Electric News

There’s no worse feeling than showing up to the party just as it’s winding down and everyone else is leaving. Well, perhaps showing up a day too early and missing all the fun entirely.I imagine that must be what it feels like for the people that designed the cars on this list. In recent weeks we’ve looked at how timing is crucial in the car industry, with electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid sales spiking as fuel prices soared in March and April, brands like Tesla and BYD have benefited from having the right cars at the right time.And as we’ve also looked at recently, sometimes car makers just completely miss the mark and introduce the wrong car and it was never going to succeed.But today we’re looking at the most unfortunate of vehicles - the cars that had the right concept and had the potential for success, but arrived either too early or too late to make an impact.We took a deep dive into the premature arrival of the Volt, but it’s worth reiterating that Holden was way ahead of the curve when it came to plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). Unfortunately, too far ahead.Sure, the Volt was overpriced (starting at $59,990 in 2012), but the technology wasn’t far away from what the likes of BYD and GWM are having huge sales success with today. Perhaps if Holden had pursued this technology further, or subsidised it to get more vehicles on the road, things might have turned out differently, but we’ll never know…The arrival of the MG4 Urban is a textbook demonstration of the right car arriving at the right time - a small and affordable EV at a time when people were feeling the pain at the pump. The Chinese brand’s MG7, on the other hand, will likely be a case study in getting the timing wrong.It’s hardly breaking news that sedans (and liftbacks, such as the MG7) are no longer in hot-demand in Australia… or really much demand at all.The BYD Seal and the Toyota Camry are the only exceptions and despite the MG7 looking great, having a punchy turbocharged petrol engine and a competitive asking price, it is likely to sell in very small numbers. MG Australia has sold less than 100 in the first five months of 2026, so it’s likely to be a rare sight on the roads.Buyers are simply too focused on SUVs to consider a sedan.Of course, the sedan was not always an unloved, niche corner of the market. The glory days of Holden and Ford saw Commodores and Falcons dominate Australian driveways. Towards the end, the performance-orientated models, such as the Commodore SS and Falcon XR6/XR8, became beloved, so much so Kia saw an opportunity.The Stinger was a direct rival to the local sports sedans, with a twin-turbo V6, rear-wheel drive layout that gave it solid credentials. The initial ride and handling tuning was slightly off, making it a bit more ‘skid happy’ than a family sedan should be, but overall the Stinger was a good car.Unfortunately its arrival almost perfectly coincided with the beginning of the end of the local sports sedans and the customers Kia was hoping to find had simply moved on.As the likes of Tesla, BYD, MG and Geely dominated the discussion around EVs, it’s easy to forget that Nissan was right at the forefront of this technology. If Nissan launched a small, electric hatch for $39,990 today it would be a great addition for the brand and give its Chinese rivals something to think about.Unfortunately the Leaf arrived too early, before the wider car-buying public had EVs on their radar, and initially launched with a $51,500 price - which was much too much money for a hatchback.In the end, Nissan did give the Leaf plenty of time and opportunity, spending more than a decade on sale, but it was never the right moment for it to find major sales success.A compact SUV, built in India to give it a competitive asking price is arguably exactly what Ford Australia needs now. Unfortunately, they launched the EcoSport way back in 2013.What makes the EcoSport really earn its place on this list is it somehow managed to be both ahead of its time and arrive too soon.When it launched in 2013 it was one of the first compact SUVs on the market, beating the likes of the Hyundai Venue, Kia Stonic, Mazda CX-3 and Suzuki Jimny. But Ford slightly missed the mark with the EcoSport, building a pint-sized SUV rather than a jacked-up hatchback, which is ultimately what the market decided it wanted a decade ago.But Ford would be well-served to have a sub-$30k, fuel-efficient compact SUV at this particular moment in time, especially one that is a bit more rugged and less hatchback, like the EcoSport was, to fit with its Ranger/Everest image.

