Articles by Tim Nicholson

There’s a lot of attention paid to the rise of Chinese auto brands in Australia and their ever-increasing market share.Brands like BYD, Chery, GWM, MG and newer marques like Deepal, Geely, JAC, Leapmotor and Zeekr have collectively taken a bite out of the sales of some long-standing brands.But it’s not all doom and gloom for the more established, non-Chinese makes. In fact, a number of them are performing quite well on the sales charts so far this year.However, it’s not mainstream legacy brands that are on the up. In fact, a lot of the top-10 brands are treading water.With the exception of Fiat Professional, whose sales are up by 120 per cent this year, all of the other brands experiencing strong growth in 2025 are exotic, premium or semi-premium offerings.One of the semi-premium brands doing well in 2025 is Cupra. Volkswagen Group’s Spanish performance specialist has seen its overall sales shoot up by 35 per cent so far in 2025 after a slower 2024.While a couple of its models - the ageing Ateca SUV and the Leon small hatchback - have gone backwards on the sales charts, the striking Formentor SUV has increased by 54.8 per cent in 2025. At 469 sales so far, it’s not a massive number but it represents a big uptick for a newish name.The Born EV is also up this year by 24.2 per cent, while the only just arrived Tavascan electric SUV is expected to further boost Cupra’s sales thanks to keen pricing and sharp design. Facelifted versions of the Leon and Formentor arriving this year should only help Cupra’s upward trajectory.Mini is another semi-premium brand having an excellent 2025. The BMW-owned marque’s sales are up by 69.4 per cent so far (1394 versus 823 units). And it’s largely thanks to one model.The new-gen Countryman SUV has proven to be a massive hit, recording 553 sales which equates to a 369 per cent increase on Q1 last year. As well as enjoying positive media reviews, buyers have clearly warmed to the new Countryman’s more family-friendly dimensions, new tech and the option of petrol and fully-electric powertrains.Of course the Cooper hatch remains the brand’s top seller, with petrol and electric versions combining for a total of 634 sales, up 29.7 per cent.It might not be a premium brand in its US home market, but in Australia, Chevrolet takes a more upscale position as it only sells high-end, full-size pick-ups and sports cars.That strategy is clearly working because Chevrolet sales are up by 12.8 per cent so far in 2025, on the back of interest in the Corvette sports car. Z06 sales are up 250 per cent and the Stingray has increased by 50 per cent. The Silverado 1500 truck is the biggest seller with 627 sold in 2025, up by 14.4 per cent.Two of Australia’s most popular premium brands are also having a good year - Lexus and Mercedes-Benz.What’s interesting about Lexus is that its growth is mostly down to the compact LBX SUV. The little crossover has recorded a massive 353 per cent increase on its Q1 2024 tally with 598 sales.The LBX is easily outselling its slightly larger UX sibling and is just ahead of the aforementioned Cupra Forementor (469 sales) and Mini Countryman (553), but trailing the Audi Q3 (676) in the premium small SUV segment.The Toyota Prado-based GX large SUV is Lexus’ other solid performer with 285 sales.Mercedes is having an exceptional start to the year with a 31 per cent boost thanks to big sales increases on a number of its model lines.Key models having a good year include the E-Class (+223 per cent) and S-Class (+300 per cent) sedans, GLA (+139.2 per cent), GLC (+82.5 per cent) and GLS (+72.6 per cent) SUVs and EVs like the EQB (+270 per cent).Despite double-digit sales drops for most of its Range Rover models - Range Rover, Evoque and Velar - Land Rover has seen strong interest in the Defender (+61.2 per cent) and the Discovery Sport (+57 per cent) for a Q1 boost of 13 per cent.As is often the case in harsh economic times, the top end of town is sailing through unaffected. That is evident in sales of exotic brands in Australia, which are largely in positive territory.Rolls-Royce may have small volumes, but sales are up by 111 per cent this year, while sports car brands like Aston Martin (+34.1 per cent), Ferrari (+7.4 per cent), Lamborghini (+78.3 per cent) and McLaren (+100 per cent) are all well in front of the year prior.

