We publish a ton of car news stories during the working week, and it can be tough to keep up with everything – which is the rationale behind this weekend list.
In short, here are some key articles from our news desk since Monday of this week summarised, just in case you missed them at the time.
VFACTS: March 2023 new car sales decline as shortages linger
Utes took all three spots on the podium in March 2023, and the top 10 list of models were all either light commercial vehicles or SUVs rather than traditional hatchbacks and sedans.
The Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, and Isuzu D-Max were the the most popular new vehicles last month, ahead of the Mitsubishi Outlander and Tesla Model Y in fourth and fifth.
At a higher level, new vehicle deliveries in Australia fell 3.9 per cent year-on-year in March 2023, to 97,251 units, as ongoing supply problems drag on.
FULL STORY: VFACTS: March 2023 new car sales decline as shortages linger
Triton coming soon, but don’t wait up for a plug-in hybrid
Mitsubishi’s new rival to the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux is less than 12 months from arriving in Australia.
The new Triton ute will debut mid-year in Thailand, where it’s built, ahead of an expected arrival Down Under late in 2023 or early in 2024.
The new Triton will ride on a new platform, and features a new diesel engine under the bonnet at launch.
Limited demand, combined with the challenge of adapting the plug-in hybrid technology from the Outlander family SUV to life in a ladder-frame ute, means Mitsubishi might not bother with a PHEV version of its upcoming Triton ute.
FULL STORY: When the new Mitsubishi Triton ute will land in Australia
FULL STORY: Mitsubishi Triton PHEV to follow electric ute… if it comes at all
More hybrid Lambos coming
Having just unveiled the all-new flagship Revuelto supercar, Lamborghini has confirmed replacements for the current Huracan and Urus will be unveiled next year.
Production of these models for the Australian market will start in 2025.
With the hybridisation of the Aventador replacement now complete, the future of the next-generation Huracan and Urus are also confirmed to be electrified with both new, as-yet unnamed models set to feature hybrid powertrains.
FULL STORY: New Lamborghini Urus, Huracan debuting in 2024
Genesis embracing sedans, looking to coupes and convertibles
The trio of Genesis X concepts released over the last few years are looking more and more likely to go into full-scale production.
The Genesis X, X Convertible and X Speedium concepts (jointly named the X trilogy concepts) are likely set to form the South Korean brand’s halo models as it begins its next chapter and evolution.
Speaking to Australian media, Luc Donckerwolke, the chief creative officer of Hyundai and Genesis, said the concepts have all proven very popular with plenty of demand.
The design boss also says Genesis isn’t going down the path of building only SUVs in the future, despite its rivals increasingly shunning traditional body types.
However, it does plan to expand its SUV line-up, revealing a concept GV80 Coupe and suggesting a Mercedes-Benz G-Class rival is a possibility.
FULL STORY: Genesis coupe, convertibles on production pathway
FULL STORY: Writing off sedans a ‘mistake’, says Genesis
FULL STORY: Genesis G-Wagen rival a possibility
FULL STORY: Genesis previews BMW X6 rival with GV80 Coupe Concept
MG brings new electric hatch to the foreground
MG’s upcoming electric hatchback is set to become one of Australia’s most affordable electric vehicles (EVs).
The company has priced only a top-spec, long-range MG 4 Essence model, which rings up at $47,990 before on-road costs and uses the larger 64kWh battery with 435km of range on the stricter WLTP cycle.
Pre-sales open on April 11, with vehicles arriving in showrooms in the second half of this year.
FULL STORY: MG 4: Electric hatch priced as pre-sales open
When will a new Mitsubishi ASX come?
Mitsubishi still doesn’t know how it will replace the venerable ASX in Australia.
The current ASX, which accounted for more than 15 per cent of Mitsubishi sales in Australia during 2022, has been on sale locally since 2010. It’s been treated to multiple styling and tech updates, but is now around five years beyond the point most vehicles would be replaced by a ground-up new car.
Senior executives within Mitsubishi confirmed to local media the brand still hasn’t decided what path it’ll take with a replacement, or if it will bother with a replacement at all – despite acknowledging the fact even the ageless ASX “can’t last forever”.
