We publish a ton of automotive information tales in the course of the working week, and it may be robust to maintain up with every thing – which is the rationale behind this weekend listing.
In brief, listed here are some key articles from our information desk since Monday of this week summarised, simply in case you missed them on the time.
Truck driver shares secret behind inexperienced stickers on NSW, QLD and VIC roads
Ever questioned what these inexperienced stickers imply on highway-side reflector posts in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria?
The ‘3-2-1 inexperienced reflectors’ had been initially created for truck drivers to help with quick cease factors the place drivers can test their cargo or pull over for a small relaxation if they’re drained.
The initiative was began by highway security advocate and truck driver Rod Hannifey.
FULL STORY: What do these inexperienced stickers on roadside posts imply?
Toyota predicts robust 2023, regardless of Q1 share drop
Toyota stays the best-selling model in Australia, however its market share has taken a giant hit in 2023 as provide struggles proceed to chunk.
Up to now in 2023 it’s bought 40,918 vehicles in Australia, representing a 15.2 per cent share of the market. That’s down on the 22.1 per cent share it held on the similar level in 2022.
The Supra sports activities coupe, LandCruiser wagon, and Kluger household SUV are the one Toyota fashions to develop their gross sales year-to-date, with the Camry (-60.9 per cent), RAV4 (-44.2 per cent), Prado (-57.5 per cent) and C-HR (-46.5 per cent) the largest losers
FULL STORY: Toyota predicts robust 2023, regardless of Q1 share drop
Toyota shifts focus away from hydrogen fuel-cell automobiles
Toyota has lengthy talked up the position of hydrogen fuel-cell automobiles (FCEVs) in its future lineup, hinting they may at some point change into ubiquitous as hybrids are proper now.
These aspirations appear to be lifeless, with the corporate shifting its focus in the direction of electrical automobiles (EVs) for passenger vehicles, with work on gasoline cells focussing on medium- and heavy-duty vans.
Final week in his first speech as Toyota’s CEO, Koji Sato stated, “For FCEVs, we’ll pursue mass manufacturing centered on business automobiles”.
FULL STORY: Are hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles on the best way out at Toyota?
New Mini Cooper EV revealed
Blink and also you may miss the modifications, however that is the most recent Mini.
The newest pictures of the brand new Mini Cooper EV reveal it should function an evolutionary exterior design atop its all-new underpinnings, as has been the norm for the model underneath BMW possession.
Outsized, spherical headlights function up entrance, and the closed-over grille has a form not too dissimilar to that of the present petrol-powered mannequin.
FULL STORY: 2024 Mini Cooper EV: Electrical metropolis automotive revealed
Hyundai plans to be high three EV producer by 2030
The Hyundai Motor Group, which incorporates the Hyundai, Kia and Genesis manufacturers, desires to change into one of many high three electrical automobile (EV) producers on the earth by 2030.
The corporate plans to attain this by investing KRW 24 trillion (AU$27.3 billion) within the South Korean EV trade by means of its subsidiaries.
This funding will develop the annual EV manufacturing in South Korea to 1.51 million models and international quantity to three.64 million models by 2030.
FULL STORY: Hyundai desires to be a world electrical automotive chief by 2030
Queensland licence holders might have to take refresher course to resume licence
Queensland drivers might quickly be pressured to take a highway guidelines refresher course earlier than they will renew their licence.
The Transport and Foremost Roads Minister for Queensland, Mark Bailey MP, says the Queensland Authorities is looking for suggestions on the proposal as a part of a broader plan to introduce new measures based mostly on its a highway security summit from earlier this 12 months.
The Palaszczuk Authorities is contemplating 10 new measures to cut back the Queensland highway toll this 12 months, after the state recorded its highest fatality fee on the roads in 13 years – with 300 individuals shedding their lives in 2022.
FULL STORY: Queenslanders going through highway rule take a look at earlier than licence renewals
MG to supply a sports activities automotive as soon as once more with electrical Cyberster convertible
The production-spec MG Cyberster has been revealed because of a Chinese language authorities submitting, which has additionally supplied some key specs.
The Chinese language Ministry of Business and Info Know-how submitting lists a single-motor rear-wheel drive powertrain with 231kW of peak energy, in addition to a dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain boasting a front-axle motor with peak energy of 150kW and a rear-axle motor with peak energy of 250kW.
Prime velocity is 193km/h within the single-motor variant and 200km/h within the dual-motor variant.
FULL STORY: MG Cyberster: China’s electrical Boxster revealed
BMW XM Label Pink pricing introduced
BMW has priced the most popular variations of its new XM plug-in hybrid efficiency SUV forward of a neighborhood launch within the fourth quarter of 2023.
The BMW XM Label Pink is priced from $344,200 earlier than on-road prices, with the XM Label Pink Version beginning at $349,900 earlier than on-roads.
For context, the usual XM – due right here within the first half of 2023 – is priced at $297,900 earlier than on-roads. You possibly can take a look at our full worth and specs article for that mannequin right here.
FULL STORY: 2024 BMW XM Label Pink worth and specs
Lexus eyeing LM individuals mover for Australia
The Mercedes-Benz V-Class may lastly be getting a rival from one other luxurious model.
CarExpert understands the next-generation Lexus LM, set to be revealed at this month’s Shanghai motor present, can be one in all three new Lexus fashions coming to Australia by mid-2024.
Lexus stated earlier this 12 months every of the three fashions would sit in “new segments” for the model.
The corporate calls the LM an “L-Sequence flagship”, very like its LS sedan, LC coupe and convertible and LX SUV.
FULL STORY: Lexus mulling hybrid individuals mover for Australia
EV Council: “Zero excuse” for Australia to not comply with stricter guidelines like US
The Electrical Automobile Council has criticised the Albanese Authorities for being gradual in rolling out an electrical automobile coverage and gasoline effectivity rules.
The remarks come following the reveal of more durable emissions rules by the US Environmental Safety Company (EPA), which the company expects will see electrical automobiles (EVs) account for 67 per cent of recent light-duty automobile gross sales and 46 per cent of recent medium-duty automobile gross sales by 2032.
The Electrical Automobile Council has once more criticised Australia for being one of many solely developed nations on earth with none gasoline effectivity requirements, and warned our standing as being a “dumping floor for dated, high-emission automobiles” can be “cemented” if the Albanese Authorities doesn’t transfer swiftly.
FULL STORY: EV Council: “Zero excuse” for Australia to not comply with more durable guidelines like US
BYD delays launch till inventory provide is healthier
BYD’s native distributor EVDirect says it doesn’t need to endlessly tease its upcoming vehicles, and as an alternative desires robust provide of automobiles nearly instantly after they’re launched.
Pricing and specs for the brand new BYD Dolphin, the model’s entry-level electrical hatchback, can be introduced round June, with deliveries to start inside a month or two after.
The BYD Seal, a rival for the Tesla Mannequin 3, can be formally launched within the fourth quarter of this 12 months. Once more, deliveries will start inside 1-2 months of this announcement.
FULL STORY: BYD received’t launch new electrical vehicles till provide is correct