<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?><rss xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" version="2.0">
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        <atom:link href="https://www.carsguide.com.au/feed/rss/car-news" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/>
        <title>CarsGuide - Car News</title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.carsguide.com.au/feed/rss/car-news]]></link>
                <description>Car News Australia: Latest Motoring News from CarsGuide</description>
        <language>en-US</language>
        <pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 21:01:52 +0000</pubDate>

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            <title><![CDATA[2027 XPeng X9 finally priced in Australia as key new Zeekr 009 and Kia Carnival rival with huge driving range]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2027-xpeng-x9-finally-priced-in-australia-as-key-new-zeekr-009-and-kia-carnival-rival-with</link>
            <description><![CDATA[XPeng has confirmed the pricing and specifications of its next new vehicle in Australia, the X9 electric people mover, as orders open.There are two versions of the 2027 XPeng X9 available at launch, the FWD Standard Range and AWD Performance. Pricing is $89,900, before on-road costs and $109,900, before on-road costs, respectively.This sees it undercut the luxurious Zeekr 009, but it&rsquo;s priced similarly to the Denza D9.The entry-level X9 FWD Standard Range is powered by a single, front-mounted electric motor that produces 235kW.It&rsquo;s fed by a 94.8kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery and offers up to 535km of WLTP-claimed range.The flagship X9 AWD Performance, on the other hand, has a dual-motor all-wheel drive set-up with total system outputs of 370kW and 640Nm. This allows it to travel from 0-100km/h in 5.9 seconds.The dual electric motors are fed by a larger 110kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery which offers up to 580km of WLTP-claimed range.AC charging across the line-up is 11kW, whereas peak DC fast-charging is up to 542kW. This allows for a 10 to 80 per cent charge in 12 minutes.There&rsquo;s also vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities at up to 6kW.As standard there is air suspension with adaptive dampers, as well as a rear-axle steering system.A seven-seat configuration is standard with second-row captain&rsquo;s chairs that offer 14 ways of electric adjustment, heating, ventilation and massaging, as well as a 17.3-inch touchscreen multimedia system, a 21-inch head-up display, 21.4-inch rear touchscreen, 27-speaker sound system and a fridge/hotbox.On the safety front there are nine airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane centring, a semi-autonomous park assist, as well as a surround-view camera.The X9 is covered by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, whereas the high-voltage battery is covered for eight years or 160,000km.Logbook servicing is required every 12 months or 20,000km, whichever comes first. Pricing will be confirmed at a later date.Beyond the updated G6 electric mid-size SUV and the X9 electric people mover, XPeng also plans to launch the L03 coupe SUV, G9L large SUV and the L05 mid-size SUV in Australia over the next six months.The Chinese carmaker has also confirmed the flagship GX SUV will launch in Australia, however it hasn&rsquo;t locked in concrete launch timing yet.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Quick]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2027-xpeng-x9-finally-priced-in-australia-as-key-new-zeekr-009-and-kia-carnival-rival-with</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 17:04:44 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[2027 Jetour F700 ute detailed with petrol plug-in hybrid set-up that could also feature in Australia-bound 2027 Chery Stockman]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2027-jetour-f700-ute-detailed-with-petrol-plug-in-hybrid-set-up-that-could-also-feature-in</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A new plug-in hybrid ute is about to hit the market.The Jetour Zongheng F700 pick-up style ute has just been offered for pre-sale in China,Jetour Zongheng is a Chery sub-brand specifically focused on off-roading and lifestyle vehicles.The F700 presents as an off-road-ready electrified ute.It boasts a plug-in hybrid set-up like the BYD Shark 6 and Australia-bound Chery Stockman.&nbsp;The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and dual electric motors combine to produce 665kW and 1135Nm.&nbsp;&nbsp;Jetour has given its ute plenty of go-anywhere potential.This includes a four-wheel drive system, front and rear locking differentials and a wading depth of 900mm.The car has a total driving range of 1300km, and up to 150km on electric-only power, according to more generous CLTC standards.&nbsp;It can DC fast charge from 20 to 80 per cent in 10 minutes, courtesy of its 800-volt platform.The F700&rsquo;s interior features a 35.4-inch digital screen spanning the dashboard and 15.6-inch central touchscreen.&nbsp;It measures in at 5495mm long, 2050mm wide, 1985mm high and has a wheelbase of 3350mm.This makes it a step up on diesel-only rivals like the Toyota HiLux.It offers a direct threat to BYD's hugely successful Shark 6 and the incoming Chery Stockman.The Stockman has become one of the most talked about upcoming utes.It will launch with a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine and electric motor PHEV set-up - the first of its kind in the Australian ute segment.Chery recently confirmed this set-up would produce 350kW and 800Nm.Chery has promised a petrol PHEV variant of the Stockman next year, and it could rely on the same set-up as the F700.It is unclear whether the F700 will make its way to Australia, but Jetour is expected to launch Down Under in early 2027.  @carsguide.com.au The 2027 Chery Stockman is locked in for Australia!!&nbsp;This name was voted by Australians and beat out Longreach, Mate and Orca, among others. When it launches later this year, it will be the first diesel plug-in hybrid ute @Jack Quick&nbsp;#chery #stockman #ute #cartok #fyp &#9836; original sound - CarsGuide.com.au   Jetour won&rsquo;t fall under the Chery Group banner, and will be its own operation.&nbsp;The F700 would look to leverage the success of the Shark 6, providing an alternative to traditional diesel-only competition.It is priced in China from 364,900 yuan, which is the equivalent of more than $75,000, so it is on the premium end of the ute market.&nbsp;]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Gibson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2027-jetour-f700-ute-detailed-with-petrol-plug-in-hybrid-set-up-that-could-also-feature-in</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 16:05:58 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Iconic brand Fiat stops importing cars in Australia for now as it reassess its future]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/iconic-brand-fiat-stops-importing-cars-in-australia-for-now-as-it-reassess-its-future</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Another carmaker has stepped back to pause and consider what its future in Australia looks like.Fiat has announced it has stopped importing passenger vehicles into Australia, as it assess what its future line-up may look like.It wasn&rsquo;t an extensive model range, with the Italian marque only selling the electric Fiat 500e and its sporty twin, the Abarth 500e.The company will continue to import and sell its range of commercial vehicles.It is understood this isn't the end for Fiat cars in Australia, but a break to work out the models in its line-up that would best suit.&ldquo;As part of Stellantis Australia's ongoing portfolio and product planning process, the availability of specific models can vary over time as we assess market demand and future product opportunities. We remain focused on ensuring the vehicles we bring to Australia meet customers&rsquo; expectations,&rdquo; said a company spokesperson.&nbsp;&ldquo;Following Stellantis' recent confirmation of Fiat as one of its core global brands, we are excited by the opportunities the brand presents for the future.&nbsp;&ldquo;Fiat 500e and Abarth 500e stock in Australia has now largely been sold through and, at this stage, we are not planning additional orders while we evaluate future product opportunities for the local market.&nbsp;&ldquo;We continue to support our Fiat and Abarth customers and dealer network and look forward to sharing more information about Fiat's and Abarth&rsquo;s future plans in Australia at the appropriate time.&rdquo;Fiat has only sold 144 vehicles through the first six months of this year in Australia, which is down 30 per cent compared to the same period last year.Its range of commercial vehicles is faring better, and sold 139 in June alone.Fiat has an expanding range of SUVs overseas, including the Grande Panda and Grizzly. These models are both electrified and better suited to Australian tastes.Peugeot, which is also owned by Stellantis, also closed up shop in Australia earlier this month.The French brand&rsquo;s local distributor, Inchcape, handed back the keys to its selling rights and there is no immediate taker to pick up where they left off.The writing was on the wall for Peugeot after a string of tough years that culminated in 373 sales through the first five months of this year, which was down 35 per cent compared to the same period last year.This follows a circa-29 per cent drop in 2025, and losing a quarter of sales in 2024.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dom Tripolone]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/iconic-brand-fiat-stops-importing-cars-in-australia-for-now-as-it-reassess-its-future</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:10:46 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Details of the 2027 GWM Ora 7 mid-size SUV appear ahead of its launch to tackle the Geely EX5, Zeekr 7X and Nissan Ariya]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/details-of-the-2027-gwm-ora-7-mid-size-suv-appear-ahead-of-its-launch-to-tackle-the-geely</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Details of Chinese carmaking giant GWM&rsquo;s upcoming &lsquo;next-size-up&rsquo; Ora 7 sportback-style wagon have finally emerged, just after the pure-electric Ora 5 compact SUV launched in Australia.Displayed as a production-ready &lsquo;concept&rsquo; at last year&rsquo;s Shanghai motor show, filings with the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) have filled out the technical picture for the new BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle).To be named Ora Lightning Cat in its home market, it&rsquo;s likely the mid-size five-seater will replace the existing Porsche Panamera &lsquo;inspired&rsquo; coupe-style sedan version of the car.Measuring just over 4.8m long, a little more than 1.8m wide and around 1.5m tall with a 2870mm wheelbase, the new Ora 7 is in the same size ballpark as medium BEV sedans, including the BYD Seal, Kia EV4 and Mazda 6e.