Articles by James Cleary

Nissan Australia is looking to boost sales and has drawn on the Japanese translation of the numbers two (Ni) and three (San) to generate a revised pricing structure for its X-Trail SUV, as the long-serving mid-size ‘Ni San’ model turns, you guessed it, 23 years old.Currently the sixth-placed player in the white-hot medium SUV segment behind family favourites such as the all-conquering Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi Outlander, Mazda CX-5, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson, the current fourth-generation Nissan X-Trail has been in market here since early 2022.As recently arrived challengers like the BYD Sealion 6, Chery Tiggo 7 Pro, Geely EX5 and MG HS add extra pressure to this already hyper-competitive segment, price adjustments from established players are almost inevitable.And so it is, that with zero change to model specification the X-Trail’s Australian pricing has been reduced by between $1000 to $3000, depending on model.With a starting price now less than $37K, before on-road costs, the X-Trail throws down the gauntlet to the now hybrid-only RAV4 (from $42,260), Mitsubishi Outlander (from $37,740) and Mazda CX-5 (from $36,740) as well as newcomers like the BYD Sealion 6 (from $48,990) and Geely EX5 (from $40,990).But it’s still some distance away from the budget-focused MG HS (from $33,990 drive-away) and sharply-priced Chery Tiggo 7 Pro (from $29,990 drive-away). The current ‘T33’ X-Trail is offered across five model grades, with the entry-level ST’s standard features list including LED head and tail-lights, six-speaker audio (including digital radio) managed through an 8.0-inch multimedia display, 17-inch alloy rims, adaptive cruise control and more.Safety tech incorporates AEB (with pedestrian and cyclist detection), lane departure warning/prevention, blind-spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition and airbag coverage including a front centre ‘far side’ bag.The top-shelf Ti-L adds 10-speaker Bose audio, bigger alloys, a heated steering wheel, electric front seats (with memory), heated rear seats, Nappa leather-accented trim, ambient lighting, a hands-free tailgate and more.Earlier this year Nissan Australia also introduced a (dealer-servicing activated) 10-year/300,000km warranty operating in concert with a five-year ‘Flat Price Servicing Program’.Is this the first shot fired in a full-scale price war as more and more new brands enter what is a mature Australian new car market? Feels like the battle has only just begun.

Currently ranked as the world’s sixth-largest carmaker (by unit volume) and biggest EV producer, it appears BYD is suffering demand headwinds, particularly in its Chinese home market, leading to a significant production slowdown.According to sources “with knowledge of the matter” quoted by global news agency Reuters, production at some factories has been “cut by at least a third”, leading to reduced shifts and a rethink on plans to add new manufacturing capacity.Said to be grappling with rising inventory, even after sharpening the pricing pencil in China's cut-throat new vehicle market, BYD has allegedly cancelled night shifts at “at least four factories”.BYD sold 4.27 million cars in 2025, the majority in China, and has publicly targeted a close to 30 per cent rise in sales to 5.5 million this year.It’s important to note Reuters was unable to quantify the precise scope of the production slowdown or confirm how long these measures will last.One of its sources pinned the primary cause on cost saving measures, while the other highlighted failure to meet sales targets.But the report quotes data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers showing growth of BYD’s output had slowed to 13 per cent and 0.2 per cent (year-on-year) in April and May, respectively. The data show that’s the slowest rate of growth since February 2024 when production was briefly disrupted by a week-long Lunar New Year holiday.At the same time, the report references a survey conducted by the China Automotive Dealer Association in May finding domestic BYD dealers were holding average inventory of 3.21 months, the highest among all brands in China (against an industry-wide average of 1.38 months).It also points to a ‘government-owned’ media report stating that, “a large BYD dealer in the eastern province of Shandong has gone out of business with at least 20 of its stores found to be deserted or shut.”Reuters said the Chinese car industry’s virtual exclusion from the US market, thanks to 100 per cent import tariffs, in part led the China Auto Dealers Chamber of Commerce's call on carmakers in early June to “stop offloading too many cars on domestic dealerships” and to set “reasonable” production targets based on sales performance. In the first five months of this year, BYD sold 1.76 million vehicles, of which around 20 per cent were exported, with even greater focus on global markets likely in future.In Australia, BYD sales continue to skyrocket with year-to-date registrations up no less than 95 per cent year-on-year, thanks in no small part to the recent introduction of the Shark 6 ute as well as the Sealion 6 and Sealion 7 SUVs, with more new model arrivals coming soon.When contacted for comment a BYD Australia spokesperson told CarsGuide, "BYD continues to enjoy strong growth in Australia with sales up significantly year-on-year."With so much exciting new product in the pipeline for the back half of this year, we expect that to continue," they said.

