Ford TE50 Reviews

The Federal Government is soon set to announce the carmakers that have and haven’t met the first phase of its tightening CO2 emissions standards.The New Vehicle Emissions Standard (NVES) came into effect on January 1, 2025, with mandatory compliance and fines coming into effect from July 1, 2025.As of December 31, 2025, the first performance period will end and the findings will be published by the NVES Regulator in February 2026.In this forthcoming report every carmaker will receive its so-called interim emissions value (IEV) which will indicate whether it is either above or below the predetermined CO2 emissions target.It’s worth noting that each vehicle has its CO2 target adjusted in terms of its vehicle type and weight. It’s currently a two-tiered system providing separate CO2 limits for smaller and larger vehicles.For brands that are under the CO2 emissions target they will also receive NVES credits. These can be used to offset higher CO2 polluting vehicles, or sold to other carmakers that aren’t meeting the CO2 targets at a price they determine.Polestar CEO Scott Maynard has previously told CarsGuide the company will be opting for the latter as it only sells electric vehicles (EVs) which don’t emit any CO2. However, it won’t be selling its credits to every car brand.While fines for carmakers that are above the tightening CO2 targets are now in effect, they have until December 31, 2027 to “extinguish units against a 2025 final emissions value (FEV)”.This means carmakers have until the end of 2027 to offset the fines they have incurred with either more hybrids or EVs, or by purchasing credits from other brands.If a carmaker is still above the 2025 FEV by this point it will be issued an infringement notice in February 2028.This will be charged to the carmakers, however a number of brands have previously noted some or all of the cost will be passed onto the consumer.Brands like Ford, Hyundai and Nissan have previously admitted, at least in part, that their price increases are due to the tightening CO2 standards.The companies have also started to axe certain models and engine types with high CO2 emissions. Examples include the 2.0-litre bi-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine in the Ford Ranger and Everest, as well as the 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine in the Hyundai Kona.Nissan also delayed the local introduction of the Ariya electric SUV, but the introduction of the NVES prompted its arrival.The Japanese carmaker is also set to make its Qashqai small SUV hybrid-only in Australia during 2026 when it introduces the new-generation version of its e-Power hybrid powertrain.

Ford Australia is recalling the Escape Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) due to a battery issue that may cause a vehicle fire.

Ford Australia has issued a recall for its Transit Custom and Tourneo vans due to a risk of toxic gases potentially leaking into the cabin under certain driving conditions.

A popular SUV has been given further off-road pedigree overseas.

Utes have been the dominant force in the Australian new car landscape for the past decade.

Aussies love their diesel utes but with crunching emissions regulations coming into place, it’s unclear how much longer they will reign supreme.

Nissan has clarified its two-pronged ute strategy for Australia from 2027, while potentially introducing a third contender in the process.Nissan Oceania Managing Director Andrew Humberstone suggested the traditional diesel approach with the Mitsubishi Triton-based N27 would not be enough if market growth goals are to be achieved.This comes as all brands scramble to make the right product decisions now that electrified competition as well as carbon legislation are demanding different solutions than before.“In terms of going forward, this segment is very much a key pillar in our brand portfolio, as is Patrol (full-sized 4WD SUV),” Humberstone said.“It's then, ‘how do we manage these two core products?’, which are very strong in terms of brand awareness in the market and strength of our brand, and manage the NVES (New Vehicle Efficiency Standard) and CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy US federal regulations) on the other side of the spectrum?’“How do we create that balance? So of course, we have to look at other options, which is why we're looking at product portfolio going forward.”This builds on what the global car industry veteran told CarsGuide a few weeks earlier, where he mentioned the Frontier Pro plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) that debuted at last April’s Shanghai auto show, as a strong proposition.“New Navara and Frontier Pro together? Oh, yeah, absolutely,” Humberstone revealed. “And it wouldn't be one or the other. I would absolutely see an opportunity for both of them (in Australia).”Since then, Nissan confirmed the Frontier Pro for Australia at a gala event in Adelaide by flying one out especially for the evening, just one day after pulling the covers off the D27 Navara in the same city.Additionally, and quite unexpectedly, turbo-charged petrol and diesel variations of the Frontier Pro were announced.This suggests that premium and possibly high-performance versions of the ute, which is based on partner Dongfeng’s Z9 dual-cab pick-up, may also join the local line-up to wrestle head-on with the Ford Ranger Wildtrak.Such an ambitious ute strategy is in line with the steps Nissan is taking on its road to rebuilding in Australia.“We've had a lot of work to do, one on building brand, one on building customer retention,” Humberstone admitted.“And, in between, the key component here is around sourcing a product… but (with reduced supply and profitability) we're looking at is a new product portfolio.”Finally, while the new (D27) Navara will arrive as dual-cab 4x4 diesel auto-only proposition initially, other styles and variations are at the ready should Nissan require them.This could include a version of the hybrid powertrain that supplier Mitsubishi is developing for its Triton fraternal twin.“Where we stand today, (that specification) represent 90 per cent of the portfolio,” Humberstone said.“(But) given shifts in regulation, given shifts in customer demand, given shifts in opportunities and profitabilities, we have the flexibility to look at that over the lifecycle of the product.“But the starting point, almost top-down strategy in essence, is ‘let’s go with 90 per cent of the volume is in the market’. It doesn’t mean we don’t re-evaluate over time, but that’s certainly the starting point.”And, this, of course, is not including the Navara Warrior flagship, more of which will be announced sometime during 2026.If nothing else, Nissan will be very busy in the ute segment over the next couple of years. Watch this space.

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