We publish a lot of car news during the work week and it can be difficult to keep everything up to date – that’s the underlying reason behind this weekend’s list.
In a nutshell, here are some of the key articles from our news desk from this Monday summarized, in case you missed them at the time.
Sales are at… and they’re not pretty
Australian new car sales plummeted 12.2% in April compared with the same month in 2021, as supply constraints continue to take their toll.
VFACTS sales data shows sales of 81,065 new vehicles in April, with monthly sales falling across all states and territories. Year-to-date (YTD) is at the one-third mark of the calendar year, with sales of 343,501 units, a modest decrease of 3.5% compared to the beginning of the year.
Toyota leads the market with a total of 17,956 vehicles sold and accounts for 22.2% of the market share. Mazda came in second (7378), ahead of Mitsubishi (6463), Kia (6180) and Hyundai (5552).
FULL STORY: VFACTS, car sales number April 2022
Jeep Grand Cherokee Series To Plug In
The new WL-series Jeep Grand Cherokee has the option of the first three rows of seats on the nameplate, however, buyers who don’t need seven seats will have to wait.
The new two-row Grand Cherokee won’t arrive until Q4 2022, with a plug-in hybrid 4xe version due in Q1 2023.
The 4xe will be the first plug-in hybrid Grand Cherokee and will only be available in a shorter, two-row body, rather than a three-row L.
Deliveries to customers of the new Grand Cherokee L will begin around June 1.
FULL STORY: Jeep Grand Cherokee 5 seats launched in late 2022, PHEV early 2023
Nissan Australia showrooms are getting more and more glamorous
The never-ending supply chain means Nissan Australia compressed the launch of four key all-new models in the second half of 2022.
The company this week reiterated its plans to roll out next-generation, new-look versions of Qashqai small SUVs, X-Trail Midsize SUV (revealed June 2020), and Pathfinder Large SUV from July to December.
Moreover, it will attract enthusiasts with new Z hypeDeliveries will begin mid-year.
That means that from 2023, Nissan Australia will move from one of the oldest product lines among the major brands, to one of the newest.
FULL STORY: Nissan Australia showrooms are about to get much newer
EV replacement labor details, hydrogen plan
The Federal Labor Opposition (ALP) has said it will contribute to a “truly national” electric vehicle (EV) charging network that will allow people to travel across the country in their electric vehicles.
The pledge is part of a broader ‘Strengthening the Nation’ ALP fund, which is claimed to be worth $500 million but needs a little spending, with a focus on driving electric vehicle uptake as well as supporting Hydrogen refueling infrastructure for freight transport.
This $500 million pledge, if made after a hypothetical Labor election victory, would be more than double the government’s $250 million Future Fuels and Vehicles Strategy. The incumbent government was announced last year, details this.
FULL STORY: Labor opposes details of EV, hydrogen grid funding plan
Used cars still cost like a bomb
Used car prices in Australia continue to soar as supply chain pressures upset carmakers.
According to Moody’s Analytics, used passenger car prices increased 18% in the first quarter of 2022, while commercial vehicle prices increased 16% year-on-year.
The Australian used car market’s wholesale prices are now up 65% from pre-pandemic levels.
The same factors that force new car buyers to wait up to 12 months for some models in demand are responsible for the spike in used car prices.
FULL STORY: Used car prices in Australia continue to break records
No-tail nib
Who said full-size sedans are dead? The Kia Stinger will grow strongly in 2022, up 203.8% in April and up 53.3% so far this year.
Had 316 pcs registered throughout April, accounting for 80.0% of mainstream “Large Passenger” sales, as defined by the industry database VFACTS.
As of now (YTD), Stinger has returned 943 signups through April 30, marking a 53.3% improvement over the same period in 2021.
Speaking to CarExpert, Kia Australia’s director of product planning, Roland Rivero, said the company continues to work through the Stinger’s pile of pre-orders, with “still a few months to go”.
FULL STORY: Kia Stinger increased by 200% in April, backlog of many months still
Subaru BRZ has reopened orders with increased prices
Subaru’s rear-wheel drive sports car is back to order, but those waiting will need to dig a little deeper into their piggy banks to secure one.
Prices are up across the BRZ range, unchanged from the 2022 model. Entry costs have risen above $40,000 before on-road transportation costs, while the tractor-trailer now starts above $45,000 in advance. when the road.
This time around, car allocations are not limited to Australia and existing orders are on track to be delivered in the third quarter of 2022. The first batch of 500 cars sold out shortly after orders opened. sell.
FULL STORY: Subaru BRZ 2023 price and specifications, orders reopen, prices increase
Great Wall’s Longer Load Receiver
Is GWM about to give its Ute Cannon a bigger brother? An eagle-eyed reader shared images of what appears to be testing the GWM King Kong Cannon on Australian roads.
A spokesman for GWM Haval said the King Kong Cannon was “still under research” for the Australian market. It is not uncommon for car manufacturers to test vehicles on Australian roads, even if they are not endorsed for our market.
Measuring 5635mm long, 1880mm wide and 1815mm high, King Kong Cannon is 200mm longer than GWM Ute is now available. It is closely associated with LDV T60 Mega Tubup to 5680mm in length.
FULL STORY: GWM King Kong Cannon Prince spy test in Australia
Cupra hot out of the block
All 50 models of the Cupra Formentor VZx Launch Edition have been sold. Cupra has confirmed the limited edition variant sold out “soon after going on sale online” mid-day yesterday.
The Formentor VZx Launch Edition is listed for $69,990 to drive, with extras usually optional – including an optional Brembo brake package, usually $4150. The crossover is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 228kW and 400Nm.
The Cupra product line received more than 9,000 expressions of interest prior to the start of sales in July, with the brand confirming Formentor accounting for the bulk. Next is the Born EV, the Volkswagen ID.3 version of the Spanish brand, which will launch “early 2023”.
THAN: 2022 Cupra Formentor VZx Launch Edition sold out
Nissan Z buyers line up
More than 1,000 Australians have booked at a dealership to buy a new Nissan Z – before the first batches go on sale here in mid-2022 and before the price is made public.
About 1000 pre-orders came from an odd group of 3000 people who submitted “expressions of interest”. Deposit amounts vary depending on the agent.
Nissan Australia also confirmed that it will reveal pricing for its new hit hero next week.
THAN: Nissan Z discount next week, 1000 people have already booked
Honda adds a third SUV
Honda Australia confirmed that they are planning to introduce third SUV model line in the next 12-18 months, bridge the gap between HR VUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU and CR-VAT.
Talk to CarExpert During an executive roundtable, Honda Australia director Stephen Collins said the new SUV – which has not yet been named – will offer five seats and more practicality than the new generation HR-V.
We also understand that it will be below the CR-V, which will soon launch a new generation, as previewed with leaked patent image this early year.
THAN: Honda confirms third SUV model for 2023, with hybrid option