Chinese commercial vehicle brand LDV is being taken to court by Australia’s competition and consumer watchdog over claims its cars are not reliable or tough.The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) today issued a media release detailing its claims against LDV which is distributed in Australia through private importer, Ateco Automotive.The importer has responded, saying it has tried to work with the ACCC and that the legal actions are “disappointing”.The claims relate to the T60 pick-up (but not the electric eT60) and G10 mid-size delivery vans built in China.The ACCC says between April 2019 and November 2024, LDV made “misleading representations” to consumers about the two models, with the company claiming they were “durable and tough, and that they were suitable for use in, near, or on, a variety of environments and off-road terrains”.The ACCC alleges in its claim that the two models are prone to rust or corrosion within five years of the date of manufacture and that as a result, the T60 and G10 were “not durable and tough”.It’s alleged the models are more likely to rust when they are housed near or on particular terrains and environments.According to the ACCC, LDV advertised the G10 and T60 online, on television, radio and social media in environments like beaches, lakes, rivers, unsealed and gravel roads and terrain.The ACCC also alleges “false or misleading representations” by LDV in advertising a 10-year anti-corrosion warranty for the T60, given the ute did have a propensity to rust or corrode.Further, the ACCC alleges LDV was aware of the T60 and G10 rust and corrosion issues by April 2019 and that LDV’s representations of the models were false or misleading as the brand didn’t have a basis to make such representations.LDV received more than 5000 complaints from G10 and T60 customers about rust or corrosion between January 2018 and November 2024.ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said a new car is a “significant financial purchase” and buyers should expect the product to live up to its advertised promise.“We allege that despite being aware of the propensity for the vehicles to rust, LDV continued to make representations for a number of years that the T60 and G10 vehicles were durable and suitable for use in a variety of terrains,” Cass-Gottlieb said.“As a result, we allege that LDV’s conduct is likely to have caused harm to affected consumers, including because the propensity for rust or corrosion lowered the value of their vehicles, and because consumers lost the opportunity to make an informed decision that may have involved purchasing an alternative vehicle that did not carry the same risks.”In a statement, LDV Australia said it acknowledged the announcement by the ACCC.LDV Australia General Manager Dinesh Chinnappa said the company would defend itself against the allegations.“For 18 months LDV Australia has been engaged in good faith discussions with the Commission in an attempt to resolve its concerns, and to provide remedies to consumers. It is disappointing this process has ended in these legal proceedings.“LDV Australia takes its obligations under Australian Consumer Law seriously, and we look forward to defending the ACCC’s allegations in court.”According to the ACCC, LDV has sold a combined total of 60,000 examples of the G10 and T60 in Australia between 2018 and 2024.The ACCC is seeking “penalties, declarations, consumer redress, costs and other orders”.

MG might have only been a popular mainstream brand for a few years, but the bullish carmaker is intent on being a top-three brand in Australia quite soon.

Behold, Australia’s most expensive Toyota!

Nissan Australia has finally given its ageing Y62 Patrol the update fans have been asking for for years.The big V8-powered off-roader finally gains the interior update that was rolled out in its key market, the Middle East, back in 2021.Aussie buyers have been forced to wait four long years for this upgrade to land.Nissan did add a much-needed 10.1 inch touchscreen to the Patrol a year ago, but that was essentially a head unit replacement that Nissan developed with local company Directed Technologies to bring to the model.This latest interior upgrade will roll out to the regular Patrol Ti and Ti-L, as well as the hardcore Premcar-tuned Patrol Warrior.It’s likely to be the final major update before the arrival of the highly anticipated Y63 Patrol in late 2026.So what does the 2025 Nissan Patrol update usher in?The SUV gets a redesigned centre console and centre stack and the headline feature is a new 12.3-inch digital multimedia display that now sits at the top of the dash.This new screen includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and you can access the menu via buttons on the steering wheel or controls near the screen itself.The new tech helps to modernise the interior of the Y62 Patrol which has been on sale globally since 2010, and Australia since early 2013.It also gains a wireless device charger, a new 7.0-inch digital driver display showing speed, efficiency and nav instructions as well as the Patrol’s 'Off-Road Monitor'.The trim has been given a refresh, too, with the option of a more minimalist black leather-accented layout, or what Nissan describes as a more premium chestnut treatment, featuring woodgrain flourishes on the dash and door and quilted leather-accented seats.Stepping up into the pricier Patrol Ti-L will net you a 13-speaker Bose audio system, a digital rear view mirror and a cooled centre console box.The Patrol Warrior gets all of the cabin updates and also gains black side steps.Nissan has trimmed down the colour palette for the 2025 Patrol but a new ‘Desert Red Metallic’ joins ‘Gun Metallic’, ‘Moonstone White’, ‘Brilliant Silver’ and ‘Black Obsidian’.Pricing has only increased marginally, with the Patrol Ti up by $1340 to $90,600, before on-road costs, while the Ti-L has only risen by $140 to $102,100.The off-road-focused Patrol Warrior is also only up by $140 to $105,660, BOC.In contrast, its Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series rival ranges in price from $96,991 all the way up to $145,791.The Patrol continues to be offered with Nissan’s big 298kW/560Nm Petrol V8 driving all four wheels via a seven-speed auto transmission. It’s also available with Nissan’s new 10-year/300,000km warranty which is conditional on the vehicle only being serviced by authorised Nissan dealers.Nissan is experiencing strong sales for Patrol towards the end of the current model’s life, with 1853 units finding homes to the end of March this year, which is ahead of the LandCruiser’s haul of 904 units.

