This week in information: 27 February to three March

We publish a ton of automotive information tales through the working week, and it may be robust to maintain up with every little thing – which is the rationale behind this weekend record.

In brief, listed here are some key articles from our information desk since Monday of this week summarised, simply in case you missed them on the time.

One other Chinese language model set for Australian launch

Aion, the all-electric marque of China’s Guangzhou Vehicle Company (GAC), is gearing as much as deliver its Hyper GT to Australia as a rival to the ever present Tesla Mannequin 3.

The corporate has informed CarExpert it intends to launch domestically, however not earlier than it ships an instance of the Hyper GT in time for an October 2023 displaying.

Earlier than then, it would first exhibit its Y and V SUV fashions, with preview examples set to reach domestically later this month.

FULL STORY: China’s Aion eyeing Australia with scissor-door Mannequin 3 rival

VFACTS: February gross sales round-up

The brand new automotive market continued its robust begin to 2023 in February, with deliveries up 1.8 per cent per cent on the identical interval in 2022.

VFACTS gross sales information reveals 86,878 deliveries in February, which is the most effective outcome for the month since 2019. It additionally continues a run of successive month-to-month development extending to final July.

Electrical automobiles (5932 gross sales) narrowly outsold hybrids (5716), with plug-in hybrids (454) accounting for simply 0.52 per cent of all deliveries.

Audi Australia additionally registered extra automobiles than BMW and Mercedes-Benz Automobiles in Australia throughout February, posting substantial month-to-month development of 126.4 per cent.

FULL STORY: February VFACTS: Progress continues, EVs overtake hybrids
FULL STORY: Australia had a brand new best-selling luxurious model in February
FULL STORY: Electrical automobiles outsold hybrids in February

Mazda’s new massive premium SUV right here in August

The Mazda CX-90 is about to land in Australia from August 2023, and the diesel model – unique to Australia – shall be able to gasoline economic system to make a Toyota Kluger Hybrid nervous.

Mazda Australia has confirmed the D50e variant, which makes use of the identical 187kW/550Nm 3.3-litre inline six turbo-diesel because the smaller CX-60, wears a mixed effectivity score of 5.4 litres per 100km. CO2 emissions are quoted at 143g/km.

FULL STORY: Mazda’s largest SUV right here in August with hybrid-beating effectivity

Renault’s new EV hatch can have premium pricing

Renault will launch its Megane E-Tech Electrical SUV domestically the fourth quarter of this 12 months, and has mentioned it will likely be priced within the early/mid-$70,000s vary.

The French model will promote the automobile by its 58 sellers, reasonably than providing it solely on-line, however has acknowledged it received’t be low cost.

FULL STORY: Renault Megane E-Tech Electrical right here this 12 months, priced above $70,000

Volkswagen reveals subtly up to date ID.3 EV

The up to date Volkswagen ID.3 has been revealed in Europe, that includes a higher-quality inside and improved know-how.

“We hope to see it subsequent 12 months [2024],” mentioned a spokesperson for Volkswagen Australia. The native arm has beforehand mentioned it could anticipate the facelifted model earlier than it launched the ID.3.

The up to date mannequin enters manufacturing within the northern autumn of 2023.

FULL STORY: Up to date VW ID.3 EV firming for 2024 Aussie launch

Chery pricing pits it towards Chinese language rivals

Chinese language model Chery is again, nevertheless it’s a costlier proposition than earlier than.

It’s launching the Omoda 5 small crossover within the first half of this 12 months, with a base value just below $30,000 earlier than on-road prices.

There’s no nationwide drive-away pricing, however the most cost-effective the Omoda 5 will be is $31,990 drive-away, with the flagship (for now) EX topping out at $35,890 drive-away.

FULL STORY: 2023 Chery Omoda 5 value and specs

Renault’s new small van vary delayed

The subsequent-generation Renault Kangoo was initially set for an early 2023 launch, nevertheless it now received’t arrive till later this 12 months.

The corporate has confirmed it’s now set to launch within the third quarter of this 12 months, and CarExpert understands this is because of points securing provide.

FULL STORY: Renault’s new Kangoo small van delayed

Toyota provide struggles to proceed all through the primary half of 2023

Toyota Australia has confirmed it’s nonetheless battling towards manufacturing and provide points this 12 months, with issues not set to enhance till the second half of 2023.

Talking with CarExpert, Toyota’s vp for gross sales and advertising, Sean Hanley, mentioned these challenges would proceed by the primary quarter of 2023, off the again of a 31.4 per cent drop in gross sales (down 6554 items) in February VFACTS gross sales information.

“The February gross sales figures verify that we proceed to face provide constraints, that are more likely to proceed for the primary quarter at the very least. At this stage, we expect improved provide through the second half of the 12 months,” Mr Hanley mentioned.

FULL STORY: Toyota confirms provide challenges and new automotive delays to proceed

Hyundai i30 Sedan replace right here this 12 months, hybrid possibility firming

The facelifted Hyundai i30 Sedan – recognized elsewhere on the planet because the Avante and Elantra – has debuted in Korea forward of an Australian launch through the second half of 2023

A trio of photos have trickled out on-line right this moment following a home announcement for South Korea, displaying refined design adjustments that appear to sharpen up the reasonably angular sedan’s entrance and rear fascias.

FULL STORY: Hyundai i30 Sedan replace might deliver hybrid

Tesla provides solely morsels on next-gen fashions at Investor Day

Tesla didn’t find yourself displaying any of its next-generation automobiles at its 2023 Investor Day, nevertheless it did element how they are going to be constructed.

The subsequent-generation automobiles are anticipated to incorporate a automobile to fit in beneath the Mannequin 3, whereas a robotaxi model has been confirmed.

The corporate’s vp of auto engineering, Lars Moravy, did shed some gentle within the session even when his boss didn’t.

FULL STORY: Tesla explains the way it’ll construct its next-gen automobiles… however doesn’t reveal them

Mazda 3, CX-30 updates anticipated in 2023

The place the Mazda 3 goes, the associated CX-30 normally follows. It’s maybe no shock then, the small crossover ought to comply with the hatch and sedan vary in getting an replace.

CarExpert understands that, just like the Mazda 3, the CX-30 will obtain some sort of replace this 12 months.

FULL STORY: Mazda 3: Tech replace firming for in style small automotive in 2023
FULL STORY: Mazda CX-30 set to comply with siblings with tech improve

Future unsure for Renault Australia’s greatest vendor

The Renault Koleos is the model’s best-selling automobile in Australia, nevertheless it is probably not lengthy for this world

“[The] Koleos continues as is, product run this and subsequent 12 months and after that we don’t know,” mentioned Renault Australia boss Glen Sealey.

A direct substitute for the Korean-built mid-sized SUV hasn’t been spied. It’s already been discontinued in most European markets, with the void on the prime finish of Renault’s SUV line-up there set to be crammed by the next-generation Espace which has shed the final vestiges of individuals mover styling.

FULL STORY: Future unsure for Renault Australia’s prime vendor