Plug-in hybrid

The European Union is proposing an alternative to its tariffs targeting Chinese-made electric-powered vehicles, in the form of a minimum price model, according to Bloomberg.Under the model, Chinese exporters can submit price offers, which must be “adequate to eliminate the injurious effects of the subsidies and provide equivalent effect to duties”.Details such as the minimum import price, sales channels, cross compensation and future investments in the EU must be included.Alternatively, brands who do not use this new model will continue to be subject to the tariffs.A 2024 investigation found China’s car exporters gained unfair advantage from Chinese government subsidies, which found they were able to sell cars significantly under the price of Europe-built alternatives.To combat this, Chinese brands were hit with tariffs of up to 35 per cent on imports in addition to a 10 per cent foreign cars tariff.These tariffs are designed to counteract the impact of these subsidies to protect jobs and entice buyers toward European cars.They also are intended to encourage Chinese brands to build cars in Europe.Chinese auto makers have already begun building cars in Europe.For example, Xpeng is using local assembly in Austria, while Leapmotor manufactures cars in Poland.This latest change demonstrates a cooperative approach between the EU and Chinese car makers, described as a “soft landing” in China.Despite tough economic conditions for Chinese car makers in Europe, brands are gaining an increasingly strong hold.Chinese car brands outsold Renault and Audi in Europe during August in 2025. The following month they sold more vehicles than South Korean brands in Western Europe for the first time ever.These defiant sales figures are largely due to Chinese brands shifting focus from EVs to the import of hybrid and internal combustion vehicles.The news comes after reports that the EU is planning to remove its total ban on petrol and diesel vehicles by 2035.

This is likely one of the best examples of China speed to date.

The GWM Tank 500 Ultra Hi4-T Plug-in Hybrid is big news for Australia: this is a body-on-ladder-frame chassis large 4WD with five seats, high- and low-range gearing, and a front, centre and rear diff lock. It has combined power and torque outputs of 300kW/750Nm, offers about 120km electric-only driving range, and it can be used as a 6.0kW mobile power station (V2L) - all for under $80 grand. 

Amid the seemingly endless influx of new cars coming our way there are some that are simply more important than others.

A recall has been put out for some of GWM’s leading hybrid models as per a Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts notice. The GWM Cannon Alpha plug-in hybrid ute, Tank 300 hybrid and Tank 500 hybrid and plug-in hybrid SUVs have been caught up in an electrical issue which could affect performance. There are a total of 1445 vehicle affected by the issue, all from cars sold in 2025.“Due to a manufacturing defect, the shielding ring in the high voltage wiring harness may not be properly grounded,” the notice reads.“This can reduce the effectiveness of electromagnetic shielding, which may cause abnormal communication with the engine and transmission control systems.“As a result, warning lights may illuminate, vehicle torque may be reduced, and cooling performance of the hybrid system may be affected.”According to the notice, reduced vehicle performance and cooling operation could increase the risk of an accident causing serious injury or death to vehicle occupants and other road users. GWM will contact owners of the affected vehicles to request an appointment with an authorised dealership and have the work to rectify the issue carried out for free. The rugged-branded Tank 300 and 500 have been among GWM’s best-selling vehicles in Australia, approaching 6000 sales between them for 2025.Only the Haval H6 and Jolion SUVs have sold more units for the brand this year. The Tank 300 currently comes as a petrol, diesel and hybrid in Australia, but it has been announced that GWM will bring across a plug-in hybrid version next year. The Tank 500 is now exclusively sold as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid, however it's understood a new diesel engine could come in 2026.The Cannon Alpha has also been a competitive seller for the brand, with more than 2000 sales in 2025. Offered with diesel power, it also comes with a plug-in hybrid powertrain which is an alternative to BYD's popular Shark 6.This isn’t the first wiring issue to be found on the Cannon Alpha, with the ute suffering from another similar issue earlier this year.  An electric power steering wiring harness may come into contact with the driveshaft when driving and become damaged. This could lead to a loss of power steering and engine shutdown. 

There’s something about spotting a Honda S660, Subaru Sambar or Suzuki Hustler in local traffic. A pang of regret that we’re denied mainstream access to the Kei car smorgasbord on offer in Japan.

Ford Australia is recalling the Escape Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) due to a battery issue that may cause a vehicle fire.

Aussies love their diesel utes but with crunching emissions regulations coming into place, it’s unclear how much longer they will reign supreme.

BYD’s latest flagship has just been spotted in China. Pictures of the incoming Dynasty-D three-row SUV have appeared in a report from Car News China.The brand revealed late last month the car’s launch was going to be delayed until the second quarter of 2026, after being originally scheduled for the end of 2025. It was seen for the first time in April 2025 as a concept car at the Shanghai Auto Show.We already know that it has a plug-in hybrid set-up consisting of a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine paired with front and rear mounted electric motors. The electric-only driving range will be more than 200km.The car has now been spotted in China during road testing where its exterior was kept mostly camouflaged. In keeping with the concept car designs, the large SUV features a sleek body with a sloped roof line and rear spoiler. Curiously, pictures show hidden door handles on the Dynasty D, which are about to be prohibited in China.Mostly notably the images reveal the car will come with rear wheel steering to aid manoeuvrability, given it's over five metres long. With BYD looking to capitalise on its domestic market share, the Dynasty-D has the highest-end equipment, featuring the latest version of BYD's signature autonomous driving software. The system has a LiDAR sensor, 12 cameras and a speedy Nvidia Orin-X computer processing chip. There is also a continuous damping suspension system.The Dynasty-D is not the only large SUV BYD will launch in China next year, with the brand also launching a seemingly similar-sized Sealion 08 in early 2026.Confusingly, the Chinese-market Sealion 08 is distinct from the Australian-delivered Sealion 8 three-row SUV, which is a re-badge of the China-market Tang L SUV.We do not know yet if the Dynasty-D will be launched in Australia, but given BYD’s serious export PHEV push as well as its intention to land a top-three position in the Australian market it is a possibility. The brand has already brought across its Sealion 6 SUV and Shark 6 ute as PHEVs, both of which have been sales successes.A new Sealion 8 SUV will join in January of 2026. There will also be a Sealion 5 mid-size SUV PHEV launching in the first half of next year as a budget option in the BYD range.

That the Toyota Prius is set for a return to Australia inside the next 18 months, and possibly sooner, is no surprise. As CarsGuide has recently reported, market forces and consumer preferences are shifting and the sleek five-door liftback is suddenly looking very promising for this market. But the big news is that it’s likely to be a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) only proposition, to once again blaze a trail of affordability and accessibility, just like its four previous hybrid-pioneering predecessors did for 21 years from 2001.