Family favourite car brands in trouble: Mazda, Subaru and Nissan hit hard by new emissions laws as shocking first round of results revealed

The federal government has released the results of the first New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), with several major manufacturers impacted. 

Of the more than 620,000 vehicles covered by the 2025 performance period, there were more than 1.2 million NVES "liabilities" incurred by brands. 

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Brands incur fines on liabilities calculated on each vehicle sold that has a value of zero or higher, but have a year to rectify their shortfall. 

Mazda incurred more liabilities than any other brand with more than 508,000 liabilities, which is more than double that of the next biggest, Nissan, which had around 215,000. 

Subaru rounded out the top three, with nearly 140,000 liabilities. 

Top 5 brands NVES Liability 2025

Brand	Vehicles covered	Liabilities accrued
Mazda	38,465	508,517
Nissan	13,877	215,261
Subaru	13,187	139,635
Hyundai	39,863	84,563
General Motors	1552	65,855

Most brands abided with the regulations thanks to low-emissions vehicles in their line-ups, accumulating units. Expectations for emissions value will step up in the coming years, making it more difficult for brands to avoid liabilities

BYD led the way with more than 6 million NVES units accrued.

Many brands are yet to open their NVES registry accounts, meaning their units have not yet been allocated. Brands have 12 months from the interim emissions value findings to open their accounts.

NVES unit accrual is directly proportional to the number of complying vehicles sold, meaning big-selling brands like BYD that only sold vehicles under the threshold have been able to generate a significant amount of units. 

Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries Chief Executive Officer Tony Weber said the results demonstrated a swift reaction from automakers to the changing regulatory situation. 

Weber also cited concerns that the development and uptake of electric vehicles to ensure abiding by more stringent requirements will see costs passed on buyers.

“At the moment, demand for EVs remains subdued and this is a major concern and disappointment for car makers,” Weber said. 

“FCAI is keen to see the Government consider policy settings that support consumer demand for EVs and low-emission vehicles which will assist the achievement of the NVES.”

Electric Vehicle Council Chief Executive Officer Julie Delvecchio said the results highlight momentum towards the federal government’s target of 5 million EVs in Australia by 2035. 

Delvecchio called for more strict future targets, given the majority of manufacturers outperformed their interim emissions targets. 

“The fact that many petrol and diesel car manufacturers outperformed their year one NVES targets show the benchmarks were more than achievable,” Ms Delvecchio said.

“The initial success of the NVES should give policymakers confidence to steadily strengthen its trajectory and keep Australia aligned with global markets.

“Australia cannot afford to become a dumping ground for higher-emitting vehicles while other countries move faster.”