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BYD Australia has continued to knock down prices for its most popular models.The Chinese giant has slashed the price of the Dolphin Essential electric hatch from $29,990, before on-road costs, to $28,888 (lucky for some) drive-away.Given those on-road costs (dealer delivery, stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance and number plate fees) will range between $1500 and $2000 on a roughly $30K new car, this price repositioning represents a saving of between $2600 and $3100 in line with individual state or territory charges.The catch is the new price applies to orders placed between September 15 and December 15, with cars needing to be delivered by December 31, 2026 to qualify.This move follows BYD earlier this month making its Atto 1 electric city car cheaper than any other new vehicle currently on sale in Australia, with a shift to $19,990, drive-away pricing (from $23,990, before on road costs).The five-seat, five-door Dolphin hatch is offered in Australia in two variants - Essential and Premium - the base grade powered by a 70kW/150Nm electric motor driving the front wheels and delivering 0-100km/h acceleration in 12.3 seconds.    Its 44.9kWh LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery is good for a WLTP combined (urban/extra-urban) range of 340km with 60kW DC charging capacity onboard.5.0-inch digital instrument display12.8-inch (rotating) multimedia touchscreen Synthetic leather trimPower front seatsSix-speaker audio (with digital radio)Satellite navigationAndroid Auto/Apple CarPlayVoice AssistantLED exterior lightsClimate-control air-conditioning (single-zone)Keyless entry and startFull suite of active safety featuresThe top-spec Premium, still at $36,990, before on-road costs, boasts more power (180kW/310Nm), faster acceleration (0-100km/h in 7.0sec), a bigger battery (60.5kWh), greater range (427km WLTP) and faster charging (80kW).It also adds features like a panoramic glass roof, wireless charging, heated front seats, tinted glass and more.This pricing shift puts extra pressure on the Dolphin’s direct small hatch EV competitors, including the GAC Aion (from $31,990) and Leapmotor B05 (from $35,888), both before on-road costs. And stand-by for what will inevitably be more price discounts as new car challengers intent on capturing market share battle with legacy brands equally determined to defend their ground and grow sales.

BYD Australia has confirmed pricing for the next of its models in line for an Australian launch, its M9 people-mover.The 2026 BYD M9 will start from $61,990, before on-road costs, in Australia for the eight-seat M9 Dynamic, though the first grade to arrive will be the flagship seven-seat M9 Premium priced at $72,990.BYD’s first people mover, the M9, joins a market category dominated by the Kia Carnival, though the Hyundai Staria and Ford Tourneo take up distant second and third places.Other new arrivals to the people-mover category are more expensive, like the BYD-related Denza D9 or the Zeekr 009.On its 3045mm wheelbase, the M9 is 5145mm long, 1970mm wide and 1805mm high and its three-row layout provides "generous accommodation" according to the brand.Its plug-in hybrid (PHEV) drivetrain draws power from a 36.60kWh BYD LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) 'Blade' battery, the Dynamic with a 20.39kWh equivalent and features a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine to charge the battery and help provide drive.The Premium, the only grade available from launch, boasts 145km of EV range and up to 850km of combined range (under WLTP testing) according to BYD, with AC and DC charging, as well as Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) all supported.Its drivetrain consists of a front-mounted electric motor that provides 200kW and 315Nm, though with the engine’s help total outputs are 218kW and 315Nm.With enough battery charge, the fuel consumption claim for the M9 is 0.4L/100km, but with a low battery that jumps to 7.3L/100km - still a reasonable figure.While features for the entry Dynamic grade are yet to be confirmed, the Premium comes with a long list of luxe features including:A 12.3-inch digital instrument driver displayA 15.6-inch multimedia touchscreenWireless Apple CarPlay and Android AutoOver-the-air updates (OTA) 12-speaker sound systemFour-zone voice controlLeather upholstery Heated and ventilated front seats with massage function Heated and ventilated second-row captain's chairs with massage functionAn integrated refrigerator and hotboxAugmented reality (AR) projectionPower sunroofAcoustic front glassPrivacy rear glassInterior ambient lightingLED headlightsLED tail-lights50W wireless phone chargerThe BYD M9 also features nine airbags and a suite of crash-avoidance safety kit including a surround-view camera system and eight ultrasonic sensors to aid in advanced driver assist (ADAS) functions.BYD Australia Chief Operating Officer Stephen Collins said the M9 is part of the brand’s “commitment to this market”.“The M9 marks the seventh all-new model BYD has introduced within 12 months, and all of them in new segments. “We also added two significant new Shark 6 variants, the Shark 6 Cab Chassis and Shark 6 Premium pick-up, in response to customer needs.“The acceptance of BYD vehicles is reflected in our continued strong sales, with year-to-date deliveries more than double ahead of last year, which itself was a record year.”

