Automotive news

• Vendor linked to VW data breach named in memo to dealers

  11-06-2021 18:47 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  Audi of America President Daniel Weissland identified the vendor in an email to dealers as Shift Digital, which is “used by Audi, Volkswagen, and some authorized dealers in the United States and Canada.”
  
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• Jaguar to team up with Chery on electric models – report

  19-04-2024 00:50 via drive.com.au
  The British car maker is reportedly investing more in the Chinese brand in order to utilise its hybrid and battery-electric technology.British luxury brand Jaguar Land Rover is planning to join forces with electric car maker Chery to make new models – the earliest of which could debut before next year, reports claim.According to reports out of China, in which Chery is the third-biggest vehicle manufacturer, Jaguar plans to use Chery’s hybrid and electric technology to create its new
  
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• Hybrids outsell electric cars, as regular new petrol and diesel vehicle sales decline

  19-04-2024 00:00 via drive.com.au
  
  Hybrid cars have outsold electric vehicles for the past nine months, while the popularity of new, purely petrol and diesel-powered cars – without hybrid assistance – declined by 8 per cent.
  Sales of new hybrid vehicles have exceeded electric cars for the past nine months, new data shows.According to the Australian Automobile Association’s (AAA) EV Index report, hybrid sales totalled 95,129 sales from the third quarter (Q3) of 2023 to the first quarter (Q1) of 2024, outperformin
  
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• 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet: International first drive

  19-04-2024 00:00 via drive.com.au
  
  Frankenstein or fantastic? What happens when you take two luxury two-door convertibles and combine them into one? Glenn Butler finds out.
  Skip ahead:IntroductionRunning costsPrice and specificationEnergy useInterior space and comfortOn-road assessmentConnectivity and infotainmentSummarySafety Next steps
  2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE450 4Matic CabrioletThe unstoppable rise of SUVs has seen a commensurate decline in passenger car sales, and that’s impacting the emotional coupes and convertibles we
  
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• Speed cap on the cards to protect breakdown recovery vehicle workers

  18-04-2024 23:00 via drive.com.au
  
  South Australia plans to introduce a speed limit for travelling past vehicles with yellow flashing lights on.Cars passing by breakdown and recovery vehicles in South Australia will soon have to cap their speed at 25km/h, with a new law being introduced to protect workers.Following a 12-month campaign from the state’s peak motoring body, the Royal Automobile Association (RAA), the 25km/hr speed limit will now apply to these vehicles when their lights are flashing – just as currently a
  
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• Mercedes-Benz recalls multiple models in Australia

  18-04-2024 22:00 via drive.com.au
  
  The software fault could cause a loss of power steering control, according to the recall notice.Mercedes-Benz has recalled 20,201 examples of its Mercedes-Benz A-Class, EQA, EQB, CLA-Class, and GLB–Class, citing a potential fault with software which could cause a loss of power steering controls.The affected vehicles are built between 2018 to 2024, though may have been sold at a later date.The recall notice, lodged with the Department of Infrastructure, says: &ldquo
  
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• 2024 Isuzu MU-X LS-M 1.9L 4×4: Australian first drive

  18-04-2024 22:00 via drive.com.au
  
  Off-road specialist Isuzu has added a downsized engine to its seven-seat SUV range, but is it up to the task?
  Skip ahead:IntroductionRunning costsPrice and specificationEnergy useInterior space and comfortOn-road assessmentConnectivity and infotainmentSummarySafety Next steps
  2024 Isuzu MU-X LS-M 1.9L 4×4Isuzu manages to do a lot with a little. Though the brand only has two models to sell in Australia, it was one of the top-10 selling brands locally in 2023. While a lot of the attention (a
  
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• 2025 Mazda CX-80 unveiled, expected in Australia this year

  18-04-2024 12:00 via drive.com.au
  
  The last of Mazda’s four new luxury-priced SUVs has been revealed in Europe, confirmed for an Australian arrival at the back end of 2024.
  European model pictured
  The 2025 Mazda CX-80 seven-seat family SUV has been revealed in Europe, ahead of first Australian arrivals due by the end of this year.The CX-80 is the fourth model underpinned by Mazda’s new rear-wheel-drive-biased ‘Large’ platform – and is offered in all-wheel drive only, with a choice
  
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• All the celebrities who drive a Tesla Cybertruck

  18-04-2024 05:30 via drive.com.au
  
  While mere mortals were forced to wait months for the electric ute, here are the celebrities who already own and drive a Tesla Cybertruck.
  The Cybertruck might be one of the most talked-about cars in the world right now.In April 2024, Tesla made headlines when it paused deliveries of its Cybertruck in the United States after customers reported issues with a “faulty” accelerator pedal.
  The Cybertruck received a whopping one million reservations ahead of its official launch in late 202
  
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• Autonomous trucks deployed on freeways as part of new trial

