We publish a lot of car news during the work week and it can be difficult to keep everything up to date – that’s the reason behind this weekend’s list.
In short, here are some of the key articles from our news desk as of this Monday summarized, just in case you missed them at the time.
FACT: New car sales in March 2023 drop due to prolonged shortages
The Utes took all three spots on the podium in March 2023, and the top 10 list is all light commercial vehicles or SUVs, not traditional hatchbacks and sedans.
The Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger and Isuzu D-Max were the most popular new models last month, surpassing the Mitsubishi Outlander and Tesla Model Y in fourth and fifth places.
At a higher level, new car deliveries in Australia fell 3.9 per cent year-on-year to 97,251 units, due to ongoing supply issues.
FULL STORY: FACT: New car sales in March 2023 drop due to prolonged shortages
Triton coming soon, but don’t wait for plug-in hybrid
Mitsubishi’s new rival to the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux is less than 12 months away from arriving in Australia.
The new Triton ute will launch mid-year in Thailand, where it’s manufactured, before slated to land Down Under in late 2023 or early 2024.
The new Triton will run on a new platform and feature a new diesel engine under the bonnet at launch.
Limited demand, combined with the challenge of adapting plug-in hybrid technology from the Outlander family SUV to life in a ladder frame vehicle, means Mitsubishi may not be interested in the PHEV version. of the upcoming Triton vehicle.
FULL STORY: When will the new Mitsubishi Triton ute arrive in Australia?
FULL STORY: Mitsubishi Triton PHEV will follow electric car… if any
More Lambos coming soon
Having just unveiled the all-new Revuelto flagship supercar, Lamborghini has confirmed replacement models for the current Huracan and Urus will be launched next year.
Production of these models for the Australian market will begin in 2025.
With the hybridization of the Aventador replacement complete, the future of the next-generation Huracan and Urus is also confirmed to be electrified with both new, as-yet-named models, which will feature powertrains. hybrid.
FULL STORY: New Lamborghini Urus, Huracan launched in 2024
Genesis embraces sedans, looks to coupes and convertibles
The trio of Genesis X concepts released over the past few years are increasingly likely to enter mass production.
The Genesis X, X Convertible, and X Speedium concepts (collectively named the X trio concepts) are likely set to form the aura models of the Korean brand as it begins its chapter and process. next development.
Speaking to Australian media, Luc Donckerwolke, chief creative officer for Hyundai and Genesis, said the concepts have all proven to be very popular with many needs.
The design boss also said Genesis won’t go down the road of just building SUVs in the future, despite its rivals increasingly shunning traditional body styles.
However, it plans to expand its SUV lineup, unveiling a GV80 Coupe concept and hinting a Mercedes-Benz G-Class rival as a possibility.
FULL STORY: Genesis coupe, convertible on the road
FULL STORY: Removing sedans was a ‘mistake’, says Genesis
FULL STORY: Genesis G-Wagen’s rival is a possibility
FULL STORY: Genesis previews rival BMW X6 with GV80 Coupe Concept
MG brings the new electric hatch to the forefront
MG’s upcoming electric hatchback will become one of the most affordable electric vehicles (EVs) in Australia.
The company only prices a long-range, top-spec MG 4 Essence model, which costs up to $47,990 before on-road costs and uses a larger 64 kWh battery with a cycle range of 435 km. WLTP is stricter.
Pre-sale opens on April 11, with the cars arriving in showrooms in the second half of the year.
FULL STORY: MG 4: Electric hatch with pre-sale price
When will the new Mitsubishi ASX come out?
Mitsubishi still doesn’t know how it will replace the venerable ASX in Australia.
The current ASX, which accounts for more than 15% of Mitsubishi’s sales in Australia in 2022, has been sold locally since 2010. It has been treated to a wide range of styling and technology updates, but is now gone. 5 years beyond the time when most vehicles will be replaced by a new vehicle.
Senior Mitsubishi executives have confirmed to local media that the brand has yet to decide what path to take with a replacement, or whether it will mind a replacement – though acknowledges the fact that even the ageless ASX “cannot last forever”. “.