A Chinese carmaking giant is plotting to launch a new plug-in hybrid family SUV in Australia.GAC has debuted the new S7 at the Everything Electric Show in Sydney, with the brand hinting it could be on the menu for Aussie car buyers soon.GAC said right-hand drive production starts in the second half of 2027, which points to a potential Aussie arrival before the end of next year. The brand stopped short of 100 per cent confirming the S7, and instead said it was proactively looking to add the SUV to its local line-up.CEO of GAC Australia Aries Zhao said: “The GAC S7 presents another exciting opportunity in GAC’s journey in Australia. "The S7 allows GAC to compete in the highly competitive large SUV segment and complements our existing range of offerings. “To do so with our innovative PHEV technology also supports the significant demand for flexibility in how we power our vehicles, whether that be full-electric for short to medium trips around town, and the capability to take on bigger interstate road trips with ease,” said Zhao.The S7 pairs a 1.5-litre petrol engine with two electric motors for all-wheel-drive grip.GAC Australia hasn’t confirmed total outputs, but said the electric motors make 170kW/220Nm (front) and 80kW/250Nm (rear). Overseas the set-up is claimed to make 374kW, and it can sprint to 200km/h in 5.8 seconds.This is paired to a circa-36kWh battery that GAC said can provide up to 150km of electric driving range, according to the outdated NEDC test cycle. It is claimed to drive up to 1020km if the battery and fuel tank are full, but this is calculated via the very lenient CLTC testing regime.Overseas the S7 is 4900mm long, 1950mm wide, 1780mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2880mm.It has luxe features such as a soft touch and premium materials used throughout the cabin, 15.6-inch central touchscreen, 20-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting front and back, 12-speaker stereo and a panoramic sunroof.It has chunky and boxy styling, with a more moulded soft front end that shows it is an SUV not an off-roader.

Geely has confirmed the Battleship 700 off-road SUV for the Australian market.The brand said the large plug-in hybrid 4WD will hit our shores in the second half of 2027 and will top-out the Geely range for the time being.At this stage, few local details can be confirmed, even including the SUV’s name, which may be changed by the time it arrives domestically.Battleship 700 is its Chinese name, while it is alternatively called the Galaxy Cruiser, and debuted under its internal code name of KO11 in Europe.The Battleship 700 is over five meters long making it a rival to everything from the BYD Denza B8 through to the Toyota LandCruiser 300 series, although with styling cues taking inspiration from the Land Rover Defender.Its plug-in hybrid system is closer in design to the Denza B8 than GWM Tank 500 Hi4-T in that it drives the front wheels via a combination of the engine and electric motor, with a purely electric rear motor set-up. It does not feature a driveshaft connecting the transmission at the front to the axle at the rear, and has no transfer case.The brand could confirm the Australian market will receive a high-specification version of the SUV, featuring the full array of off-road features.It will use the most powerful powertrain combination consisting of a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine in the front and a total of three electric motors, one in the front and two in the rear.In China this set-up produces up to 830kW and is the most powerful off-road SUV in its class. It is said to be able to sprint from 0-100km/h in just over four seconds.In place of a driveshaft between the two axles, the Battleship 700 gets a 47kWh battery pack, which is said to provide up to 170km of fully electric driving range.The Battleship 700 rides on a newly-developed ladder architecture for upcoming off-road vehicles from Geely, and features adjustable-height air suspension, off-road specific software modes, an 800mm wading capability and importantly a rear differential lock between the two electric motors.It also features a full-size spare wheel on the swing-open tailgate, an 800-volt electrical architecture for ultra fast charging, vehicle-to-load and a full-size household outlet in the boot.Inside, it scores features like a panoramic sunroof, 12.3-inch digital dash, and 15.6-inch multimedia touchscreen, a