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A cheaper Pajero 4WD could be on the cards in the future, according to the company’s local boss.The new Mitsubishi Pajero range starts at $68,490 (before on-road costs) for the base five-seat GLS grade and rises to $84,990 for the range-topping seven-seat GSR.This means it is one of the most expensive Mitsubishis ever sold in Australia.It is almost $10,000 more expensive than the cheapest Ford Everest, but about $5000 cheaper than the base Toyota Prado.Isuzu’s base MU-X is about $13,000 more affordable.Mitsubishi Australia boss Shunichi Kihara defended the Pajero’s price point.Kihara said he understood Mitsubishi has been seen as a slightly cheaper alternative to Toyota and Ford in the past, but was confident it would sell well.“I think when we launched the current Outlander there was a price gap from the previous generation, but we were able to attract many new customers," said Kihara.“So I think we can do the same with the new Pajero considering the product competitiveness and the price position we have."The new Pajero is a more premium proposition with rugged good looks, quality off-road tech and a plush interior that does put it a step above the competition at face value."This does leave room for a more bare-bones version at the bottom of the range. Mitsubishi has also not yet used the GLX grade designation - its name used for base grades of its rugged vehicles.“We decided the current line-up thinking that this line-up can address all the necessary type of customer in that segment,” said Kihara.“Of course, going forward depending on market change, customer demand, we are open to consider making changes to the line-up.”Mitsubishi won’t be able to make a decision on that anytime soon, with the vehicle only going on sale this December. Kihara did rule out a two-wheel drive version of the Pajero and called it inappropriate.Mitsubishi has hinted at a GLX grade in government filings.The homologation documents, needed to approve a vehicle for sale in Australia, cited four Pajero variants: GLX, GLS, Exceed and GSR. The last three are part of the new line-up, with only GLX absent.Chinese carmakers such as BYD, Chery, GAC, GWM and Geely are all entering the 4WD space, but Kihara said the Pajero has something those do not.“Pajero has name, history, heritage and that it is the flagship of Mitsubishi,” he said.“It’s reliability, durability, Japanese design and technology — including the 4x4 technology — and also the strong heritage and history and of the adventurous spirit.”Mitsubishi Australia COO Rob Nazzari pointed to the company’s extensive dealer network, 10-year/200,000km conditional warranty and after-sales servicing as big reasons buyers would choose Mitsubishi over newer brands.

Toyotas are ubiquitous in Australia, with everything from Camrys and Corollas through to the legendary 4WD LandCruisers near-omnipresent on our roads and bush tracks.But there are some Toyotas that are sold – and popular – overseas but aren’t offered in the Australian market, and if they are offered here they haven’t achieved the sales success Toyota has hoped for. Case in point: the Tundra, while it’s much loved in the good ol’ US of A, it has achieved only middling success here.The Tundra’s sales struggle here have somewhat discouraged Toyota from bringing any other overseas models here and that’s a real shame because there are some appealing vehicles in that mix.Read on.Much respected in off-roading circles, the 4Runner – think a Surf/Fortuner mash-up on HGH (Hard-core Growth Hormone) – has been around in various iterations since 1984. Now in its sixth generation, the 4Runner comes with a 2.4L turbocharged inline four-cylinder petrol engine (204kW and 430Nm), or a 2.4L turbocharged inline four-cylinder hybrid powertrain (240kW and 630Nm), both matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission.It’s a Toyota off-roader – with part-time or full-time 4WD, drive modes and diff locks – so it’s handy in the dirty stuff, of course.Australia doesn’t need another 4WD, but the 4Runner wouldn’t go astray here.Prices in the US start from MSRP $42,270 (approx. AUD $58,700).Not as well known here, the Sequoia is a well