Mazda seems back on track in 2025 for a bumper sales year.

The world's most popular nameplate is still Australia's most popular small passenger car. The current-generation Toyota Corolla hatchback is getting on now, but is it still a solid offering in a sea of small SUVs?

MG will continue to sell the previous-generation ZST in Australia alongside the freshly launched second-gen version of the ZS small SUV.The plan is to ensure MG still captures buyers at the most affordable end of the new car market as some of its newer generation models have increased in price.The new ZS range landed in November 2024 in hybrid guise and has since expanded to include naturally aspirated (NA) petrol and turbo-petrol grades. Pricing ranges from $26,990 drive-away for the Excite up to $40,217 drive-away for the Hybrid+ Essence.At the moment, the ZST Vibe is available for just $23,888, drive-away, which makes it the most affordable SUV available in Australia right now.However, this is only temporary and the keen pricing will end by April 30.The ZST’s limited drive-away price undercuts a number of affordable small SUV rivals, including the recently launched Chery Tiggo 4 Pro which at $23,990, drive-away, was the cheapest SUV on the market from launch.It also beats the Suzuki Ignis which is $24,490, drive-away, the Kia Stonic from $25,660, before on-road costs, and the Hyundai Venue from $22,750, before on-road costs, but that’s for the manual.Given on-road costs can add up to $3000 to the cost of a car, the MG is the cheapest.Those rivals are also a size smaller than the ZST and compete in the light SUV segment. Direct small SUV competitors that can’t match the MG ZST price include the GWM Haval Jolion (from $26,990, drive-away), the Chery Omoda 5 (from $27,990, drive-away) and the recently discontinued Mitsubishi ASX (from $26,240, drive-away).This isn’t the first time MG Motor Australia has offered two versions of the same model at the same time.When the first-gen ZS facelift launched back in 2020, it was dubbed the ZST to differentiate it from the original ZS, which remained on sale all the way up until the arrival of the second-gen car late last year.Back then the ZS was the cheap and cheerful option for those that didn’t want to stretch to the ZST.When asked by CarsGuide how long the ZST would remain on sale alongside the new ZS, MG Motor Australia CEO Peter Ciao said, “This is up to the market.”Ciao added the company adopted the same strategy as the ZS to ZST plan from a few years back, based on the principle that “people need a good, affordable priced car”.He said due to the cost of living crisis and lack of significant movement on interest rates, it was important to ensure MG still offered its buyers affordable options.The MG ZST Vibe is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine delivering 84kW/150Nm, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) driving the front wheels.It comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, six-speaker audio, 10.1-inch multimedia touchscreen with built-in sat-nav and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, manually-adjustable synthetic leather front seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and an extensive list of standard safety features.