&nbsp;The new wagon will be offered with a choice of 58.3kWh and 68.9kWh NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) battery packs across single-motor, front-wheel drive and dual-motor, all-wheel drive variants. The current Ora 07 sedan uses LFP (Lithium iron Phosphate) batteries.&nbsp;A 150kW/340Nm motor on the front axle is used on two FWD versions, which is joined by a second 160kW unit at the rear for a combined 300kW/680Nm on the flagship AWD.Range claim for the base FWD version is 560km (to the more lenient CLTC - China Light-duty vehicle Test Cycle protocol), with a large-battery long-range FWD variant expanding that number to 630km and the heavier dual-motor AWD using the same pack coming in at 535km.Three tyre sizes are quoted - 225/50R18 (FWD standard), 235/50R18 (FWD long range) and 235/45R19 (AWD).And it&rsquo;s interesting to note the concept version&rsquo;s flush door handles have been swapped for traditional pull-out units in the production car in line with the Chinese MIIT&rsquo;s ban on new vehicles models with flush handles applying for approval starting January 1, 2027.If the newcomer was to land here it will have to match or better that previously-mentioned EV sedan trio on price - BYD Seal (from $49,888), Kia EV4 (from $49,990) and Mazda 6e ($49,990), all prices before on-road costs.CarsGuide contacted GWM Australia for comment on the new Ora 7 wagon&rsquo;s potential for local sale and a spokesperson told us, "Our current focus is on the Ora 5 platform and the opportunities to expand that range."As confirmed at the recent Ora 5 launch, a touring/wagon variant is already on the roadmap which we feel would be more aligned to Australian market requirements," they said.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[James Cleary]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/details-of-the-2027-gwm-ora-7-mid-size-suv-appear-ahead-of-its-launch-to-tackle-the-geely</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 14:31:32 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Honda renews GAC partnership saying Chinese success is key to its future]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/honda-renews-gac-partnership-saying-chinese-success-is-key-to-its-future-102218</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Honda has renewed its partnership with GAC in China, after months of speculation it would pull out of the agreement when its original 30 year contract ended.The GAC/Honda joint-venture in China has struggled for market share, even amongst other foreign partnerships.&nbsp;With the rise of China&rsquo;s automakers such as BYD, Geely and SAIC, not to mention even smaller players XPeng and Xiaomi soaking up domestic market share, even once-successful joint venture players such as Volkswagen (the longest serving and most successful of all) are faltering.Nikkei Asia reports Honda&rsquo;s market share in China has fallen 60 per cent last year, with GAC Honda specifically fallen to 340,000 units. While that might seem enormous given the brand&rsquo;s mere 15,383 unit tally in Australia last year, it makes it a relative minnow in the enormous Chinese market, where annual sales for the biggest brands are frequently measured in the millions.Honda has renewed its agreement with the Chinese giant for a further 10 years, a Honda spokesperson told Nikkei Asia.&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve made this decision in order to assess the business environment,&rdquo; the spokesperson said.An executive from one of the JV&rsquo;s suppliers told the outlet, "this is Honda sending a message that it won't give up on China".It is notable the Honda/GAC operation currently has less joint-venture models than most rivals, and only one purely electric model in a market, which is demanding more zero-emissions options.GAC Honda currently sells the Honda Breeze (a re-styled CR-V), ageing Avancier coupe SUV, and a sedan Integra (not related to the coupe sold in Australia) all as unique combustion models, while also selling Chinese domestic versions of the Accord, Odyssey, and HR-V (as the Vezel).The only electric car the JV sells is the P7 mid-size SUV in an EV-hungry market, while the Dongfeng joint venture sells its own version, dubbed the S7, and the more affordable e:NS2 crossover.&nbsp;Despite showing several concept models at Chinese motor shows in previous years, new and more desirable models are yet to materialise in the fast-moving market.Even GAC&rsquo;s joint venture with Toyota was significantly more successful last year, moving around 756,000 units, with popular JV models including the bZ3X, which shares its platform with the GAC Aion V.The bZ3X has since become available in right-hand drive form for Hong Kong. Toyota Australia hasn&rsquo;t ruled the China-built model out for our market either, given it will need to sell more electric vehicles in the near future to comply with the strict new vehicle emissions standards (NVES), which closes the vice on hybrid models before long.As for Honda using the sought-after &lsquo;China Speed&rsquo; manufacturing for more cost-effective export models, it is only just testing the waters resurrecting the Insight nameplate for a version of the China-built e:NS2 from its Dongfeng venture sold in Japan.Meanwhile rivals are forging ahead with Chinese partnerships for export, with Kia and Hyundai already selling the Chinese-built EV5 and Elexio in Australia respectively, and Nissan announcing its intention to make its Dongfeng joint-venture models like the Frontier Pro PHEV ute and NX8 large SUV available globally.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tom White]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/honda-renews-gac-partnership-saying-chinese-success-is-key-to-its-future-102218</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 14:26:31 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Omoda Jaecoo to rival Chery in Australia with well-received 2026 Jaecoo J5 taking on Chery Tiggo 4 ]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/omoda-jaecoo-to-rival-chery-in-australia-with-well-received-2026-jaecoo-j5-taking-on-chery</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A Chinese brand rivalry is heating up in Australia.Chery Group is one of the largest growing carmakers in Australia but it is now facing competition from within its own ranks.&nbsp;Omoda Jaecoo has burst onto the Australian car scene with its Jaecoo J5 small electric SUV, which claimed the best-selling small SUV title for May 2026.&nbsp;It even outsold the Chery Tiggo 4, which is the best-selling SUV so far this year.The Tiggo 4 starts from $23,990 (drive-away), making it the cheapest in its segment.&nbsp;The J5 EV carries on this budget mantra, starting from $36,990 (drive-away).This makes it much cheaper than many of its legacy rivals like the Hyundai Kona Electric ($54,000, before on-road costs).&nbsp;  @carsguide.com.au Cheap cars are back!! The 2026 Jaecoo J5 is now available with petrol power and it&rsquo;s priced from $25,990 drive-away. This pits to squarely against the Chery Tiggo 4 and GWM Haval Jolion #jaecoo #j5 #suv #cartok #fyp &#9836; original sound - CarsGuide.com.au   A petrol J5 has just gone on sale and a hybrid is on the way, bringing Omoda Jaecoo&rsquo;s important model into direct competition with the Tiggo 4.&nbsp;The petrol variant is priced from $25,990 (drive-away), making it $2000 more than the Tiggo 4, but it is marketed as a more premium version of its closely-related sibling.Omoda Jaecoo by Australian Chief Commercial Officer Roy Munoz emphasised the importance of the J5, describing it at the brand's 'hero' model.Munoz said the Chery Group brands need each other to be successful in Australia, but rivalry still exists between them.&ldquo;There&rsquo;ll always be competition,&rdquo; he told CarsGuide.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;We can&rsquo;t win them all. They [Chery] can&rsquo;t win them all, but together we can win a big share of the market.&ldquo;So as long as we&rsquo;re still both up there, that&rsquo;ll keep everyone happy.&rdquo;The Chery Group rivalry will heat up further in the coming months with the arrival of Lepas that will debut in Australia with its L6 electric mid-size SUV.&nbsp;Lepas will be joined by Freelander and iCaur from 2027 as the Chery Group sub-brand collection grows.&nbsp;Chery Group subsidiary Jetour has also been confirmed for Australia, but it will operate under its own steam as opposed to forming part of what has already been established Down Under.&nbsp;]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Gibson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/omoda-jaecoo-to-rival-chery-in-australia-with-well-received-2026-jaecoo-j5-taking-on-chery</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 13:30:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Plug-in hybrid benefits largely lost if not charged regularly, new study shows, as 2027 Geely Starray and Toyota RAV4 PHEV grow in popularity]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/plug-in-hybrid-benefits-largely-lost-if-not-charged-regularly-new-study-shows-as-2027</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Australians are rushing to get their hands on this new car tech, but it might not be the environmental saviour it is claimed to be.Plug-in hybrids, or PHEVs as they are also called, are claimed to be a bridge between conventional petrol and hybrid vehicles and battery-powered electric vehicles.They combine a small petrol engine with a decent-sized battery and an electric motor, which provides some fully electric driving capabilities without the range anxiety of EVs and much lower overall claimed fuel use and CO2 emissions.Australians have bought more than 54,000 of them in the first six months of this year, which is 111 per cent more than in the same period 2025.The problem is they need to be used in a very specific way to achieve their claimsPolestar Australia boss Scott Maynard previously labelled the technology the &ldquo;worst of both worlds&rdquo;.&ldquo;You've got all of the complexity of jamming an electrical drivetrain into an engine bay that's already got a petrol or a diesel engine in it. You're still burning fuel. You've still got to dispose of the whole thing. It's not a green solution.