Hybrid News

BYD is a serious sales threat to Toyota in Australia.The giant Chinese carmaker sold 243 fewer cars than Toyota, which has dominated the Aussie charts for decades.There is one particular segment BYD is chasing Toyota in that isn't getting the attention of the others.Sedans have generally been on the decline in Australia, with SUVs climbing the charts in their place.The Toyota Camry has owned the sedan segment for many years, and has recently seen a huge boost in sales.It has faced little competition from European rivals like the Skoda Octavia and Volkswagen Passat.BYD is now showing promise where those models haven't made an impression.The brand has introduced two sedans in Australia so far: the Seal EV and Seal 6 plug-in hybrid. The Seal is one of few fully-electric sedans on sale in Australia, with the Kia EV4 and Mazda 6e providing further competition in recent months.It has proven to be one of the best-selling electric sedans since it launched in late 2023, trailing only the Tesla Model 3 on the sales charts this year.The Camry remains the outright leader of the sedan segment, but the Seal’s sales trump every competitor but the Camry and the Model 3. It is also the sedan that has experienced the most growth in 2026, up nearly 65 per cent. The Seal isn’t the only sedan providing a threat to the Camry from BYD, with the Seal 6 PHEV also now on sale.It has managed 249 registrations since it went on sale in April.BYD’s sedan push doesn’t stop there.The Seal 7 has recently been approved for sale in Australia.It will size up similarly to the Camry, compared to the smaller Seal and Seal 6.It could be an appealing alternative for fleets and ride share drivers, as it may be available in both plug-in and fully electric forms.Those sales remain an important component of the Camry’s success in Australia.

The small and light passenger car segments have been dwindling for years in Australia, but new offerings are helping to revive the affordable new car.These cars are the BYD Atto 1, MG3 and MG4 Urban. They’re all from Chinese carmakers and offer electrified power options.In June BYD sold a total of 871 examples of the Atto 1. It’s only been on sale for a few months and it’s the most affordable electric vehicle (EV) in Australia with a starting price of $23,990 before on-road costs.It was only pipped at the post in terms of monthly sales by the MG3 with a total of 898 examples sold. This is down 1.8 per cent compared to June 2025.The MG3 is now one of the only cars that's available for less than $20,000. It’s offered with both petrol and hybrid power.The Kia Picanto is the only other new car that’s available for less than $20,000 and it’s even smaller than the MG3. The South Korean carmaker sold 626 examples during June, which is down 13.3 per cent over the same month last year.MG also had some sales success with its new MG4 Urban small electric hatchback in June with a total of 1015 examples sold during the month.This almost outsold the venerable Toyota Corolla which shifted 1037 units. This is down 28.6 per cent compared to June 2025.Looking at the year-to-date (YTD) sales figures, BYD has sold a total of 3254 examples of the Atto 1 despite only being on sale for a few months.The Chinese carmaker has been going from strength to strength in terms of sales in Australia. It’s now the second best-selling brand in Australia behind only Toyota, which has held the crown for the last 20 consecutive years.MG sold a total of 3917 examples of the MG3 to the end of June which was down 25.9 per cent year-on-year. For context, MG sold a total of 8984 examples of the related ZS small SUV over the same period, an 11.7 per cent drop.MG sold a total of 1424 examples of the MG4 Urban up to the end of June. It’s only been on sale for a few months now and it appears full supply is coming on tap and backorders are being fulfilled.Forecasting for the rest of the 2026, it will be interesting to see how much of this renewed interest in certain small cars carries on as the segments as a whole continue to decline.Light and small SUV sales continue to boom and don’t look like they’re slowing down anytime soon. The overall sales volume for the segments are much higher than the respective passenger car segments too.Chery sold a total of 13,638 examples of the Tiggo 4 small SUV until the end of June, which is up 70.6 per cent year-on-year. It also makes it the fifth best-selling car in Australia overall.The best-selling passenger car currently is the Toyota Corolla in 22nd place for YTD sales. Every vehicle with a higher sales volume is either an SUV or ute.