Just when you thought competition in the Australian mid-size SUV market couldn’t get any hotter, Geely Auto Australia comes swooping out of the clouds with a new five-seat plug-in hybrid, the Starray EM-i, now confirmed for local launch in the fourth quarter of this year.Joining the pure-electric EX5 SUV, which became the first Geely model to hit local showrooms earlier this year, the Starray is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine producing 73kW/125Nm, working in concert with a single electric motor tipping in 160kW/262Nm (for a combined 193kW) all sent to the front wheels via a single-speed ‘hybrid’ transmission. Geely says its ‘EM-i’ (E-Motive Intelligence) hybrid system leans toward electric power, “offering the instant torque and smooth take-off of a pure electric powertrain while retaining the range and flexibility afforded by a petrol hybrid”.It incorporates three power modes - ‘Pure’ (EV-only), ‘Hybrid’ (switching between electric and petrol power) and ‘Power’ (electric and combustion combined for max performance). Marketed in impressive Buck Rogers style as the Starship 7 in the Chinese domestic market (where it launched late last year), the Starray packs an 18.4kWh Lithium-Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery for pure EV driving “on shorter commutes”.Although Geely isn’t quoting a pure-electric range at this point, expect around 100km between charges and a combined petrol-electric range of around 1400km based on Chinese market data. DC charging at up to 36kW is available and vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability is also on-board with a maximum output of 3.3kW. Riding on the same “new-energy focused” platform as its EX5 stablemate, the newcomer measures just over 4.7m long, 1.9m wide and close to 1.7m high with a 2755mm wheelbase.The interior is dominated by a 14.6-inch multimedia screen standing proud of the centre of the dash and a 10.2-inch instrument and car data panel in front of the driver.Local specification is yet to be confirmed but inclusions like a panoramic glass roof, high-end multi-speaker audio, multi-zone climate control, a head-up display, sat nav and aero-styled alloy rims are included in China.In confirming the Starray EM-i for Australian sale Geely Auto Australia CEO Mr Lei Li said, “Geely is dedicated to meeting the needs of the Australian market, from our vehicle line-up through to our aftersales experience; we understand that there is a need for vehicles to provide more included features and more cost efficiency in this time of increasing financial pressure. “We’re confident the Starray EM-i’s combination of accessible innovation and flexible efficiency is a great step in that direction,” he said. Final specification and pricing will be detailed closer to the model’s official launch in the fourth quarter, but clearly a sharp entry-price, well under the $50K mark will be required to make a market share dent against established players and other recently arrived contenders in a white hot part of the new car market. Watch this space.

Ripples from Toyota Australia’s mid-2024 decision to move all of its hybrid-available model lines to pure hybrid continue to radiate with a price rise applied to the three-row, seven-seat Kluger hybrid as pure combustion models are officially deleted from the price list.

After eight years in market Volvo’s mid-size, five seat XC60 SUV has been upgraded with slicker multimedia, a cosmetic refresh, new wheel designs and extra colour options.Late last year the Swedish maker shifted its goal of being fully electric by 2030 to “90 to 100 per cent of its global sales volume by 2030 to consist of electrified cars” (BEV and PHEV).So, with more than 1.5M units sold worldwide, an update for this evergreen five-seater, offered here in mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid form, makes sense as the brand continues to massage its global line-up.The main focus of the revamp is a faster multimedia system that’s “more focused and personalised than its predecessor” with additional Google services built-in, accessed via a larger 11.2-inch central touchscreen.In fact, Volvo claims pixel density is increased by 21 per cent and thanks to the ‘Snapdragon Cockpit Platform’, developed by US specialist Qualcomm Technologies, the system is more than twice as fast as the one it replaces with 10 times faster graphics generation. At the same time an exterior makeover includes a revised grille, new wheel options and darker tail-lights. Three new colours - ‘Forest Lake’, ‘Aurora Silver’ and ‘Mulberry Red’, have also been added to the available palette.Inside, highlight inlays have been given a glow up with trim materials including quilted synthetic leather also added. In terms of practicality, there’s additional cabin storage, new cupholders and a reworked wireless phone charger as well Volvo’ current-gen air purification tech.The refreshed Volvo XC60 is on sale now, offered in two 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-petrol mild-hybrid grades - Plus B5 Bright and Ultra B5 Dark - with two 2.0-litre petrol-electric plug-in hybrids beside them - Plus T8 Plug-in Hybrid Dark and Ultra T8 Plug-in Hybrid Dark. All are all-wheel drive.

Car industry observers of a certain age will recall a ‘12/12’ new vehicle warranty being the norm in Australia through the 1970s and well into the ‘80s. And yes, you guessed correctly, that catchy tag refers to a 12 month/12,000km term. How far we’ve come.

Who would have thought the sight of red and blue flashing lights in the rear view mirror could put a smile on your face?

Six months after the VW ID.Buzz and its commercial cousin the ID.Buzz Cargo arrived in Australia, a sportier more premium version of the ultimate retro-futurist machine has joined them. The ID.Buzz GTX 4Motion is a dual-motor, long-wheelbase, seven-seat-only model that takes this pure-EV formula into new territory.

The Dacia Duster is a sharply-priced, mid-size, five-seat SUV sold by Renault’s Romanian subsidiary in multiple markets across Europe. 

Hyundai Australia has raised prices for hybrid versions of its Santa Fe large SUV by $1500 across the board, saying the move is aimed at better alignment of the price ‘step up’ between it and internal combustion engine (ICE) models in the range.