&ldquo;It's not a clean solution at all, but it's a marketable one,&rdquo; he said.New research commissioned by the Swiss government has laid bare the issues.A new study funded by the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) and conducted by Empa - the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology - showed why fuel use is always higher than claimed.The study pointed to people needing to be very disciplined with charging the car to gain the full advantage, otherwise they pollute significantly more than they claim.Study author Miriam Elser said if the vehicle is not charged regularly then they are just driving a much heavier petrol-powered car.&ldquo;Due to the additional weight of the battery and electric motor, consumption can even be higher than with a comparable conventional gasoline engine," she said.The smaller petrol engine is also underpowered compared to most other purely petrol-powered cars, which means it needs to work even harder to shift that weight. This is a perfect storm for skyrocketing fuel use.Empa&rsquo;s laboratory tests examined 12 current plug-in hybrid vehicles across a range of temperatures and driving profiles."This enabled us to distinguish for the first time between the influence of cold weather, heating, and driving style on the electric share and combustion engine operation," said Elser.The results were clear: under real-world conditions the efficiency advantage of plug-in hybrids is largely lost.&nbsp;The study revealed low temperatures, the heating and dynamic driving significantly reduce the electric range. The internal-combustion engine kicks in earlier and more frequently, and fuel consumption as well as CO2 and pollutant emissions increase, in some cases significantly.Elser called for a better balance between battery and engine size and overall vehicle weight.This flies in the face of the huge range of plug-in hybrids coming out of China, which are usually large SUVs with batteries measuring 40kWh or more.&nbsp; There is also a growing number of plug-in hybrid utes, which are big, heavy and are required to tow and carry a load that would greatly reduce their efficiency.The study does state if used properly they can greatly reduce emissions compared to purely petrol-powered vehicles.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dom Tripolone]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/plug-in-hybrid-benefits-largely-lost-if-not-charged-regularly-new-study-shows-as-2027</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 12:08:45 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[True EV shuts its doors as XPeng Australia officially takes charge, with the launch of 2027 XPeng G6 electric SUV imminent ]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/true-ev-shuts-its-doors-as-xpeng-australia-officially-takes-charge-with-the-launch-of-2027</link>
            <description><![CDATA[It's official. XPeng has taken over exclusive distribution of its cars in Australia.&nbsp;Former distributor True EV has been forced to permanently shut the doors to its glamorous Sydney showroom in Mascot.True EV also confirmed XPeng Australia is now the sole distributor of XPeng cars in Australia, as part of a statement on its website.True EV blamed a lack of vehicle supply for the showroom&rsquo;s demise.&nbsp;True EV said it has continued to fulfil customer parts orders and is committed to assisting customers where possible through this transition.&nbsp;XPeng Australia will now bear responsibility for servicing and customer support, according to True EV.True EV said XPeng will also take charge of all cashback offers and promotional offers.The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported earlier this month customers who purchased XPeng cars from True EV in 2026 hadn't received $5000 cashback offers promised.XPeng has not officially confirmed it will honour these cashback agreements in lieu of True EV, but it will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.&nbsp;A spokesperson for XPeng Australia said it would work to resolve issues for affected customers.&nbsp;XPeng told True EV it was removing its exclusive rights to distributing vehicles in January 2026.True EV began Federal Court legal proceedings against XPeng soon after, alleging the car maker had breached its distributor agreement.&nbsp;XPeng claims True EV ordered and paid for less than a third of the obligatory orders targets, and has not proceeded with an order in more than 12 months.&nbsp;True EVs distribution arm went into external administration in Australia in March, with financiers Helios appointing receivers to extract nearly 200 cars.&nbsp;The company's interlocutory injunction application to prevent XPeng starting its own operation in Australia was denied earlier this year.&nbsp;The trial will begin in October.&nbsp;XPeng Australia recently unveiled an updated version of its G6 electric mid-size SUV that will hit new factory-backed showrooms imminently.XPeng is plotting to bring more models to Australia.An X9 people mover will join the G6, with a GX luxury SUV also on the horizon.XPeng's Mona L03 and L05 SUVs were spotted undergoing testing Down Under recently.A long-wheelbase G9 large SUV has also been spied in Australia as it gears up for a global launch.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Gibson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/true-ev-shuts-its-doors-as-xpeng-australia-officially-takes-charge-with-the-launch-of-2027</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 11:40:31 +1000</pubDate>
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            <title><![CDATA[2027 Hyundai Boulder 4WD appears in patent documents as the Korean brand’s highly anticipated hybrid Toyota LandCruiser rival approaches]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2027-hyundai-boulder-4wd-appears-in-patent-documents-as-the-korean-brands-highly</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Hyundai&rsquo;s much anticipated new off-road flagship SUV, as previewed by the Boulder concept in New York earlier this year, has appeared in patent documents in India.The filing, which provides no additional detail on the model, appears to iterate on the design of the original concept. It shows what appear to be more functional headlights and wing mirrors, physical door handles that didn&rsquo;t appear on the concept, tweaked designs for the window profile, new black plastic overfenders and a re-designed bumper.Other new details from the single low-resolution image include control arms for the front suspension previously not seen on the concept, as well as a roof platform.The SUV maintains its blocky profile and huge wheel and tyre package, which appears to offer ultra-aggressive approach and departure angles as well as a very high ground clearance.It is unclear at this stage whether the design application filed with the Indian intellectual property office is a later stage concept, or a preview of the eventual production model.As it stands, the changes between this filing and the concept appear to move it much closer to production specifications, while adopting the bar-style LED light designs as seen on other upcoming Hyundai models like the Ioniq V, which is about to launch in China, and the upcoming next-generation Avante (i30) sedan.The Boulder SUV is expected to share its next-generation body-on-frame underpinnings with the also much-speculated-upon Hyundai ute, which will be a bespoke proposition from the Kia Tasman from its sister brand.As to what we can expect to power this dual-pronged expedition into the hotly contested 4WD space, the brand has said multiple times before that it is working on new range-extender hybrid technology, which will have the new off-roaders drive the wheels via electric motors, while having an engine on board serving only as a generator.Hyundai&rsquo;s local CEO Don Romano previously told CarsGuide this EREV technology is &ldquo;option number one&rdquo; for the company&rsquo;s upcoming ute.He also said there was a lot of considerations for the new product, including difficulties over where it will be built (as a potentially US-first product, it may be built there, which brings up cost competitiveness issues for the Australian market). It may also be built somewhere in the Asia Pacific region for markets in the eastern hemisphere. Hyundai currently has facilities in Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam, on top of its home factories in South Korea.Romano also told CarsGuide the ute model at least may take longer than expected, saying the brand would rather &ldquo;get it right than fast.&rdquo;By 2030 is currently the expectation, according to the brand.Having both a ute and an SUV as well as hybrid tech from the outset would certainly give Hyundai a unique selling point over the currently diesel-only Kia Tasman.It also has the luxury of monitoring the success of the ute from its sister brand in our market, as well as a growing range of Chinese hybrid off-roaders headed to Australia between now and 2030.The smash-hit BYD Shark, which introduced plug-in hybrid tech to the dual-cab space will soon be joined by an array of rivals, including from storied brands like Nissan, which is expected to launch its highly anticipated Chinese joint-venture Frontier Pro (also known as the Navara Pro in some markets) as a plug-in hybrid in 2027.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tom White]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2027-hyundai-boulder-4wd-appears-in-patent-documents-as-the-korean-brands-highly</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 11:10:54 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[2027 Volkswagen ID.Polo gets China-battling base version to help fend off BYD Dolphin and MG4]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2027-volkswagen-idpolo-gets-china-battling-base-version-to-help-fend-off-byd-dolphin-and</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Volkswagen has confirmed a battery size for its smallest EV will bring a new entry price with order books already open overseas.The 2027 VW ID.Polo brings a new 37kWh battery as an option, available in its base model Trend for as little as 24,995 euros (A$40,900). From 29,195 euros (A$47,760), it can also be had in higher specifications like Life and Style.The move by the German manufacturer is almost certainly an addition to retain sales in the lower-budget end of the market, where Chinese manufacturers have been increasingly popular despite EU tariffs on new Chinese cars.VW claims the new battery size provides enough driving range, 334km under WLTP testing, for daily use, and can be charged from 10-80 per cent in 23 minutes. Charging speed tops out at 90kW with a powerful enough DC charger.It&rsquo;s also available in versions of the ID.Polo with either 85kW or 99kW, and is set to launch just weeks after the larger battery version with a 52kW unit.The ID.Polo is yet to be confirmed for Australia, but Volkswagen&rsquo;s local arm has been considering similar models like the ID.Cross small electric SUV for some time now.The ID.4, ID.5, ID.Buzz and e-Transporter are the only EVs the brand currently offers locally.While there&rsquo;s no guarantee the ID.Polo will land in Australia any time soon, its larger 52kWh battery would likely be more popular, with trim levels probably similar to the Trend, Life and Style versions available in Germany.The announcement comes as rumours of a significant model-cull circle the Wolfsburg brand alongside its continued mass-reduction in employee numbers around the world.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Thompson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2027-volkswagen-idpolo-gets-china-battling-base-version-to-help-fend-off-byd-dolphin-and</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:20:12 +1000</pubDate>