established large SUV in the US market.This large SUV – top-spec versions tip the scales at 2790kg – is more open-road cruiser than hard-core 4WD but, having said that, it still has the mechanicals and tech onboard to traverse difficult terrain. The 2026 Sequoia is equipped with a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 hybrid (321kW and 790Nm), matched to a 10-speed auto, and is rated to legally tow up to 4309kg.Mid-range variants and upwards have part-time 4WD (with high- and low-range 4WD) and an automatic limited-slip differential.The Sequoia may struggle to find a niche here as stablemate Cruiser has that part of the market sewn up.Feeling posh? Go for the Trailhunter package, replete with an Old Man Emu upgraded suspension, Michelin LTX Trail 265/70R18 tyres, bronze-finished wheels, front recovery hooks and extra underbody protection.Prices in the US start from MSRP $68,725 for an SR5 4WD (approx. AUD $95,456).Like a baby 300 Series, only better – or at least that’s what Toyota wants you to believe.Launched in May this year, this diminutive five-seater FJ – with a 270mm shorter wheelbase than the 250 Series – has a 2.7-litre inline four-cylinder petrol engine (producing 120kW and 246Nm), a six-speed auto, part-time 4WD and an electric rear differential lock.It’s boxy and compact – it has a turning circle of 5.5m – and looks set to take on the likes of Suzuki’s Jimny in the cute-but-capable off-road stakes.A Cruiser-based but shrunken ladder-frame structure is the platform for this tough-seeming little nugget of an off-roader.Off-road angles are up there with the 250 Series and, on paper, this FJ has plenty of off-road potential.Sure, this mini Cruiser exists in a niche within a niche but we reckon it’d sell here.Prices in Japan start from 4,500,100 yen (about $40,100).Massive in America and well suited to outdoorsy life in Australia, the Tacoma is a big ute made for rough-and-tumble work and play, so why it hasn’t landed here yet its beyond us.Now available with a 2.4-litre turbocharged inline-four engine (producing up to 204kW and 430Nm) or a 2.4-litre turbocharged inline-four hybrid powertrain (producing up to 239kW and 630Nm) that’s matched to either a six-speed manual gearbox or eight-speed automatic transmission.It’s built on the same chassis as the full-size Tundra and Sequoia, and gains bolstering from a Toyota New Global Architecture-F (TNGA-F) platform of high-strength steel, lightweight aluminium and laser welds. So, robust.And, of course, it’s all packed into a ute with Toyota’s reliable baked-in off-road effectiveness.TRD variants and upwards get Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, Downhill Assist Control, and an electronically controlled locking rear differential as standard.Go for a Trailhunter and you get Old Man Emu 2.5-inch forged monotube position-sensitive shocks with rear piggyback reservoirs, high-clearance front bumper, rock rails and ARB steel rear bumper with recovery hooks, and 33-inch rugged-terrain tires with 18-inch wheels.We know lots of people in Australia who jump at the chance to own one of these big utes.Prices in the US start from MSRP $32,545 (approx. AUD $45,203).A ute actually designed and engineered to do ute stuff? No way.The HiLux Champ – a Thailand-only vehicle – is an intriguing oddity that’s sure to fire the imagination of many a quirky car fan there and abroad.It’s a 2WD two-seater ute with a choice of three engine types – 2.0L petrol, 2.7L petrol, or a 2.4L four-cylinder diesel – and it has either a five-speed manual gearbox or six-speed automatic transmission. Depending on your Champ’s spec level it may have a one-tonne payload and a minimum 5.4m turning circle.Toyota Motor Thailand (TMT) offers eight grades of the Champ, including short- and long-wheelbase versions, and an unequipped variant with a flat deck is available. With customisation in mind, TMT has made sure the deck has bolt holes at various locations so that custom accessories can be attached.It’s built for purpose and, on paper, certainly has a lot of appeal as a work ute and a mod-friendly vehicle.The Champ would fit right in here.Prices range from 459,000 to 577,000 baht (approx. $19,354 to $24,329).