Ford’s revolutionary ute is coming closer to a reality as prototypes have been spotted testing.Ford’s new electric ute has been spotted testing by US outlet Autopian in California.The dual-cab ute is heavily camouflaged, but it is believed to be smaller than the Maverick, which is an SUV-based ute in the US a size under the Ranger.The new ute is ditching a ladder frame chassis for a new EV platform that will be more SUV-like. This means it won’t be a heavy-hauler or rock crawler, but an urban workhorse designed to carry logs and timber rather than a boat.Images of the tray show a small cargo area, closer in size to what was available in a Holden Commodore or Ford Falcon ute.The new brand-defining ute is likely to be called Ranchero, with the name trademarked in Australia for use on a pick-up truck. It’s also a throwback to an old car-based ute from the US discontinued in the late 1970s.Ford is so serious about its new electric ute that it has assembled an entire “skunkworks” team in California to develop the new low cost electric vehicle platform which will underpin it.“We recruited the most technically skilled and creative professionals from inside and outside Ford to drive a radical change in how we develop an electric vehicle,” said Ford boss Jim Farley last year. “The work of this highly talented team has evolved into a critical enabler of our electric vehicle strategy. These electric vehicles will be lower cost, and not compromised in any way.”The upcoming ute is believed to be the first vehicle to be built on this platform, with a launch date set for 2027. Other bodystyles will also be spun-off from it.Ford is aiming for a circa-US$30,000 (A$42,600) price tag.These small SUV-based utes are the must have item overseas right now.Ford’s Maverick is a smash hit in the US, BYD is preparing its Mako to sit under the Shark 6 and Toyota’s Corolla Cross-based ute has been seen testing in South America recently.

A key affordable electric and range-extender hybrid family SUV has been given a refresh in China, and it could be headed to Australia next.The Leapmotor C10 has undergone noticeable design changes, with a generally boxier overall shape and an additional 10mm in length.There have been more changes inside the cabin.The C10 now gets a panoramic head-up display spanning the length of the dashboard.To accommodate a bigger 17.3-inch central touchscreen, there is a now a smaller 8.8-inch digital driver display now.The car has also gained more speakers for its audio system as well as heated, ventilated and massaging front seats.The C10 will continue to be available in range-extender and fully-electric set-ups, both of which are on sale in Australia.It appears there won’t be any changes to the performance of these models.The range-extender hybrid has a 1.5-litre petrol engine to charge the battery, and an electric motor producing 158kW and 320Nm.EV versions have an electric motor producing 160kW and 221Nm.It is unclear whether this update will see the car increase in price. The range-extender currently starts from $43,888 (before on-road costs), while the EV starts from $45,888.The C10 competes against the BYD Sealion 6 plug-in hybrid and Sealion 7 EV.The brand just announced a range-extender version of the smaller B10 SUV would join its Australian lineup.The B10 range-extender was priced the same as its fully-electric sibling, so could be the same deal with the updated C10 when it gets here.Earlier this year, Leapmotor brought across a special edition high performance variant of the C10, boosting power and torque to 440kW and 760Nm.It was the first C10 to feature an all-wheel drive, but it doesn’t look like the updated base model will have the system available.The new C10 will launch in China later this month, more information from an Australian perspective likely to come later on in 2026.

Geely’s popular EX5 will receive some major upgrades in 2027, with a new update leaked ahead of its Chinese launch.The new information, which comes from the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, shows a significant EX5 update, with images revealing a refreshed design, new wheel choices and a substantial upgrade to power outputs.The current car, which is one of the best-selling EVs in the country this year, is powered by a 160kW/320Nm electric motor, but the new version scores a significantly more powerful unit rated at 245kW, according to the certification documents.There are minor changes to the vehicles overall dimensions, in large part due to its redesigned front and rear bumpers.Like the related Starray EM-i plug-in hybrid, the new EX5 features a more contemporary ‘GEELY’ typeface across the rear bumper under the light strip. The new EX5 also gets traditional doorhandles rather than the sunken pop-out ones, which appear on the current Australian version.This is because of new Chinese regulations, which crack down on flush or sunken door handles due to safety issues, particularly in low temperature climates where they were freezing shut. Some outlets are also reporting the charging port has migrated from the front three quarter panel to the rear, although this isn’t evident from the MIIT images.The updated EX5’s interior is yet to be fully revealed, with only glimpses in the regulatory filing images, but expect an array of minor changes and perhaps even an increase in the array of physical buttons available, which is another area Chinese regulators are looking to crack down on.The new car also appears with a LiDAR pod on the roof suggesting it will come with an upgrade to its safety functions, although these high-end autonomous driving features for the Chinese market are usually left out of export versions.The EX5 has been one of the electric car success stories of the year in 2026, having moved an impressive 4453 units, nearly double that of the BYD Atto 3 or Kia EV5, and ten times the volume of the Leapmotor C10. In the mid-sized electric segment, it ranks only behind the Tesla Model Y and BYD Sealion 7.The current version has already received significant updates since its launch in 2025, as the brand moves to quickly address buyer concerns and roll-out improvements, including significant software upgrades, and a recent update that brought a larger battery to the mid-size electric SUV.