Fresh from its Australian debut at the Melbourne Motor Show, Chinese commercial vehicle specialist Foton has revealed initial details for its Tunland ute series for this market.The Tunland had its local debut just after fellow Chinese brand MG held the global debut for its U9 pick-up.If the name Foton is familiar, it could be for a couple of reasons. Foton is a successful light truck maker in China and has recently launched its Aumark S range here.Another reason for the familiarity could be that Foton launched the original Tunland ute in Australia back in 2012, but poor safety scores, lack of brand recognition and quality issues hampered the brand’s expansion plans.Not that Foton’s local management is too concerned about the first time the brand had a presence here, with Foton Australia General Manager Glen Cooper highlighting the brand's backing from Subaru, Peugeot and Deepal importer Inchcape, telling CarsGuide, “I think we have got a fantastic product. It is well and truly a step up on what it used to be. I think I am pretty safe in saying that.  "And we are backed by Inchcape this time around. We are doing all the right things to really set it up right so I think we should be in a good spot,” he said.There are two versions of the Tunland coming to Australia - the Tunland V7 which the brand describes as a “no nonsense workhorse” that’s available in two- and four-wheel drive. The Tunland V9 has coil-spring suspension that Foton says gives the ute “SUV like comfort”.The pair will arrive in the third quarter of the year and Foton says it expects them to be competitively priced, although exact pricing is yet to be confirmed.Both utes are powered by a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-diesel engine paired with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, producing 120kW/450Nm. It comes with an eight-speed ZF-sourced automatic and fuel use is yet to be announced for Australia.The pair will sport a 3500kg towing capacity and come with an advanced BorgWarner electronic selectable 4WD system.In terms of dimensions, the Tunland V7 and V9 are a size up from mainstream mid-size utes like the Ford Ranger (5370mm long) and Toyota HiLux (5325mm long), but not quite as large as US-sized pick-ups such as the Ford F-150 (5884mm long).Specification is yet to be announced but expect a 14.6-inch touchscreen, intelligent cabin tech, matrix LED headlights, four-way power seat adjustment and leather upholstery.The Tunland will compete with a number of utes, including the upcoming MG U9, as well as the Ford Ranger, GWM Cannon and Cannon Alpha, Isuzu D-Max, Mazda BT-50, Mitsubishi Triton, Toyota HiLux and more.Cooper said there’s likely more new product on the horizon from the returning Chinese brand.“There’s an excellent product catalogue we are looking at overseas, so we will see what comes from that as well,” he said.

The long-awaited replacement for the top-selling MG ZS EV has been detailed ahead of its imminent arrival in Australian showrooms.Dubbed the MGS5 EV, the new small EV replaces the affordable ZS EV that sold in significant numbers for the Chinese giant. Interested buyers can register their interest now and the new model will go on sale in May.MG is yet to confirm pricing for the MGS5 EV, but it is expected to be more expensive than the model it replaces. Earlier this year in runout the ZS EV was down to $36,888 drive-away for both model grades, but the regular pricing started around $45,000 drive-away.MG also has the mechanically-related MG4 small hatchback in its stable which is priced from about $41,000 drive-away. But being an SUV, the MGS5 EV is expected to also be popular with buyers.In Australia the MGS5 EV will be offered in two battery sizes and two distinct model grades, meaning there are four options for buyers. The battery sizes are 49kWh and 62kWh, with the Excite and Essence spec available for both.According to MG, the WLTP driving range for the 49kWh is 340Km for the Excite and 335km for the Essence. While the 62kWh offers 430km in Excite and 425km in Essence guise.Energy efficiency is rated between 16.6 to 17.7kWh/100km, which is not far off the outgoing ZS EV.The 0-100km/h time ranges from 8.0 to 8.6 seconds, depending on the grade.The rear-wheel drive EV has a motor that pumps out 125kW/250Nm and it offers one pedal driving with three levels of regenerative braking.It has a 6.6kW onboard charger and can boost the battery from 30 to 80 per cent in 19 minutes on a fast charger, according to MG. The maximum DC charging on the 49kWh is 120kW increasing to 150kW for the 62kWh.The MGS5 EV is larger in most dimensions than the ZS EV, except for height. But the 2730mm wheelbase is 145mm longer than the old EV. It also has a thin battery to liberate more room inside.Standard gear in the Excite grades includes 17-inch alloy wheels, fabric seats, manually adjustable seats, single zone climate control, keyless entry and start, vehicle-to-load functionality, 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, heated door mirrors, four-speaker audio, 12.8-inch multimedia screen with DAB+ digital radio, wireless and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and sat nav.The Essence adds a wireless device charger, voice control, a six-speaker audio, rear privacy glass, rain-sensing wipers, panoramic power sunroof, leather steering wheel, synthetic leather/cloth seats, power adjustable driver’s seat, heated steering wheel, power tailgate, and 18-inch alloys.