Audi has slashed the price on one of its EVs in Australia, in a win for buyers. The Audi Q6 e-tron electric mid-size SUV now starts from $89,900 (before on-road costs) - $10,000 reduction on the previous model.That means the base version is now eligible for the full FBT exemption until April 1 next year, when it reduces to just a 25 per cent FBT exemption. It also skirts under the Luxury Car Tax threshold.The SQ6 e-tron performance SUV has seen an even steeper price drop of more than $20,000, with it now starting from $129,900, compared to $151,400. Coupe variants are available from $134,900, down from $156,400, which is a $21,500 reduction as well. Updated pricing sees the 2027 Q6 e-tron priced from the same as the BMW iX3 ($89,900) and substantially cheaper than the Porsche Macan ($129,800). A sport edition variant of the currently 2026 model Q6 e-tron is available from $95,900 (drive-away) on cars ordered until October 2026. The sport edition variant is available from now until October 2026, with deliveries on the new Q6 e-tron and SQ6 e-tron beginning in 2027. The Audi Q6 e-tron comes with a single electric motor, producing up to 215kW and 450Nm to the rear wheels.It’s equipped with an 83kWh battery, offering a driving range of up to 485km, according to WLTP standards. The SQ6 e-tron adds another electric motor and all-wheel drive, boosting performance to 380kW and 855Nm, meaning the car can sprint from 0-100km/h in 4.3 seconds. The car uses a bigger 100kWh battery to offer a driving range of 586km (WLTP). Both variants are capable of DC charging at more than 200kW, with a 10-80 per cent charge taking roughly 20 minutes. The Q6 can charge at 225kW, while the SQ6 can charge at 270kW.Both variants get an 11.9-inch digital driver display and 14.5-inch curved central touchscreen, along with a 10.9-inch passenger touchscreen as standard.All variants ride on 20-inch alloy wheels as standard, but the SQ6 e-tron shows off 21-inch examples. The car is fitted with sports seats wrapped in leather-appointed upholstery, with the front ones electrically adjustable and heated. It comes as standard with a 10-speaker audio system that is upgraded to a 16-speaker unit in the SQ6 e-tron that also adds a head-up display. The Q6 e-tron features a black exterior styling package as standard that sees front and rear bumpers painted in black. All variants are covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre manufacturers warranty, as well as a 12-year warranty against corrosion perforation.  

JAC has officially confirmed it is launching a cab-chassis version of its new Hunter PHEV dual-cab ute in Australia in early 2027.This new JAC Hunter PHEV cab-chassis will perform as a direct rival to the recently introduced BYD Shark 6 Dynamic cab-chassis.The Chinese carmaker claims this particular version of the Hunter PHEV has been developed with tradies, farmers and fleet operators in mind.With the lack of a tub this allows for a tray, canopy, toolbox or specialised body can fitted to the rear of the ute.Pricing and final specifications will be confirmed closer to the launch, as well as the genuine body and tray options.“More than half of the prospective fleet customers we are speaking with want a cab-chassis,” said JAC Motors Australia Managing Director Ahmed Mahmoud.“That is a clear signal that Australian businesses are looking for a more flexible PHEV work platform.”This forthcoming, cab-chassis version of the Hunter PHEV will sit alongside the traditional versions with a tub that have only just started arriving at local dealers.It will also sit alongside the turbo-diesel-powered T9 cab-chassis that launched locally late last year. It’s offered in entry-level Tradepro, as well as Oasis guises.It’s expected the JAC Hunter PHEV cab-chassis will retain the same powertrain as the existing examples with a tub.It marries together a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with dual electric motors for total system outputs of 360kW and 1010Nm. There’s also a 31.2kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that’s claimed to allow for up to 100km of NEDC-claimed electric range.A 3500kg braked towing capacity, as well as the 3.3kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) system are also expected to carry over to the cab-chassis version.At this stage it’s unclear whether JAC is planning to offer multiple Hunter PHEV cab-chassis trims, but regardless it will likely undercut the Shark 6 in terms of price.The entry-level JAC Hunter PHEV Pro is currently $49,988, before on-road costs, whereas the BYD Shark 6 Dynamic cab-chassis is $55,900, before on-road costs.

