Automotive news

• Touchscreens ‘wrong’ for primary car controls: iPhone designer

  11-02-2026 19:11 via drive.com.au
  Jony Ive, who designed the Apple iPhone and the Ferrari Luce’s interior, said touchscreens are “the wrong technology” for main car controls.
  Photo: iStock
  The man who designed the Apple iPhone, and the interior of the new Ferrari Luce electric vehicle, has claimed touchscreens should not be used as a primary interface in cars.Jony Ive, who worked for Apple between 1992 and 2019, said touchscreens in cars should not be compared to touchscreen smartphones, which were revolutionis
  
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• Tesla rollout of Apple CarPlay hits a snag, but it’s still coming – report

  16-02-2026 20:08 via drive.com.au
  Mapping glitches have slowed the rollout of Apple CarPlay to Tesla cars, after years of resisting the popular technology.The introduction of Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring technology to Tesla electric cars has been delayed after hitting a speed bump during development, according to a new report.News outlet Bloomberg – via reputable Apple-focused journalist Mark Gurman – broke the story last year that the US electric-car giant was looking to implement the popular feature, amid fee
  
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• How do you know what the lights on your dash mean?

  16-02-2026 19:00 via drive.com.au
  What do all those lights on your dash mean and how seriously should you take them? Here’s crash-course in all things dash lights.Dash lights are your car’s way of communicating with you. They’re either letting you know something is functioning as normal (usually represented by a green or blue light), needs attention (yellow lights), or is a serious issue (red light means pull over).
  Your car never wants to leave you stranded, it’ll often tell you something is wrong before
  
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• Australian road toll sustained growth not seen since post-WWII

  16-02-2026 18:53 via drive.com.au
  There is more to why Australia’s overall road toll has risen for five consecutive years for the first time since the period following the end of World War II.Despite Australia’s driver fatalities dropping year-on-year since 2023, the country’s overall road toll has risen for five consecutive years for the first time since the period following the end of World War II.The latest data published by the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE) shows the over
  
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• Mercedes-AMG beats Porsche, BMW to win chaotic 2026 Bathurst 12 Hour race

  16-02-2026 11:01 via drive.com.au
  Eight safety cars and a collision with a kangaroo headlined Australia’s annual international endurance racing event at Mount Panorama.Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images
  Mercedes-AMG won an action-packed Bathurst 12 Hour endurance race that saw eight safety cars deployed to clear chaos on track, including a high-speed crash with a kangaroo.The first-placed AMG set the record for the lowest starting position to claim victory in the Bathurst 12 Hour’s history, with one of its drivers,
  
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• 2026 Skoda Elroq 85 Select review

  16-02-2026 10:00 via drive.com.au
  Is the Skoda Elroq the perfect EV for people who don’t like EVs? If you value the notion of a car that doesn’t constantly insert itself into the conversation, there’s a lot to like here.2026 Skoda Elroq 85 SelectSkoda likes to subvert the script. Just subtly, but enough to make a difference. Over the years the Czech company has come to realise it often gets steamrollered by the competition if it plays things completely straight, so tweaking the lines just a little is usually en
  
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• Trump administration calls an end to stop-start tech requirement

  16-02-2026 05:51 via drive.com.au
  While not ‘banned’ outright, idle-stop and other emissions-reducing systems are no longer required in the USA, as emissions controls are deregulated.The US Government has made what it calls the “single largest deregulatory action” in the country’s history.President Donald Trump and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin have removed all greenhouse gas-limiting environmental protections enacted from 2009 onwards.Under the changes, the incentiv
  
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• Trump administration calls an end to stop-start tech incentives

  16-02-2026 05:51 via drive.com.au
  While not ‘banned’ outright, idle-stop and other emissions-reducing systems are no longer required in the USA, as emissions controls are deregulated.The US Government has made what it calls the “single largest deregulatory action” in the country’s history.President Donald Trump and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin have removed all greenhouse gas-limiting environmental protections enacted from 2009 onwards.Under the changes, the incentiv
  
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• Trump administration calls an end to start/stop tech requirement

  16-02-2026 05:51 via drive.com.au
  While not ‘banned’ outright, idle-stop and other emissions-reducing systems are no longer required in the USA, as emissions controls are deregulated.The US Government has made what it calls the “single largest deregulatory action” in the country’s history.President Donald Trump and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin have removed all greenhouse gas-limiting environmental protections enacted from 2009 onwards.Under the changes, the incentiv
  
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• THL to sell UK and Ireland business for NZ$8m

  16-02-2026 05:07 via autotalk.co.nz
  Tourism Holdings Limited has agreed to sell its UK and Ireland operations to Portugal-based RV rental company Indie Campers for NZ$8 million (£3.5m), as it looks to release capital and improve returns. The sale, at net asset value plus goodwill, follows a strategic review of THL’s UK and Ireland business and aligns with the company’s […]
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• Aussie actor Hugh Sheridan went from learner to P-plater in one day

