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Chery's plug-in hybrid Prado-rivalling SUV is on the way.

It’s never a good sign when car companies don’t tell you how many cars they’ve sold.Typically car makers love to spread the word about how successful it has  been and tell you exactly how beloved its vehicles are. So when they decided not to reveal the details of their newest model’s popularity, it does raise red flags.Which suggests sales of the new Ford Ranger plug-in hybrid (PHEV) may not be reaching the highest heights that the company was hoping for. When asked for details on the hybrid Ranger’s success, a Ford spokesperson told CarsGuide that the company doesn’t break out sales data for its individual models.Instead it told us this: “We are pleased to see customers nationwide adopting new technology and reaping the benefits of Ranger Hybrid, such as Pro Power On Board, to get the most out of their vehicle.”You’ll notice at no point did it indicate how many “customers” are enjoying these benefits. It could be hundreds or it could be two (but that seems unlikely).To be fair, Ford has never revealed the details of its individual models, namely its flagship Raptor, which is believed to be a sales success. So just because they won’t say how many customers have plugged-in to Ranger, it doesn’t mean it’s a sales flop.But if car makers were hoping that the plug-in hybrid technology would be the saviour of the ute segment, there are signs that there is still a long way to go before customers fully embrace this new breed of ute.The best example we have is the BYD Shark 6. Why? Because it’s an entirely PHEV-powered ute and therefore all of its published sales are the PHEV-powered model.So far in 2025, year-to-date to August, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) tells us that BYD has sold 12,918 Shark 6. GWM revealed to CarsGuide that it has sold 441 Cannon Alpha PHEV in the four months it has been on sale.The FCAI also tells us that there have been 13,936 PHEV ‘commercial vehicles’ sold, which doesn’t leave a lot of sales for the rest of the PHEV commercial offerings (which includes the Ranger) to pick up - just 607 to be precise.Those three utes are the most notable PHEV-powered workhorses, so the success or failure of them will shape the course of the market for years to come. If they become a popular new alternative to turbo diesel engines, as the Shark 6 is threatening to do, then it will give rival brands the confidence to push ahead with their own. Alternatively, if they fade away after a strong start, it will likely mean the end of PHEV utes for the foreseeable future.Don’t believe me? Compare the amount of ‘Raptor rival’ tough utes on sale today and then think back to how many convertible SUVs you saw after the Range Rover Evoque drop-top flopped…There is no question the Shark 6 has made an impact, in a crowded and highly-competitive market the BYD is already the fourth best-selling 4x4 ute this year, behind only the Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-Max — and after missing the month of January.However, there are two very big months on the Shark’s books, specifically the 2810 sales in March and 2993 sales in June. Is it a coincidence that the fringe benefit tax on PHEVs ended on April 1 and EV Direct handed over the reins of BYD to the factory in July…Other than those two outliers, the Shark consistently does between 1200-1300 sales a month, which is solid but still well behind the Ranger and HiLux (although so is everything else).If the Shark can maintain its current rate of sales, then that’s probably enough to convince others of the merits of entering the PHEV ute contest. Other brands have already begun openly discussing it, Hyundai, for example, has made it clear it believes introducing another diesel-powered ute is simply not a starter for its planned entry later this decade.But whether or not how many brands drop diesel for hybrids will likely play out in the coming months and years, as the Shark 6, Ranger and Cannon Alpha carve a trail for the others to follow… or ignore.

Hyundai has showcased its next big thing in electric cars at the 2026 Munich motor show.Dubbed the Concept Three, the show car previews the future Ioniq 3 small EV.The boldly styled concept brings some futuristic design with a heavy dose of Veloster, and could go on sale by 2026.It will be one of 21 global electric models for Hyundai due to enter production by 2030. Hyundai also plans to have an electrified version of every model on sale in Europe by 2027.The brand’s commitment to a new small electric car puts it in the fast lane to catch up to its sibling brand, Kia, which has so far been leading the roll out of electric cars.President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Europe Xavier Martinet said: “Concept Three represents the next step in Hyundai Motor’s electrification journey.”The Concept Three has a similar footprint to the Hyundai i30 hatchback measuring 4287mm long, 1940mm wide, 1428mm tall with a wheelbase — the distance between the front and rear axles — of 2722mm.That last figure reveals that despite its compact exterior dimensions it will have large car space inside.The radical-looking concept has the Ioniq range’s signature pixel headlights and adds some wild aerodynamic elements.Inside the Concept Three highlights the company’s commitment to increasing the use of sustainable materials. It said the concept uses ocean waste textiles and lightweight aluminium foam.It is understood the Ioniq 3 will be based on the same platform as the current Kia EV3 SUV.This means it is likely to use a similar set-up with a 58.3kWh unit and long-range 81.4kWh pack on offer. Power should come from a single electric motor that makes 150kW and 283Nm and drives the front wheels.It will use 400V charging architecture, which means DC fast charging is capped at about 135kW compared to 350kW in the more advanced — and expensive — 800V set-up used by the larger Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 9.

Just weeks after Australian pricing was confirmed for the Zeekr 7X, the model has been updated in its home market of China.