fridge/heater under the centre console, standard synthetic leather interior trim and up to 23 speakers for the sound system.It also features the more high-end version of Geely’s software suite (more similar to what appears on Zeekr models), as well as adaptive damping in the suspension.It can automatically park itself, and features a ‘crab turn’ mode to rotate on the spot.The Battleship 700 in 2.0-litre tri-motor form starts from the equivalent of around $56,500 in China, stretching to $81,460 for the top-spec ‘Land Yacht’ version.With the usual additional 15 - 20 per cent added by the time most Chinese vehicles land in Australia, you can expect pricing in the realm of $70,000 - $98,000 by the time it arrives in Australia.The Denza B8 it will compete against costs $91,000 before on-roads in Australia.This places it well at the top of the brand’s range, but it undercuts the Zeekr 8X and 9X luxury SUVs.Geely said it received 43,900 orders within 60 minutes of the order books opening for the car in China on the 15th of September.The Battleship 700 is one part of a massive expansion for the Geely brand in Australia, building off the early success it has achieved with the EX5 and Starray EM-i SUVs.Also in 2027 the brand will also be adding the Emgrand, a Camry-rivalling sedan, and Monjaro mid-size SUV in the first half of the year, doubling its range from three to six vehicles.Geely made its debut in the top-10 best selling brands in Australia for the month of August, not even 18 months after it arrived locally with the EX5.

Geely has confirmed details of its upcoming Monjaro mid-size SUV ahead of its Australian launch.Now confirmed and seen for the first time in right-hand drive, the version of the Monjaro headed to Australia is the recently-updated model riding on Geely’s GEA-Evo architecture.It will hit our shores in the first half of 2027, and it will slot in Geely's local range as a more premium alternative to the existing, slightly smaller Starray EM-i.It will arrive only as a plug-in hybrid for the Australian market, and the brand tells us the range will span three trim levels in either front- or all-wheel drive.All versions come with a 40kWh battery pack, which is more than double the size of the one in the Starray. It offers 170km of WLTP electric driving range, and is paired to a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine.Local power figures are yet to be revealed, but the Monjaro EM-i produces up to 250kW/667Nm in overseas market specifications.Other standard features in the Monjaro EM-i range include a 15.4-inch multimedia touchscreen, a 25.6-inch head-up display, a large digital instrument cluster and a power tailgate.Other features available, likely depending on the trim level, will include up to 20-inch alloy wheels, adaptive damping suspension, message front seats with heating and ventilation as well as heated rear seats.The Monjaro EM-i also features vehicle to load (V2L) and vehicle to vehicle (V2V) power output at up to 6.6kW.Geely says the Monjaro is equipped with the group’s latest safety technology, including seven airbags and ‘star armour’ chassis cage for crash safety, as well as the full array of active safety kit.The exterior will be available in five colours, while the interior will have three colour choices. It also has a larger boot capacity than the Starray.While pricing is set to be revealed closer to the Monjaro’s local launch, expect it to be more expensive than the Starray, which is priced from $37,490 to $44,990 locally.This indicates pricing more similar to the mainstream competition like the Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, or Kia Sportage. Geely tells us the Monjaro will be competitively priced considering the kit it offers.The Monjaro EM-i is one of three new models joining Geely’s line-up and doubling its model range in 2027.The first half of the year will also see the introduction of its Camry-rivalling Emgrand sedan, also as an EM-i plug-in hybrid.It will arrive in two variants with an 18.4kWh battery granting it an 80+km WLTP electric driving range.It also pairs a 1.5-litre engine to a gearbox mounted electric motor, for over 180kW of power and 250Nm of torque.There is no word yet on whether Geely will also introduce the plugless hybrid ‘i-HEV’ versions of these cars, which were recently unveiled internationally.Using a new ultra lean burning 1.5-litre petrol plugless hybrid system from Horse Powertrain, the i-HEV system was benchmarked to be more efficient than Toyota’s hybrid system, and Geely claims it can consume as low as 2.22L/100km when fitted to the Emgrand sedan.While the brand had no comment on adding the plugless hybrid system to the Australian line-up for now, Geely Australia CEO Alex Gu told CarsGuide in May of 2026 that he was pushing for Australia to be one of the firs markets to receive the tech.Once the Emgrand, Monjaro, and Battleship 700 are added to Geely’s line-up, it will span six models, adding to the existing EX2 hatchback, EX5 electric mid-sizer and Starray plug-in hybrid.

