GAC Group has appointed an Australian distributor to lead a challenge against GWM and BYD with a range of EVs, hybrids and plug-in hybrids from late next year. Chinese car giant GAC Group is set to launch a range of hybrid and electric cars in Australian showrooms by the end of next year. Short for Guangzhou Automobile Group, GAC Group has appointed an independent distributor – AGA Auto – to sell a range of new models in Australia from the second half of 2025, pending any delays. It is due to sell vehicles under two brands – GAC for hybrids, and Aion for electric cars – and aims to become a ..read more

Mazda’s next MX-5 is set for a big change as the brand marches towards electrification, but ‘fun-to-drive’ character is a priority. Mazda is expected to electrify its next-generation MX-5 roadster as it charges into a new era, but the brand still reckons its enduring sports car can deliver on fun and thrills. Speaking to Drive at the launch of the updated 2024 MX-5, Mazda Australia’s head of marketing, Alastair Doak, said the brand is committed to delivering the ‘fun-to-drive’ ethos the convertible has been known for since 1989. “The MX-5 sports car has been the heart and soul of Mazda – it ..read more

The long-awaited results of a review are in – and not everyone’s happy with the outcome. The Federal Government has agreed to make changes to the Australian Franchising Code of Conduct – but the proposed amendments aren’t far-reaching enough according to industry figures, and could leave car dealers exposed if another major brand decides to exit the market. The Government has this week agreed in principle to back the 23 recommendations made for change to the franchising code, with the document due to be updated before its current expiry date of April 2025. Small business expert Dr Michael Sch ..read more

Wondering how long your baby should stay in a rear-facing child seat? The Australian guidelines are about to change. It can be confusing figuring out when your baby is ready to move from a rear-facing child restraint to a forward-facing one, but a major update to Australian child safety standards is set to clear up parental confusion. The minimum recommended age for a child to move into a forward-facing car seat is about to be increased from six months to 12 months as part of revisions to the existing Australian Standard AS/NZ 1754:2023. RELATED: When can children sit in the front seat in A ..read more

A one-metre-long V16 petrol engine will power the Bugatti Chiron replacement and won’t need help from turbochargers to make more than 1000hp – before electric motor assistance is added. The hybrid-assisted engine for Bugatti’s yet-to-be-revealed Chiron replacement – one of the world’s fastest production cars – is a massive one-metre long and will see the brand ditch turbocharging. While the V16 hybrid was confirmed by the car maker in March 2024, Bugatti CEO Mate Rimac has revealed the new car’s engine will do without the Chiron’s four turbochargers in a goal to deliver more than 1000 horse ..read more

Reckless driving has resulted in a Lamborghini Urus being hit in traffic, during an event streamed live by a popular YouTube star. An anonymous hoon appears to have had his Lamborghini Urus smashed into while driving dangerously through traffic in New York. The man, known only as ‘Squeeze Benz’ – wearing a helmet and racing gloves – was driving the Lamborghini in a reckless manner in heavy traffic, alongside a BMW and Lexus. Another YouTuber, 19-year-old Rangesh Mutama – who goes by pseudonym ‘N3ON’ – was livestreaming the event at the time. Multiple laws were clearly being broken in the vi ..read more

It is not the end of the road for the Tesla’s Supercharger network in Australia, the US car giant told customers today – but it is unclear if work will ever start on new locations. Construction of certain new Tesla Supercharger locations will continue in Australia amid reports the expansion of the fast-charging network has been halted – and the dismissal of the global team behind it. In an email to local customers this afternoon seen by Drive, Tesla said “the Supercharger network will continue to be expanded” in Australia, and “projects currently in construction are continuing to be complet ..read more

The new Toyota Camry will be offered solely with hybrid power – across three model grades – in Australia, but prices are expected to rise. Price increases are expected to accompany the new 2025 Toyota Camry sedan range when it arrives in Australian showrooms in the second half of 2024, exclusively as a hybrid. All versions of the new Camry in Australia will use a 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid system, in a choice of three model grades – Ascent, Ascent Sport and SL – with the SX sport-themed variant axed. As reported last year, overseas Toyota bills the new Camry as an all-new vehicle, but i ..read more

If you’ve even been tempted to put your $450,000 Maserati GranTurismo onto a purpose-built party yacht, here’s how you do it. Sponsored by: Maserati Those lucky enough to afford the finer things in life can choose between spending their millions on supercars or superyachts. But what if they wanted to combine the two? RELATED: Maserati GranTurismo specifications revealed This is where luxury Sydney boating company, Starship, comes into play. It has two one-of-a-kind yachts, the Sydney and the Aqua, designed to give you a one-of-a-kind experience on Sydney Harbour – with up to 800 guests for ..read more

The first electric car and SUV from Lotus in Australia has had its price slashed by between $35,000 and $49,000 before the first customer deliveries. The 2024 Lotus Eletre electric SUV has been handed a significant price cut of close to $50,000 – depending on the variant – approximately six weeks before the first customer deliveries take place. Prices for the Eletre – the first electric Lotus sold in Australia, its first SUV, and first Chinese-made model – were announced in September last year with three model grades spanning $239,000 to $315,000 plus on-road costs. Now the line-up has been ..read more