  18-04-2024 05:28 via drive.com.au
  
  Some of Melbourne’s busiest highways will soon have autonomous trucks travelling along them, as part of a new trial testing the latest driverless technology.A new six-month trial testing the viability of autonomous heavy commercial vehicles will start today along Melbourne’s Citylink tollway and Monash Freeway.Following on from a trial conducted in late 2022 – from the city to Warrigal Road and back – the new program will see two autonomous trucks driving from the Port of
  
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• Tested gear: The CTEK CS One 12V Battery Charger is idiot-proof

  18-04-2024 04:55 via drive.com.au
  
  With no buttons to press and no polarity to worry about, CTEK’s new battery charger will suit those who want good performance but don’t want to worry about the details.
  What we love
  Couldn’t be simpler to useAlso virtually impossible to stuff upComes with app-based functionality
  What we don’t
  It’s quite expensive in comparison to others on the marketYou’ll need to use the app for more functionalityDoesn’t automatically jump-start a lithium battery
  If you
  
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• Unfairly underrated? Why this car is more than a ‘high-end Hyundai’

  18-04-2024 03:36 via drive.com.au
  
  A properly premium rival for the likes of Mercedes and BMW, this striking sedan delivers value and performance. Is it time for the Genesis G70 to ditch its underdog status for good?
  Skip ahead:IntroductionRunning costsPrice and specificationEnergy useInterior space and comfortOn-road assessmentConnectivity and infotainmentSummarySafety Next steps
  2024 Genesis G70 3.3T Sport Luxury sedanIn the deluge of large SUVs and utes, the luxury passenger car is fast becoming a niche offering. That cou
  
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• A baaaaad day to be late to work: Goats’ escape causes congestion on tollway

  18-04-2024 03:32 via drive.com.au
  
  Authorities said the goats used for landscape maintenance have been herded and safely returned to their duties, with tollway lanes re-opened.Stock image. Credit John Carnemolla.A group of goats used for “landscape maintenance” have escaped their worksite and caused traffic delays along Melbourne’s Eastlink tollway this morning.According to Eastlink’s post on X (formerly Twitter), the incident occurred near High Street Road in Wantirna South – a suburb approximately
  
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• Did Bluey’s mum break the road rules? Drivers are divided

  18-04-2024 03:25 via drive.com.au
  
  In the latest episode of the ABC Kids series, seven-year-old Bluey gets to ride in the front without a booster seat. So, could her mum Chilli face a fine?The popularity of Aussie TV show Bluey shows no sign of slowing down, with the series’ latest episode – a 28-minute extravaganza called The Sign – pulling in more than two million viewers in Australia.While viewers have strong opinions about the plot, one particular scene has generated discussion amongst drivers for its portra
  
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• 2024 Subaru Crosstrek 2.0X special edition price announced for Australia

  18-04-2024 02:57 via drive.com.au
  
  The Subaru Crosstrek has gained a special edition one level up from the base model, priced from about $40,000 drive-away.A limited-edition variant of the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek small SUV has been added in Australia to split the $3500 price gap between the two previous cheapest model grades.Priced from $36,990 plus on-road costs, the 2.0X Special Edition is based on the entry-level, $2000-cheaper 2.0L but adds some features from Subaru’s middle-of-the-range Crosstrek 2.0R, which costs $1500
  
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• Queensland woman fined for driving an unregistered vehicle with stolen licence plates

  18-04-2024 02:10 via drive.com.au
  
  The guilty offender said she bought the vehicle from Facebook Marketplace and was unaware the vehicle did not meet legal requirements.
  A Queensland woman has been caught by police driving an unregistered vehicle with stolen licence plates.
  According to a Courier Mail report, Lesa Ruth Paul reportedly purchased the $3500 car on Facebook Marketplace and was unaware the Holden Commodore did not meet legal requirements.Ms Paul was stopped by police in Maryborough – a town approximately 255km n
  
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• 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQA and EQB price and specs: Fewer options but more range for the electric pair

  18-04-2024 01:00 via drive.com.au
  
  Mercedes-Benz EQA and EQB prices up, but more driving range and equipment added to all-electric models.Mercedes-Benz has reshuffled its EQA and EQB electric car line-up, trimming options and putting prices up, but adding more driving range to alleviate anxiety.Starting with the EQA 250, pricing for the 2024 version now dubbed 250+ is up $2600 to $84,900 before on-road costs, keeping Mercedes’ entry-level electric car under the current luxury car tax threshold of $89,332 for fuel-efficient
  
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• Could Germany really ban driving on the weekend?