  16-02-2026 04:00 via drive.com.au
  A 1974 gold Mercedes-Benz, nicknamed Goldie, was the first car Australian actor and theatre star Hugh Sheridan purchased at a second-hand dealer aged 19 while living in Sydney. Hugh Sheridan wasn’t in a rush to get his licence the moment he turned 18, but it was a debut role on the TV show Packed to the Rafters playing Ben Rafter – who was required to drive in the first episode – that prompted the then emerging star to get behind the wheel. “I think I got my Ls
  
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• Luxury Car Tax nears axing in Australia as Europe free-trade talks progress

  16-02-2026 03:12 via drive.com.au
  The end of Luxury Car Tax – which hits vehicles from Prados to Porsches – is approaching reality, as a long-mooted free-trade deal with Europe is finally on the verge of being signed.The controversial Luxury Car Tax has moved closer to its demise, as talks between Australia and Europe on a long-mooted Free Trade Agreement reportedly reach their final stages.It would also drop the 5 per cent import tariff on most European cars sold in Australia, a barrier not faced by vehicles made in
  
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• 2026 Mitsubishi ASX Aspire review

  16-02-2026 03:00 via drive.com.au
  Once a champion of value and space, the Mitsubishi ASX Aspire now competes as a premium small SUV in a cut-throat segment.
  Skip ahead:IntroductionRunning costsPrice and specificationEnergy useInterior space and comfortOn-road assessmentConnectivity and infotainmentSummarySafety Next steps
  2026 Mitsubishi ASX AspireWhen we were first introduced to Mitsubishi’s ‘Active Sports Crossover’ (ASX) way back in 2010, the small SUV market was a very different beast. The ASX was a standou
  
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• Automotive listings rise 14% as wider job market cools in final quarter

  16-02-2026 01:15 via autotalk.co.nz
  Automotive job listings rose 14% year-on-year in the final quarter of 2025, bucking a broader market slowdown that saw nationwide listings fall sharply heading into summer. Trade Me Jobs data shows overall listing volumes dropped 19% in the October–December period compared with the previous quarter, while listings were down 3% year-on-year. Against that backdrop, automotive […]
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• 2016 Holden Commodore was the most stolen car in Victoria in 2025, new data reveals

  16-02-2026 00:56 via drive.com.au
  Surprising new data reveals which model years are the most stolen in Victoria, with the 2016 Holden Commodore and 2019 Toyota Corolla up top.
  2016 Holden Commodore
  The most stolen car in Victoria was the 2016 Holden Commodore in 2025, with 119 reported stolen in the first nine months of the year according to data from Victoria’s Crime Statistics Agency (CSA). The top five most stolen cars are the 2016 Holden Commodore (119 stolen), 2019 Toyota Corolla (109 stolen), 2024 Toyota RAV4 (1
  
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• Nissan posts positive Q3 profit, lifts outlook

  16-02-2026 00:29 via autotalk.co.nz
  Nissan Motor Co has delivered a positive third-quarter operating profit of 17.5 billion yen and raised its full-year outlook, signalling steady progress in its restructuring efforts despite ongoing market pressures. The Japanese automaker improved its fiscal year 2025 operating profit forecast by 215 billion yen to negative 60 billion yen, representing significant advancement from previous […]
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• Trades and automotive firms ramp up digital investment

  16-02-2026 00:21 via autotalk.co.nz
  Trade and automotive businesses across New Zealand and Australia are increasing investment in digital visibility as competition tightens within the growing service sector. SEO specialist Tom McSherry says more operators are shifting focus from traditional word-of-mouth referrals to online search performance to secure consistent workflow. Construction and automotive services remain major economic contributors. As these […]
  The post Trades and automotive firms ramp up digital investment app
  
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• Nelson spray painter liquidated owing $448,000

  16-02-2026 00:12 via autotalk.co.nz
  A Nelson spray-painting company linked to a previously banned car dealer has been placed into liquidation owing more than $448,000. Rapid Refinishers Ltd on Gloucester Street is solely owned and directed by Ryan James Durry, according to the Companies Office register. Durry previously operated Quay Cars, which was banned from trading after failing to comply […]
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• New Chery Super Hybrids to surpass 2000km on one tank and charge

  16-02-2026 00:00 via drive.com.au
  Sydney to Melbourne and back – without stopping for fuel or electricity – could come to the next generation of Chery’s Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 SUVs.
  Chey Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid
  Future Super Hybrid family SUVs from Chinese car giant Chery could promise a driving range of 2000km, thanks to a new plug-in system promising lower fuel use and increased power.Chery has used Australia to reveal the sixth generation of its hybrid technology, which is due to roll out in popular mod
  
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• New Chery Super Hybrids to claim 2000km on one tank and charge

  16-02-2026 00:00 via drive.com.au
  Sydney to Melbourne and back – without stopping for fuel or electricity – could come to the next generation of Chery’s Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 SUVs.
  Chey Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid
  Future Super Hybrid family SUVs from Chinese car giant Chery could promise a driving range of 2000km, thanks to a new plug-in system promising lower fuel use and increased power.Chery has used Australia to reveal the sixth generation of its hybrid technology, which is due to roll out in popular mod
  
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• BMW Alpina unveiled as standalone brand with new emblem

