Articles by James Cleary

BYD’s 7217 Australian new car sales in March 2026 may not sound like a huge total when the brand is shifting around 400,000 units per month globally.But those vehicles sold locally last month were enough to give BYD its first top-three finish Down Under, making it the clear leader when it comes to Chinese car brands in the market.By most counts BYD is also the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer (overtaking Tesla in 2025) and sixth in sales overall.A Fortune Global 500 company, BYD claims to have a presence in over 400 cities, in more than 70 countries across six continents with annual revenue exceeding ¥602 billion (~$123B).So, why does the brand’s growing success in Australia matter in the broader context of BYD’s ambition of global automotive domination?  First, as it was for Japanese brands getting serious about exports in the late 1950s into the ‘60s, Australia is a unique test market with a car culture incorporating a multitude of diverse elements.A historical leaning towards large, powerful vehicles, often covering substantial distances. An appetite for innovation with a ready stream of early adopters lining up for whatever’s new and different. A broad population mix, an often challenging driving environment… and a million and one other things.But the biggest factor is that impressive, steady growth since BYD entered the Australian market with the groundbreaking Atto 3 SUV in 2022.And that’s in the context of the tidal wave of more than a dozen new brands from China arriving since, turning an already cut-throat car market into a white-hot cauldron of competition. When the car-retailing cage fight kicks off the first and often easiest lever to pull is price. But so far BYD Australia has relied on new product to top the opposition, with 2026 Q1 sales up a neat 100 per cent over the same period in 2025 (17,541 units vs 8767).At the same time, the Chinese giant is widely perceived as the instigator of an intense price war in its domestic new car market, designed to apply pressure to newer, more vulnerable players among the 100-plus brands currently active in China.But the aggressive strategy has impacted its own results with year-on-year sales down 7.8 per cent (to ‘only’ 3.55 million vehicles).Net profit and net profit margin have suffered and with high tariffs effectively putting the US market off limits for now, Australia becomes a centre of opportunity as well as a rare template for export strategy development.As they say in the car business, "You never go broke making a profit", and it will be interesting to see how far BYD can climb the local sales leaderboard from its current sixth position YTD (17,541 units), with fifth-placed Hyundai (19,101), Ford in fourth 20,172) and Kia in third (20,630) already within striking distance.  

BYD's off-roader and SUV brand FangChengBao, whose vehicles are badged Denza in Australia, has broken its own ‘off-roaders and SUVs’ mould with the unveiling of a collection of striking new models on the opening day of this year’s Beijing motor show.The Formula X Coupe, a low-set, carbon-tubbed, aero-influenced sports car with strong hints of Aston Martin, Ferrari and McLaren around its exterior.The minimalist cockpit-style interior seats two with scissor doors a tip of the hat to Lamborghini. Production launch is scheduled for 2027.Alongside the X Coupe, the performance-focused Formula Jaguar S is offered in sedan and GT shooting brake, while the larger SL sedan leans more into a luxury specification. All three measure more than 5.0 metres end-to-end with a wheelbase in excess of 3.0m.Provisional timing for the Formula Jaguar S’s Chinese domestic market launch is the third quarter of this year.And then, the Formula Leopard S is a sleek, fastback-style sedan featuring partially-concealed door handles and dramatic 21-inch rims.Also at the show is the Denza Z, a sleek pure-electric 2+2 GT to be offered in hardtop, convertible and ‘track’ form.With combined output exceeding 745kW (1000hp) and claimed 0-100km/h acceleration in under two seconds it is scheduled to make its dynamic debut at the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed this July.With design development led by former Alfa, Audi and Lamborghini styling guru Wolfgang Egger, the Denza Z features steer-by-wire, magnetic adaptive suspension and all-wheel drive.In launching the car, Denza has pledged a Nürburgring lap record campaign with a time possibly already recorded given prototypes were spotted testing at the famous German circuit regularly in 2025.