Renault has revealed its Niagara ute as part of a massive overseas push for the French brand.The Niagara is a true ute, being based on a car-derived platform, rather than a rugged ladder frame that underpins most dual-cabs sold in Australia.In its initial target market of South America, it will do battle with the successful Ford Maverick, the BYD Mako ute, and the incoming new Volkswagen Tukan.The Niagara rides on Renault’s recently-launched RGMP platform, which is a heavily updated version of the CMF-B platform that underpins the new-generation Mitsubishi ASX, Nissan Juke and Renault Arkana.Renault says this helps it maintain ‘the comfort of an SUV with the versatility of a pick-up’ although it does have some rugged capabilities, with up to 233mm of ground clearance, approach and departure angles of up to 22.1 degrees front and rear.It also scores a cargo bed with 938 litres of total available space, with a payload of 654 kilos. It also features a rolling cover as standard, and an electric tailgate. Renault says it has best-in-class towing of 710kg for this style of monocoque ute.It also features suspension specifically designed for the rough conditions of South America, as well as an ‘exclusive rear axle’ design. Unlike most utes, it features multi-link suspension in the rear, which Renault says both improves ride comfort and stability on poor road surfaces.The brand says special attention was paid to integrating the cab section to the load bed area in order to create a more harmonious design with more seamlessly connected parts.Powering the Niagara is a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol (and flex-fuel) engine. It produces 115kW/270Nm in front-wheel drive variants, or 120kW/270Nm in all-wheel drive versions and can be chosen either with a six-speed manual or a six-speed dual clutch automatic.All-wheel drive versions have an on-demand torque split system, which relies on the traction sensors to send drive to the appropriate axle automatically. When driving on the road, the system defaults to front-wheel drive like most on-demand AWD SUVs.The brand says the Niagara underwent 800,000km worth of testing across South America in preparation for its launch, including extreme heat, tough road conditions and long-distance journeys.At 4940mm long, it is slightly smaller than its closest rival sold in Australia, the KGM Musso EV.Feature-wise it also incorporates full LED exterior lighting, as well as a modern cabin featuring a 10.1-inch multimedia touchscreen and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. It also features an electronic shifter for automatic variants to free up centre console space.The new ute is part of a push by Renault to be one of 14 new models built for markets outside of Europe by 2030 and to that end the Niagara is built in Argentina.With the notable focus on South America though, it looks as though the Niagara will join the list of cool-looking would-be replacements for cult hits like the Subaru Brumby or Proton Jumbuck, which may never see Australian shores.Like most of its rivals built for and in Latin American markets, it is likely to remain exclusively in left-hand drive, with unique flex-fuel engines not sold in our market and likely with lower levels of safety equipment needed to either comply with Australian Design Rules or secure a high ANCAP score.Renault joins a list of embattled brands in Australia’s increasingly competitive market, with its sales shrinking 7.5 per cent year on year. The French brand is faring significantly better than its nemesis Peugeot locally, but remains a niche offering with its 2959 units this year on a similar level to brands like Chevrolet, Mini and KGM.