BYD is turning its attention to Europe's best performance car brands, revealing details about its new Denza Z sports car. The Denza Z is a fully-electric performance four-seater roaster, shaping up as a rival to petrol-powered and established alternatives such as the Mercedes-Benz SL Class. The Z has a three electric motor set-up, with two on the rear axle and one on the front, producing a combined 1180kW. It boasts a 0-100km/h time of less than two seconds and has a top speed of 350km/h, putting it into direct competition with the biggest names in the business. Unlike other Denza products, the Z will debut in Europe and China, signalling a clear intention from the brand to tackle established European rivals. There is no news on whether the Z will come to Australia, but if it does, it would likely not be for a few years, due to currently being left-hand drive only.Denza Australia has been contacted for comment to see if the Z will launch in Australia in the future. It would compliment the Z9 GT sports wagon due Down Under in the coming months.The Z is available as a hardtop or as a heavier convertible. It was first seen as a concept car last year at the Beijing Motor Show, with it keeping much of the same striking look. At 4780mm long, 1990mm wide and 1350mm tall, it is similarly-sized to the SL Class. Underneath the skin, there is an advanced adaptive suspension system that is also found on the Yangwang U9 top-end performance car. The Z's European future means BYD will come in ahead of many of its competition by offering a fully-electric sports car, with others still focusing on petrol power.Lamborghini recently pulled back its plans for an EV, putting resources into plug-in hybrid set-ups. Ferrari recently revealed its first-ever EV, the Luce, which has received polarising commentary. The Denza Z scheduled to launch from next month. 

China may hog much of the automotive headlines nowadays, with its aggressively and allegedly heavily-subsidised cheap vehicle-export strategy.But it is the South Korean carmakers Hyundai, Kia and even KGM (formerly SsangYong) that have come of age this decade, through engineering excellence, bold design, visionary product planning and sheer value for money that is the envy of the rest of the world.In fact, every year since 2020, a Korean vehicle has stood out above all others in some way, showing up anything Japan, Germany, France, Italy and America can do.Korea is the actual fear of the rest of the world, and here’s why.China dominates the electric vehicle (EV) segment in many parts of the world with unfeasibly inexpensive models that have democratised the technology.But the Hyundai Motor Group (HMG), which includes Kia, that makes the best affordable EVs, due to progressive technologies that, in models like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, have included faster-charging 800-volt architectures, Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) tech and other advancements that were the provenance of high-end European marques like Porsche.And let’s not forget the brilliant ballistic missile that is the Ioniq 5 N, a performance grand-touring hot hatch that redefines what an EV can do.HMG invested billions in electrification well before most other mainstream carmakers during the 2010s, gaining experience with early EVs like the original, Toyota Prius-esque Ioniq, Kona Electric and Kia Niro EV, allowing Korea to forge ahead with next-gen models nowadays.Sticking with the Ioniq 5, this is an incredibly talented mid-sized SUV for a number of other reasons besides breakthrough EV engineering, such as for design, interior packaging and overall sophistication.It still turns heads with crisp, timeless design that plays lip service to Hyundai’s first in-house-developed production car (the 1970s Pony), while it has a loping, relaxed refinement that embarrasses most other SUVs, period.For us, the Ioniq 5 remains a leading candidate for the car of the decade, even though it launched back in 2021.In 2026, the Kia EV3 is arguably the best small SUV EV for the money on a number of fronts, especially where Chinese vehicles struggle with, including unintrusive advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS) tech, user-friendly vehicle controls, regional steering and suspension tuning and Australia-wide servicing access.More than the sum of its parts, the EV3 simply behaves and drives like a good car should, with few vices or frustrating surprises.Everybody remembers the Kia Stinger of 2017, an ambitious but ultimately doomed final attempt at a large, rear-drive family sedan in the mould of the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon.A glorious failure, it cemented Kia a place in the hearts of performance family sedan fans.Except… its spirit lives on in the award-winning Kia EV6, the just-as-talented but far-sleeker cousin to the Ioniq 5, melding the packaging, practicality and performance of, say, a VF SS or Falcon XR6 Turbo, within an EV proposition.And, guess what, with Millennials and Gen Z buyers rejecting SUVs and crossovers as daggy and boring, it is Kia that is poised to step up with a cool, sleek and sophisticated liftback. So much more mature and charming than a Tesla Model 3.For most of this decade, it has been Korea that has offered Australia’s cheapest new car in the Kia Picanto.Yes, it’s old and one of the smallest on the market, but the Picanto’s proven reliability, solid engineering, decent safety specification, long warranty, dealer-network back-up and decent dynamics make it a dependable and enjoyable runabout.Nowadays the improved second-gen MG 3 is nipping at the Kia’s heels, but Kia has no intention of abandoning the bargain basement in Australia… we hope.Kia has obviously shot itself in the foot with the Tasman because of its kooky, oddball styling.But the sole Korean body-on-frame one-tonne ute is currently the best in its diesel-powered class, with a lovely, refined and roomy interior, excellent workhorse capability, a powerful yet proven and efficient powertrain and pleasing servicing back-up.The Tasman is also impressive to drive, and we do not hesitate to recommend one over its rivals – especially as a long-term ownership proposition.No DPF issues like the Toyota HiLux or engine-belt and transmission problems that reportedly afflicts the Ford Ranger, either. The Kia is a better vehicle than either of these segment best-sellers in our estimation.In North America, the Ford has prised open the car-based, monocoque-bodied, dual-cab ute market wide open with the SUV-derived Maverick, and that’s a deserved success for the hybrid and turbo-petrol-powered pick-upYet it is Korean minnow KGM that has pioneered the similar concept, but as a battery electric ute, with the Musso EV.Along with being a good-looking, comfortable and refined five-seater family car, it is keenly priced, well equipped, decent to drive and everyday-useable thanks to a WLTP range of between 380km and 420km.Plus, and, in keeping with the Musso heritage, there is some ute functionality on offer, including AWD availability and an 1800kg braked towing capacity.There’s nothing even remotely like it in Australia right now that combines all of the above, except from KGM. Which shouldn’t be too surprising, given that the original Korando all the way back in 1983 was named for the contraction of the term “Korea can do”.