  15-02-2026 23:19 via autotalk.co.nz
  BMW Alpina has been formally launched as a standalone brand under BMW Group ownership, revealing a new emblem and confirming future models will be produced at select BMW Group plants. The brand, activated in early January 2026, positions itself as an exclusive marque focused on combining high performance and comfort. The new BMW Alpina badge […]
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• APIs: Your Freedom Matters

  15-02-2026 23:04 via autotalk.co.nz
  Like AI, the term API is everywhere. Vendors use it constantly, and product brochures are full of it; however, as APIs become foundational to dealership operations, it’s increasingly important for decision-makers to understand what an API actually is, what it is not, and why that distinction directly affects operational flexibility and future competitiveness. It’s a […]
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• Toyota confirms updates to controversial ad

  15-02-2026 22:42 via drive.com.au
  Toyota has confirmed it will modify its controversial ad, which features dogs in the back of the new 2026 HiLux.Toyota has confirmed it will update its controversial 2026 Toyota HiLux ad, with a spokesperson telling Drive: “We intend to modify the advertisement in line with the Ad Standards ruling.” Toyota’s recent ad for the new 2026 Toyota ran afoul of Australia’s free-to-air advertising rules for showing unsecured dogs in the back of the HiLux ute.It was the secon
  
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• Tesla to shift Full Self-Driving to subscription-only model

  15-02-2026 22:13 via autotalk.co.nz
  Tesla will remove the option to buy its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) package outright from April 1, moving the advanced driver-assist technology to a subscription-only model. The company says vehicles with FSD (Supervised) purchased outright must be ordered and delivered by March 31 to qualify. Existing Hardware 4 (HW4) vehicle owners can also purchase FSD (Supervised) […]
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• Kia: We won’t compete with Chinese car brands on price

  15-02-2026 21:21 via drive.com.au
  BYD and its Chinese rivals will sell you more space, luxury, and tech than Kia for the same money, but the Korean giant won’t turn to massive discounts to compete.
  Kia EV3 Air.
  Kia Australia says it will not “burn” existing customers with drastic discounts to compete on price with the growing array of budget-priced electric cars from China.The South Korean car giant is Australia’s top-selling electric-car brand that isn’t Chinese, though its most popular battery-pow
  
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• BYD Shark 6: Better off-road ability is ‘certainly on our radar’

  15-02-2026 19:58 via drive.com.au
  Yes, BYD Australia is passing on local feedback on the Shark 6 to head office in China.BYD is looking at improving the off-road capability of its big-selling Shark 6 plug-in hybrid ute.In an interview with Drive, BYD Australia’s chief operating officer, Stephen Collins, said the brand was looking to satisfy the requirements of those who want to take their Shark 6 on more arduous off-road terrain.There’s been some criticism of the current Shark 6’s performance when taken off the
  
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• NSW Police to begin seizing illegal e-bikes

  15-02-2026 19:07 via drive.com.au
  Illegal e-bikes will quickly be vanishing from NSW roads as police crack down on misuse.
  Photo: iStock
  New South Wales (NSW) Police have been given the green light to seize and destroy any e-bikes built to exceed their 25km/h speed limit by state law.Seized bikes “will end up as a twisted wreck so they can’t rejoin the road,” according to NSW Minister for Transport John Graham.Current state laws require e-bikes to have their power assistance cut out completely when the bike&rsq
  
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• The single models propping up entire car brands

  15-02-2026 19:00 via drive.com.au
  Some of Australia’s best-selling car brands are being propped up by one or two models, with some brands’ most popular cars outstripping sales of the rest of their range.
  Four of Australia’s five most popular car brands, including Ford and Hyundai, are being heavily bolstered by just one, two or three models, with more than 50 per cent of their overall sales going to a tiny fraction of the car they offer, recent data shows.
  Recent VFACTS data from the Federal Chamber of Automoti
  
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• Mazda has ‘something above’ the MX-5 coming, and it will be rotary-powered

  15-02-2026 02:19 via drive.com.au
  Mazda’s European head of product planning has strongly suggested that a halo sports car, positioned above the MX-5, is finally on the way.New life has been breathed into rumours of a rotary revival at Mazda.In an interview with UK publication Auto Express, Mazda Europe’s product planning supervisor, Moritz Oswald, revealed that a production version of the 2023 Iconic SP concept was still on the brand’s agenda.“If there’s a feasible way to do that, then I’m sur
  
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• V10 F1 cars coming to the 2026 Australian Grand Prix

  15-02-2026 00:51 via drive.com.au
  Cars from the era of Jack Brabham will hit the track for demonstration, alongside a V10 Jaguar F1 racer.2001 Jaguar-Cosworth R2 V10A car from F1’s popular V10 engine era will return to the track at the 2026 Australian Grand Prix, with the 2001 Jaguar-Cosworth R2 V10 to conduct demonstration laps on Thursday, 5 March.Cars from the iconic V10 era, which is loved by fans worldwide, last raced in 2005, with engines producing a unique high-pitched scream as they rev to 19,000rpm, nearly three t
  
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