Australia has recently scrapped a few road laws, but there are still plenty of others I reckon need ditching, too. That’s right, as one financial year ends and another begins it’s not just accountants who get excited but road users can, too, because this is the time that old traffic laws are scrapped and new ones are introduced.This year one of the most popular changes will certainly be the scrapping of the road work speed limit during non-road work times in New South Wales. Previously road work speed limits have been enforced 24 hours a day and regardless of whether road work was taking place. The lower speed limits are designed to slow traffic down to 40km/h or even 20km/h and are crucial in protecting roadside workers. The only problem with this was the low speed zone still applied even outside road work times. On a busy motorway this led to some drivers sticking to 40km/h while others raced past at 110km/h. I’m glad this one has changed, but there are so many more that could do with scraping and replacing, too.Here’s a few that could do with changing, surely I’m not the only one who feels this way - feel free to jump with what you think needs changing on our roads, too.I’m completely against excessive speeding. I feel that if you’re in need of speed then you need to take it to a race track where you’ll be humbled very quickly. That said, I think speed cameras, especially the kind that are unmarked, are more about making money than saving lives. Scrap the speed cameras, but keep the red light cameras and bring in more police patrols with radars. That’ll save more lives and change driver behaviour.Running red lights is beyond stupid and dangerous and I personally think that red light cameras should be at every set of traffic lights, so what I’m about to may say sound ridiculous.I think drivers should be able to turn left on a red light upon stopping and checking to ensure the coast is clear. This works perfectly well in the US (all states allow a right turn on a red light) and it would work here too, improving traffic flow and actually increasing driver situational awareness.   Who knows how much trouble this one is going to get me into, but the law against going slightly over the speed limit while overtaking needs to be scrapped. This would only apply to single carriage ways and at no more than 10km/h over the speed limit. There’s a couple of good reasons for this.First I’ve experienced drivers speed up while I’m overtaking; second I’ve had vehicles from the other direction approach quicker than expected, and it’s not a good idea to have two cars travelling at speed barely 50cm apart together for any longer than a couple of seconds. Sometimes a little hustling is needed to get back to safety. Surely the less amount of time spent on the wrong side of the road the better. This is simple: if the left-hand lane ends and drivers have to form one lane then those in the continuing lane need to give way. The current law states that those in the lane that ends need to give way, but that’s ridiculous. They’re literally going to run out of a lane in a matter of seconds, let them in for goodness sake.South Australia, NSW and the Northern Territory only allow P platers to travel at a maximum speed of 90km/h or 100km/h, while the rest of the country allow them to travel at the maximum 110km/h speed limit. Really the P-Plater maximum speed should be in line with the rest of the traffic and an extra 10km/h to bring them to 110km/h would go some way to preventing other road users taking risks to get past them.Yes, the Northern Territory has some highways that are 130km/h, and no I don’t think a P-Plater is ready for that speed on a rough bit of tarmac like the Stuart. Anyway, that’s my list for now, and I’m sure I’ve missed many more but feel free to jump in and tell me the road rules you’d like to see scrapped and why.

We now know the truth about how long a car battery will last.Austrian battery diagnostics specialist Aviloo has worked out which vehicles perform best when it comes to an EV battery’s state of health (SoH) over time and distance.In its 2026 Certified EV Battery Report the company has analysed more than 500,000 Aviloo ‘Flash Test’ results from 2022 to 2026 across 20 high-volume electric car models in North and South America, Europe, Australia and Asia to determine the best performers.The flash test is a three-minute diagnostic check that assesses the health and performance of an electric vehicle's high-voltage traction battery.Rather than registering a value reported by the car's on-board battery management system, the flash test “independently calculates SoH using a statistical model trained on hundreds of thousands of comparable used vehicles, factoring in mileage, age, (charge) cycle count, cell voltage spread, energy counters and other diagnostic signals.”In releasing its results Aviloo made the point that, buyers of used internal-combustion cars rely on odometer readings and service records, but was not the most accurate way to tell an EV battery's state. “The battery is the single most expensive component of an electric car, and the one with the widest variation from vehicle to vehicle.