XPeng’s new segment-bending Mona L03 SUV has been caught testing in Australia just after going on sale in China.Spotted by CarsGuide’s own Byron Mathioudakis on Victoria's Great Ocean Road, the SUV remains heavily camouflaged but still identifiable as the L03 thanks to its partially exposed signature front headlights, tail-lights that form part of its rear spoiler piece and partially exposed alloy wheels with XPeng logos.Glimpses of a steering wheel on the right-hand side can be identified, which is the first time the L03 has ever been spotted in this configuration.The L03 sits below XPeng’s only current model in Australia, the G6 mid-sizer SUV, which competes with the Tesla Model Y. The L03 will compete with more affordable SUVs such as the Geely EX5 (from $41,990), BYD Atto 3 (from $39,990) and GAC Aion V (from $42,590).It shares a familiar minimalist interior treatment to many of its Chinese contemporaries, with modern touches like a large central multimedia touchscreen, oval steering wheel and floating central console, with its key differentiator being its slinky fastback-style rear.The L03 is available overseas in electric form, with a 183kW/280Nm rear-mounted motor and either a 56kWh or 69kWh battery pack for up to 625km of range, according to lenient Chinese standards.A range-extender hybrid model will follow, using a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine and a 37.2kWh battery pack.The L03 was spotted alongside another unknown XPeng model, which appears to be a hatchback or crossover. It could be a third member of the Mona family, with the L03 being an SUV and the M03 being a sedan.It stands to reason that XPeng would launch a hatchback as the brand has been active in the European market for some time. It would follow in the footsteps of the original MG4, Leapmotor's B05 hatchback, both created specifically for the European market, or BYD and its Euro-focused plug-in hybrid derivatives of the Atto 1 and Atto 2.The M03 sedan has been previewed in Australia in left-hand-drive form under XPeng’s previous distributor, and has gone on to become a popular low-cost vehicle in China, but it is unclear whether XPeng’s new factory-backed operation will follow through with plans to launch it in Australia now the company’s model range has evolved overseas.The freshly spotted car seems to have more in common with the SUV design, featuring a bar-style tail-light rather than the individual light clusters of the M03 sedan, while its hatch-style tailgate is a new profile for the brand.CarsGuide understands the L03 is due in Australia in 2027, and the spotted SUV is likely undergoing validation testing for the Australian market.The hatchback model is likely undergoing initial testing and will launch further down the track.XPeng is seeking to get its business back on track in Australia amid an ongoing legal stoush with its former distributor TrueEV.The now factory-backed brand currently only offers the updated G6 on its website, with the X9 people mover listed as coming soon.It is yet to comment locally on the L03 and CarsGuide has sought clarity on the hatchback model.

The re-launch of the Ora brand for GWM was just the start of a huge list of launches set for the second half of 2026, the brand has revealed.GWM Australia’s Managing Director, Andrew Gao, told media that Australia is one of GWM’s top three “strategic international markets”, so it shouldn’t be a huge surprise that the brand plans to launch nine new models or variants in Australia before the end of the year.The new 2027 GWM Ora 5 SUV is one, but several more models and variants are set to land later this year, including two more variants of the Ora 5, new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel-powered Tank 500 and Cannon Alpha variants, a new Haval H7, plus a new Haval Jolion Max and the introduction of a new sub-brand, Wey.Starting with Ora, there is set to be a hatch version of the Ora 5, sharing a body style with the new SUV but with a lower ride height. It’ll likely share the same specifications as the SUV, which has a 150kW/260Nm front-mounted electric motor. A longer, ‘Touring’ version classed as a mid-size SUV will join the two Ora 5 variants later.GWM also plans to introduce its Hi4-T plug-in hybrid (PHEV) drivetrain to its Cannon ute, similar to that already found in the larger Cannon Alpha. The Cannon Alpha range itself will also be expanded to include a more off-road focussed Cannon Alpha XSR, while a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine is set to become available for it and the Tank 500 4WD.For the new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel, Australia has been picked as the “lead global market to launch the powertrain”, with Australian customer feedback and local engineering talent being used to shape the new running gear and ensure its suitability for local needs.GWM has already been testing the new 3.0-litre diesel in Australia, having racked up tens of thousands kilometres with at-the-limit 3.5-tonne towing weights being hauled.The mid-size SUV space, one of Australia’s most competitive markets, is also set for more competition with GWM to introduce a new Haval H7, replacing the current generation’s single-variant and its front-drive hybrid powertrain.A hybrid and all-wheel drive plug-in hybrid drivetrain will both be available in the new H7, which has had a big visual refresh. Front and rear diff-locks are already confirmed for the model, too, so its off-roading ability is set to surpass the current-gen H7.The Haval Jolion Max is also set to join the line-up, with PHEV and full-EV versions on the cards for the mid-size SUV.Finally, GWM will launch its Wey luxury arm in Australia by the end of the year, adding a fifth sub-brand to the GWM family. Which models will arrive locally are yet to be fully locked-in, but GWM says large SUVs and MPVs will be the focus.Don’t be surprised if the Wey V9X Large SUV and Wey G9 people mover are early on the cards for our market.The new model assault comes as GWM renews its push to become a top-five brand in Australia, recording an all-time peak of 6104 cars sold in June 2026.John Kett, Chief Operating Officer for GWM Australia told media at the launch of the Ora 5 SUV that GWM Australia’s access to the full global catalogue of models is key to its future plans.“For the first time, GWM Australia has access to GWM's complete global portfolio,” Kett said.“It means we're no longer planning around the business we have today, we're planning around the business we're becoming. More importantly, it allows us to do something very few automotive manufacturers can do.“We can build our portfolio around our customers instead of asking our customers to fit our portfolio.”To reach its goal of becoming one of Australia’s top-five brands by sales, Kett says GWM will need to shift 75,000 new cars a year across its brands. In June, it finished eighth with Mazda, Hyundai, and Kia between it and fifth.

