Automotive news

• Ford CFO Shanks plans to retire, report says

  14-02-2019 20:40 via feedproxy.google.com
  Ford CFO Bob Shanks plans to retire and is expected to stay through the end of the year, CNBC reported, citing sources. Shanks turned 66 years old last month. 
  
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• Western Australia extends electric car rebate scheme

  07-05-2024 01:09 via drive.com.au
  The WA State Government has topped up the electric vehicle funding pot, giving more potential buyers the chance to get some cash back.The Western Australia state government has extended its rebate scheme on electric cars.Introduced in May 2022, incentives were available on electric vehicles in the state until 31 March 2024, when the current scheme expired – but a $5.2 million funding boost from the Government announced today means it has been reignited.Western Australians will be able to g
  
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• 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class price and specs: Range slashed to one variant

  07-05-2024 01:00 via drive.com.au
  The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan is only available in one model grade priced from an estimated $140,000 drive-away, in showrooms now.2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class pricing and specificationsOne model grade initially, E300More expensive than old E200, but cheaper than E350Priced from $131,500 before on-road costsThe 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan line-up has been slashed to one four-cylinder variant for the new model, which is in showrooms now – with a lower price than its most direct pred
  
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• Tesla takes Tesla to court over trademark dispute – report

  07-05-2024 00:00 via drive.com.au
  An Indian battery brand known as Tesla Power has had to face court over an alleged trademark breach claimed by US electric car company, Tesla.Battery company Tesla Power India has been taken to court by car company Tesla for alleged trademark infringement.According to a report from news outlet Reuters, US electric car giant Tesla has filed a lawsuit against Tesla Power India in a New Delhi court claiming the Indian company had violated its trademark.The report states that a court hearing has rev
  
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• New Tesla Superchargers in Australia scrapped – report

  06-05-2024 23:00 via drive.com.au
  After the team behind Tesla’s Supercharger network was disbanded last week, work on new charging locations in Australia has reportedly stopped.Tesla has reportedly slammed the brakes on construction of new Superchargers in Australia after the team behind the global fast-charging network was said to have been laid off in the US last week.Technology website EFTM claims a Victorian business preparing to add four Tesla Supercharger stations in its car park has been told work on the location, a
  
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• ‘Your weight, your speed, where you work’: How your connected car is tracking your every move

  06-05-2024 22:52 via drive.com.au
  The ‘Is my car listening to me?’ conspiracy theory may not be so far-fetched after all – but not in the way that you might think.
  Connected cars equipped with internet capabilities are becoming the new normal, but the rise of this technology has raised questions about carmakers’ ability to potentially collect and monetise private driver data.RELATED: Experts issue keyless car theft warningA March 2024 report by The New York Times identified various car manufacturers in th
  
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• 2020-2022 Jaguar E-Pace recalled in Australia

  06-05-2024 22:00 via drive.com.au
  The fault could cause the airbag to tear when deployed, according to the recall notice.Jaguar has recalled 636 examples of its 2020-2022 E-Pace, citing a potential fault with the airbag.The affected vehicles are stamped 2020 to 2022 models, but may have been sold at a later date.The recall notice, lodged with the Department of Infrastructure, says: “Due to a manufacturing defect, the passenger airbag may tear during deployment. This could cause hot g
  
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• 2024 Kia Sorento S diesel review

  06-05-2024 16:30 via drive.com.au
  Forget the fact it’s a base model, this Kia Sorento S offers everything an Australian family needs in a package that is comfortable, enjoyable and impressively cohesive.Skip ahead:IntroductionRunning costsPrice and specificationEnergy useInterior space and comfortOn-road assessmentConnectivity and infotainmentSummarySafety Next steps
  2024 Kia Sorento S dieselWhen we start to consider the best choice for a new model, we often find ourselves going all agog over the top specification. I do it
  
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• What does net zero mean for cars? We ask Volvo’s sustainability guru

  06-05-2024 09:00 via drive.com.au
  Curious about what ‘net zero’ will mean for your next car? Volvo’s Head of Global Sustainability talks us through the automotive industry’s next chapter.The push for automotive electrification is predominantly driven by a goal to achieve a cleaner world of low and zero-emission transportation.RELATED: Volvo produces its last diesel car While this may often be simplified into catchy ‘net zero’ taglines, the changes required to reach this state, particularly in
  
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• Cheaper Honda HR-V hybrid coming to Australia

  06-05-2024 06:45 via drive.com.au
  The Honda HR-V is in line to add a cheaper hybrid variant in Australia – which could cost less than $40,000 drive-away – with a mild styling update later this year.
  Updated Honda HR-V.
  The Honda HR-V small SUV is poised to add a more affordable hybrid variant for the facelifted model, due in showrooms later this year.Information on an Australian Government website seen by Drive show the HR-V range is preparing to expand from today’s entry-level petrol Vi X and top-of-the-range
  
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• 2024 LDV T60 ute gets big safety, interior upgrade for $4500 price rise