A new budget electric ute crusher from China is about to hit Aussie showrooms. The Foton K2 van has been approved for sale in Australia, according to a Department of Infrastructure, Transports, Regional Development, Communications, Sports and the Arts filing. It will join the increasingly busy electric van segment, and will be available in short and long wheelbase variants.It sizes up in the mid-size van category at 4900mm long for the SWB and 5200mm long for the LWB. This makes it similarly sized to the Ford E-Transit Custom priced from $77,890, before on-road costs. There is no indication yet on how the K2 will be priced, but it is likely to come in cheaper than the E-Transit Custom. A spokesperson for Foton Australia would not confirm the K2's future launch, but sales approval rarely fails to result in a vehicle launch. The K2 is powered by an electric motor set-up that produces 125kW. There are two battery choices available, which are 50kWh and 67kWh units.There is no official driving range figure for the K2, but overseas versions, known as the i7, offer 360km from the 50kWh unit, according to more generous CLTC standards. Overseas versions feature a functional cabin, with seating for three people and a small pop-out digital driver display and optional central display. There are also physical climate control buttons. Other information remains scarce at this stage, but we are likely to find out more about it later on this year. It will join the Foton Tunland ute, which recently came to Australia after a more than eight-year absence Down Under. It is unclear what could be next on the agenda for Foton, but the brand has previously offered an SUV and that is something still on the cards. “Foton’s got some pretty strong van offerings,” Inchcape Australia (Foton distributor) Managing Director Blair Read told CarsGuide late last year. “That is where our current focus is, what we've been discussing with the factory, and then maybe SUVs down the track.”

Volkswagen will launch a number of new electrified commercial vehicles in Australia later this year and in early 2027.Headlining these is the addition of an ID. Buzz Pro all-wheel drive trim, complementing the existing GTX flagship all-wheel drive trim. To date the ID. Buzz Pro has only been offered with a single, rear-mounted electric motor.There is also an all-wheel drive version of the ID.Buzz Cargo, as well as a long-wheelbase body style, coming to complement the existing rear-wheel drive trim.Both of these will form part of a model year 2027 (MY27) update for the ID.Buzz and ID.Buzz Cargo. Volkswagen hasn’t fully disclosed what else will be changing or added with this update just yet.Volkswagen is planning to launch a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the Multivan people-mover in the first quarter of 2027. It’s understood this will come with all-wheel drive.This will be complemented by an Australian launch of the Caddy PHEV.Beyond the launch of these electrified products, the next launch for Volkswagen’s commercial vehicle division is the Amarok W600, which has been fettled by Australian engineering and manufacturing firm, Walkinshaw.The German carmaker will roll out its MY26 update for the Amarok, which axes the 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine, and the addition of a new Amarok Style with the 2.3-litre turbo-petrol engine and the special edition Amarok Dark Label.Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Australia Product Manager Michael Cenci told CarsGuide the entry-level Amarok Core will pick up the updated 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine for MY26, swapping out the wet belt for a timing chain.This mirrors what the related Ford Ranger received for its MY26 update.Beyond the updated engine, the Amarok Core will also receive a 10-speed automatic transmission, replacing the six-speed automatic.At this stage it’s unclear what other changes will occur with this MY26 update for the Amarok. Volkswagen hasn’t published pricing yet.

