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.
Another Chinese brand set for Australian launch
Aion, the all-electric marque of China’s Guangzhou Automobile Corporation (GAC), is gearing up to bring its Hyper GT to Australia as a rival to the ubiquitous Tesla Model 3.
The company has told CarExpert it intends to launch locally, but not before it ships an example of the Hyper GT in time for an October 2023 showing.
Before then, it will first exhibit its Y and V SUV models, with preview examples set to arrive locally later this month.
FULL STORY: China’s Aion eyeing Australia with scissor-door Model 3 rival
VFACTS: February sales round-up
The new car market continued its strong start to 2023 in February, with deliveries up 1.8 per cent per cent on the same period in 2022.
VFACTS sales data shows 86,878 deliveries in February, which is the best result for the month since 2019. It also continues a run of successive monthly growth extending to last July.
Electric vehicles (5932 sales) narrowly outsold hybrids (5716), with plug-in hybrids (454) accounting for just 0.52 per cent of all deliveries.
Audi Australia also registered more vehicles than BMW and Mercedes-Benz Cars in Australia during February, posting substantial monthly growth of 126.4 per cent.
FULL STORY: February VFACTS: Growth continues, EVs overtake hybridsFULL STORY: Australia had a new best-selling luxury brand in February
FULL STORY: Electric vehicles outsold hybrids in February
Mazda’s new large premium SUV here in August
The Mazda CX-90 is set to land in Australia from August 2023, and the diesel version – exclusive to Australia – will be capable of fuel economy to make a Toyota Kluger Hybrid nervous.
Mazda Australia has confirmed the D50e variant, which uses the same 187kW/550Nm 3.3-litre inline six turbo-diesel as the smaller CX-60, wears a combined efficiency rating of 5.4 litres per 100km. CO2 emissions are quoted at 143g/km.
FULL STORY: Mazda’s largest SUV here in August with hybrid-beating efficiency
Renault’s new EV hatch will have premium pricing
Renault will launch its Megane E-Tech Electric SUV locally the fourth quarter of this year, and has said it will be priced in the early/mid-$70,000s range.
The French brand will sell the vehicle through its 58 dealers, rather than offering it only online, but has acknowledged it won’t be cheap.
FULL STORY: Renault Megane E-Tech Electric here this year, priced above $70,000
Volkswagen reveals subtly updated ID.3 EV
The updated Volkswagen ID.3 has been revealed in Europe, featuring a higher-quality interior and improved technology.
“We hope to see it next year [2024],” said a spokesperson for Volkswagen Australia. The local arm has previously said it would wait for the facelifted version before it introduced the ID.3.
The updated model enters production in the northern autumn of 2023.
FULL STORY: Updated VW ID.3 EV firming for 2024 Aussie launch
Chery pricing pits it against Chinese rivals
Chinese brand Chery is back, but it’s a more expensive proposition than before.
It’s launching the Omoda 5 small crossover in the first half of this year, with a base price just under $30,000 before on-road costs.
There’s no nationwide drive-away pricing, but the cheapest the Omoda 5 can be is $31,990 drive-away, with the flagship (for now) EX topping out at $35,890 drive-away.
FULL STORY: 2023 Chery Omoda 5 price and specs
Renault’s new small van range delayed
The next-generation Renault Kangoo was originally set for an early 2023 launch, but it now won’t arrive until later this year.
The company has confirmed it’s now set to launch in the third quarter of this year, and CarExpert understands this is due to issues securing supply.
FULL STORY: Renault’s new Kangoo small van delayed
Toyota supply struggles to continue throughout the first half of 2023
Toyota Australia has confirmed it’s still battling against production and supply issues this year, with things not set to improve until the second half of 2023.
Speaking with CarExpert, Toyota’s vice president for sales and marketing, Sean Hanley, said these challenges would continue through the first quarter of 2023, off the back of a 31.4 per cent drop in sales (down 6554 units) in February VFACTS sales data.
“The February sales figures confirm that we continue to face supply constraints, which are likely to continue for the first quarter at least. At this stage, we are expecting improved supply during the second half of the year,” Mr Hanley said.
FULL STORY: Toyota confirms supply challenges and new car delays to continue
Hyundai i30 Sedan update here this year, hybrid option firming
The facelifted Hyundai i30 Sedan – known elsewhere in the world as the Avante and Elantra – has debuted in Korea ahead of an Australian launch during the second half of 2023
A trio of images have trickled out online today following a domestic announcement for South Korea, showing subtle design changes that seem to sharpen up the rather angular sedan’s front and rear fascias.
FULL STORY: Hyundai i30 Sedan update could bring hybrid
Tesla gives only morsels on next-gen models at Investor Day
Tesla didn’t end up showing any of its next-generation vehicles at its 2023 Investor Day, but it did detail how they will be built.
The next-generation vehicles are expected to include a vehicle to slot in under the Model 3, while a robotaxi version has been confirmed.
The company’s vice president of vehicle engineering, Lars Moravy, did shed some light in the session even if his boss didn’t.
FULL STORY: Tesla explains how it’ll build its next-gen cars… but doesn’t reveal them
Mazda 3, CX-30 updates expected in 2023
Where the Mazda 3 goes, the related CX-30 usually follows. It’s perhaps no surprise then, the small crossover should follow the hatch and sedan range in getting an update.
CarExpert understands that, like the Mazda 3, the CX-30 will receive some kind of update this year.
FULL STORY: Mazda 3: Tech update firming for popular small car in 2023
FULL STORY: Mazda CX-30 set to follow siblings with tech upgrade
Future uncertain for Renault Australia’s best seller
The Renault Koleos is the brand’s best-selling vehicle in Australia, but it may not be long for this world
“[The] Koleos continues as is, product run this and next year and after that we don’t know,” said Renault Australia boss Glen Sealey.
A direct replacement for the Korean-built mid-sized SUV hasn’t been spied. It’s already been discontinued in most European markets, with the void at the top end of Renault’s SUV line-up there set to be filled by the next-generation Espace which has shed the last vestiges of people mover styling.
FULL STORY: Future uncertain for Renault Australia’s top seller
Keyword: This week in news: 27 February to 3 March