China's budget SUV will get hybrid power in Australia.Chery has announced its C5 small SUV will now be available as a hybrid in Australia.Pricing starts from $31,999 (drive-away), so it’s a $2000 price jump on the base petrol variant. It is $6000 cheaper than the fully-electric E5.Chery is axing the range-topping petrol variant of the C5 in Australia to make room for the new hybrid version in its line-up. The brand will replace it with a top-grade hybrid at the same price, starting from $34,990. The brand has no plans to cut the remaining petrol C5, so it will continue as the entry level to the model. A hybrid C5 compliments the petrol and fully-electric (called the E5) offerings of the car already available.This C5 hybrid will take on other small hybrid SUVs like the Hyundai Kona ($36,950, before on-road costs) and the incoming hybrid-only Kia Seltos.Its new 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and electric motor set-up (165kW/295Nm) trumps the power of the petrol and electric variants of the car on offer. It also provides an improved fuel efficiency of 4.9L/100km compared to 6.9L/100km with the petrol variant. The C5 hybrid adopts much of the same exterior as its siblings, apart from a different wheel design.The cabin also features a seperate 12.3-inch digital driver display and central touchscreen, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. It has synthetic leather seats as standard, with the front ones heated, as well as dual-zone automatic air conditioning. Top-grade examples add ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel and a wireless charger, along with a power sunroof and tailgate.The C5 and E5 have been steady sellers for Chery, but have been nowhere as successful as the smaller Tiggo 4 SUV. Chery finds itself as one of the top-selling brands in Australia, shifting more than 20,000 units up to June 2026. 2027 Chery C5 pricing Australia  

BYD’s latest car exposes a huge issue that is headed for Australia. Driving range is the new point of difference for Chinese carmakers, and BYD is fully participating, but it has a sinister side.The BYD Seal 08 was unveiled in China as a Mercedes S-Class size sedan, with fully-electric and plug-in hybrid set-ups.The EV offers a driving range of up to more than 900km, according to generous CLTC standards, but its PHEV sibling steals the show. Its petrol tank and 45kWh battery combine to deliver a total driving range of 1660km, with an electric-only range of 400km.This is the same size as the battery BYD puts in its fully-electric Dolphin hatchback.Big hitting electrified set-ups boasting driving ranges approaching the 2000km range mark have grown in quantity, but authorities are starting to push back, according to reports. These large range-carrying set-ups substantially increase a car's weight, with batteries accounting for the bulk of the weight. Heavier cars require more energy to run, making them less efficient. They also contribute to an increased amount of wear and tear on the roads, requiring more frequent work.The Chinese government could be about to start imposing penalties on carmakers for producing electrified cars that are more than a certain weight. The BYD Seal 08 PHEV battery weighs more than 330kg, contributing to a total weight likely to be around 2000kg, with its EV sibling exceeding that figure.Australia’s current best-selling electric car and model generally, the Tesla Model Y also weighs around the 2000kg mark.Vehicles above 4500kg incur the Heavy User Road Tax on every litre of fuel used in Australia to pay for the wear and tear caused by them.External factors such as the Iran War and subsequent fuel price increase has accelerated the uptake of electrified cars globally, including Australia. With so many heavy EVs and PHEVs hitting the roads in Australia, there could be a need to follow China’s lead to protect the country’s road network from increased damage.Innovations in technology such as solid-state batteries could provide the key to offering huge driving ranges in smaller, lighter packages.Chinese brands have driving forwards in their pursuit of such technologies, with BYD and Chery, among others working on solutions in 2027.