“Two used electric cars with 50,000 kilometres on the odometer might present in what appears to be identical condition but can differ by up to 10 percentage points in battery SoH,” it said.The data reflects three mileage milestones (50,000, 100,000 and 150,000 kilometres), identifying the SoH range covering 99 percent of all independently tested vehicles of that model. The company made the point, “Battery health varied within each of the 20 models tested, between models and, above all, between individual vehicles of the same model. An average per model therefore says little about a specific car."SoH can vary by up to 13.5 percentage points between the best and weakest examples of the same model,” it said.As a result the median serves as the reference point in each case.The spread across the 20 models tested was already clear at the 50,000km mark with four examples highlighted for more detailed analysis in line with their different sizes, typical use and battery types.Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 had the best SoH of the four models, with range barely falling from 335 to 321km and a spread of 37 kilometres between the extremes recorded.As one of Europe’s best-selling EVs, the VW ID.4’s potential range fell from 373 to 355km, with up to 44km between the best and the weakest vehicle at 150,000km.The Tesla Model Y, the world's best-selling car for the last three years, saw its real-world range fall from 379 to 361km at 150,000km, with a 46-kilometre difference between the best and the weakest example tested.The Nissan Nissan Leaf ZE1, with the smallest (40kWh) battery of the four models highlighted the finding that smaller batteries with more frequent charging cycles age faster on average. Across all three mileage levels analysed, the Nissan had the lowest SoH of the four models examined in detail, with its real-world range dropping from 195 to 185km.Other models that performed well after 150,000km travelled were the Mercedes-Benz EQA (93.97 SoH), BMW i4 (93.62), Hyundai Kona EV (92.95), Volvo XC40 Recharge (92.79), Ford Mustang Mach-E (92.53) and Polestar 2 (92.46).Some that didn't fare as well were the Renault Zoe (87.33) and Tesla Model 3 (88.94).Commenting on the report Aviloo CEO Dr. Marcus Berger said, “The truth in this data is that averages hide a lot. “Yes, electric car batteries age better than the myth of rapid wear suggests, but that is not the most important finding. “What matters is that battery health varies widely between models, and even more widely between individual vehicles of the same model,” he said.The Aviloo Certified EV Battery Report will now be published twice a year, drawing on the company’s global diagnostics database, which holds more than one million independent tests. 

The Zeekr 7X could be about to get a new addition to its Australian line-up, with reports of an 85kWh fast charging battery variant being added to the range.The news comes fresh out of China where government regulations require carmakers to publicly publish the specifications of upcoming vehicles. Zeekr’s published filing details an upcoming rear-wheel drive 7X that is the same in every way to the current model, but will have a bigger 85kWh battery. It offers quick charging and impressive range, while keeping weight and cost down.The new 85kWh battery for the Zeekr 7X is a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, up from the 75kWh unit in the current base 7X in Australia.Currently the 7X line-up consists of a 75kWh LFP battery variant and a 100kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery variant. NMC batteries are more energy dense and heavy, but offer long ranges and more power. LFP on the other hand are more thermally stable, can handle being charged more often to 100 per cent and are cheaper as they do without certain rare metals such as cobalt.Zeekr hasn’t disclosed the range of the 85kWh battery, but it will fall between the 480km (WLPT) range of the 75kWh unit and the 615km (WLPT) of the 100kWh NMC battery.An electric vehicle with more than 500km of real world driving range is a preferable choice and the 85kWh battery is likely to offer this extra distance over the 75kWh variant.CarsGuide has reached out to Zeekr Australia to find out if and when the 85kWh variant will join the 7X line-up, but the company has yet to respond.As for the price Australians could expect this to fall between the $57,900 list price of the  75kWh 7X and the $63,900 of the 100kWh 7X.

A new affordable hot hatch had been detailed in China ahead of its expected Australian arrival.The Ora 5 GT shapes up as a cut-price rival to the Suzuki Swift Sport, Volkswagen Polo GTI, and soon-to-be phased out petrol-powered Hyundai i20 N ($37,500).Unlike the previous Ora GT, which was simply a trim level of the Ora 5 hatchback's predecessor, the Ora 5 GT looks to add genuine performance enhancements this time around.It is the latest addition to GWM’s Ora 5 line-up that consists of hatchback, SUV, sedan and wagon variants, with petrol, conventional hybrid and fully-electric set-ups available. Like the rest of the Ora 5 line-up, the GT is available in all three powertrains, petrol, hybrid and EV.The hybrid set-up is the most powerful of three, making 166kW and 476Nm from its 1.5-litre four