Articles by Stephen Ottley

The recent Shanghai and New York motor shows demonstrated the increasing gulf between the surging Chinese car industry and the rest of the world.

As any brand not named Toyota will tell you, breaking into the upper echelon of Australia’s ute market is incredibly tough. Even the mighty Ford Motor Company, which invented the utility vehicle, took decades to crack the code and give the HiLux some serious competition.

Who owns Polestar?The answer isn’t quite as straightforward as you may think. While Polestar began as a Volvo subsidiary the brand is actually part of the Geely automotive empire, alongside the likes of Volvo, Lotus and Zeekr. If it feels like Polestar started in a flash, that’s because it did - both metaphorically and literally.Polestar is a performance electric brand that first came to prominence as Volvo’s performance and racing division, but is now solely focused on building the most sustainable automobiles possible.But who owns Polestar? Who makes Polestar cars? Where are Polestar cars manufactured? We’ll answer all those questions and more in this deep dive into the brand’s past, present and future.Originally the company was a joint-venture between Volvo and Geely, but the Swedish brand decided to divest the majority of its stake in the operation, making Geely the primary Polestar parent company. Geely founder Li Shufu owns a significant stake in the brand via his personal company, PSD Investment.So, how did Polestar begin in a flash? Well, the brand’s origins trace all the way back to 1996 and a Swedish touring car racing team called Flash Engineering. The name came from team owner Jan ‘Flash’ Nilsson, who had a history racing Volvos.In 2005 he sold his team to businessman Christian Dahl, who renamed the team to Polestar Racing and began forging deeper ties with Volvo. In 2010, Geely took over Volvo from the Ford Motor Company as part of its first steps towards international expansion.Then in 2013 the first Polestar Performance road car project was launched with the S60 Polestar. This was an Australian initiative originally, designed to coincide with a Volvo/Polestar entry into the V8 Supercars championship.The road car project went global in 2014 and by 2015 Volvo had decided to buy Polestar Performance and establish it as its own in-house brand.In 2017 Geely and Volvo made the dramatic shift away from performance and instead reinvented Polestar as an electric vehicle brand, launching the Polestar 1 coupe in October that year (a model that was never offered in Australia).By 2019 the Polestar 2 small sedan/hatchback had arrived as a rival to the Tesla Model 3 and then in 2024 the brand added the Polestar 3 mid-size SUV and Polestar 4 SUV ‘coupe’ to the line-up.While the brand likes to highlight its Swedish heritage it has taken a more global approach to production. Polestar’s headquarters is in Gothenburg, Sweden, which is where it designs all of its cars. Production takes advantage of Geely’s Chinese manufacturing base, as well as the brand’s other industry connections to keep costs and emissions during production down.Because of that the Polestar 2 is built in China, the Polestar 3 is made in China and the USA and the Polestar 4 is produced at factories in China and South Korea.Polestar currently offers three models for sale - the Polestar 2, Polestar 3 and Polestar 4.The Polestar 2 is a mid-size sedan/hatchback that rivals the likes of the BMW i4, BYD Seal and Tesla Model 3.The Polestar 3 is a mid-size SUV based on the same underpinnings as Volvo’s EX90 and has been designed to sit above the sportier Polestar 4 coupe-style SUV.While similar in size, the 4 is built on different underpinnings, the so-called 'Sustainable Experience Architecture' that is the basis for Volvo EM90 and Zeekr 001, amongst others.The brand has already confirmed three more models , scheduled to arrive by the end of the decade. The first will be the Polestar 5 (you may have a feel for the brand’s naming protocol by now) which will be based on the Premacy concept, due by the end of 2025.It is reportedly a mid-size sedan to challenge the likes of the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT.The Polestar 6 will be a sports car, based on the O2 concept, was meant to arrive in 2026 but development of this hero model has been delayed to prioritise the Polestar 7, which is expected to be a compact SUV to sit underneath the Polestar 3. 