The winds of change are blowing a gale through the Australian car industry, as new brands and vehicles whizz past old favourites on the sales charts.Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries boss Tony Weber said the June result was a paradigm shift for the new vehicle market. “The Australian automotive market has shifted on its axis during the first months of 2026. This year is likely to represent a significant turning point for the Australian automotive industry,” said Weber.BYD is officially a category five storm blowing in the direction of Toyota, Ford, Mazda and others that have dominated the top five selling brands for the past decade.BYD sold 18,881 new cars in June, all of them either electric or plug-in hybrids. This brought its three month total to 34,794 after its much ballyhooed effort to send its own ships packed to the gills with cars to Australia.Toyota had battened down the hatches in June and fortified itself against the fierce onslaught of BYD. It managed 19,124 sales in the past month to hold on to first place.It is understood that Toyota has increased supply going forward and is planning a monster second half of the year.Ford bounced back to third place with 9181 sales. Tesla came roaring up behind the Blue Oval with 8670 sales in June, which is impressive considering it only sells two vehicles.The Tesla Model Y was the best selling vehicle in the country with 8072 examples finding a home in the past month.Stablemates Kia (8005) and Hyundai (7480) held firm in fifth and sixth spots, while Mazda slid down to seventh (7278).Chinese brands finished out the top 10 with GWM (6104), MG (5001) and Chery (4505) muscling out old favourites Mitsubishi (4150), Subaru (2902) and Nissan (2337).A few other Chinese brands are lurking outside the top 10, with Geely 13th with 3507 sales and Chery’s Omoda Jaecoo sub brand 15th after moving 2541 units.Utes still delivered strong results, which is typical for the End of Financial Year period.The Toyota HiLux was the Japanese brand’s best selling model with 5175 sales, and Ford’s Ranger was the second best selling model overall with 5999 sales. BYD’s plug-in hybrid Sark 6 ute was its second best selling model, with 3398 sales.Top 10 selling car brands, June 2026 Top 10 selling vehicles, June 2026  

XPeng has detailed and priced its Mona L03 in China. The keenly-priced new mid-size coupe SUV will rival the Geely EX5 and BYD Atto 3 when it arrives in Australia.The L03 is available with both hybrid range-extender and fully electric powertrains in China, and it sits below the G6 SUV in its line-up.It features a coupe roof profile, similar to the Tesla Model Y rather than the traditional SUV shape of the Geely EX5 or BYD Atto 3.Its interior design typical of Chinese SUVs, with a minimalistic dash layout, a large 15.6-inch central touchscreen devoid of buttons and dials, a floating centre console with dual phone pads and an oval-shaped steering wheel.It features a panoramic glass roof, a 102-litre additional storage frunk and large alloy wheel choices, but unlike some it swaps a digital instrument cluster for a 26.8-inch head-up display.Both the range-extender hybrid and fully electric versions share a 183kW/280Nm rear-mounted electric motor. The electric version is capable of the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.6 seconds, while the range extender can complete it in 6.8 seconds.The electric version is backed by either 56kWh or 69kWh LFP battery, which offer either 525km or 625km of range (although this is according to the more lenient CLTC procedure). The range extender is equipped with a 1.5-litre engine producing 70kW.XPeng says the range extender can travel up to 315km in pure electric mode on its 37.2kWh battery and has a 5.2L/100km fuel consumption when the battery is depleted. Its official combined range comes in at 1330km, according to Chinese standards.The electric version has a claimed energy consumption of 11.9kWh/100km and can charge from 10 - 80 per cent in roughly 19 minutes.Some variants will be have adaptive damping shock absorbers, while all versions will get the brand’s full semi-autonomous active safety suite.The Mona L03 is priced from between the equivalent of $31,000 to $34,000 in electric form, which when the usual import premium is added for the Australian market will place it in competition with the Geely EX5 (from $41,990), BYD Atto 3 (from $39,990) and GAC Aion V (from $42,590).Right hand-drive versions are yet to be revealed, and more is expected to be learned about the model when it makes its international debut later in 2026.XPeng’s new factory-backed division in Australia has been approached for comment about the L03, although CarsGuide understands it is not due on our shores until 2027.The factory-backed operation is expected to deliver on the facelifted mid-sized G6 imminently, and has said previously it will also make good on the previously-expected X9 people mover and G9 large SUV.XPeng has made waves with its much-hyped halo models, including the new P7 sedan and GX flagship SUV in China.