  18-04-2024 00:00 via drive.com.au
  
  Drastic changes to Germany’s driving rules proposed to reign in transport emissions.Germany’s Transport Minister has floated the idea of a weekend driving ban after the country failed to meet strict 2023 emissions targets.However, critics have called out Volker Wissing for fear-mongering, and criticised the in-power government for failing to meet required targets.Germany has been on a mission to reduce overall emissions by 65 per cent by 2030 when compared to 1990’s figures, an
  
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• 2025 Audi Q6 E-Tron electric SUV nears Australian launch

  17-04-2024 23:00 via drive.com.au
  
  Government documents seen by Drive suggest a launch is sooner than expected for the new Audi Q6 E-Tron electric SUV.Audi is one step closer to offering the new 2025 Audi Q6 E-Tron in Australia and the high-performance SQ8 E-Tron looks set to join, according to government documentation.Drive has uncovered government documentation revealing Audi’s Q6 E-Tron mid-size electric SUV will make its way to Australian roads, with paperwork suggesting a local launch sooner than first anticipated.Prev
  
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• BYD reveals roofless supercar and off-road concepts under sub-brand

  17-04-2024 22:00 via drive.com.au
  
  An exotic supercar and rugged mid-size SUV are under consideration at BYD under its Fangchengbao brand.BYD has revealed its intention to build out its product portfolio beyond just SUVs under its Fangchengbao sub-brand, revealing a concept version of a supercar and a rugged mid-size off-roader.Known as the Super 9 and Super 3 respectively, both show cars were shown alongside the existing Bao 5 and a production version of the Bao 8 models ahead of a full reveal at this year’s Beijing motor
  
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• The decline and fall of the Russian car empire | Drive Flashback

  17-04-2024 21:27 via drive.com.au
  
  With the Iron Curtain rusted away, the outlook for its car makers is as murky as their tailpipe emissions.This story, by Peter McKay, originally published on 19 April, 1997If there was ever a clear indicator of the deficiencies of the Communist system, it was to try the product – any product – of an Iron Curtain car maker.To drive a Lada, Niki or Skoda was to understand and accept that socialism was a horribly flawed system. Occasionally in western countries a consumer might be stuck
  
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• Mobileye set to ship at least 46 million new assisted driving chips

  17-04-2024 15:54 via autonews.com
  Israeli automotive tech company Mobileye said on Wednesday it had secured orders to ship 46 million of its EyeQ6 Lite assisted-driving chips over the next few years as automakers race to makes cars safer and easier to drive. 
  
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• Tesla Cybertruck deliveries on hold over accelerator issue, reports say

  17-04-2024 14:41 via autonews.com
  Tesla fans waiting for their Cybertruck orders said on social media that deliveries are on hold because of a loose cover on the accelerator pedal that can allegedly get stuck while driving.
  
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• Tesla asks investors to approve Musk’s $56 billion pay again

  17-04-2024 14:26 via autonews.com
  Tesla asks investors to approve Musk’s $56 billion pay again; it's the same compensation package that was voided by a Delaware court early this year.
  
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• EVs get efficiency boost from new heat pump technology

  17-04-2024 14:00 via autonews.com
  While improving electric vehicle range usually focuses on battery pack size, power electronics, curb weight and aerodynamics, a heat pump bolsters EV efficiency, especially in cold weather.
  
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• Ford recalls 456,565 Bronco Sports, Mavericks over loss of drive power, NHTSA says

  17-04-2024 12:25 via autonews.com
  Unexpected battery loss might go undetected in these vehicles, which could lead to a car being unable to restart or stall when coming to a stop at a low speed, NHTSA said.
  
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• NHTSA upgrades probe into braking issues in 3 million Honda vehicles; 50 injuries reported

  17-04-2024 12:03 via autonews.com
  NHTSA said it has received 1,294 reported complaints alleging inadvertent activation resulting in “sudden vehicle deceleration.” There were 50 reported injuries and 31 crashes, NHTSA said.
  
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• 2025 GMC Yukon begins testing on Australian soil

  17-04-2024 08:18 via drive.com.au
  
  It’s approximately one year before the GMC Yukon hits Australian showrooms, but engineers from General Motors have already begun testing the first right-hand-drive converted vehicle on local roads.Following the teaser of the facelifted SUV in the US just days ago, images have been released of a camouflaged 2025 GMC Yukon in Australia – the first to have been converted to right-hand-drive.General Motors Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) has begun testing the Yukon after it was remanufactured
  
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• 2025 Nissan Qashqai facelift unveiled, due in Australia this year

  17-04-2024 07:00 via drive.com.au
  
  The Nissan Qashqai small SUV is already receiving an update 18 months after its Australian arrival, with a new look and technology.The 2025 Nissan Qashqai small SUV has been given a mid-life facelift – with new styling and technology – ahead of Australian showroom arrivals due by the end of 2024.The latest Qashqai has only been on sale in Australia for about 18 months, but it was unveiled in Europe more than three years ago – so Nissan is giving it an update to keep pace with n
  
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• New Maserati Quattroporte electric car almost returns to the drawing board

  17-04-2024 06:47 via drive.com.au
  
  Italy’s Maserati has pressed pause on its Porsche Taycan rival halfway through development, possibly switching its underpinnings – and waiting for new battery tech to enable a longer driving range.
  Outgoing V8 Quattroporte.
  Maserati is reworking its plans for the next-generation Quattroporte luxury sedan – set to go electric to rival the Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S – after delaying it by three years to 2028.Executives for Maserati revealed to media including Drive th
  
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