New Energy, which is claimed to grant it a range of up 550km on the CLTC protocol.Measuring in at 4780mm long, 1866mm wide, and 1510mm tall, it is more like a lifted sedan in a similar vein to a vehicle like the Polestar 2, rather than the more traditional SUV shape of the bZ4X, which it is sold alongside overseas.Inside the bZ5 scores a larger 15.6-inch central multimedia touchscreen to the one in the bZ4X, and, bizarrely, scores paddle-based light controllers, with buttons on the steering wheel for indicating, much like the new Tesla Model 3.The bZ5 is priced between the equivalent of $28,000 and $35,000 for its two-variant front-wheel drive only range.The bZ4X will remain Toyota’s only purely electric vehicle in Australia for the time being, with an update on the way designed to address some factors which have given it a less competitive edge over newcomer Chinese rivals such as the Geely EX5, which already outranks it.The brand has indicated in the past that it won’t seek to export its Chinese joint-venture electric vehicles, despite their seemingly appealing value proposition.Toyota chairman, Akio Toyota has spoken out against EVs recently, saying they have too high a carbon price to manufacture compared to its range of popular hybrids. Despite this, it has been on an EV blitz in China, a market that is not traditionally as strong for the Japanese giant as it is elsewhere in the world. It is also a market where electric vehicles are now very much in the mainstream, particularly in the larger cities.In Europe, Toyota will also soon launch a fully electric version of its C-HR small SUV, although this has also not been locked in for an Australian arrival, as the brand takes a more market-based tactical approach to its electric vehicle roll-out.This leaves the biggest news for the brand in Australia the new-generation RAV4 which is set to arrive later in 2025, and a production version of its monocoque ute EPU concept as part of a roll-out of six new electric vehicles to hit the market by next year.

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Euro NCAP’s Technical Manager of Assisted Driving Systems, Adriano Palao, has criticised Tesla’s autopilot software, going so far as to say the suite is “misleading consumers about the system’s capabilities”.The fresh retort of Tesla’s autonomous driving technology comes as Euro NCAP detailed the differences in a variety of similar systems on the market, noting “some systems are more user-centric and safe than others”.Performance testing for the Model S - which is no longer sold in Australia - had the safety body determining that it performed poorly awarding it just 30 per cent for its Assistance Competence score.The Assistance Competence score ranks autonomous features for their performance, clarity of information, how they communicate capability limitations, driver monitoring, and driver collaboration. It is distinguished from the Safety Backup score, which ranks how the systems avoid a collision in a variety of situations, as well as when a sensor is blocked or the driver is unresponsive.The body noted it was jarring the Model S scored an Excellent 94 per cent for its Safety Backup score, but just 30 per cent for Assistance Competence.Euro NCAP said not only does Tesla name the system Autopilot and suggest full automation in its promotional material, but also noted the system’s steering input was resistant to driver attempts to override it, and upon doing so, the entire system automatically disengages, “limiting its usefulness”.The body also noted issues with the centrally-mounted touchscreen, in that the driver had to take their eyes off the road to view alerts.Euro NCAP ultimately said: “Tesla is misleading consumers about their autopilot system’s capabilities simply through its name and marketing, which could have potential safety implications.”Tesla was not the only company marketed on its safety credentials who came under fire in the latest round of autonomous system testing. Even Volvo’s new EX30 crossover was in the firing line, with the safety body earmarking similar concerns about its autonomous driving tech.The EX30 performed better than the Tesla in the Assistance Competence score, landing at 62 per cent, although was marked down for similar reasons to the Model S, it recorded a score less than the Tesla for its Safety Backup, at 72 per cent.Both cars, alongside the MG ZS, were awarded an overall Moderate rating for their active safety suites. Other cars considered in the round of testing included the Kia EV3, Porsche Macan, and Toyota bZ4X, all of which received a Very Good overall score, while the Mazda CX-80 and Xpeng G9 recorded a Good overall rating.Euro NCAP’s latest round of autonomous driving feature testing comes as the technology proliferates across a much wider spectrum of the market. Many brands now spruik some level of autonomous driving through an advanced cruise control suite, although as Euro NCAP notes, not all of these systems are created equal, and just ticking feature boxes does not always result in a safer system.In addition to more thorough testing of autonomous driving systems, Euro NCAP will also include standards for automakers to include physical buttons and dials from 2026, labelling the overuse of touchscreens an “industry-wide problem, raising the risk of distraction crashes”.Euro NCAP said the new protocols will encourage manufacturers to use separate, physical controls for basic functions in an intuitive manner, limiting eyes off-road time and therefore promoting safer driving.Under the new protocols, cars will be marked down by not including physical switches for indicators, hazard lights, the horn, operating windscreen wipers, and activating the SOS function.

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