FULL STORY: Is the new Mitsubishi ASX coming to Australia?
Ram Trucks Australia accelerates electric pickups
After the Ram 1500 REV drove onto the stage of the 2023 New York auto show, the company confirmed the all-electric pickup will be coming to Australia.
Initially, at least, this will be done through a local conversion process, like other Ram vehicles sold Down Under. The timing is yet to be confirmed, but the 1500 REV won’t arrive on US powertrains until late 2024.
Speaking to Australian media, Ram CEO Mike Koval Jr confirmed 1500 REVs were headed our way – and it wasn’t long before American cars started rolling off the production line.
FULL STORY: Power Ute Ram 1500 REV confirmed for Australia with 805km . range
Hyundai’s Kia EV9 rival will launch next year
The upcoming Hyundai Ioniq 7 electric SUV will go on sale at some point in 2024, the brand’s local branch has confirmed.
Directly with senior manager of consumer at Hyundai Australia, Andrew Stamatakis, told the media that the brand expects the undisclosed Ioniq 7 to go on sale locally next year and help double Expected sales for the Ioniq vehicle this year.
Hyundai plans to produce 6000 Ioniq-branded electric vehicles by 2024, up from 3000 units in 2023.
FULL STORY: When will Hyundai bring the Ioniq 7 electric SUV to Australia?
Long range joins Model Y . range
Tesla has added a third variant to its best-selling Model Y electric SUV line-up in Australia, while slashing the price of existing variants back to where they were at the start of the year.
The China-made Tesla Model Y Long Range starts at $81,900 before shipping, $13,000 more expensive than the entry-level RWD and $13,000 cheaper than the flagship Performance. A full price list is at the bottom of this story.
Tesla estimates that if you order the Model Y Long Range now, it will arrive sometime between May and June of this year. On the other hand, if you order the Model Y RWD or Performance now, it’s estimated to arrive between April and June of this year.
FULL STORY: Tesla Model Y: Australia’s favorite electric SUV has a wider range
Cars get cleaner but large SUVs and utes go backwards
The Federal Automotive Industry Chamber has released its 2022 results on the voluntary emission reduction standard, and heavy SUVs and light commercial vehicles have once again fallen short of the target.
The 2022 target for heavy SUVs and light commercial vehicles, known as MC+NA, is 189 grams of CO2 per kilometer traveled. The result is 212.8 grams, actually a slight increase from 2021’s 212.5 grams.
That’s disappointing, as between 2020 and 2021 this has dropped from 218 grams.
There’s better news in the MA category (cars and light SUVs), with an average of 131 grams. This is down from 146 grams in 2021, which is also the target number for 2022.
FULL STORY: Large SUVs, commercial vehicles miss emissions targets again
Another manual biting the dust
Mazda Australia has revealed updated versions of the three hatchbacks and sedans ahead of a July sale this year.
The company has simplified the product line, eliminating all manual transmission variants as well as the mild-hybrid G20e Evolve and X20 Astina models.
This means that the Mazda 3 range will only be available with the 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine and the 2.5-litre ‘Skyactiv G’ petrol engine, paired exclusively with a six-speed automatic transmission.
FULL STORY: Mazda 3 2023 Update: Removed mild hybrid and manual transmission
Kia Stinger closes orders in Australia
Kia Australia has confirmed that it is no longer taking orders for the Stinger liftback due to the cessation of production in Korea.
General manager of production planning at Kia’s local branch, Roland Rivero, said auto expert The brand has announced that it will stop selling to resellers and will fulfill its current bank of orders.
“We can confirm that we have informed our Dealers that we will not be accepting any more VFOS orders for Stinger as the factory focuses on pre-production of backlog orders,” said Mr. Rivero. at the end of production.
“We have a Stinger allocation that is still being worked on, as we are looking to fill the existing backlog of orders. We are supported by Kia HQ to export the outstanding balance and aim to deliver the car to customers who have made a deposit and are eagerly waiting to receive the car.”
FULL STORY: You can no longer buy a Kia Stinger in Australia