GWM Australia has confirmed the pricing and specifications of its new Cannon Hi4-T plug-in hybrid (PHEV) dual-cab ute.Thanks to a limited-time offer that allows $2000 off that runs out on October 31, 2026, the 2026 GWM Cannon Hi4-T line-up starts at $47,990 drive-away for ABN holders or $48,990 drive-away for private buyers.This undercuts the likes of the JAC Hunter PHEV and BYD Shark 6, making it Australia's cheapest PHEV ute.The 2026 GWM Cannon Hi4-T PHEV has differing pricing for ABN holders and private buyers.The line-up is priced as follows:All prices are drive-awayIn lieu of the $2000 promotional drive-away bonus, customers can instead choose to receive a $2000 fuel card.The 2026 GWM Cannon Hi4-T PHEV has a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that’s paired with an electric motor for total system outputs of 310kW and 750Nm.The electric motor is fed by a 33.1kWh battery that allows for up to 115km of NEDC-claimed electric range. Adding the 75-litre fuel tank, the overall claimed range is 1037km.This battery pack allows for DC fast-charging at rates up to 110kW, meaning a 30 to 80 per cent charge can take as little as 18 minutes.There is a nine-speed hybrid transmission with drive sent through a torque-on-demand four-wheel drive system. There’s also an electronic rear differential lock as standard.Despite the big battery, the Cannon Hi4-T PHEV still offers a 3500kg braked towing capacity. Payload is 835kg, gross vehicle mass (GVM) is 3420kg and the gross combined mass (GCM) is 6400kg.The 2026 GWM Cannon Hi4-T PHEV comes in two trim levels, Lux and Ultra.The Lux come standard with the following:18-inch black alloy wheelsFull-size steel spare wheelExterior black packLED headlightsRear privacy glass10.25-inch digital instrument cluster15.6-inch touchscreen multimedia systemWireless Apple CarPlay and Android AutoSix-speaker sound systemElectric park brakeWireless phone chargerSynthetic leather upholsterySix-way manually adjustable driver’s seatFour-way manually adjustable front-passenger seatThe Ultra adds the following:Electronic sunroofInterior ambient lightingFootwell lampUSB for dashcamAuto-dimming rear-view mirrorHeated steering wheelLeather-accented upholsterySix-way power-adjustable driver’s seatFour-way power-adjustable front-passenger seatHeated and ventilated front seatsWhile the regular diesel-powered versions of the GWM Cannon have a five-star ANCAP safety rating, the Hi4-T PHEV versions haven’t been tested yet and remain unrated for now.The following safety equipment is standard:Seven airbags, including centre airbagAutonomous emergency braking (AEB)Blind-spot monitoringRear cross-traffic alertLane-keep assistAdaptive cruise controlDriver attention monitoringReversing cameraRear parking sensorsStepping up to the Ultra brings the following:Surround-view cameraFront parking sensors

The Nissan Kicks, a sub-compact crossover-style SUV is potentially one step closer to Australian sale with news the latest second-generation version will be produced in the Japanese giant’s long-serving Sunderland plant in the UK, for sale in that market and throughout Europe.Already manufactured in Japan, Mexico and Brazil for sale globally, the addition of the UK to that production roster puts the Kicks e-Power even more strongly in the frame for local right-hand drive consumption.The move represents a £170M (~A$320M) investment in upgrading the Sunderland facility, now in its 40th year of operation.And it comes on the back of a £450m (~A$850M) spend in 2025 focused on a modular assembly system to accommodate Leaf EV production.At close to 4.4m long, 1.8m wide and around 1.6m tall with a 2657mm wheelbase (AWD 2664mm) the Kicks is roughly the same size as the Hyundai Kona, Kia Seltos and Toyota Corolla Cross, which sit in a segment that already includes the similarly-sized