In Taylor Swift terms, Hyundai has entered its Fearless Era as it explores bold new design themes that are a major departure from its past.In stark contrast to its humble beginnings, Hyundai is looking to make bolder vehicles, as witnessed by the recently revealed second-generation Palisade. Crucially, the Palisade is dramatically different from the Tucson and Santa Fe, or any other model in the range, as Hyundai pursues a unique design for each of its models. This is opposed to the ‘Russian Doll’ philosophy that many other brands use, which see similar design themes carried over from one model to the next. Interestingly, this more ‘family’ focused design theme is the one pursued by Kia, Hyundai’s sister brand, and in Australia recent years has seen the younger sibling overtake its elder on the sales charts.So, why has Hyundai pursued this very different and deliberately polarising strategy? We were fortunate enough to discuss this with the man in charge, SangYup Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai and Genesis Global Design.We spoke immediately after the reveal of the new Palisade and Palisade XRT Pro for the first time outside of South Korea, and Lee used the new family-sized SUV as a way of explaining the brand’s design philosophy.Specifically, he discussed why the Palisade and the similar-sized, but all-electric, Ioniq 9 have almost no visual similarities.“ I think it's a very important question,” Lee said. “Obviously, as I mentioned to you briefly yesterday on Ioniq 9 versus Palisade, the customers are different for a full, dedicated EV versus a traditional ICE and hybrid cars."So we cannot have the same toolbox SUV, so we purposefully have a different direction… where Ioniq 9 is for more like an early adopter and is open for new things.He continued: “Palisade, when you see it, you know it is so easy to understand. It's a toolbox SUV with a lot of premium character, and with the bold DRL (Daytime Running Lights) you can recognize it from a long distance."I'm particularly very proud of the surface DRL, because a lot of DRLs these day, I mean the lamp is a functional piece, but you see a lot of linear DRL."And instead we're doing surface DRL to have a more, like a chunky shape. So you look at it from a long distance, you can instantly notice a Palisade that's coming towards you, which is so important,” he said.Lee highlighted the importance of making a strong visual first impression for each Hyundai model, which is why he and his design teams have opted for a clear differentiation between each model, rather than Kia’s signature look that carries across each of its offerings.“A mid to large SUV is a big face with a bold character, but when you get closer, there's a lot of sophisticated surface treatment,” Lee said.“So what we want to do is like, mainstream, it should be easy to understand, bold yet premium character. So this is our challenge.”He also explained that the different needs of different customers across the various models also plays a major role in Hyundai’s decision to create unique designs.“There are many brands doing the family look… but I always talk to our team, Hyundai is all about customer-centric brand,” he said.“We need to really understand the customer first in order to design. So, I mean, for the Palisade, if you sit inside of the car, it's so comfortable, easy to use, there is no forced area. Everything is all about usability.“I must say, the UX (user experience) is designed this way… because this is a family car. I mean, we are out there, family, parents in a very detailed ."So like, how they drop off kids in the morning, how they pick them up after school hours and how they use a sippy cup, how they use the tailgate and how they use stuff."So it's all about observing customers in order to make it easier, more comfortable, with better design.”

Trying to pin down the cost of a Tesla in Australia is a bit like swatting a fly - just when you think you’ve got it locked in it suddenly changes.