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            <title><![CDATA[2027 Lepas L6 scores Australian tweaks as it gears up to rival BYD Atto 3 and Geely EX5 budget electric mid-size SUVs]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2027-lepas-l6-scores-australian-tweaks-as-it-gears-up-to-rival-byd-atto-3-and-geely-ex5</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Australia&rsquo;s newest car brand is edging towards an official launch.&nbsp;Lifestyle-focused Chery sub-brand Lepas will hit showrooms with its L6 electric mid-size SUV in November.&nbsp;The brand confirmed the car has now completed an extensive local testing and adaptation program.Engineers have put the L6 through thousands of kilometres of driving, including hot- and cold-weather testing.They also focused on fine-tuning the advanced driver assistance systems and software integration to identify Australian road markings, signage and traffic environments.The L6 will land Down Under on a delayed schedule, having been previously slated for a mid-year launch.&nbsp;Lepas has not revealed pricing for its first model, but expect it to be available from a competitive price-point.  @carsguide.com.au The 2027 Lepas L6 is fancier than its Chery and Omoda Jaecoo cousins. It might share underpinnings but this is targeting higher end models but expect it to be cross shopped against the BYD Sealion 6, Mitsubishi Outlander and GWM Haval H6 PHEV! #Lepas #LepasL6 #SUV #cartok #fyp &#9836; original sound - CarsGuide.com.au   It is likely to sit above the very popular Jaecoo J5 electric small SUV that starts from $36,990, drive-away.&nbsp;The mid-size SUV segment is the most popular part of the Australian market, so the L6 will face fierce competition from its rivals.&nbsp;It will take on everything from budget offerings like the BYD Atto 3 and Geely EX5 to more premium-pitched alternatives such as the Zeekr 7X, depending on the variant.&nbsp;The L6 is powered by a single electric motor, producing 160kW and 275Nm.It has a 67kWh battery, with a total driving range of 450km, according to WLTP standards.&nbsp;Lepas will feature a different design to other Chery Group cars, and will appeal to a different buyer, according to the brand.&nbsp;The L6&rsquo;s interior shows off a more rounded look, with curved and flowing elements as well as two-tone trim materials.&nbsp;It is expected to get the same 13.2-inch central touchscreen and 8.8-inch digital driver display as on the Jaecoo J5.&nbsp;There will be a plug-in hybrid version of the L6 coming to Aussie shores next year.&nbsp;Lepas is also planning to introduce an L4 small electric SUV and L8 large plug-in hybrid SUV in 2027.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Gibson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2027-lepas-l6-scores-australian-tweaks-as-it-gears-up-to-rival-byd-atto-3-and-geely-ex5</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:14:15 +1000</pubDate>
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            <title><![CDATA[2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 scores big payload upgrade as it eyes Ford Ranger Super Duty success in stepping around new emissions laws]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2027-chevrolet-silverado-1500-scores-big-payload-upgrade-as-it-eyes-ford-ranger-super-duty</link>
            <description><![CDATA[General Motors Speciality Vehicles (GMSV) has updated the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pick-up, giving it more payload capacity than ever before.From August 1, all locally converted versions of the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ Premium will offer 942kg of payload, which is an increase of 194kg over the pre-update version.Meanwhile the Silverado 1500 ZR2 will offer 922kg of payload, which is an increase of 209kg over the pre-update version.With this payload increase, it sees the gross vehicle mass (GVM) increase from 3300kg to 3505kg. This sees it move from a NA (light goods vehicle) to NB1 (medium goods vehicle) certification.This reclassification means the Silverado 1500 will be exempt from the Federal Government&rsquo;s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), at least for the time being.Vehicles with a GVM between 3500kg and 3855kg are exempt from the NVES until June 30, 2027.This comes as General Motors (encompassing Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC) was the brand with the fifth-highest penalties last year as it missed the CO2 emissions target.It&rsquo;s currently on the hook for fines up to $6.59 million unless it can sell more vehicles under the targets in successive years, or purchase credits from carmakers under the targets.Another reason why this move from NA to NB1 vehicle classification for the Silverado 1500 is timely is it sidesteps a newly introduced Australian Design Rule (ADR), which mandates that all new vehicles on sale in Australia from August 1, 2026, must have autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection.However, the Silverado 1500 is already equipped with this active safety technology.Other tweaks with this update include black badging and lettering on the exterior, plus the Z71 off-road suspension with Rancho shocks branding in the LTZ Premium has been replaced by off-road suspension with twin-tube dampers.Power across the line-up still comes from a 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine that produces 313kW and 624Nm. It&rsquo;s mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission with drive sent through a four-wheel drive system with full-time capabilities.The 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 line-up now starts at $135,990, before on-road costs, for the 1500 LTZ Premium and $147,490, before on-road costs, for the ZR2. This is a $1000 price rise when compared to the pre-update model.All versions of the Silverado 1500 continue to be produced in Mexico and then remanufactured from left- to right-hand drive by Walkinshaw in Melbourne, Victoria.Walkinshaw also converts the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, Toyota Tundra, as well as the Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 from left- to right-hand drive at its facility.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Quick]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2027-chevrolet-silverado-1500-scores-big-payload-upgrade-as-it-eyes-ford-ranger-super-duty</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 16:45:05 +1000</pubDate>
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            <title><![CDATA[Repair times on electric cars extend into months in Australia, with concerns raised on all makes and models]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/repair-times-on-electric-cars-extend-into-months-in-australia-with-concerns-raised-on-all</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A new report from the Australia Automotive Dealer Association (AADA) has shed light over fresh concerns regarding long car repair and refund wait times in Australia.Dealers admitted customers face significant delays to get their cars fixed in Australia, especially EVs.&nbsp;It can take between six and eight weeks for an issue to just be diagnosed due to workshop backlogs.The association said some manufacturing faults can even take months or years to be correctly diagnosedDealers are now refusing to accept tow-ins or diagnostic work for vehicles they did not originally sell due their backlogs.They blamed long wait times on sourcing parts like electric car batteries that cannot be air-freighted and must be shipped instead.Dealers have also pointed the finger at car manufacturers that dispute or mull over approving warranty requests.The report said that only manufacturers can provide remedy for design faults, leaving dealers helpless to appease customer expectations of a swift resolution.&nbsp;The report stated concerns over manufacturers denying reimbursement claims and failing to meaningfully engage with dispute processes.&nbsp;Carmakers are required to make parts and repair available for a reasonable time after purchase, but this is a vague stipulation.The report sets out several Australian Consumer Law reform recommendations to rectify these issues.&nbsp;It said manufacturers should be required to respond to buyback requests within a fixed period.If the manufacturer fails to respond with written confirmation of indemnity, it is deemed to have accepted responsibility.&nbsp;Manufacturers should also be required to join legal tribunal proceedings for alleged manufacturing or systemic defects.&nbsp;The report called for further clarification of consumer guarantees regarding battery degradation and replacement thresholds.&nbsp;This would recognise the inevitable delays of sourcing EV components and developing software solutions.The Australian EV boom is in full swing, with sales surging in the wake of skyrocketing fuel prices and increasingly stringent environment regulations.&nbsp;More EVs will hit the roads in the coming months, with the industry likely to be placed under further strain.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Gibson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/repair-times-on-electric-cars-extend-into-months-in-australia-with-concerns-raised-on-all</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 16:19:03 +1000</pubDate>
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            <title><![CDATA[BYD reveals 2027 Denza Z9 S electric sedan with nearly 1000km of driving range as new rival to Xiaomi SU7 and Audi e-tron GT]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/byd-reveals-2027-denza-z9-s-electric-sedan-with-nearly-1000km-of-driving-range-as-new</link>
