Automotive news

• 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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• The coolest police cars in the world

  19-05-2024 08:18 via drive.com.au
  Even police aren’t exempt from enjoying and utilising some of the most exotic and coolest cars offered by luxury manufacturers.
  When you generally think of police cars, it’s usually a stock-standard car visually modified with sirens and decorated in police markings.And while police vehicles are used on active duty needing performance modifications to reach multiple locations as quickly as possible, authorities aren’t exempt from occasionally enjoying and utilising some of the c
  
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• Project Rambo: Aston Martin’s plans for a tough off-road SUV – report

  19-05-2024 01:00 via drive.com.au
  Rumours out of Aston Martin suggest the British marque is currently working on a secret off-road SUV project, taking inspiration from the iconic Lamborghini LM002.A new unconfirmed report claims Aston Martin is currently working behind-the-scenes on a new rugged off-road SUV with supercar performance.UK site Autocar says Aston Martin plans to build a high-powered four-wheel-drive vehicle, taking inspiration from the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen, Land Rover Defender, and Lamborghini LM002 – the bo
  
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• 2024 Toyota Prado spotted testing in Victoria

  19-05-2024 00:03 via drive.com.au
  The upcoming Prado ‘250 Series’ was sporting some previously unseen accessories.The 2024 Toyota Prado has been spotted testing in regional Victoria with some previously unseen accessories.The upcoming ‘250 Series’ Prado – due to arrive in Australia mid-year – was seen in the town of Bacchus Marsh, 50km north-west of Melbourne, earlier this week sporting a number of new parts – with the photos posted shortly afterwards on social media by Facebook user Mat
  
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• Is the Suzuki Swift a good first car?

  18-05-2024 23:00 via drive.com.au
  This little hatch is a popular choice for young drivers. But is the Suzuki Swift a good first car?Second-generation Suzuki Swift SportThe Suzuki Swift has a history spanning 40 years in Australia. Landing back in 1984 as a sporty subcompact car with a little three-cylinder 1.0-litre engine and a sub-$10,000 price tag, it was a proper economy car. RELATED: Is a Ford Fiesta ST a good first car?The Swift name died off for a few years and then was revived in 2005 when an all
  
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• 2021 Ford Escape recalled in Australia

  18-05-2024 23:00 via drive.com.au
  The fault could cause a loss of steering control, according to the recall notice.Ford has recalled 159 examples of its 2021 Ford Escape, citing a potential fault with the steering gear.The affected vehicles are stamped 2021 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, over time and under certain conditions friction and excessive movement in the steeri
  
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• Mazda welcomes competition from 2025 Kia Tasman ute

  18-05-2024 22:00 via drive.com.au
  Kia’s upcoming Tasman could push Mazda down the charts, but the brand is focused doing its own thing with BT-50.Mazda Australia’s number two market position might come under threat as Kia readies its Tasman ute for 2025, but the brand is not perturbed by the potential shake-up.Speaking to Drive recently at the launch of the updated MX-5, Mazda Australia’s head of marketing Alastair Doak said “new competition” is “always welcome”, but the focus will be ru
  
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• How to negotiate when buying a used car

  18-05-2024 04:00 via drive.com.au
  If you’re purchasing a pre-owned vehicle but aren’t sure you’re getting the best price, here are the negotiating techniques that could save you money.
  As a result of COVID-19, the automotive industry saw production for new vehicles slow down due to lockdowns, creating major demand on the used car market.
  This in turn caused a steep increase in prices for used vehicles sold privately and by dealerships across Australia, but does that mean you can’t get a good deal on a use
  
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• ‘No reason to delete it at this point’: Kia Australia to persist with manual transmissions

  18-05-2024 01:01 via drive.com.au
  Kia Australia plans to continue offering manual transmissions, despite preparing to axe the most affordable manual variants of its Kia Stonic city SUV.Kia Australia says it will persist with the manual transmission “if there’s still demand for it”, despite declining sales and preparing to cut the gearbox type from its Kia Stonic city SUV.Kia Australia’s General Manager of Product and Training, Roland Rivero, told Drive the decision to standardise a 1.0-litre turbo engine
  
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• 2021-2023 Mazda BT-50 recalled in Australia

