Citroen Dispatch Reviews

Fiat has revealed its new pint-sized SUV in an attempt to fend off the advances of new affordable Chinese cars.Dubbed the Grande Panda, the little SUV will be available as a fully electric car or as a hybrid.It follows the same formula as the new Citroen C3, its twin under the skin.The Grande Panda’s bold design is sure to turn heads and win it a cadre of new fans.It brings the same digital, retro cool vibe as the Hyundai Ioniq 5, with pixel-effect headlights and front grille. Edgy 17-inch alloy wheels, 'Panda' embossed on the side panels and 'Fiat' on the rear hatch will help it stand out from the crowd.It will measure less than four metres long, which makes it shorter than nearly all cars on sale in Australia including the micro Mazda2 and Hyundai Venue SUV.Fiat hasn’t confirmed whether the vehicle will make it to Australia, but they have referred to the Grande Panda as the “first model of the new global line-up”.It will first be launched in Europe, Middle East and Africa but a further global expansion could be on the cards. The third generation Fiat Panda was briefly sold in Australia between 2013 and 2015.Fiat hasn’t provided details but expects the Grande Panda to use the same power sources as the Citroen C3.The electric version will use an 82kW motor fed by a 44kWh battery that provides a driving range of up to 320kkm.Hybrid examples use a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor.Carmakers are starting to bring cheaper electric cars on line to help drive up sagging demand.Currently only a handful of Chinese brands sell electric cars under $40,000, but big name legacy makers such as Volkswagen, Hyundai and Jeep have plans in the works for cheaper alternatives.VW has confirmed a ID.1, which will be the same size as the former VW Up micro hatchback. Hyundai has teased its new Inster SUV, which will be the brand’s cheapest electric vehicle. Kia will have a version of this car too in the future called the EV2.Jeep has confirmed it is resurrecting the Renegade as a sub $35,000 electric SUV. It is due to go on sale by 2027.

The Australian new-car market is facing a period of almost unprecedented change, say some legacy manufacturers, with the influx of new Chinese brands set to put out legacy manufacturers in what is already one of the world's most congested and competitive markets.

The revamped Citroen C3 range has been fully revealed, with the electric halo version now flanked by a hybrid hatch and rugged Aircross SUV variant.

The outspoken Stellantis CEO reveals he has declined offers from western and Chinese automakers to buy the group's brands like Alfa Romeo, Fiat, and others.

Make no mistake, the Australian car industry is one of the toughest in the world. More than 60 brands fight for space in a market of just over one million cars per year. Naturally that means not every brand can be riding high like Toyota, Mazda and Ford - someone has to come last. So, we scoured the sales data for 2023 and can reveal which brands are struggling to find buyers.

Ford celebrated the Ranger becoming the best-selling vehicle in Australia in 2023 and the Toyota HiLux raced up behind it - but what happened at the other end of the sales charts? What were our least-favourite models last year?

A large number of major automotive brands celebrated booming sales in a record year for new-car registrations in 2023, but not every carmaker was popping champagne corks when figures were released earlier this month.

Is it really the end of 2023 already? How did that happen so fast?? Well, it's time once again to review my year in cars and whittle down everything I have driven into a short list of five of my top picks.

New badge, new look, and new target. The Citroen C3 is going electric, and it’s taking aim at affordable models from Chinese brands like BYD and MG.

Some brands are riding the EV wave as sales boom in Australia, but others are left without any solid local plans - will they be left behind?