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.
Another Chinese brand about to launch in Australia
Aion, the all-electric brand of China’s Guangzhou Automobile Corporation (GAC), is preparing to bring its Hyper GT to Australia as a rival to the popular Tesla Model 3.
The company said auto expert it plans to launch locally, but not before it ships an example of a Hyper GT in time for a show in October 2023.
Before that, it will show off the Y and V SUV models for the first time, with preview examples arriving locally later this month.
FULL STORY: China’s Aion eyes Australia with rival Model 3 scissor door
VFACTS: February sales summary
The new car market continued its strong start to 2023 in February, with deliveries up 1.8% year-on-year in 2022.
VFACTS sales data showed 86,878 deliveries in February, which is the best month-to-date result since 2019. It also continued a consecutive monthly growth streak that lasted through this past July.
Electric vehicles (5932 sales) outsold hybrids (5,716), with plug-in hybrids (454) accounting for only 0.52% of total vehicles delivered.
Audi Australia also registered more vehicles than BMW and Mercedes-Benz Cars in Australia in February, posting a significant monthly growth of 126.4 per cent.
FULL STORY: VFACTS February: Continuing to grow, electric vehicles overtake hybrids
FULL STORY: Australia has the best-selling new luxury brand in February
FULL STORY: Electric cars outsold hybrids in February
Mazda launches high-end large SUV in August
The Mazda CX-90 will land in Australia from August 2023, and the diesel version – exclusive to Australia – will have the fuel economy that Toyota Kluger Hybrid should worry about.
Mazda Australia has confirmed the D50e variant, which uses the same 187kW/550Nm 3.3-liter inline-six as the smaller CX-60, has a combined efficiency rating of 5.4 liters per 100km. CO2 emissions are quoted at 143g/km.
FULL STORY: Mazda’s biggest SUV in August with efficiency beating hybrid
Renault’s new electric car will cost more
Renault will launch the Megane E-Tech electric SUV locally in the fourth quarter of this year and says it will be priced in the range of $70,000.
The French marque will sell the car through its 58 dealerships, rather than just offering it online, but has admitted it won’t be cheap.
FULL STORY: Renault Megane E-Tech Electric is here this year, priced above $70,000
Volkswagen reveals subtly updated ID.3 EV
The updated Volkswagen ID.3 has been revealed in Europe, featuring a higher-quality interior and improved technology.
“We hope to see it next year [2024],” said a spokesman for Volkswagen Australia. The local branch has previously said that they will wait for the upgraded version before introducing ID.3.
The updated model will enter production in the fall of 2023 in the north.
FULL STORY: Updated company VW ID.3 EV to launch in Australia in 2024
Chery pricing competitively with Chinese rivals
Chinese brand Chery is back but more expensive than before.
It will launch the Omoda 5 compact crossover in the first half of this year, with a base price of just under $30,000 before on-road costs.
There’s no nationwide drive-in price, but the cheapest Omoda 5 can be $31,990 drive-away, with the top-of-the-line EX (currently) priced at $35,890 driven away.
FULL STORY: 2023 Chery Omoda 5 prices and specifications
New Renault small vans delayed
The next-generation Renault Kangoo was originally set to launch in early 2023, but it won’t be available until the end of this year.
The company has confirmed that it will launch in the third quarter of this year and CarExpert understands that this is due to supply issues.
FULL STORY: Renault’s new Kangoo minivan delayed
Toyota supply continues to struggle in the first half of 2023
Toyota Australia has confirmed that it is still struggling with production and supply issues this year, with those not expected to improve until the second half of 2023.
Talk to auto expertSean Hanley, Toyota’s vice president of sales and marketing, said these challenges will continue into the first quarter of 2023, driven by a 31.4% drop in sales (down 6554 units). in February VFACTS sales data.
“February sales figures confirm that we continue to face supply constraints, which are likely to continue through at least the first quarter. At this stage, we expect supply to improve in the second half of the year,” said Mr. Hanley.
FULL STORY: Toyota confirms supply challenges and new car delays will continue
Hyundai i30 Sedan update here this year, hybrid option enhanced
The facelifted Hyundai i30 Sedan – known elsewhere in the world as the Avante and Elantra – has made its debut in South Korea ahead of its Australian debut in the second half of 2023.
A trio of images have surfaced online today following a domestic announcement for South Korea, showing subtle design changes that seem to sharpen the front and rear of the rather angular sedan.
FULL STORY: Updated Hyundai i30 Sedan can bring hybrid
Tesla only gives small tidbits about next-generation models at Investment Day
Tesla ultimately didn’t show off any of its next-generation vehicles at Investment Day 2023, but it did detail how they would be built.
Next-generation vehicles are expected to include a Model 3-compliant vehicle, while a robotaxi version has already been confirmed.
The company’s vice president of vehicle engineering, Lars Moravy, clarified a few things during the session even when his boss didn’t.
FULL STORY: Tesla explains how it will build its next-generation cars… but doesn’t reveal them
Mazda 3, CX-30 scheduled to be updated in 2023
Wherever the Mazda 3 goes, the associated CX-30 often follows. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the compact crossover will follow in the footsteps of hatchbacks and sedans in receiving the update.
auto expert understand that, like the Mazda 3, the CX-30 will receive some sort of update this year.
FULL STORY: Mazda 3: Technology update for popular small cars in 2023
FULL STORY: Mazda CX-30 follows in the footsteps of seniors to upgrade technology
Uncertain future for Renault Australia’s best-selling model
The Renault Koleos is the brand’s best-selling vehicle in Australia, but it may not last long in this world.
“[The] Koleos continues as it is, the product will run this year, next year and beyond we don’t know,” said Glen Sealey, boss of Renault Australia.
A direct replacement for the Korean-built mid-size SUV has yet to be discovered. It has been discontinued in most European markets, with the gap at the end of Renault’s SUV lineup to be filled by the next-generation Espace, which has shed the last vestiges of styling. driver.
FULL STORY: Uncertain future for Renault Australia’s top seller