  18-05-2024 00:00 via drive.com.au
  The fault could cause the number plate lamp not to work, according to the recall notice.Mazda has recalled 1703 examples of its 2021-2023 Mazda BT-50 ute, citing a potential fault with the number plate lamp.The affected vehicles are stamped 2021-2023 models, but may have been sold at a later date. The recall notice only applies those fitted with the 1.9-litre turbo-diesel engine.The recall notice, lodged with the Department of Infrastructure, says: “Due t
  
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• Live talk at noon Monday: Women and diversity in the auto industry

  17-05-2024 23:02 via autonews.com
  Cheryl Thompson, founder and CEO of the Center for Automotive Diversity, Inclusion and Advancement, will join Automotive News for a live chat.
  
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• Is this mirrorless Model 3 testing Tesla’s autonomous robotaxi?

  17-05-2024 23:00 via drive.com.au
  Mystery surrounds a Tesla Model 3 electric car on US roads with no side mirrors – and a slew of extra cameras. Is this EV a ‘test mule’ for Tesla’s upcoming autonomous ‘robotaxi’?This may be our first look at the design of Tesla’s upcoming autonomous ‘robotaxi’, due to be unveiled in August, after images of a Tesla electric car with no side mirrors and prominent cameras were posted to social media.Images captured and posted by X (formerly Twi
  
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• Mercedes workers turn down UAW

  17-05-2024 22:10 via autonews.com
  About 56% of Mercedes plant workers in Alabama voted against joining the union.
  
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• How hard is it to install a home electric car charger? We found out

  17-05-2024 22:04 via drive.com.au
  Considering putting a home electric car charger in your garage or driveway? We did it to find out what’s involved.
  We’ve long said that running an electric vehicle without a dedicated home electric car charger would be an uphill battle. The combination of topping up at the burgeoning outlay of DC fast charge stations and plugging into a home wall outlet is doable, but it’s not a long-term solution.RELATED: How much does it cost to install an EV charger at home?Especially when i
  
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• South Australian driver crashes car after “ill-timed” kiss

  17-05-2024 22:00 via drive.com.au
  An unexpected moment of affection led to the car rolling and crashing – with police confirming no one was injured in the incident.A South Australian driver is set to appear in court following an unexpected moment of affection resulting in a car crash.
  The incident is said to have occurred on 14 May 2024 in Glenelg North – a southwest suburb approximately 10km from Adelaide.South Australia Police said the motorist was distracted by her passenger’s “ill-timed” ki
  
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• Automotive News is Magazine of Year

  17-05-2024 21:57 via autonews.com
  Automotive News won 3 National Gold Awards and 10 regional honors in the 2024 Azbees competition, as well as 3 Jesse H. Neal Awards.
  
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• Ford seeks improved communication with new supplier program

  17-05-2024 19:33 via autonews.com
  The automaker has abolished its long-standing Aligned Business Framework, which prioritized some preferred suppliers, to focus on better communication with a more diverse group of parts makers.
  
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• VW's Pablo Di Si to speak at Automotive News Congress

  17-05-2024 19:30 via autonews.com
  Other featured panelists include NADA CEO Mike Stanton and Amazon's Fan Jin
  
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• Kia believes adding hybrids is a win-win for consumers, industry

  17-05-2024 17:41 via autonews.com
  Kia Corp. will expand its hybrid powertrain to most of its models as EV sales slow and lagging infrastructure becomes a concern.
  
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• Top 5 stories of the week: Toyota's big North Carolina investment; EV startups struggle

  17-05-2024 17:26 via autonews.com
  A quick look at the top automotive stories of the week as determined by reader interest.
  
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• ZT Corporate buys 4 Greenway Automotive stores

  17-05-2024 17:05 via autonews.com
  ZT Automotive is owned by ZT Corporate, a wealth management firm that acquires and operates dealerships.
  
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• Dodge, Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis retiring from Stellantis

  17-05-2024 16:41 via autonews.com
  Dodge sales chief Matt McAlear will take charge of that brand, while Chrysler CEO Christine Feuell will add Ram trucks to her responsibilities.
  
