This week in information: 1-5 Might
We publish a ton of automotive information tales in the course of the working week, and it may be robust to maintain up with the whole lot – which is the rationale behind this weekend listing.
Briefly, 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.
An abroad model of the up to date SsangYong Musso has been revealed
After being leaked earlier this week, the up to date SsangYong Musso and Musso XLV – or KG Mobility Rexton Sports activities Culmen and Rexton Sports activities Khan Culmen, as they’re now identified in Korea – have been revealed.
The up to date ute vary hasn’t been confirmed for an area launch but, however SsangYong Australia says it’s “estimated” to reach within the fourth quarter of 2023 alongside an up to date model of the associated Rexton SUV.
Up entrance, there’s a brand new octagonal grille with horizontal ribs, in addition to four-beam full-LED headlights with dynamic indicators and welcome/goodbye animations. The LED headlights substitute the halogen and HID headlights of the outgoing mannequin.
MORE: SsangYong Musso replace revealed forward of anticipated 2023 launch
May the Mazda 6 get replaced by a Chinese language electrical automotive?
It’s no secret the present Mazda 6 vary is nearing the top of its life, however we could lastly have a clue about its successor – and it’s most likely not what you have been anticipating.
Whereas rumours of a rear-drive Mazda 6 primarily based on the Giant Structure from the CX-60 and CX-90 SUVs with inline-six engines have been swirling for years, Mazda has dominated the concept out, and has remained quiet on the nameplate’s future at a world degree.
Nevertheless, the current Shanghai motor present noticed the Japanese model’s three way partnership in China tease a pair of upcoming electrified automobiles in a product presentation, one in all which may very well be a brand new Mazda 6.
MORE: May the Mazda 6 get replaced by a Chinese language electrical automotive?
Used automotive costs proceed to plunge
Sky-high used automotive costs are progressively returning to earth as manufacturing of recent automobiles improves, however they’re nonetheless far dearer than earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic.
That is the newest from Moody’s Analytics, which this week printed its Q1 used automobile value report stating common used automotive costs throughout Australia have been 13.2 per cent decrease than they have been at their Might 2022 peak, and down 9.8 per cent year-on-year (to finish of March).
The unhealthy information is, used automotive costs are nonetheless 51 per cent larger than pre-pandemic ranges. The momentary and seasonal backlog of recent automobiles clearing quarantine in Australia as reported right here has additional subdued used-vehicle value declines within the brief time period.
MORE: Used automotive costs to maintain falling, utes specifically – examine
VFACTS: April 2023 automotive gross sales headlined by EV development, Toyota hunch
New automobile deliveries in Australia climbed a modest 1.3 per cent in April over the identical month final yr, ending at 82,137 models.
This was pushed fully by development in SUV gross sales (up 8.6 per cent), with each gentle commercials (down 13.1 per cent) and passenger vehicles (down 1.6 per cent) going within the different route.
The Ford Ranger topped the charts, narrowly forward of its Toyota HiLux nemesis, with Toyota’s RAV4 rounding out the rostrum.
MORE: VFACTS: April 2023 automotive gross sales headlined by EV development, Toyota hunch
Australia’s electrical automobile gross sales triple this yr
Gross sales of electrical automobiles (EVs) in Australia have greater than tripled over the primary 4 months of 2023 in comparison with the identical interval final yr.
Australians took supply of 23,926 pure EVs between January 1 and April 30, which is the same as 6.8 per cent total market share. On the similar level in 2022, EV gross sales and share have been 7618 models and a pair of.2 per cent respectively.
EVs have additionally overtaken hybrids (21,693 registrations YTD) because the favorite type of electrification in Australia thus far this yr – in some half right down to Toyota’s ongoing provide complications.
MORE: Electrical automotive gross sales in Australia have tripled in 2023
Kia haults flagship GT-Line Sportage gross sales
Kia Australia has been compelled to place a stop-sale on its top-spec Sportage GT-Line SUV because of ongoing element shortages.
Native product planning boss Roland Rivero informed CarExpert the model has paused orders of the flagship variants given the present provide problem and a rising financial institution of orders.
“Sportage GT-Line manufacturing is proscribed [currently] resulting from element shortages,” stated Mr Rivero.
MORE: Kia pauses gross sales of flagship Sportage GT-Line
Former Audi CEO to plead responsible in Dieselgate case
Rupert Stadler, CEO of Audi between 2010 and 2018, will quickly confess to his position in Volkswagen Group’s Dieselgate emissions dishonest scheme.