Volkswagen has broadened available powertrain options in two of its mainstay models with the introduction of full-hybrid versions of the Golf hatch and T-Roc small SUV.Scheduled for global release in the fourth quarter of this year the newcomers are ‘plugless’ hybrids powered by a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine supported by a hybrid module consisting of two electric motors (one drive unit and the second acting as a generator), power electronics, a differential, single-speed transmission and an electronically-controlled multi-plate clutch used to engage and disengage the combustion engine.VW said the Golf Hybrid and T-Roc Hybrid have been designed to enable a higher proportion of pure-electric driving compared with existing ‘eTSI’ mild-hybrid variants and reduce charging complexity relative to plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models.Final specs for the electric motors and lithium-ion battery are yet to be detailed for the prospective Toyota Corolla and Corolla Cross rivals but VW has confirmed both will be front-wheel drive only with three operating modes available.The electric motor will be engaged exclusively at low speeds. Then, in ‘Serial drive’ the combustion engine is decoupled to act as an additional generator for battery charging. And, as the name suggests, ‘Parallel drive’ puts the engine in the primary position at speeds at or above 60km/h with the electric drive motor in support as a ‘booster’ when accelerating.Three driving profiles - ‘Eco’, ‘Comfort’ and ‘Sport’ also modulate maximum system output according to specific needs.Badged ‘eHybrid’ or GTE in more performance-focused variants, VW is positioning the new models as “a suitable drive solution for every usage scenario” in addition to its pure-electric ID. line-up.CarsGuide contacted Volkswagen Australia for comment on the potential for the new Golf and T-Roc hybrids joining the brand’s local range and a spokesperson said, "While Volkswagen Australia continues to assess future opportunities for the local market, we’re unable to confirm Australian availability or timing at this stage."

Ahead of this week's Beijing motor show, Smart has previewed the Concept #2 which the brand is positioning as “a reinvention of the iconic two-seater city car".The ‘iconic’ model that statement refers to is the Smart fortwo, which, as the name implies, is a tiny two-person urban runabout powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that was sold in Australia from around 2009 to 2016.This time around power is pure electric and although battery, motor and drive specs are yet to be confirmed, Smart says it envisions an electric range of close to 300 kilometres and DC fast-charging delivering a 10 to 80 per cent fill in under 20 minutes.Now a joint-venture operation between Mercedes-Benz AG and Geely Holding Group, Smart said it expects the production Smart #2 to debut at the Paris motor show this October.Riding on the brand’s new ‘ECA’ platform and developed by the Mercedes-Benz global design team, the Smart Concept #2 is aimed at delivering “uncompromised urban capability” measuring just 2792mm end-to-end and boasting a ludicrously tight 6.95m turning circle.Introducing the car, Mercedes-Benz Head of Design for Smart Kai Sieber said, “We believe a city car should be more than a problem solver; it should spark joy. “Carrying the heritage of the fortwo's iconic design, the Concept #2 translates our bold personality into a new era where 'Function becomes Fashion.'"It is not only about clever practicality but serves as a true extension of personal identity, “he said.Launching globally with the Smart #1 (hashtag one) compact electric hatch and Smart #3 small crossover-style EV SUV, the brand’s line-up will expand to five models in 2026 with the #5 mid-size plug-in hybrid SUV unveiled in late 2025 (it’s due in Australia later this year) and the China-focused (Merc E-class size) #6 sedan and the #2 city car in production by the end of the year.Smart Australia has confirmed there are no plans for the #2 to launch domestically at this stage.

General Motors has become the latest major carmaker to select reverse on key parts of its electric vehicle strategy, with news the US giant is “indefinitely delaying” its ​next-generation full-size electric pick-up program.Chevrolet’s Silverado EV launched in parallel with its closely-related GMC Sierra sibling in 2024 as a response to Ford’s F-150 Lightning and the RAM 1500 EV, both of which have now been cancelled.And according to a Reuters report, citing closely connected sources, development of the next-gen Silverado/Sierra, which was due to land in 2028, has been spiked.This means plans for lower-cost versions of the Sierra and Silverado EVs as well as the Escalade ​IQ and Hummer are on ice with suppliers allegedly advised the program has been halted with no ​new timetable issued.Tellingly, in response to slowing sales GM has progressively reduced the workforce at its Factory Zero assembly plant in Detroit where the electric pick-ups are produced.The halt points to a pivot towards plug-in hybrid powertrains (supplier conversations point to Extended Range Electric Vehicles - EREVs) as well as its new ‘T1-2’ petrol engine platform with production switching to GM’s Orion Assembly Plant on the northern outskirts of Detroit.Speaking to Reuters, A GM spokesperson said, “ ⁠has not ​disclosed any potential plans or timing ​for any next-generation battery electric trucks and we’re not going to engage in ​speculation.”At the same time Automotive News has quoted GM Senior Vice President and Corporate Officer Kenneth Morris, who in commenting on the company’s EV future said, ”We do believe the end game is EVs.“It’s enormously difficult to try to predict the future, like what do the regulations look like in five years. That’s hard,” he said.General Motors, Ford and Stellantis are not alone in making big calls on EV production, with Honda, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen also dramatically scaling back expenditure on new pure-electric models and production facilities.In fact, with US government emissions and EV production mandates abolished, GM has recently invested more than US$1.8 billion (A$2.5B) in upgrades across five facilities involved in the build of its new ‘LT6’ 6.7-litre small block V8.