            <description><![CDATA[BYD is preparing to kick petrol-powered cars to the curb with its latest EV boasting nearly 1000km of driving range.&nbsp;The Denza Z9 S is an electric sedan from BYD's luxury sub-brand that has just been fully revealed in China.Its rear-wheel drive single motor variant produces 370kW and offers up to 920km of driving range from its 102kWh battery.&nbsp;This is only according to generous CLTC standards, and not the more reliable WLTP, so don&rsquo;t expect it to reach that figure in the real world, but it will still offer one of the longest driving ranges on the market.&nbsp;The range-topping tri-motor all-wheel set-up boosts power to a whopping 890kW, but driving range is reduced to 780km.This car looks to be the sibling of the Z9 GT that is one of BYD&rsquo;s most anticipated new models landing Down Under this year.The Z9 S will launch in China later this year, but there is no official news on whether it will make it to Australia like the Z9 GT.  @carsguide.com.au The 2026 Denza Z9GT comes with some WILD numbers &#129327; #denza #denzaz9gt #ev #cartok #fyp &#9836; original sound - CarsGuide.com.au   The car is marginally smaller in every dimension than its wagon sibling.It will take on the hugely popular Xiaomi SU7 in China, while locally it is closest in intent to the Porsche Taycan or Audi e-tron GT.BYD is also prepping another new electric wagon, under its Fang Cheng Bao (Formula Leopard) sub-brand, the S GT, that will launch in the third quarter of this in China.It shapes up as a more family-friendly version of the Denza Z9 GT.The car will be offered with a single motor RWD variant, producing 300kW or a dual motor AWD set-up, that adds a front-mounted motor producing 190kW.It too has a substantial 850km range from a slightly smaller 92kWh battery.The S GT can tow up to 500kg, giving it some further lifestyle potential for buyers.Fangchengbao is the off-road sub-brand of BYD, but it will likely fall under the Denza name if it hits global markets, meaning it is not out of the question for Australia.&nbsp;Chinese brands have been increasingly targeting sedan and wagon markets globally as they seek profits outside of their domestic market.BYD has already started to see success on this front in Australia, with its Seal electric sedan and Seal 6 plug-in hybrid wagon.&nbsp;There are more examples on their way Down Under from China, including the Geely Emgrand PHEV sedan arriving next year.&nbsp;]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Gibson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/byd-reveals-2027-denza-z9-s-electric-sedan-with-nearly-1000km-of-driving-range-as-new</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 12:27:51 +1000</pubDate>
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            <title><![CDATA[2027 Haval H10 full details: Patrol-rivalling off-road flagship gets keen price overseas despite impressive specs]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2027-haval-h10-full-details-patrol-rivalling-off-road-flagship-gets-keen-price-overseas</link>
            <description><![CDATA[After an extended pre-launch campaign, the Haval H10 has finally received a price tag for the Chinese domestic market.Starting from the equivalent of A$45,500, and stretching to A$50,000 in China, the H10 sits perched atop the Haval SUV line-up. This pricing, with the usual premium added by the time it arrives in Australia, would see the SUV start at around $60,000+ locally, if it comes.The H10 rides on the company&rsquo;s new GWM One architecture which it currently shares with the Wey V9X.It uses the latest iteration of the company&rsquo;s signature all-wheel drive Hi4 system, but doesn&rsquo;t have the same rugged hardware as the alternate Hi4-T system despite its clear off-road aspirations.Hi4 pairs the front 1.5-litre engine to the wheels via a hybrid transmission and four-speed gearbox, while the rear axle is purely electric, leaving room under the floor for a large battery pack. In contrast, the Hi4-T system used on various Tank and Cannon models from GWM&rsquo;s range trades away the larger battery size for a proper longitudinally-mounted transmission and transfer case, with a hardware link to the rear axle and differential.As such, the H10 has a massive 42.8kWh battery granting the over-five-meter-long SUV a pure electric driving range of up to 232km, according to the more lenient Chinese measuring standard.The engine produces 123kW/243Nm, while the front transmission-mounted electric motor produces 100kW and the rear motor produces 220kW. GWM claims total system outputs for the H10 are 440kW/722Nm.The brand says the huge SUV will sprint from 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds, and uses 6.6L/100km of fuel even when the battery is drained.Despite not being equipped with Hi4-T, the H10 still has an approach angle of 24 degrees, a departure angle of 25 degrees, a breakover angle of 20 degrees and unladen ground clearance of 220mm. It features an electronic crawl mode in place of hardware low-range, and features a differential lock inside the rear motor for more intense off-road scenarios.The suspension features electromagnetic adaptive dampers with a double wishbone front and multilink rear set-up with coils all round. Notably the car features Continental tyres rather than the usual Giti tyres which ship on many GWM models.Interestingly, and as previously revealed in regulatory filings, the H10 is available in two body styles, almost like the Land Rover Defender from which it clearly sources inspiration. One is a 5138mm long five-seat version, while the other is a 5299mm long six-seat version, with the extra length applied to the frame beyond the rear axle.Both share a 3000mm long wheelbase, 2050mm width and 1970mm height. The five-seater has a boot capacity of 815 litres, while the six-seater gets 316 litres which expands to 1056 litres with the third row folded.The interior features all of GWM&rsquo;s latest kit, including a 15.6-inch central touchscreen and 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster running the brand&rsquo;s latest &lsquo;Coffee OS3&rsquo; software. At least one trim level features a 17.3-inch roof-mounted entertainment screen for rear passengers, paired with a 7.1 format 1560W 21-speaker audio system.While Australia has been identified as a priority market for GWM and the brand has previously told CarsGuide the H10 could be a go locally, representatives have said the brand may have trouble with the overlap between products like the H10 and other boxy SUVs from its Tank off-road brand, particularly the LandCruiser-esque Tank 500 which currently occupies this space.What may be more likely for an Australian arrival, at least in the short term, is the company&rsquo;s far more luxurious Wey V9X.Wey will sit atop GWM&rsquo;s portfolio as a luxury brand to rival the likes of Denza and Zeekr in Australia. Stay tuned for more on GWM&rsquo;s aggressive new model plans for the remainder of 2026 soon.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tom White]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2027-haval-h10-full-details-patrol-rivalling-off-road-flagship-gets-keen-price-overseas</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 12:20:46 +1000</pubDate>
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            <title><![CDATA[Toyota boss says 'unless things change, we will not survive' as calls for less competition between Nissan, Mazda and others intensify as China rises]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/toyota-boss-says-unless-things-change-we-will-not-survive-as-calls-for-less-competition</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Japan&rsquo;s major carmakers are reportedly looking to band together and standardise componentry in order to stand up against the rise of Chinese players.As reported by Automotive News, this directive is coming from Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) Chairman Koji Sato who is also the Toyota Vice Chairman and Chief Industry Officer.As a start, Sato is looking to standardise wiring harnesses across the Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota brands, which could reportedly increase productivity more than tenfold.There could also be scope to widen the commonality to steel grades, plastics, among other common components to manufacture cars.&ldquo;Right now, the most important theme facing the Japanese auto industry is improving &lsquo;international competitiveness&rsquo;,&rdquo; said Sato to Automotive News.&ldquo;We aim to strategically create &lsquo;areas of cooperation&rsquo; to improve efficiency, thereby accelerating coexistence in the essential &lsquo;areas of competition.&ldquo;We have a strong sense of crisis that the Japanese auto industry is in a massive period of transition.&ldquo;Now is exactly the time to further develop and evolve with the challenges and reform initiatives that the auto industry as a whole must face.&ldquo;Unless things change, we will not survive.&rdquo;&ldquo;We are really talking about what we can do together, because we do see that other industries in other countries or other parts of the world are better organised than us,&rdquo; said Nissan Motor Company CEO Ivan Espinosa to Automotive News.&ldquo;We will see a lot more collaboration among Japanese OEMs.&ldquo;We have a big opportunity to start sharing critical commodities, at least having a common spec on certain things.&ldquo;We&rsquo;d have something like a JAMA standard that complies with the requirements of all of us, where we certify some suppliers, and then use this freely.&rdquo;Beyond this parts standardisation across the Japanese carmakers, JAMA is also reportedly looking to commonise logistics, simplify Japan&rsquo;s automobile taxing system, redesign the country&rsquo;s autonomous driving infrastructure, secure access to raw materials, commercialise a circular recycling economy, as well as improve talent recruitment.Even if Japan&rsquo;s major OEMs can band together and standardise componentry, it still may not be enough to compete against the so-called 'China Speed.'As recently reported, BYD Executive Vice President He Zhiqi claimed that 650 new or updated cars have launched in China in the first half of 2026. This equals around 25 vehicles per week.Many Chinese brands are also having breakthrough success in many export markets, including Australia.China overtook Japan earlier this year to become the largest importer of new vehicles in Australia, ending a 28-year streak.In the first half of 2026 a total of 175,151 new vehicles sold in Australia were manufactured in China, according to VFACTS. This is up 70.2 per cent year-on-year.This number is higher when sales figures from the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) are factored in, however it doesn&rsquo;t stipulate the vehicle&rsquo;s country of origin in its reports. Polestar and Tesla report their sales figures through the EVC, rather than VFACTS.On the other hand, a total of 144,430 new vehicles sold in Australia in the first half of 2026 were imported from Japan. This is down 22.8 per cent year-on-year.It&rsquo;s worth noting that many Japanese carmakers already have partnerships or joint ventures with Chinese carmakers to produce vehicles in China, mainly for China.However, some of these brands are exporting these Chinese-made models to other markets, including Australia.Examples include the Mazda 6e and soon the Mazda CX-6e, and Nissan is still assessing whether to bring some of its popular Chinese-made vehicles Down Under, like the Frontier Pro plug-in hybrid ute and NX8 hybrid and electric SUV.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Quick]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/toyota-boss-says-unless-things-change-we-will-not-survive-as-calls-for-less-competition</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 12:04:21 +1000</pubDate>
