Top 10 news stories of 2021

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The Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon both still command a lot of attention despite no longer being offered in Australia.
Tung Nguyen
News Editor
31 Dec 2021
1 min read

This year, like 2020, was fraught with ups and downs as the automotive world adjusted to living with an ongoing global pandemic and battled with supply shortages the world over.

However, that doesn’t mean there wasn’t much to talk about with the much-anticipated Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series finally hitting local showrooms, more details of Hyundai’s ute dropping and the rise of Chinese car brands, among some highlights in 2021.

The biggest surprise might be the still-strong appetite for Holden Commodores and Ford Falcons, despite both models now resigned to the annals of history, but this is evidence for the passion of the Australian car fanbase. 

Top 10 news stories of 2021

01. 10. Australia's new most powerful four-cylinder dual-cab ute! 2022 LDV T60 to hammer Toyota HiLux and rattle Ford Ranger with harder-hitting twin-turbo engine

Not content to let its rivals like the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger walk away with all the headlines, LDV returned serve with the announcement of its new T60 Max ute powered by a 2.0-litre twin-turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine with sizeable outputs.

02. 9. The Nissan Patrol Nismo V8 has arrived to strike fear into the heart of the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series!

Though not destined for the Australian market, the new Nismo-tuned, petrol V8-powered Nissan Patrol is still a tantalising prospect for a segment that is dominated by diesel. With boy racer styling, 320kW/560Nm and red-accented interior, it’s no wonder the Patrol Nismo has found an audience online.

03. 8. Huge twist in Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series, GR HiLux and GR Fortuner story?

Much like the Nissan Patrol Nismo, a GR-tuned Toyota LandCruiser, HiLux or Fortuner is sure to get tongues wagging. This story dives into the diesel powertrain that could be fitted to each aforementioned Toyota model, and whether it has ties with Mazda’s newly-developed inline six-cylinder engines. 

04. 7. A return to Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon utes? H2X locks in Victoria to kickstart Aussie automotive manufacturing push

The H2X ute prototype looks mean
The H2X ute prototype looks mean

Local vehicle manufacturing might have gone away with the demise of Holden in early 2020, but hydrogen could be the key to Australian-made vehicles in the future. H2X is looking to build hydrogen-powered vehicles, including a ute, locally, but will they be as well received as the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon?

05. 6. Hyundai ute's diesel engine would dominate HiLux and Ranger: All-new dual-cab could be crowned Australia's most powerful ute!

Hyundai isn’t shy when talking about its ute ambitions, but details have remained relatively scarce since the Korean brand declared its intention to take on the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger. But what form will the powerplant take? With reports that diesel engine development has ceased, it would make sense for the ute to use the Genesis GV80’s inline six.

06. 5. Mazda's reborn RX-7, Holden's revived Torana, Hyundai's electric Porsche rival and other concept cars that should become a reality

Concept cars sometimes point to new production models, but just as likely they are designed to draw more attention to a car brand. We look at the show cars we wish would make it to the road to inject some more sizzle into their respective manufacturers.

07. 4. Are you ready to admit you paid too much for your LC200? New LC300 prices show how overpriced the LandCruiser 200 Series really was | Opinion

With the impending launch of the new LandCruiser, prices of the then-current model absolutely skyrocketed, but why? Was it the switch from a V8 to a six-cylinder engine? Was the new styling too divisive? Or did people just go a little too LandCruiser mad?

08. 3. Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series big V6 diesel engine outputs leaked: Smaller engine smashes 200 Series V8 on power and torque - reports

Before the reveal of the LandCruiser 300 Series, details started leaking almost every other week. This report revealed outputs of the diesel V6, and whether it would be a match for the outgoing V8. Spoilers: it is.

09. 2. Forget Ford Falcon XR8 and Holden Commodore SS, here are the patrol cars you might not be aware the police are driving in 2021

With Commodores and Falcons gone, what models are replacing them in police fleets around Australia? That’s the question we answered in this article, with the boys and girls in blue around the country adopting models like the Kia Stinger, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Volkswagen Passat into their ranks.

10. 1. Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon prices are out of control, but you'd be a fool to buy a used one at nearly $100,000 | Opinion

Were you one of the lucky ones that bought a Holden Commodore or Ford Falcon in the twilight years of Australian car manufacturing? You might be in luck then as prices for these two models have shot up to nearly six figures in recent times. Keep in mind though, that asking price and selling price are two very different things.

Tung Nguyen
News Editor
Having studied journalism at Monash University, Tung started his motoring journalism career more than a decade ago at established publications like Carsales and Wheels magazine. Since then, he has risen through the ranks at GoAuto to Managing Editor before joining the CarsGuide team in 2019 as the newly-appointed News Editor. Since starting at CarsGuide, Tung has spearheaded the push for well-researched and unique stories that will shines a light on the automotive industry for new-car-buying intenders, who might struggle to keep up to date with the fast-paced environment of motoring. The last few years alone have seen an explosion of interest in electric cars, as well as a push for autonomous driving, and as News Editor, it is Tung’s job to stay abreast of all the latest and deliver stories worthy of CarsGuide growing audience.
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