Nissan Qashqai e-Power.It’s worth noting Australian market Qashqai e-Powers are already produced in Sunderland, using a (140kW/311Nm) 1.5-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder engine to charge the car’s traction battery and it returns an official fuel economy number of 4.1L/100km.But the global export Kicks uses a third-generation e-Power system underpinned by a (100kW/280Nm) 1.4-litre turbo triple for an even more miserly fuel consumption figure of 3.9L/100km.Nissan said over its first 10 years the Kicks has surpassed 1.8 million units sold in more than 70 countries but confirmed the Sunderland move marks the model’s European debut.Making the announcement Nissan AMIEO (Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania) Region Chairperson Massimiliano Messina said, “This is fantastic news for our European region and demonstrates the agility and speed with which we can bring new models to new markets.”Consideration of the first-generation Kicks for Australian sale was sidelined a decade ago when compliance with Australian Design Rules (ADRs) relating to child restraints as well as front and side impact protection made the prospect uneconomic.With the move to European sale (and safety compliance) as well as UK production CarsGuide contacted Nissan Australia for comment on the possibility of the second-gen Kicks making an appearance Down Under.A company spokesperson said, “We are examining the business case for the new-generation Nissan Kicks in the Australian market, but at this stage we don’t have anything further to share regarding its potential introduction.”  That’s not a no, so stay tuned.

The first model from GWM’s premium sub-brand, Wey, has been approved for sale in Australia ahead of its expected launch in the fourth quarter of 2026.This is the GWM Wey G9, which is a people mover that has been offered in China since 2023.At this stage GWM hasn’t officially announced that the Wey G9 will be launching in Australia, but if it does it will form as a rival to the likes of the BYD M9, GAC M8 and Kia Carnival, among others.According to government approval documents, the GWM Wey G9 has been approved for local sale in both hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) guises.The hybrid powertrain pairs a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with dual electric motors. Total system output is 263kW.The PHEV powertrain, on the other hand, pairs a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with dual electric motors. Despite having a smaller engine, it has a higher total system output of 325kW.Given the dual electric motors on each axle this means that both versions of the Wey G9 are all-wheel drive.The approval documents don’t list the battery pack the PHEV version will havem, but globally there is a 38kWh and 44.5kWh unit available. This offers up to 140km and 170km of electric range, respectively, according to lenient CLTC testing.There is little else new information about the GWM Wey G9 in the local approval documents beyond the weights and dimensions.The hybrid version has a tare mass of 2504kg and a gross vehicle mass of 3165kg, whereas the PHEV version has a tare mass of 2759kg and a gross vehicle mass of 3355kg.The hybrid version has a braked towing capacity of 1500kg, whereas the PHEV isn’t allowed to tow at all.The GWM Wey G9 measures in at 5055mm long, 1985mm wide and 1925mm tall, with a 3085mm wheelbase. This makes it slightly shorter but taller than the Kia Carnival.According to the local approval documents, all versions of the Wey G9 will come with 18-inch alloy wheels.GWM has confirmed it will launch the Wey sub-brand in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2026 and it’s expected the G9 people mover will be the first model given it has now been approved for local sale.It’s expected the G9 won’t be the only Wey model on offer Down Under. It has previously said that large SUVs and people movers will be the focus.The brand recently launched the V9X large SUV in China. It debuted a new architecture called the GWM ONE platform.It’s powered by a PHEV powertrain that in top-spec form offers total system outputs of up to 550kW and 930Nm, as well as a battery pack that’s up to 80kWh in capacity. This allows for up to 470km of CLTC-claimed electric range.If the GWM Wey V9X comes to Australia it will form as a rival to the Denza B8 and Zeekr 8X, as well as the Range Rover and Mercedes-Benz GLS.