What price do you put on style? If you’re Hyundai, it’s $39,000 (plus on-road costs), which is the starting price of its all-new Inster compact electric vehicle.But while that makes it more expensive than its direct competitors, Hyundai’s global design boss has said that’s a cost the company must pay.SangYup Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai and Genesis Global Design Centre, explained that while the brand could have decided to make the Inster cheaper, the priority was to create a lasting first impression to the Hyundai brand for new buyers it hopes to attract.“ This is our challenge,” Lee told CarsGuide. “But at the same time, when it comes to EV of the Year, Inster, that is the gateway car for first-time users, and a lot of young Gen Z players buying this car. So for me, the entry-level car, the first car is so important because a gateway for our product. So we just want to make sure it has a lot of character.”He said the recently revealed Insteroid concept car is an extension of this design philosophy, playing with the idea of fun and youthful design that will try to speak to a new generation of customers - rather than making the cheapest, most-affordable model possible - even if it means standing out from other models in the Hyundai line-up.“Sometimes when you look at it, you have a smile on your face. And then you see in the Insteroid that is our video game car, it's all about ,” Lee explained.“When you look at it, you have a smile on your face. So you don't have to have exactly the same face as Palisade to the Inster. So this is all about, we have to really target our customers. And at the end of it, I must say there's nothing wrong with what other brands do versus what we are doing and the customer will make a decision.  I really believe this is the customer’s decision.”With its $39,000 starting price the Inster is notably more expensive than its nearest rivals, which all happen to be from relatively new Chinese car brands. The BYD Dolphin starts at $29,990 (plus on-road costs), the GWM Ora costs $35,990 drive-away and the MG4 is priced from $37,990 (plus on-road costs).Despite the cheaper prices, Lee has nothing but compliments for his Chinese rivals, but stressed Hyundai has different priorities as a more established carmaker, particularly when it comes to longevity of design and vehicle reliability.“I have a huge respect for Chinese brands because in such a short amount of time, they challenge a lot,” the Hyundai design boss said. “But we are a traditional OEM and we also are taking care of our customers on the fundamental side of it, most important safety."I mean, of course you love to have karaoke inside of a car and everything together, but a car is a form of transportation. You travel with your family, the safety is something you cannot compromise and therefore the usability and all the things, et cetera. And then we are actually adding the value. For the high techs and also connected and everything together. And so this is actually a bit of the priority difference, I would say.“But once again, that’s okay, this is our philosophy, which we believe is a very important philosophy, a customer able to choose at the end of it. Because for me, a brand-new car is cool, but cars on the street are even more important because I see the value of the car when the car has been out there at least five years and parked on the street."Is the car still stable? Is the car still easy to use and doesn't get dated soon? I think those are the very important factors when you design a car.”Fresh from claiming the title of EV of the Year at the World Car of the Year Awards, the Inster is due to launch in Australia by the middle of the year.

Genesis is finally ready to join the big names in the luxury car market, confirming plans to launch its first-ever sports coupe.

From sales darling to sales flop - Tesla is in trouble. The American electric brand needs to turn its fortunes around and hopes this updated Model Y can do it.We sample the refreshed electric SUV to find out if it can lift the brand out of its slump and back to its glory days.

Can you have too much of a good thing? Australians love utes and in recent years we’ve seen more and more brands look to capitalise on that, but it may not be a case of the more the merrier.

Hyundai Australia may still be waiting for a ute, but it just got the next best thing - a rugged, Toyota LandCruiser-rivaling SUV.Unveiled overnight at the 2025 New York International Auto Show, the Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro is the most off-road capable model the South Korean brand has ever offered in Australia. Due to launch locally in early 2026 as a fully-fledged member of the new Palisade line-up (rather than an option pack like the Santa Fe XRT), this new model features a raft of off-road-focused enhancements.There’s a unique grille, with a unique lower bumper that incorporates twin, chassis-mounted tow hooks, as well as creating more ground clearance for an improved approach angle of 20.5-degrees. New side skirts and a similar treatment to the rear bumper improve the departure and breakover angles to 22.4 and 18.3 degrees, respectively. Underneath there is a new XRT Pro-exclusive rear electronic limited-slip differential for better off-road capability as well as downhill brake control and new terrain modes for mud, sand and snow. There’s also real-time pitch and roll, compass and elevation displays and a new camera at the front to provide a clear view of the road ahead when you’re off-road and can’t see over the bonnet.However, aside from a ride height increase, to give the Palisade XRT Pro 213mm of ground clearance, the suspension is unchanged from the rest of the Palisade range. This is also partly helped by the new all-terrain tyres that wrap around the 18-inch off-road styled alloy wheels.Under the bonnet the XRT Pro is exclusively available with a 214kW/252Nm 3.5-litre V6 naturally aspirated petrol engine. This is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission and Hyundai’s all-wheel-drive system.Speaking at the New York reveal, Olabisi Boyle, Senior Vice President of Product Planning and Mobility Strategy for Hyundai Motor North America, explained the reasoning that went into developing the XRT Pro."The 2026 Palisade XRT Pro is for people doing it all - raising families, chasing goals, showing up every day,” Boyle said.“We built this SUV by putting people first - thinking about real lives, real needs. It’s got space for your crew, capability when the road gets rough, and the kind of comfort, style, and efficiency that proves luxury doesn’t have to come with a luxury price.“We wanted to deliver a vehicle where affordability can meet lifestyle - no matter where off-road you want to go."Hyundai Australia has confirmed other versions of the new Palisade will go on sale in late 2025, starting with the new 192kW hybrid powertrain variant. The XRT Pro will follow soon after, in early 2026, with pricing and final specifications expected to be announced closer to them going on sale.