cylinder turbo-petrol engine and electric motor.GWM said the car is fitted with a European-tuned chassis, and has a top speed of 193km/h, proving its pedigree as a more serious performance option. From the outside, the Ora 5 GT has two sharp creases either side of a central bonnet strip for a striking look to differentiate from other variants. It is available in a bright yellow or black exterior paint, with blacked out elements, including side mirrors and a big roof-mounted rear spoiler.On the inside, there is a small pop-out digital driver display and larger tablet-sized central touchscreen, with sporty bucket-style seats.Petrol variants of the Ora 5 GT start from 99,800 yuan, which is roughly A$20,000, while hybrid variants start from 109,800 yuan, or about A$22,500.Fully-electric variants are the most expensive in the range, starting from 129,800 yuan, or almost A$27,000.When Chinese cars are imported into Australia, they are usually incur a 20 to 30 per cent increase, so expect the Ora 5 GT to be a in excess of $30,000 by the time it gets here.The pure combustion version is also the least likely of the three variants to make it to Australia, given our country's new vehicle efficiency standards (NVES) are cracking down non-hybrid or electric powertrains into the future.In addition, GWM's Australian division has previously earmarked the Ora sub-brand as an important emissions-reducing part of its fleet going forward.The local branch confirmed the Ora 5 electric hatch is on its way here, indicating there is strong potential for this high-performance example to arrive as well.The Ora 5 hatch is scheduled for a late 2026 arrival, but it could stretch into early 2027, so expect the GT to arrive at a later date.The Ora 5 SUV went on sale in mid-2026, and has already registered more than 1000 sales in the few months since. GWM Australia is keen to make the most of the Ora 5 line-up Down Under, with a spokesperson confirming the recently-revealed wagon variant is also under consideration for local launch. 

Leapmotor is still actively considering developing a ute and Australia is a key factor in whether it will go ahead.The Chinese brand has been open about the possibility of a ute model in the past but it sounds like those conversations are getting more serious.Speaking at the global launch of the B03X compact EV, Leapmotor International Head of Product and Marketing Francesco Giacalone highlighted the importance of the Australian market in Leapmotor’s global strategy before hinting at a possible ute model.“I mean, I don't want to say too many things, but this morning we had a very, very interesting conversation about Australia and what we as Leapmotor can do to create products that fit that market and for which maybe another market there is no demand, and you can guess what type of products they are.”When pressed by CarsGuide if he was talking about a pick-up, Giacalone responded, “I never say so.”But he said there is demand for a ute in some key South America markets as well as Australia, which could prompt Leapmotor to develop a pick-up model.“The regionalisation of our strategy implies that there are demands that, in this moment, are not European centric. Europe is not a pick-up market. Brazil is. Australia maybe.“So of course, Australia right now represents, from a volume point of view, not as such strong arguments to build a standalone car for one market, but within the Leapmotor strategy to go global and be present global - in South America and Brazil is 30% of the market in terms of registration.“So there could be interest to develop that things. But there are a lot of ideas. I mean, the same way there are ideas about vans, the same ideas about even bigger, large SUVs.”Asked if that meant Leapmotor would look at developing a large off-road-focused ladder-frame SUV, to compete with the forthcoming Geely Battleship 700, Giacalone said that was unlikely as it doesn’t fit with the Leapmotor brand.“If it will be in the Leapmotor DNA. Leapmotor will not be the right… is not the right off-road brand. It is not that one. But from a visual design point of view, that direction is being considered.”That means a rugged looking large SUV is on the cards, but without the off-road capability. This could sit above the D19 SUV that the company confirmed would be shown in global spec at the upcoming Paris motor show.If Leapmotor greenlights a ute, it will enter an incredibly competitive segment in Australia that is stagnating when it comes to sales volume.Year-to-date sales figures to the end of August show the 4x4 pick-up segment down by 13.6 per cent, with last year’s top seller, the Ford Ranger in 4x4 guise, down by 12 per cent. The Toyota HiLux 4x4 sales are also down by 6.4 per cent.A number of predominantly Chinese newcomers have failed to fire in the ute segment in the past couple of years, with the JAC T9, MG U9 and related LDV Terron 9, as well as the Foton Tunland all recording modest sales.The BYD Shark 6 has been the clear exception to the rule, becoming a huge sales hit in Australia.More competition is set to arrive soon, too, with Chery’s hyped diesel plug-in hybrid Stockman landing in the coming months, while Geely is also developing a PHEV ute.