  06-05-2024 06:30 via drive.com.au
  The LDV T60 ute has finally gained autonomous emergency braking – the second-last ute in Australia without the feature – plus a new interior, restyled front fascia and coil-spring rear suspension in a new Plus model.Key crash-avoidance safety technology has been added to the 2024 LDV T60 ute, alongside an all-new interior with two BMW-style screens, revised styling, and new coil-sprung rear suspension replacing leaf springs.However, the safety systems are limited to the automatic ver
  
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• 2024 Ford Ranger and Everest prices rise

  06-05-2024 05:50 via drive.com.au
  Both popular models have been hit by price rises, ranging from $250 to $1250 depending on the grade.Almost all grades of the 2024 Ford Ranger line-up will get a price hike from June, with the highest increase coming in at more than $1200 extra.The changes, which will come into effect from 1 June 2024, affect nearly all variations of Australia’s best-selling vehicle in 2023, with only the base XL managing to avoid Ford’s latest price rises.The price rises for the Ranger are either $25
  
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• Drive TV: We took the legendary Defender on an iconic road trip

  06-05-2024 04:30 via drive.com.au
  If you missed Drive TV on the weekend, you can catch up here. In this episode, James tackles the South Australian outback in a more than capable vehicle, the iconic Defender.If you missed Season 7 Episode 7 of Drive TV on Channel Nine on Sunday, you can watch it on 9Now here. In the meantime, if you want to know more about the car, check out our latest review on the Defender.
  If you missed Seasons One, Two, Three, Four, Five, or Six of Drive TV, you can ca
  
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• Is the Nissan Qashqai hybrid family-friendly? I decided to find out

  06-05-2024 04:11 via drive.com.au
  Nissan’s hybrid Qashqai e-Power might be a small SUV, but is it big enough to handle a family of four on an adventurous day out?Small SUVs aren’t so small anymore, as evidenced by the segment-straddling Nissan Qashqai.But can a ‘small SUV’ really cut the mustard as a family hauler?Well, in my week with Drive’s latest long-termer, a 2024 Nissan Qashqai Ti e-Power, I see how it fares on one of my family’s favourite traditions – hitting up a market for good
  
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• Peugeot e-2008 electric car price slashed by $25,000

  06-05-2024 01:40 via drive.com.au
  Peugeot can now claim one of Australia’s cheapest new electric cars after it cut the e-2008’s price by more than a third ahead of an updated model around the corner.A huge discount of about $25,000 – or close to 40 per cent – has been advertised for one of French car maker Peugeot’s first electric cars in Australia to clear stock ahead of an updated model.The Peugeot e-2008 arrived in Australia late last year priced from $59,990 plus on-road costs – or about $
  
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• Catch the latest episode of Drive Review: Jeep Avenger, Hyundai Santa Fe, and the McLaren 750S

  06-05-2024 01:32 via drive.com.au
  If you missed the latest episode of Drive Review, you can catch up here. In this episode, Tom gets a sneak peek of Jeep’s first electric vehicle, Sam test drives the new-generation Hyundai Santa Fe, and Glenn speeds things up in the McLaren 750S.
  If you missed Season 2 Episode 3 of Drive Review on Nine Rush on Saturday, be sure to catch up here.In the meantime, if you want to know more about the vehicles showcased in this episode, check out our latest reviews on the Jeep Avenger,
  
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• Honda could have left Australia without switch to fixed prices – executive

  06-05-2024 01:17 via drive.com.au
  Honda says it is here to stay in Australia with non-negotiable prices, despite falling short of its sales projections.Honda has reiterated its commitment to the Australian market after recording its lowest annual sales on record – and falling short of its target of 20,000 deliveries under its new fixed-prce new-car sales model.Last year Honda reported 13,734 cars as sold in Australia, down on the previous year – making for its lowest annual result since records began to be kept in th
  
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• Honda backtracks on 2028 launch for first electric car in Australia

  06-05-2024 00:31 via drive.com.au
  After saying last year an electric car was not in the company’s five-year mid-term plan, the boss of Honda Australia has told media “there will be something sooner”.
  Honda e:Ny1
  Honda Australia has backtracked on an announcement last year that its first electric car for local showrooms is not due until 2028 – and now says its debut battery-powered vehicle is due earlier than previously suggested.In March 2023, Honda Australia director Carolyn McMahon told media that &ldqu
  
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• More affordable Honda hybrids on the way

  06-05-2024 00:30 via drive.com.au
  Hybrids have traditionally been reserved for flagship Honda model variants in Australia, but not for much longer.Honda is ramping up its challenge to Toyota’s dominance of hybrid car and SUV sales by introducing fuel-saving petrol-electric technology on more affordable model variants.In Australia, hybrid variants of new Hondas are currently restricted to top-of-the-range models, such as the Honda CR-V e:HEV RS – and while the hybrids tend to be better equipped than the flagship petro
  
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• Government’s $10,000 boost for apprentices to train in electric cars