FULL STORY: Is a new Mitsubishi ASX coming to Australia?
Ram Trucks Australia revving up for electric pickup
After the Ram 1500 REV drove onto the stage of the 2023 New York motor show, the company confirmed the all-electric pickup will be coming to Australia.
Initially, at least, this will be done via a local conversion process, just like other Ram vehicles sold Down Under. Timing has yet to be confirmed, but the 1500 REV won’t be arriving in American drivetrains until late 2024.
Speaking to Australian media, Ram CEO Mike Koval Jr confirmed the 1500 REV is heading our way – and not too long after the American vehicles start rolling off the production line.
FULL STORY: Ram 1500 REV electric ute confirmed for Australia with 805km range
Hyundai’s Kia EV9 rival coming next year
The upcoming Hyundai Ioniq 7 electric SUV will be on sale at some point in 2024, the brand’s local arm has confirmed.
Direct to consumer senior manager at Hyundai Australia, Andrew Stamatakis, told media the brand expects the as-yet-unrevealed Ioniq 7 to be on sale locally next year, and help to double the forecasted sales volume for Ioniq vehicles for this year.
Hyundai projects 6000 units of its Ioniq-branded electric vehicles for 2024, up from 3000 in 2023.
FULL STORY: When will Hyundai bring electric Ioniq 7 SUV flagship to Australia?
Long Range joins Model Y range
Tesla has added a third variant to its top-selling Model Y electric SUV line-up in Australia, while also reducing pricing of the existing variants back to where it was at the start of the year.
The Chinese-made Tesla Model Y Long Range is priced from $81,900 before on-road costs, which is $13,000 more expensive than the entry-level RWD, and $13,000 cheaper than the flagship Performance. A full price list is at the bottom of this story.
Tesla estimates if you order a Model Y Long Range right now it will arrive between May and June this year. If you order a Model Y RWD or Performance right now on the other hand, it’s estimated to arrive between April and June this year.
FULL STORY: Tesla Model Y: Australia’s favourite electric SUV gets more range
Cars get cleaner but large SUVs and utes go backwards
The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries has released the 2022 results for its voluntary emissions reduction standard, and heavy SUVs and light commercial vehicles have missed their target again.
The 2022 target for the heavy SUV and light commercial vehicle category, referred to as MC + NA, was 189 grams of CO2 for every kilometre travelled. The outcome was 212.8 grams, actually a slight increase from 2021’s figure of 212.5 grams.
That’s disappointing, considering between 2020 and 2021 the figure dropped from 218 grams.
There was better news in the MA (passenger cars and light SUVs) category, with an average of 131 grams. This was a reduction from 146 grams in 2021, which was also the targeted figure for 2022.
FULL STORY: Large SUVs, commercial vehicles miss emissions target again
Another manual bites the dust
Mazda Australia has revealed the updated version of its 3 hatchback and sedan ahead of an on-sale date in July this year.
The company has simplified the line-up, axing all manual transmission variants as well as the mild-hybrid G20e Evolve and X20 Astina models.
This means the Mazda 3 range will be available only with the 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre ‘Skyactiv G’ naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engines, mated exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission.
FULL STORY: 2023 Mazda 3 update: Mild-hybrids and manuals axed
Kia Stinger orders close in Australia
Kia Australia has confirmed it’s no longer taking orders for its Stinger liftback, as production winds down in Korea.
General manager for production planning at Kia’s local arm, Roland Rivero, told CarExpert the brand has communicated a stop-sale to dealers, and will fulfil its current order bank.
“We can confirm that we have advised our Dealers that no further VFOS orders will be taken for Stinger as the factory focuses on producing outstanding orders prior to the end of production,” Mr Rivero said.
“We have an allocation of Stinger still to be built, as we look to fulfil existing backorders. We have the support of Kia HQ to produce the outstanding balance and aiming to deliver vehicles to customers with paid deposits, eagerly awaiting their vehicle.”
FULL STORY: You can no longer buy a Kia Stinger in Australia