The latest, sixth-generation ‘LS6’ version of GM’s small block V8 has found its first home between the axles of Chevrolet's updated Corvette supercar.Marking the return of the iconic Grand Sport nameplate, last seen on a limited-run of C2 Corvette competition cars in the 1960s, the upgraded mid-engine two-seater now boasts 400kW (535hp) at 6100rpm and 705Nm at 4600rpm from its all-alloy 6.7-litre (409ci) V8.The new engine also powers the ‘standard’ Corvette Stingray, raising power by 8.4 per cent (+31kW) and torque by an impressive 10.7 per cent (+68Nm), making it the most powerful base engine ever fitted to a production Corvette.But GM says extra displacement and output hasn’t negatively impacted the engine’s fuel efficiency or exhaust emissions.GM’s Assistant Chief Engineer for the small block Mike Kociba said, “With advanced controls, our new fuel system and a higher (13.0:1) compression ratio we’ve been able to improve emissions with a larger engine.”As well as the high compression ratio and an 8.0mm increase in stroke (expanding overall displacement from 6.2 to 6.7 litres) the LS6 features a 95mm throttle body, tunnel ram intake with high-velocity ports, a new lubrication system, forged pistons and rods and revised exhaust manifolds.Like the Stingray, the Grand Sport is available as a coupe and convertible with drive going to the rear wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch auto transmission.The Grand Sport also features ‘Magnetic Ride Control’ adaptive suspension, Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 tyres (275/30 fr - 345/25 rr) on forged alloy rims (20-inch fr - 21-inch rr), a quad centre exhaust and Brembo six-piston monobloc front brake calipers and four-piston monobloc rear calipers.In parallel, the heavy-hitting Corvette Grand Sport X, a likely successor for the hybrid E-Ray, adds a front-axle permanent magnet electric motor and compact high-voltage lithium-ion battery pack for all-wheel drive and a combined power output of no less than 538kW (721hp). As well as the adaptive suspension set-up the Grand Sport X adds carbon-ceramic brakes and an optional ‘Z52 Sport Performance Package’ brings a stiffer suspension tune, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber and high-performance ‘J56’ iron brakes from the Corvette Z06.A ‘Z52 Track Performance Package’ ups the ante further with carbon-ceramic ‘J57’ brakes, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tyres and a track-focused chassis calibration as well as a carbon-fibre splitter, dive planes, rockers, wing and underbody strakes.The Corvette’s new small block represents a substantial bet on internal-combustion power by General Motors, the US giant investing US$918 million in upgrades across four facilities involved in the new engine’s production - Flint, Michigan (assembly), Bay City, Michigan (camshafts, connecting rods), Defiance, Ohio (block castings) and Rochester, New York (intake manifolds, fuel rails). An additional $US888 million is going to the Tonawanda Propulsion plant in Buffalo, New York.CarsGuide contacted GM Australia & New Zealand for comment on whether the Corvette Grand Sport is slated for the Australian market. “We have no announcements to make on future models, including potential additions to the local Corvette line-up,” a spokesperson said.