  05-05-2024 23:00 via drive.com.au
  In a joint announcement made last week, ministers lowered the bar to encourage new workers into the industry, and are offering an incentive to boot.The Federal Government has made a U-turn on the strict criteria apprentice mechanics needed to meet to work on electric vehicles following mounting pressure from the car industry.Last week, Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor and Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen announced changes to the New Energy Apprenticeships
  
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• China’s Geely Auto poised for Australia

  05-05-2024 22:00 via drive.com.au
  One of China’s largest car makers – which owns Volvo and its electric-car offshoot Polestar – is the next auto giant to set its sights on Australia.Chinese car maker Geely looks to be preparing to set up shop in Australia, under its own brand name – and the roll-out may start with one of the country’s first electric utes.It was the third best-selling Chinese car maker globally last year, and has owned Swedish car maker Volvo for close to 15 years – alongside i
  
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• How is the first electric car in Australia holding up?

  05-05-2024 21:30 via drive.com.au
  The Mitsubishi i-MiEV debuted 15 years ago as the first mass-produced electric car in Australia. We ask an owner how the little EV compares to newer models.Image credit: SuppliedWhile today’s roads are dominated by electric cars offering ultra-fast charging capabilities, long ranges and industry-leading tech, the EV landscape of 14 years ago looked very different.RELATED: Meet the Blade Electron, an Australian-made electric carBack in 2010, prospective electric car buyers in Australia only
  
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• 2024 Ford F-150 Lariat LWB review

  05-05-2024 16:00 via drive.com.au
  Aussies seem to love most things American, from cheeseburgers to the Kardashians, so should we also fall in love with the US’s best-selling car, the Ford F-150?
  Skip ahead:IntroductionRunning costsPrice and specificationEnergy useInterior space and comfortOn-road assessmentConnectivity and infotainmentSummarySafety Next steps
  2024 Ford F-150 LariatThe 2024 Ford F-150 is a big beast. So big, in fact, you might be wondering if an oversized yank tank like this is just too much for Australian
  
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• Magna adds 363 jobs at 3 operations in Michigan

  05-05-2024 15:00 via autonews.com
  Magna, the world’s fourth-largest auto supplier, will open an engineering center for lighting in Novi and an R&D center in Troy, while adding manufacturing capacity in Lyon Township, according to a statement last week.
  
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• The cheapest cars ever sold in Australia (and what they’d cost today)

  05-05-2024 09:00 via drive.com.au
  Ever wondered how much the car market has changed over the years? Here are the cheapest cars to ever go on sale in Australia from each decade.Automotive technology has come a long way since the first car was publicly available for purchase in Australia. While a few private companies built steam-powered ‘motorcars’ in the early days of Australian motoring, it was the Ford Model T entering the history books as the first mass-produced car to go on sale Down Under in 1908.RELATED: Was th
  
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• Aston Martin brings luxury car feel to Miami condo tower

  05-05-2024 06:00 via autonews.com
  The Aston Martin Residences Miami features 391 condos, an art gallery, two movie theaters, a golf simulator, a spa and a beauty salon.
  
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• I took a new Defender properly off-road… here’s how it went

  05-05-2024 05:30 via drive.com.au
  It looks fantastic and offers a properly luxurious cabin, but is the new Defender still good off-road? James Ward hit the Flinders Ranges to find out.The Defender nameplate is a hallowed one – inextricably linked with adventure and exploration over decades.While classic Defenders are undeniably rugged and bare bones in their design, the modern interpretation of the iconic car has more creature comforts than its predecessors. As such, the Defender has become a more common sight around town
  
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• Electric Ford Ranger now on sale, but you probably wouldn’t fit

  05-05-2024 01:00 via drive.com.au
  Those waiting for the plug-in hybrid Ford Ranger can skip the queue, with a fully-electric model now on sale for a bargain price. There’s just one thing…An electric Ford Ranger is now available to the public – or, at least, for those between three and six years of age.The Ranger Ride On is fully licenced by Ford, uses 30-watt electric motors to power the rear wheels – despite being badged as a 4WD, like full-sized V6 versions – and offers up to two hours of co
  
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• 2024 Mazda MX-5 price and specs: Still cheaper than a Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ?

  05-05-2024 00:30 via drive.com.au
  The updated Mazda MX-5 has arrived in Australia, but it is even more expensive than the price announced late last year.The 2024 Mazda MX-5 has arrived in Australian showrooms – with another round of price rises since the latest model was shown last year – though it remains one of the most affordable rear-wheel-drive sports cars still on sale.The latest MX-5 upgrade – with revised styling, a new infotainment screen, and handling improvements – is one of the most significan
  
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• BMW says selling a ute is “beyond the brand” – report

  05-05-2024 00:00 via drive.com.au
  There have been plenty of BMW ute concepts over the years, but the car maker has never sent one to production – and it now appears as if any prospect of a pick-up from BMW is gone.BMW has shot down any hope for a ute from the brand, despite an earlier push from the company’s local division.Speaking to website BMW Blog, Bernd Korber, Senior Vice President of BMW Brand and Product Management, ruled out a future pick-up wearing the company’s logo.“I think a pickup truck is b
  
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