BYD’s latest luxury hybrid SUV could have one trick up its sleeve its rivals don’t.The incoming FangChengBao Titanium 9, or BYD Ti9 as it is likely to be known in export markets, is a three-row plug-in hybrid SUV that is a size-up on family favourites like the Toyota Kluger.It is 5300mm long and has a wheelbase of 3120mm, so it will be a shape up in the increasingly popular large SUV segment in China.It will be similarly sized to the Zeekr 9X which is due in Australia in the next 18 months,.AutoHome has reported the Ti9 will boast a driving range of more than 2300km, substantially more than most cars on the market.There is no news on how big the fuel tank and battery will be to achieve this, but expect it to be a cut above many of its rivals. Chinese media has been suggesting it will be powered by a dual electric motor plug-in hybrid set-up, with power and torque figures still to be revealed, but possibly shared with other recent BYD models. Its smaller Ti7 sibling has a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and two electric motors, producing 358 kW and 630 Nm.This could provide an indication for what powers the Ti9. It will be available in six-seat and seven-seat configurations, and is designed for urban and light off-roading environments.The large SUV is likely to be be unveiled in the second half of this year, and go on sale early next year.There is potential for this model to come to Australia, with its smaller Titanium 7 (or Ti7) sibling going on sale in the United Kingdom soon.FangChengBao, or Formula Leopard, is one of BYD’s off-roading sub-brands, but its models do not fall under that name overseas.The Ti7 in the UK will have a BYD badge on it, as might be the case in Australia, while its larger Leopard 5 is sold locally as the Denza B5.There is no official news on whether models like the Ti7 and Ti9 will launch Down Under.The UK launch means they are being built in right-hand drive, so there is a good chance they will eventually make their way over here, as almost every BYD product available in the UK has come to Australia.BYD Australia has previously told CarsGuide the Ti7 is not on its radar, but the brand has demonstrated previously that plans can change quickly. 

China’s GWM has revealed more details and imagery of its updated Tank 300 for the domestic market.As reported by Car News China, a highlight of this update is a longer wheelbase that was previewed by the Tank 300 Hooke Edition prototype that was revealed at the 2025 Shanghai motor show.The location of the front axle has been moved forwards, plus the front overhang has been trimmed, improving the approach angle.According to Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) filings, this updated Tank 300 measures in at 4886mm long, 1984mm wide and 1927mm tall, with a 3010mm wheelbase.This makes it 126mm longer, 54mm wider and 24mm taller than the current model.Unlike the Hooke Edition prototype, which had a solid front axle, it’s understood the production version of this updated Tank 300 retains a front double wishbone and a rear multi-link suspension set-up.Another major change is the powertrain options. In addition to the Hi-4T plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option that retains a mechanical four-wheel drive system, a new Hi-4Z PHEV option, which is more electric-centric, is being introduced with this update.Full details haven’t been confirmed yet, but GWM claims it has a 60kWh battery allowing up to 200km electric range, according to an undisclosed testing cycle.For reference, the current Tank 300 Hi4-T PHEV has a 37.1kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which offers up to 115km of electric range, according to NEDC testing.It’s understood this new Tank 300 Hi4-Z PHEV will share a lot of its componentry with the Tank 400 Hi-4Z PHEV.It has a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and dual electric motors with a total system output of 635kW and 1195Nm, along with a 60kWh battery pack offering up to 200km of electric range.It’s expected the rest of the current powertrains will carry over. These include a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol, a 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, as well as a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol.In Australia only the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engines are offered, in addition to the Hi4-T PHEV powertrain.A change the imagery reveals is an altered front fascia. There’s a new grille with Tank lettering, as well as more pronounced recovery points, though it’s unclear if they’re functional.A LiDAR pod can be seen on the roof, indicating that semi-autonomous driving technology may be coming.We're yet to see any imagery of the interior, so it's unclear if there have been any changes.It’s understood this updated Tank 300 will be going on sale in China on July 6 and it’s unclear if or when it will be available to export markets, including Australia.