BYD has confirmed domestic pricing and specification details for its updated Sealion 05 compact crossover-style SUV prior to the electrified newcomer’s public debut at this week’s Beijing motor show. Offered in plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and pure-electric (BEV) form, the Sealion 05 measures just over 4.6 metres long (165 mm longer than the BYD Atto 3), close to 1.9m wide and around 1.6m tall.The DM-i PHEV version combines a 74kW 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine with a single 120kW synchronous permanent magnet electric motor and two battery options - 26.6kWh and 34.3kWh - delivering (CLTC) EV-only ranges of 220km and 305km, respectively.The DM-i’s claimed fuel consumption on the combined (urban/extra-urban) cycle is 3.1L/100km, the car’s 65-litre fuel tank facilitating an overall range in excess of 2100km (CLTC).Alternately, the pure-electric Sealion 05 EV is available with two motor options; the first being a rear-mounted 200kW unit powered by a 57.6kWh LFP battery delivering a CLTC range of 540km.A higher output version of the motor is fitted to upper grades, sending 240kW to the rear wheels with a 68.6kWh battery good for a 630km range.BYD’s new ‘flash charging’ tech is onboard, generating a 10 to 97 percent top-up in just nine minutes.Standard feature highlights include a built-in fridge and an 8.8-inch instrument cluster joined by a 12.8-inch central media screen on lower grades and a 15.6-inch ‘floating’ display on premium variants. All versions of the car feature seven airbags with ‘DiPilot 100’ ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems) tech at a minimum with optional Lidar-based ‘DiPilot 300’ adding ‘Navigate On Autopilot’ (NOA) functionality as well as ‘DiSus-C’ semi-active suspension with continuous damping control.Boot space on the DM-i hybrid is a generous 650 litres with all seats upright, that number shrinking to 600 litres on the EV, although the latter features a 10-litre front boot.Five versions of the Sealion 05 DM-i are available in the Chinese domestic market, ranging from ¥97,900 (~$20,000) for the entry-level 220 Starter to ¥127,900 (~$26,100) for the 305 Smart Navigator.And three Sealion 05 EV grades range between the 540 Navigator at ¥119,900 (~$24,500) and 630 Smart Navigator flagship at ¥145,900 (~$29,800).  CarsGuide contacted BYD Australia for comment on the Sealion 05’s potential for sale in the local market and a spokesperson said, "We do not have visibility of that vehicle on our product radar."

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a new pure-electric version of its mid-size C-Class sedan, boasting a sleek coupe-like profile, dual-motor all-wheel drive and a range of up to 762 kilometres (WLTP).Launched in a single C400 4Matic electric grade, the newcomer’s dual permanent magnet synchronous motors combine to deliver 360kW and 800Nm which is enough to propel the circa 2.5-tonne five-seater from 0-100km/h in just four seconds.A 94kWh battery is onboard and an 800-volt electric architecture allows DC fast-charging at 330kW, which enables the car to charge from 10 to 80 per cent in 22 minutes.At just under 4.9 metres end-to-end, close to 1.9m wide and a fraction over 1.5m tall with a 2962mm wheelbase, the C400 4Matic electric is appreciably larger in every key dimension than its internal-combustion counterpart.    Energy consumption on the combined (urban/extra-urban) cycle ranges from 14.1 to 18.5 kWh/100km which is impressive for a car of this size and weight.Tech highlights include rear-axle steering and a new air suspension system managed by the car’s main operating system, now delivering predictive damping and automatic ride height control based on Car-to-X and Google Maps data.Inside, a seamless 39.1-inch MBUX ‘Hyperscreen’ covering media, car function and instrumentation spans pillar-to-pillar across the dash, there are 162 stars illuminated in the ‘Sky Control’ panoramic roof and the front sports seats, trimmed in ‘Twisted Diamond’ nappa leather, feature lumbar support, massage, seat ventilation and 4D sound.A fourth-generation ‘MBUX’ media and car interface combines multiple AI systems to create a powerful ‘Virtual Assistant’ capable of "conducting complex dialogues between the vehicle and driver.”Other stand-out standard features include ‘Surround Navigation’, an AR head-up display, Burmester 3D surround sound and a newly developed climate control system claimed to heat the interior “twice as fast as in combustion-powered models.”Boot space is a useful 470 litres with another 101 litres available in the front boot and braked trailer towing capacity is a worthwhile 1.8 tonnes.Introducing the new model, Mercedes-Benz Group AG Chairman of the Board of Management Ola Källenius said, “The all-new electric C-Class is redefining the mid-size segment for electric vehicles. “It is the most powerful and sportiest C-Class we’ve ever built, offering pure driving pleasure and outstanding real-world range,” he said.Mercedes-Benz Australia expects the C400 4Matic electric to hit local showrooms in early 2027.