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            <title><![CDATA[The hatch is back! 2027 Leapmotor B05 orders pile in as China's answer to VW Golf and Toyota Corolla  readies for launch ]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/the-hatch-is-back-2027-leapmotor-b05-orders-pile-in-as-chinas-answer-to-vw-golf-and-toyota</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The hatchback is making a comeback courtesy of China, with one newcomer brand reporting pre-orders of its warmed-over electric hatch far outstripping those of the SUVs in its lineup.That brand is Leapmotor, which is poised to launch the B05 in Australia before the end of the year, with the warm electric hatch likely (though not yet confirmed) to be followed by a more bonkers Ultra version that will take all-electric aim at models like the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Hyundai i30 N.Leapmotor sells two other SUVs in Australia, the C10 and B10, both offered with full electric and REEV petrol-electric powertrains. But demand for the electric-only B05 is so far outstripping both."The B05 has delivered our strongest customer response to date across the brand &ndash; reinforcing the growing appeal of the Leapmotor," a company spokesperson told CarsGuide.The company won't be drawn on exact order numbers, but the B10 SUV is the brand's strongest performing vehicle so far this year, delivering 511 units, so it would be safe to assume that, if demand keeps up following the B05's actual launch, the hatchback will achieve bigger numbers.The B05 starts from $35,990 drive-away, and is fairly unique in terms of Chinese launches in Australia, in that Aus-delivered cars have had their chassis and suspension tuned by Alfa Romeo in Italy &ndash; Stellantis co-owns Leapmotor &ndash; which promises a more cohesive, sportier ride."We have, after some assessments done in November, lowered the hook point of the suspension arms on the rear, and lowered the centre of gravity, and the car has totally changed behaviour. So if you drive a BO5 in Europe versus BO5 for China, it&rsquo;s totally different," the brand has previously told CarsGuide.  @carsguide.com.au The 2026 Leapmotor B05 is an electric warm hatch that&rsquo;s locked in for an Australian launch #leapmotor #b05 #EV #cartok #fyp &#9836; original sound - CarsGuide.com.au   It will be joined by other newcomer hatchbacks in Australia, like the Geely EX2, BYD Dolphin, Aion UT and the GWM Ora, as Chinese brands flood into a market segment abandoned by some mainstream players.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Andrew Chesterton]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/the-hatch-is-back-2027-leapmotor-b05-orders-pile-in-as-chinas-answer-to-vw-golf-and-toyota</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 03:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
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            <title><![CDATA[We don't need all-new versions of fun sports cars such as the 2027 Nissan Z, Ford Mustang and Toyota GR86, just a proper update will do | Opinion]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/we-dont-need-all-new-versions-of-fun-sports-cars-such-as-the-2027-nissan-z-ford-mustang</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Recently, a realisation from behind the wheel of the current generation of a widely beloved rear-drive two-door coupe raised a question for me.Are sports cars doomed? The question came as I realised that because of the development of the car I was driving, the 2026 Nissan Z (specifically the Heritage Edition), underneath was essentially a Nissan 350Z that had been given enough surgery to be relevant in two decades later.But the last of the ancient platforms won&rsquo;t be around for much longer, surely, and the cars built on them are, at least in two cases, some of the most-loved sports cars around.The other is the Ford Mustang, which rides on a platform closely related to one older than you might think.Back to the Z for a moment, because the platform it rides on comes from so far back that I was just getting into primary school when it debuted. The 2002 Nissan 350Z was released when I was in grade 2, about a decade and a half ago, when I was only allowed behind the wheel of one if it was on Need for Speed: Underground 2.Nissan recently celebrated 35 years of its Infiniti sub-brand, which kicked off with the G35 Coupe - a sibling car to the V35 Nissan Skyline - and gave the Front Midship (FM) Platform its flowers.The aim was to get a V6 nestled in just behind the front axle, which resulted in a 52:48 front/rear weight distribution. Slightly more weight over the front was a deliberate choice, according to the engineers.The FM platform would go on to carry the Z33 350Z to cultural relevance in the aforementioned Underground 2 and Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift, before the Z34 370Z came along with a heavily updated version of the platform in 2009 and hung around for 12 years. The FM was just about old enough to vote in Australia when the 370Z was discontinued.The RZ34 is already coming up on four years old, and its platform is 20 years older than that.Even though its chassis feels heavy for something carrying a two-door coupe, it&rsquo;s not alone in the world of heavy hybrid and electric &lsquo;sports cars&rsquo;, but it retains a level of engagement and trust in the driver that doesn&rsquo;t rely on tricks and electronics.If Nissan built another platform for the Z, not only would it have possibly sent the company bankrupt, it might have lost some of its magic.Nissan&rsquo;s FM platform is not alone in this. In fact, even though Ford probably could afford to create a new Mustang platform, you could argue the platform it rides on is even older than the Z&rsquo;s. Depends who you ask.&nbsp;While Ford says the S550 Mustang is built on a &lsquo;ground-up&rsquo; platform developed just for the Mustang in 2015, it&rsquo;s to some extent based on the existing D2C platform that the Mustang rode on since 2004, itself an evolution of the DEW98 platform used from the late 1990s.While the Mustang&rsquo;s platform is now different in a few key areas, including the addition of independent rear suspension for the S550 generation onwards, it&rsquo;s still related to that of the early 2000s.And it&rsquo;s still quite capable and really, really fun, just like the Nissan Z.I point all of this out because I&rsquo;m a little worried about what happens to the other, even more affordable sports cars when it&rsquo;s time for their next generations. Will the Mazda MX-5 or Toyota GR86 (and Subaru BRZ) hold onto their platforms until it&rsquo;s no longer possible to release a car on them?We&rsquo;re going to be waiting until after 2030 for a new Nissan Z according to Nissan Americas&rsquo; Senior Vice President Chief Product &amp; Planning Officer Ponz Pandikuthira, though given he says the next GT-R will ride on a new platform the FM Platform might also be outta here.A new Ford Mustang won&rsquo;t be around until a similar time, though Ford CEO Jim Farley has notably said the V8 would stick around &ldquo;as long as God and the politicians let us&rdquo;. The platform might need some more work by then if the brand intends to electrify the pony car, though]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Thompson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/we-dont-need-all-new-versions-of-fun-sports-cars-such-as-the-2027-nissan-z-ford-mustang</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 03:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[South Australia Police enlist new shadow Toyota LandCruiser, Kluger and Subaru Outback patrol cars that are harder to spot]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/south-australia-police-enlist-new-shadow-toyota-landcruiser-kluger-and-subaru-outback</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A fleet of new police cars is going to be harder to spot.South Australia Police have revealed six new patrol cars that will be hiding in plain sight.Dubbed shadow patrol cars, the hard-to-see livery will be applied to a range of vehicles including a Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, Toyota Kluger and a previous-generation Subaru Outback.The vehicles feature colour matched and subdued police markings that are less visible in the daytime, but reflect at night when they catch the light.Commissioner of Police Grant Stevens said the new subdued police cars were to boost road safety and stop tragedy before it occurs.&ldquo;With 61 lives already lost on South Australian roads this year, we cannot afford complacency. Every fatality represents a person who did not make it home and families whose lives have been changed forever,&rdquo; said Commissioner Stevens.South Australia Police said drink and drug driving, along with dangerous road users or behaviours contributed to 67 per cent of the road fatalities this year.He also said the hiding in plain sight nature of the cars will be a deterrence.&ldquo;If people know police may be on the road in vehicles that are not immediately obvious from a distance, they may think twice before speeding, driving affected by alcohol or drugs, using their phone, or taking risks behind the wheel,&rdquo; he said.The new vehicles will take part in routine road policing and targeted enforcement operations in metropolitan and rural areas, according to South Australia Police.Each vehicle will be equipped with standard Highway Patrol and road policing equipment, including speed detectors, alcohol and drug testing and safety equipment.South Australia Police said these vehicles will complement, not replace, the high visibility Highway Patrol vehicles currently used in the state.The new fleet of shadow patrol cars has already had an immediate impact. They nabbed a driver on Wednesday in Seaford, who was spotted driving erratically.He was reported for driving while under the influence and fail to comply with breath analysis.He was issued with a 12-month instant loss of licence, and his vehicle was impounded for 28 days.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dom Tripolone]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/south-australia-police-enlist-new-shadow-toyota-landcruiser-kluger-and-subaru-outback</guid>