Game-changing solid-state batteries are back on the agenda.Chinese carmaker Dongfeng has announced it will begin mass-production of solid-state batteries in the second half of 2026, according to reports out of China. With an energy density of 350Wh/kg, much higher than conventional lithium-ion batteries, the brand said vehicles equipped with the battery will have a driving range of 1000km. Solid-state batteries don't use a liquid or gel to store energy like conventional batteries, allowing for significantly greater energy density. Greater energy density means a bigger driving range from the same size battery, so its success will put range anxiety to bed for good. These batteries are also said to reduce the likelihood of fires and are much lighter than lithium-ion alternatives. Earlier this year, Dongfeng put a solid-state prototype model through cold-weather testing in China and confirmed plans for a production model to launch in 2027.Dongfeng sub-brand Forthing is due in Australia this year, meaning solid-state battery technology from the brand Down Under might not be too far away.Solid-state batteries looked to be on the back burner in the industry, with a full-scale uptake still decades away, according to some experts. Donfeng might have just moved up the timeline if it gets mass-production underway this year.  Dongfeng is the latest addition to a growing list of Chinese brands racing to get solid-state batteries into production. Chery appears to be closest in this race with its next-generation ‘Rhino’ battery boasting 400Wh/kg and 1500km of driving range expected to feature in Chery sub-brand Exeed models before the end of the year. Chery’s local branch has also shown interest in these cars launching in Australia.Mass-production of solid-state batteries have proved to be a significant challenge, with high production and development costs combined with technological complications slowing progress. Dongfeng’s announcement of mass-production in the second half of 2026 puts it ahead of much of the competition that are targeting taking this step no sooner than 2027. BYD plans to begin only small-scale solid-state battery production next year, according to reports.Donfeng's joint-venture partner in China, Nissan is another brand to developing solid-state batteries, but its mass-production program won't begin until the end of the 2028 financial year.It is not just China getting in on the solid-state game. In September 2025, Mercedes-Benz confirmed a solid-state prototype of its EQS sedan went 1205km on a single charge.

GWM’s next model under its Ora electrified sub-brand has appeared in regulatory filings in China, as a sporty new station wagon.Dubbed the Ora 7, this car made its debut in concept form at the Shanghai Motor Show in 2025.It was called the Lightning Cat Travel Edition, and was pitched as a spin-off of the sportback model, which never launched in Australia.Thanks to the new filings, which have appeared via the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, it appears the production version of the car will instead adopt Ora’s new numerical naming system, and will be pitched above the incoming Ora 5 small SUV.At 4820mm long, 1850mm wide and 1520mm high, the new Ora model competes directly with the incoming BYD Seal 6 plug-in hybrid, which is available in both sedan and wagon form.Unlike the Seal 6, the Ora 7 is a pure electric model, with dual motors producing 160kW and 150kW. The old Lightning Cat was previewed as having a combined output of 300kW/680Nm.What does seem to have evolved since the Lightning Cat is the battery chemistry, which appears to have swapped from the more expensive and higher-output NMC chemistry to a more affordable LFP unit, according to Chinese media.The car remains almost entirely faithful to the concept shown at Shanghai, all the way down to the sporty gloss black wheel package, although notably the flush door handles have been swapped for traditional ones in keeping with new Chinese regulations that ban flush or sunken door handles for safety reasons.The interior is yet to be revealed, but expect it to come with similar new-generation updates as seen on the recently-launched Ora 5, including the brand’s latest two-spoke steering wheel design, stalk-mounted gear shifter, minimalist centre console and new software hosted on larger screens.At this stage it is unclear whether Australia will see this station wagon model.