Geely has not only put a price-tag on its highly anticipated Battleship 700 4WD, but says it sold 43,900 units within an hour of the books opening in China.The over-five-meter long plug-in hybrid (PHEV) off-roader starts from the equivalent of $41,754 in its Chinese home market, with prices stretching to nearly double that - $81,460 for the flagship ‘Land Yacht’ edition.There are a total of six variants available, across three powertrains and three main trim levels.The entry-level powertrain is a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol unit (120kW/255Nm) available in either single-motor front-wheel drive (350kW/605Nm) or tri-motor all-wheel drive (690kW/1165Nm), while the top-spec powertrain is tri-motor all-wheel drive only with a larger 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine producing a total of 830kW/1330Nm.All versions come with a 47.14kWh CATL LFP battery pack, allowing a driving range of up to 305km on the 2WD cars, or up to 280km for the tri-motor all-wheel drive versions, although this is to the more lenient CLTC measuring standard.The three trim levels are dubbed Explorer, Peak and Land Yacht. All versions also get adaptive dampers, while 2.0-litre tri-motor versions score height-adjustable air suspension and a low-range driving mode with a rear differential lock.The big 4WD has no driveshaft connection between the front and rear axles, with that space taken up by the large battery. This makes it closer in layout to rivals like the Denza B5 rather than the GWM Tank 500, with the rear axle being purely electrically driven.This means the Galaxy 700 needs to rely more heavily on its software terrain modes for its off-road prowess.Every variant scores features like LED lights all-round and massive 20-inch alloy wheels, while the large internal screens run Geely’s latest and more high-end Flyme 2 software suite which features some similar features to the system featured in Zeekr models.The Battleship 700 is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market, but Geely choose to bring it here; it would be a no-brainer for it to go with the all-wheel drive versions only.With the usual 15 - 20 per cent premium added to Chinese vehicles by the time they are converted to right-hand drive, compiled and shipped to Australia, we could expect pricing to land in the realm of $70,000-$98,000 if the brand sticks to the higher trim levels.This would easily make it Geely’s flagship, whilst still leaving breathing space above for its Zeekr premium arm and its more road-focused 8X and 9X luxury plug-in hybrids.It would also place it in similar pricing territory to the GWM Tank 500 Hi4-T plug-in hybrid (from $75,990), whilst undercutting the Denza B8 (from $91,000).The Battleship 700 is part of a wave of new box-style off-roaders buying into the Chinese market trend.GAC has also recently priced its similar Yue 7 off-roader in China. It is significantly less powerful and not quite as nicely appointed but is also significantly more affordable than the Geely, starting with a predicted price of A$52,000 to around $65,000 for 4WD versions once the usual conversion is added from its Chinese price.Other options which are expected for an Australian debut in the near future include those from Chery’s iCaur and Jetour brands, as well as from its Freelander joint-venture with Land Rover.Stay tuned for more on the Geely Battleship 700 as the brand is expected to confirm more of its plans for 2027 imminently.