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• How stiff new U.S. tariffs against China may impact auto industry

  17-05-2024 16:40 via autonews.com
  The Biden administration is attempting to find a balance between encouraging domestic production and ensuring competitive prices for EVs.
  
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• 2024 Lexus LBX Sports Luxury AWD review

  17-05-2024 16:00 via drive.com.au
  Lexus has changed the premium crossover space with the LBX, the smallest hybrid-powered luxury SUV in Australia, but is it upmarket enough to justify the badge?
  Skip ahead:IntroductionRunning costsPrice and specificationEnergy useInterior space and comfortOn-road assessmentConnectivity and infotainmentSummarySafety Next steps
  2024 Lexus LBX Sports Luxury AWDLexus is on a bit of a tear at the moment thanks to big models like the LX off-roader, top-selling NX mid-size SUV, and upcoming GX –
  
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• Jeep Grand Cherokee price slashed by up to $28,000 as sales tank

  17-05-2024 09:31 via drive.com.au
  The Jeep Grand Cherokee has had its price slashed after steep increases during the pandemic – and the lowest Jeep brand sales since the Global Financial Crisis.Prices for the Jeep Grand Cherokee have been slashed by up to $28,000 – or up to 23 per cent – as the US car maker’s sales slump to their lowest levels in nearly 15 years.It follows a series of steep price rises across the Jeep line-up during the pandemic which saw a Wrangler Rubicon’s cost climb by $19,000 i
  
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• Federal Budget 2024: The car tax changes you need to know about

  17-05-2024 09:00 via drive.com.au
  What’s happening with the fuel excise? Can I still write-off the cost of a new work vehicle? We’ve got the answers here.This week’s Federal Budget included some key taxation implications for drivers.Whether you drive a petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric car, there will be something here that may affect your wallet.Here’s what you need to know…Fuel exciseThe fuel excise is a tax levied by the Federal Government on petrol and diesel bought at the bowser. Motorists cu
  
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• 2024 Kia Carnival price and specs: Missing features added, plus hybrid

  17-05-2024 07:40 via drive.com.au
  The Kia Carnival – Australia’s top-selling people-mover – has come in for an upgrade with a new look, flashier interior, longer list of technology, and price rises of up to $5590 drive-away.2024 Kia Carnival pricing and specificationsNew look and upgraded interiorHybrid available for the first timePriced from $54,540 drive-awayThe facelifted 2024 Kia Carnival people-mover has arrived in Australia with drive-away price rises of up to $5590.Prices excluding on-road costs were pub
  
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• 2024 Hyundai i30 Sedan N review

  17-05-2024 07:19 via drive.com.au
  Hyundai’s upstart hot hatch (well, sedan) boasts bucketloads of attitude, but is it a one-trick pony, or is there a daily-driveable depth to the recently updated i30 Sedan N.
  Skip ahead:IntroductionRunning costsPrice and specificationEnergy useInterior space and comfortOn-road assessmentConnectivity and infotainmentSummarySafety Next steps
  2024 Hyundai i30 Sedan NThe Hyundai i30 was one of those ‘new ground’ cars for Hyundai when it first went on sale. It aimed to move the bran
  
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• The Lap: The EV adventure down under continues

  17-05-2024 05:06 via drive.com.au
  Join us this weekend as The Lap continues around Australia. This episode kicks off in Warrnambool, Victoria, and ends in the stunning Eyre Peninsula, South Australia, with plenty of thrilling stops in between.
  This episode kicks off in Warrnambool, Victoria, and and continues across into South Australia. Heading north, the boys pass through Mount Gambier, Hahndorf, and the stunning Eyre Peninsula.Dom and Trent visit the Tantanoola Tavern, a spot Dom has been particularly eager to explore due to
  
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• Electric Toyota HiLux: Production confirmed

  17-05-2024 05:00 via drive.com.au
  Toyota has confirmed it will begin making an EV HiLux ute by the end of 2025, with exports looking likely.The 2026 Toyota HiLux will be available with an electric variant in selected markets, the company has confirmed.Less than two months after Toyota announced it was working on a production version of the battery-powered HiLux Revo BEV concept displayed in Australia last year, an executive has told news outlet Reuters it intends to begin manufacturing the electric ute by the end of 2025.While t
  
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