Honda has become the first Japanese car manufacturer to offer a Chinese-built model for sale in its domestic market.The all-new Honda Insight, a mid-size, pure-electric crossover has been produced in right-hand drive at the joint-venture Dongfeng Honda plant in Wuhan, China.Riding on the same ‘e:N Architecture F’ front-wheel drive platform as the Honda e:NS2 it’s based on, the Insight is powered by a 150kW/310Nm permanent magnet synchronous electric motor, the compact five-seater using a 68.8kWh NMC battery and boasting a WLTC-rated range of 535km.Claimed 20 to 80 per cent charge time is approximately 40 minutes on a ‘standard’ 50kW charger.At close to 4.8 metres long, a bit over 1.8m wide and just under 1.6m tall the fourth-generation EV is appreciably larger than its hybrid predecessor, last seen in Australia over a decade ago.Offered in a single variant, the Insight features an ‘Intelligent Heating System’ (coordinating cabin, seat and steering wheel heating), 12-speaker Bose audio, genuine leather trim, an aroma diffuser, ambient lighting, a 12.8-inch central media screen, 9.4-inch driver information display, an 11.5-inch head-up display, multi-view camera system, an integrated dashcam, a slide and tilt glass sunroof, LED active cornering lights, 18-inch alloy rims and ‘Honda Sensing’ active safety.Given the Insight’s RHD availability CarsGuide contacted Honda Australia for comment on the car’s potential for local sale and a spokesperson said, "We’re constantly evaluating options from Honda’s global line up which we feel would be suited to our Australian customers however we do not have any new models to announce just yet."Japanese pricing of ¥5,500,000 (~$48,100) means if it did come to Australia the Insight would offer an interesting alternative to premium mid-size EV SUVs like the Deepal S07 (from $53,990), Hyundai Elexio (from $58,990), KGM Torres EVX (58,000, drive-away), Leapmotor C10 EV (from $49,888), Renault Scenic E-Tech (from $55,990) and Skoda Elroq (from $47,990). Speaking to Nikkei Asia about the car’s likely appeal to Japanese buyers, Honda Head of Development development Kunihiro Koike said, “We manage the Insight's quality according to global standards."We will continue to consider introducing vehicles manufactured overseas into the domestic market," he said.

Leapmotor has detailed its D19 large SUV, a battery-electric (BEV) and extended-range hybrid (EREV) the Chinese maker is positioning in the domestic market as its “flagship luxury SUV”, the latter version fitted with what is claimed to be the world’s largest EREV battery.With a maximum 80.3kWh capacity, the D19 EREV is able to cover up to 500km (CLTC) in pure-EV mode.Measuring just over 5.2 metres long, a fraction under 2.0m wide and close to 1.8m tall with a 3110mm wheelbase, the six- and seven-seat D19 is a potential challenger to the likes of the BYD Sealion 8, Chery Tiggo 8, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento, Mazda CX-80, Omoda 9, Skoda Kodiaq and Toyota Kluger.The D19 EREV is a 300kW dual-motor AWD with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine operating purely as a generator to charge one of two (CATL-sourced) battery options - 63.7kWh and 80.3kWh.The car’s 800-volt electric architecture means it can be charged from 30 to 80 per cent in a claimed 15 minutes.Offered in (410kW) two- and (540kW) three-motor variants, the D19 BEV runs a 1000V system and also offers two battery options - 99.6kWh and 115 kWh. Range varies from 620km to 720km (CLTC) and claimed 0-100km/h acceleration in the tri-motor version is “under three seconds”.Included features across the seven-model range (three EREV grades and four BEVs) include 21-inch rims, a 17.3-inch central media screen, 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, a 21.4-inch entertainment screen (with 6.0-inch control screen) for second- and third-row passengers, dual glass sunroofs, 23-speaker audio, an oxygen generation system (!) and an 8.1-litre fridge. ‘Digital Clock’ megapixel DLP projector headlights incorporate one million pixels and are able to project complex welcome animations (including a swimming whale) in front of the car, while a ‘Happy Pixels’ interactive screen at the rear not only incorporates the full-width tail-lights but can be set to deliver animations or a battery charge read-out.Soft-close doors, multi-way power seat adjustment, semi-aniline leather upholstery, wood grain trims, configurable ambient lighting and “velvet ceiling material” are part of a premium interior treatment.All D19 versions boast 337 litres of boot space with all seats upright and up to 2677 litres with the second and third rows folded in seven-seat models. A 176-litre front trunk includes a 220V outlet. Active crash-avoidance tech includes “28 assisted driving sensors” (including a Lidar on the roof) and autonomous emergency braking (AEB) operating between four and 150km/h.Suspension is alloy dual-wishbone at the front and five links at the rear with ‘Dual-cavity’ air-suspension providing continuously variable damping.Chinese-market D19 pricing ranges from ¥219,800 (~$45,000) for the entry-level 400 Premium Edition EREV to ¥269,800 (~$55,000) for the 680 Tri Motor Performance Edition BEV.Leapmotor’s local line-up currently consists of the pure-electric B10 small SUV and C10 BEV and plug-in hybrid medium SUV. And when contacted for comment on the D19’s potential for the local market a Stellantis Australia spokesperson told CarsGuide the newcomer is “on its radar” adding the brand will be “able to hopefully confirm new product in the near future.”