Stadler’s authorized workforce informed Automotive News he’ll make a full confession to a German court docket, and pays a superb of €1.1 million ($1.8 million) in alternate for a suspended sentence.
Stadler, together with Wolfgang Hatz, the Volkswagen Group’s former head of engine growth, and Giovanni Pamio, Audi’s head of thermodynamics within the engine engineering division, have been charged with fraud for knowingly promoting vehicles that weren’t compliant with emissions requirements.
MORE: Former Audi CEO to plead responsible in Dieselgate case
Up to date Peugeot 2008 SUV coming to Australia
The Peugeot 2008 has obtained a mid-life replace with freshened styling, a extra highly effective electrical variant, and a brand new mild-hybrid mannequin across the nook.
“The Peugeot 2008, together with the e-2008, is a crucial a part of our ongoing vary in Australia,” stated a spokesperson for Peugeot Australia.
“Anticipated launch particulars for the facelifted 2008 together with timing, pricing and specification will probably be confirmed at a later date for the Australian market.”
MORE: Peugeot 2008: Up to date SUV revealed, coming to Australia
2023 SsangYong Rexton facelift: Pajero Sport rival will get new tech
The KG Mobility Rexton New Area has been revealed as a refreshed SsangYong Rexton, full with an overhauled inside.
The Rexton New Area sees the same set of updates to the associated Musso.
SsangYong Australia says it hasn’t finalised an area launch but for both mannequin, however is estimating one for the fourth quarter of 2023.
MORE: 2023 SsangYong Rexton facelift: Pajero Sport rival will get new tech
2024 Mini Countryman electrical automotive leaked
The upcoming all-electric Mini Countryman has been captured with none camouflage throughout what seems to be a video shoot within the US.
These newest images of the next-generation Countryman comply with those of the brand new Mini Cooper EV throughout the same promotional shoot.
This specific Countryman seems to be a top-spec all-electric SE variant because of the All4 and yellow S badges, signifying all-wheel drive and electrification, respectively.
MORE: 2024 Mini Countryman electrical automotive leaked
Ford Mustang Mach-E: When Australian reservations will open
Ford Australia will open on-line reservations for the Mustang Mach-E electrical crossover on Might 10, forward of its arrival in Australia late this yr.
Clients will have the ability to safe a Mustang Mach-E by a portal on the Ford Australia web site from the afternoon of Might 10. Last pricing for the vary can even be confirmed at the moment.
In an effort to reserve a Ford Mustang Mach-E you’ll want to pick which variant you need, create a Ford Account, and pay a set reservation payment of $1000 to the authorised Ford EV supplier of their selection.
MORE: Ford Mustang Mach-E: When Australian reservations will open
2023 Honda ZR-V: Pricing confirmed for Toyota RAV4 rival
Honda Australia has confirmed the pricing of the Toyota RAV4-rivalling ZR-V mid-sized SUV with deposits now in a position to be taken forward of its on-sale date of Might 19.
Attributable to launch within the coming months, the Honda ZR-V vary begins at $40,200 drive-away for the VTi X, and extends to $54,900 drive-away for the e:HEV LX hybrid flagship. A full pricing listing is on the backside of this story.
For context, the Toyota RAV4 vary at the moment begins at $38,050 earlier than on-road prices for the GX Auto 2WD, and extends to $56,650 earlier than on-road prices for the Edge AWD Hybrid.
MORE: 2023 Honda ZR-V: Pricing confirmed for Toyota RAV4 rival
Volkswagen servicing pricing… and extra
The brand new Amarok has lastly began rolling into dealerships, and Volkswagen Australia is anticipating stable provide as soon as the preliminary burst of shoppers have obtained their vehicles.
The corporate has additionally confirmed service pricing for the ute. It’ll value $1800 to service for 5 years or 75,000 kilometres with one in all its pay as you go Care Plans, undercutting the value of the equal bundle for a 2022 four-cylinder diesel by $200, and a 2022 turbo-diesel V6 by $400.
A full vary of equipment has additionally been detailed.
MORE: What’s going to Walkinshaw and Volkswagen’s particular Amarok seem like?
MORE: Volkswagen locks in Amarok service pricing
MORE: Is the Volkswagen Amarok in inventory?