Polestar’s most important model yet is slowly taking shape.The Polestar 7 will be a compact SUV that’s all but certain to become the brand’s top-selling model.Up to now the Chinese-owned Swedish carmaker has not revealed too many details about the all-important EV, but a few things have come to light in a recent interview at the IAA Mobility show in Munich.According to Polestar CEO Michael Lohscheller, the Polestar 7 will launch in early 2028.The Polestar 5 launch has just kicked off with the four-door grand tourer’s reveal in Munich. But, aside from the occasional model year update of models like the Polestar 3 and 4, the next major model will be the 7, more than two years from now.Chief Design Officer Philipp Römers wouldn’t go as far as confirming it, but did not reject the idea of a concept version of the 7 ahead of the production model’s debut.“I'm dreaming. And of course, as a design driven brand, you need, from time to time, some concept cars,” he said.“I can't confirm it today, but we are on it. I mean I'm dreaming of it, definitely.”The Polestar 7 is expected to introduce the next iteration of Polestar’s design language and it will be the first major project under Römers’ stewardship since taking the reins of Polestar design earlier this year after 20 years with Audi.Asked if it will take a more traditional SUV shape compared with the fastback-crossover style of the Polestar 4, Römers said: “Polestar 7 will be smaller and I mean, we said it already, a compact SUV. Also quite functional, you know, and that means, of course, some things. But we will make sure that it still has USP, that it looks Polestar-ish and sticks out, you know, (from) all of the masses.”Römers said the design language would include familiar Polestar elements, but with a more modern twist.“I'm pretty sure you would see it's a Polestar, but in the same time, it's different. It's the next step. It's even more modern, you know? I mean, we are talking about a car which comes out in (20) 28 you know. So you have to evolve. You can't just stick to the current status.”When we see the Polestar 7, or a concept version of it, is unclear. But it is expected to do battle with the likes of other Geely models like the Volvo EX30 and Zeekr X, as well as the BMW iX1 and 2, Audi Q4 e-tron, XPeng G6 and more.

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has published its latest round of safety scores and the two vehicles included are re-tested versions of popular hatchbacks based on testing conducted by Euro NCAP.

New Chinese utes have arrived and they are more than $20,000 cheaper than top-end HiLux and Ranger models.The Foton Tunland range kicks off at $39,990 (before on-road costs) for the Tunland V7 two-wheel drive variant and tops out at $49,990 for the full-fruit Tunland V9 S four-wheel drive.That entry point is similar to the petrol-powered Toyota HiLux Workmate two-wheel drive, but it is about $10,000 cheaper than the most affordable two-wheel drive HiLux and Ranger with turbo-diesel grunt.Foton has now opened the order books for the Tunland line-up before deliveries commence later this month. They will initially be available in a select number of dealers in capital cities and major regional towns before the network expands later this year.Power comes from a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine with 48V mild-hybrid assistance that makes 120kW and 450kW, and is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission.Those numbers are down on the competition but all Tunlands can tow 3500kg and have a payload of between 995kg and 1089kg, depending on the variant.All variants have 240mm of ground clearance and 28 and 26 degree approach and departure angles, respectively. Wading depth is 700mm.The V7 is pitched more towards tradies with a payload of more than 1000kg and rear leaf suspension, so think more HiLux Workmate or SR spec.The V9 is more lifestyle-focused, in a similar vein to a Ford Ranger Wildtrak, with a more luxurious cabin and advanced multi-link rear suspension. Foton General Manager Glen Cooper said the Tunland has been tested and tuned for Australian conditions.“The all-new Tunland offers something truly unique – the space and toughness of a larger workhorse, paired with the comfort and driveability of a modern SUV, all without a premium price tag,” said Cooper.Foton is backing the Tunland with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. 

The BYD Atto 2 is almost ready to hit the showroom floor.

A new version of the Xpeng X9 people mover has been revealed in China, with a large battery and an internal combustion engine (ICE) that combine to result in a claimed range that blows rivals out of the water.The 2026 Xpeng X9 ‘SuperRange Extended Range’, as the brand called it on Chinese social media platform Weibo, is confirmed for launch with a claimed battery-only range in excess of 450km and a combustion engine to charge it on the move.According to CarNewsChina, the Chinese Government’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has also published specifications of the X9 extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) and the seven-seat people mover should launch in the fourth quarter of the year in China.The model pairs a huge 63.3kWh battery with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine for what Xpeng claims is a total range of 1600km, though that figure was reached using lenient CLTC testing, which often results in far longer distances than NEDC (also relatively inaccurate) or WLTP, the latter being most widely accepted as an accurate testing method.Even if you account for a large portion of the total range to be unrealistic, the fact a people mover could be realistically able to cover more than 1000km on a single charge and full tank is impressive.Xpeng says the X9 EREV is capable of super-fast charging thanks to its 800V architecture, reducing waiting times for charging during particularly long trips and likely avoiding the need to rely heavily on the ICE for charging.According to the wording from Xpeng on its social media, the EREV tech is likely to make its way to other Xpeng models in the future.In Australia the X9 is still in the ‘register interest’ stage ahead of its launch in the fourth quarter of 2025, though it does have a fairly detailed page on the Xpeng Australia website. The EREV would likely be a while away if it does end up confirmed for Australia.When the standard EV X9 shows up, it’ll have a 702km range (CLTC) and be able to charge as much as 300km of range in 10 minutes, Xpeng claims.

Australia might get another new upper-large pick-up and SUV, and this time it’s not a Chinese brand.