            <pubDate>Sun, 19 Jul 2026 03:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Urgent safety recall for more than 13,000 2022 to 2026 Nissan X-Trail e-Power hybrid SUVs]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/urgent-safety-recall-for-more-than-13000-2022-to-2026-nissan-x-trail-e-power-hybrid-suvs</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Nissan has issued an urgent recall notice affecting its most popular model.A total of 13,795 Nissan X-Trail e-Power mid-size SUVs could have a potentially dangerous software issue, according to the official notice from the Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts.The affected X-Trails covered model years from 2022 to 2026, and used the Japanese brand&rsquo;s e-Power hybrid technology.A software issue with the lithium-ion battery controller could cause the vehicle to enter a fail safe mode, which means the vehicles could lose power while driving and wouldn&rsquo;t be able to charge the battery.Unlike other hybrids, Nissan&rsquo;s e-Power technology only uses the petrol engine to charge the battery and the electric motors drive the wheels, rather than a combination of both. This means if the battery can not charge, the vehicle can not be driven.The recall notice said if this occurs it could &ldquo;increase the risk of an accident, causing injury or death to the vehicle occupants and other road users&rdquo;.Nissan will be contacting affected owners and urging them to attend their local dealership to have the software reprogrammed at no cost.Nissan also recalled 237 Qashqai e-Power compact SUVs for the same issue.The affected models cover the 2025 to 2026 model years and again will be reprogrammed free of charge.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dom Tripolone]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/urgent-safety-recall-for-more-than-13000-2022-to-2026-nissan-x-trail-e-power-hybrid-suvs</guid>
            <pubDate>Sun, 19 Jul 2026 03:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Toyota LandCruiser apocalypse: Five Chinese hybrid 4WDs coming to Australia from 2027 GAC Yue 7 to Geely Galaxy Cruiser]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/toyota-landcruiser-apocalypse-five-chinese-hybrid-4wds-coming-to-australia-from-2027-gac</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The list of Australia&rsquo;s favourite off-road SUVs is set for a massive shake up in the coming years, as a 4WD-obsessed boom in the Chinese market starts to overflow to Australia.The GWM Tank 300 and Tank 500, as well as Denza&rsquo;s B5 and B8, might have been the first to tackle ever-popular legends, the Toyota LandCruiser, Nissan Patrol and Ford Everest, but they will soon be joined by new offerings from GAC, Geely and Chery.Below is a list of the five off-road hybrid SUVs either confirmed to be heading to Australia or highly likely for an Australian arrival with the intention to unseat some of the world&rsquo;s most popular 4WDs.Geely Galaxy CruiserAlso known as the Geely Battleship 700, this large hybrid off-roader is part of an all-new family of flagship products for the Geely brand.It will debut a new off-road architecture for Geely, which can be equipped with either a 1.5-litre or 2.0-litre engine mated to a front electric motor, and dual rear electric motors that feature a mechanical differential lock.There is no mechanical connection between the front and rear axles, with that space taken up by a 47kWh battery pack, which grants it up to 185km of CLTC driving range, according to preliminary specs out of China.Combined power for its tri-motor system is a headline-grabbing 830kW, and the boxy off-roader has luxurious interior fittings which take Geely into new territory.&nbsp;Pricing is yet to be revealed, and while the Galaxy Cruiser hasn&rsquo;t been confirmed for an Australian arrival, it is slated for a UK arrival, confirming right-hand drive production.Read more about the Geely Galaxy Cruiser hereGAC Yue 7With styling more reminiscent of the Toyota Prado rather than the Defender-esque look of the Geely, GAC&rsquo;s upcoming Yue 7 was recently revealed at the 2026 Beijing Motor Show.Also a plug-in hybrid with no mechanical connection between the engine and rear axle, the over-five-meter-long SUV boasts formidable off-road angles.It is not as punchy as the Geely claims to be, with a mere 400kW of combined power on tap from its 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and dual electric motor set-up, which is a familiar formula for these Chinese 4WDs.It will be offered with either a 28.3kWh or 46kWh battery pack, which grants it either 116km or 188km of CLTC electric driving range, respectively.  @carsguide.com.au 2026 GAC Yue 7 is China&rsquo;s plug-in hybrid Toyota Prado rival! #GAC #Yue7 #PHEV #cartok #fyp &#9836; original sound&nbsp;- CarsGuide.com.au   The computer-based 4WD system is said to be capable of sending power to just one wheel at a time if needed and simulating low-range driving.While GAC Australia is yet to comment on the arrival of the Yue 7, the company is plotting 10 new models in our market in just five years, with the local boss telling CarsGuide recently this will include a large SUV and a pick-up truck.Read more about the GAC Yue 7 hereiCaur V27The Chery sub-brand&rsquo;s flagship off-road machine is squarely designed to target rivals like the Tank 500 and Denza B5, according to executives.Unlike some of its rivals here, the V27 doesn&rsquo;t ride on a ladder-frame platform and instead rides on a car-line monocoque underpinnings.This isn&rsquo;t an indicator of its off-road performance, with prior iterations of the famous Mitsubishi Pajero and current Land Rover Defender also based on unibody platforms.The V27 uses a range-extender hybrid system (meaning the 1.5-litre engine is not mechanically connected to the front or rear axles), being purely electrically driven at the wheels.  @carsguide.com.au New Chinese brand alert! Chery's iCaur will debut in Australia with the 2027 iCaur V27 #Chery #iCaur #V27 #cartok #fyp &#9836; original sound - CarsGuide.com.au   It uses a 34.3kWh battery pack which grants it 150km of electric driving range to an also lenient NEDC standard and power outputs from its dual-electric motor set-up combine for a total of 335kW/505Nm.Despite being over five meters in]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tom White]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/toyota-landcruiser-apocalypse-five-chinese-hybrid-4wds-coming-to-australia-from-2027-gac</guid>
            <pubDate>Sat, 18 Jul 2026 03:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[New Toyota LandCruiser models under study for Australia to join the 2027 Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, Prado and 70 Series]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/new-toyota-landcruiser-models-under-study-for-australia-to-join-the-2027-toyota</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Toyota's LandCruiser family looks ready to grow in Australia, with the brand confirming new models are under study that would expand the lineup beyond the 300 Series, Prado and 70 Series in our market.The comments appear to confirm reports Toyota is working on at least two new LandCruiser models &ndash; a new ute and an SUV, both with electric options &ndash; which are expected to launch from next year.And one or both appear on the table in Australia, with Toyota here confirming they are studying the opportunity and believe there is room for new LandCruiser models in our market."We're studying it, and we think that there is probably room for this. It's about the right product at the right time," says Ray Munday, Senior Manager Product Planning and Pricing at Toyota Australia.It would mark a significant departure from all we've known and expect from the LandCruiser badge, with both rumoured models to be reportedly based on a monocoque (or car-based) platform, meaning they will have an urban focus, rather than an off-road one.It has been reported that the ute version will take its cues from the EPU concept first revealed at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show.&nbsp;The SUV version &ndash; expected to take its inspiration from the LandCruiser SE concept also revealed in Tokyo &ndash; is reportedly designed as a "sports SUV" &ndash; a far cry from the rugged off-roaders that currently wear the LandCruiser badge.Both are reportedly being developed with electric and petrol-hybrid options.One model that is almost certain to not appear in Australia is the LandCruiser FJ, with Toyota pouring cold water on the idea of launching that product in our market."The FJ has an older engine, it doesn't meet our requirements, (and) doesn't come available in the powertrains that we're after, so no plan on that," says Toyota Australia VP of Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations, John Pappas.That engine is the brand's 120kW and 246Nm 2.7-litre petrol engine, which has recently been axed from entry-level Toyota HiLux variants in Australia.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Andrew Chesterton]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/new-toyota-landcruiser-models-under-study-for-australia-to-join-the-2027-toyota</guid>
            <pubDate>Sat, 18 Jul 2026 03:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[World's best selling car turns 60: 2027 Toyota Corolla shows no sign of slowing down, and why Australia was crucial to its success]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/worlds-best-selling-car-turns-60-2027-toyota-corolla-shows-no-sign-of-slowing-down-and-why</link>
            <description><![CDATA[You may or may not know Australia was the first export market for the world&rsquo;s best ever selling car.The vehicle in question is the Toyota Corolla and this was the first country to receive exports when 15 examples of the first-gen E10 model were shipped here in November 1966, just a month after it was revealed in Japan.During the 1966 Tokyo Motor Show (October 26 to November 8) Toyota had pulled the covers off the diminutive two-door, 1.1-litre city car which over the next six decades and 12 generations would go on to comprehensively out-sell automotive icons like the Ford Model T, VW Beetle and original Mini.So, yep, the Corolla turns the big six-oh this year and Australia was a VIP guest at its first party.Less than a year after the original E10 series debuted, a four-door sedan and wagon type van joined the initial line-up and the Corolla die was cast, the newcomer quickly building its reputation as an affordable, versatile and economical small car, initially going into bat against the similarly-sized, not to mention similar-looking, Datsun (Datto) 1000 and Subaru 1000.Another Aussie milestone for Corolla was assembly of the E10 in Port Melbourne, the first manufacturing site for the model outside Japan. Toyota Australia went on to build more than 666,000 Corollas across its Port Melbourne, Dandenong and Altona plants.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Only four years later, in 1970, the chubbier E20 Corolla was introduced, retaining the original&rsquo;s front-engine, rear-wheel drive configuration but with more capacity, power and weight.The alpha-numeric model code convention continued in 1975 with the E30 / E50 &lsquo;rolla, still rear-drive with later versions powered by a 1.3-litre four and the choice of manual shift or &lsquo;ToyoGlide&rsquo; three-speed auto. The third-gen E40 / E60 Sprinter variants were JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) and (other) selected export markets only.&nbsp;A more mature E70 Corolla arrived in 1981 with a new coil-spring, five-link rear suspension, but still rear-wheel drive, with a relatively conservative appearance. A clear &lsquo;white goods&rsquo; Toyota period.The E80 kicked off the front-wheel drive Corolla era in 1985 and the ground-breaking E90 became a hugely popular small car option in Australia from 1989, bringing more contemporary looks and the availability of 16-valve, twin-cam engines (anyone remember &lsquo;The O2 Advantage&rsquo; slogan?), especially the high-performance &lsquo;4A-GE&rsquo;.The E100 from 1994 looked more like a substantial E90 upgrade than a new-generation model but the E110 in 1998 was a clear design departure with a distinctive quad headlight face morphing into a wide-eyed, dual-headlight expression following a facelift.In 2001, the now imported E120 ushered in a sturdier, high-waisted look for the ninth-generation, with sedans, wagons and hatchbacks available. The E140/E150 continued that design theme from 2006 to the E170 sedan and E180 hatch launched here in 2014.The Corolla reached a million Australian sales, in September 2007. And for completists, the E160 (Corolla Axio sedan and Fielder wagon) was never officially sold in Australia.&nbsp;Which brings us to the current 12-generation E210. Launched in 2018 it&rsquo;s the longest-running Corolla model and has proved a huge success.It&rsquo;s brought back hot hatch performance with GR and soon-to-arrive GRMN variants and looks set to soldier on until the 13th-generation Corolla arrives later this year, with (surprise, surprise) late October a short odds favourite for launch timing.&nbsp;Speaking of hot hatches, in terms of motorsport the Corolla has done everything from Bathurst (its first success was a Class A victory in 1968) to the World Rally Championship as well as multiple Australian Rally Championships (at the hands of Neal Bates and Coral Taylor) and a multitude of other competition appearances around the globe.It&rsquo;s recently spawned the Corolla Cross SUV as well as a host of other variants]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[James Cleary]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/worlds-best-selling-car-turns-60-2027-toyota-corolla-shows-no-sign-of-slowing-down-and-why</guid>
            <pubDate>Sat, 18 Jul 2026 03:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[BYD boss says China's 'brutal' pace of new model launches is unsustainable as brands from XPeng to Geely chase three-month 'buzz' in buyers minds]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/byd-boss-says-chinas-brutal-pace-of-new-model-launches-is-unsustainable-as-brands-from</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A Chinese auto executive has warned that the extreme pace of the new car industry in China is &ldquo;brutal&rdquo; and unsustainable.BYD Executive Vice President He Zhiqi took to Weibo to lament the &ldquo;insane&rdquo; pace with which the Chinese auto industry is progressing - citing a figure of 650 new or updated cars launched just in the first half of 2026.That works out to around four new or refreshed cars launched per day. Contrast this with Australia, where a handful of new cars launched in a week is considered busy, and it becomes clear why the phrase &lsquo;China speed&rsquo; has become common.&ldquo;It&rsquo;s completely insane,&rdquo; He Zhiqi said on Chinese social media site Weibo this week, saying the market is &ldquo;not just fierce, but brutal&rdquo; in China.While carmakers must still develop cars for many months or years leading up to launches, He Zhiqi says the &ldquo;buzz&rdquo; of a new car launch can&rsquo;t be held for &ldquo;three months before it goes cold&rdquo;.In China, the pace set by brands belies the cooling market.Automotive News Europe reports the passenger car segment is down 23 per cent compared to June last year, citing data from China&rsquo;s Passenger Car Association.Bloomberg also reported the pace of China&rsquo;s industry means the monthly output of new car launches in a month is roughly equivalent to that of a calendar year in the US.While the BYD executive says the current trend in the industry is unsustainable, He Zhiqi points out that the hard times will result in carmakers emerging with the resilience to survive brutal market conditions.&ldquo;Competition also breeds prosperity,&rdquo; he wrote. &ldquo;You have to roll around, crawl and fight in it to build a strong body.&rdquo;]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Thompson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/byd-boss-says-chinas-brutal-pace-of-new-model-launches-is-unsustainable-as-brands-from</guid>
            <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 17:32:38 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Holden VE Commodore turns 20: the most-hated Holden Commodore’s revival starts here]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/holden-ve-commodore-turns-20-the-most-hated-holden-commodores-revival-starts-here-102185</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The final-ever car to be designed, engineered and built in Australia was released 20 years ago this week, on July 16, 2006 &ndash; just three days after production commenced in Elizabeth, South Australia.A perfect excuse to see the Holden VE Commodore with a fresh perspective.Not as an infamous failure with timing chain issues, an eternal engine light on and broken heater controls, but as one of the world&rsquo;s last affordable family cars with a body builder presence, great chassis, loping performance and rock-solid safety.Find a good one today and the VE&rsquo;s muscular, dynamic strength can still disarm. In a world of same-same SUVs, don&rsquo;t you miss hunky world-class Australian cars made for our environment?Understanding why the final Commodore was what it became may make some people reassess this model&rsquo;s incredibly complicated story, because one day, future generations will be clambering for a slice of bygone automotive history.Here are 10 reasons why Australia&rsquo;s last car deserves more respect. The VE revival starts right here.The 1948 formula on repeatEvery Holden family sedan from 1948&rsquo;s first 48-215 to the final VF II of 2017 followed the same template. To a tee. A large three-box four-door rear-wheel-drive family car with at least five seats and six cylinders.At the start, the formula was an obscene money-spinner. General Motors-Holden&rsquo;s (GMH) became so profitable with 50 per cent market share within its first decade that people actually called for the government to rein it in.That didn&rsquo;t last. Rivals led by Ford&rsquo;s thematically identical Falcon swooped in, the market fragmented as the population diversified driven by Japanese cars, then fuel prices soared, GMH went bankrupt (but was bailed out by Detroit in 1987) and Holden had to be content with half its late 1950s market share (or less).The writing should have been on the wall by the late 1990s, as a new kind of family car, defined by the pioneering Toyota RAV4, steamrolled across the globe.The VT Commodore illusionIsn&rsquo;t it funny that, in 2026, while the VT Commodore is admired, the AU Falcon that embarrassingly flopped against it is what&rsquo;s revered as the era&rsquo;s ultimate Australian family car.This Commodore&rsquo;s phenomenal sales emphatically put Holden on top again after years of to-ing and fro-ing with the EF and EL Falcon series.It was such as success not because of any enduring loyalty to the brand, but because people hated the then-new AU&rsquo;s styling. And, at the time, Holden was GM&rsquo;s most profitable division on the planet &ndash; the darling of Detroit.These are important distinctions to make in understanding Holden&rsquo;s desire to go all-in with the next-gen model, because by 1999, following a bumper volume year that saw a record-breaking 94,642 Commodore registrations, GM thought sedans would prevail against SUV imports.Project 2686, that became the VE, was headed by engineering veteran, Tony Hyde, and was Holden&rsquo;s biggest investment in an Australian vehicle since the 1971 HQ (one of Hyde&rsquo;s earlier jobs), and the first all-new, non-German Opel-based big Holden since then too.In 2001, that 1948 formula was yet-again set in stone more-or-less, while the fail-proof Commodore was still riding high on top of the pops.&ldquo;VE Commodore is the car we always wanted to build,&rdquo; Hyde said.But even back then, SUVs were already decimating sedan demand across the world, including here. Clearly, Holden didn&rsquo;t want to believe it &ndash; and there was still five years of VE development that lay ahead.&nbsp;The 2005 oil crisisJust as today&rsquo;s soaring fuel prices have kicked the door wide open for electric vehicles, the world&rsquo;s third biggest oil crisis after 1973 and 1979 then went on to pull the rug from under the VZ Commodore, BF Falcon and its Territory SUV offshoot.None really ever recovered. By the eve of the VE launch on July 16, 2006, tensions must have been]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Byron Mathioudakis]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/holden-ve-commodore-turns-20-the-most-hated-holden-commodores-revival-starts-here-102185</guid>
            <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 17:30:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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