Celine Nolan

Thanks for joining us this Thursday, Could possibly maybe honest twenty ninth 2025. Severely in vehicle news this day: MG HS ‘Sizable Hybrid’ pricing and specs, Ssanyong title set up to pasture in Australia, and more.

Browse this order:

• MG HS ‘Sizable Hybrid’ pricing and specs printed
• KGM Ssanyong renamed as KGM Australia
• Kia Sportage face-rob pricing and specs
• Renault’s Alpine sub-division return to Australia
• Contemporary Hyundai Australia chief to reshape local technique

• Reviewed: 2025 GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV

Establish and specs printed for upcoming MG hurry-in SUV

• MG Australia has launched pricing and specs for its extremely anticipated HS hurry-in hybrid. The MG HS ‘graceful hybrid’ will formally commence later this twelve months in September.

• The MG HS Sizable Hybrid will commence with two vivid variants: the Excite from $52,990 driveaway and the Essence from $55,990 driveaway; a $17,000 top price over the outgoing combustion-most appealing MG HS Vibe ($35,888 force-away till Could possibly maybe honest 31 2025).

• The ‘graceful hybrid’ powertrain combines a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine with an electrical motor and 24.7kWh LFP battery. It completely sends energy to the entrance wheels, with a combined output of 220kW/350Nm.

• MG claims the diagram achieves a combined fuel financial system of roughly 5.0L/100km and combined vary of 1000km. EV-most appealing using is also carried out at speeds of 80km/h or decrease, with an EV-most appealing vary of 120km (WLTP).

Ssangyong title takes a bow in Australian rebranding

• KGM Ssangyong has determined to alternate its title (and image) in Australia, after a mediocre stillwater strive in local markets, which started in 1997.

• From the first of June, KGM Ssangyong will change into KGM Australia. The rebrand will most in all probability be headlined by an all-modern model, the KGM Actyon – a midsize SUV starting at $47,000 for the scandalous K50 variant.

• The Actyon is powered by a 120kW/280Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol, mated to a six-tempo veteran auto. Key facets consist of 20-trudge wheels, dual 12.3-trudge driver and infotainment displays, heated, cooled, and energy adjustable entrance seats, and a wealth of driver assistance and security facets.

• A selection-topping Actyon K60 is priced at $50,000 force-away and gains a 360-diploma digital camera, panoramic sunroof, and a wi-fi mobile phone charger.

Face-lifted Kia Sportage price and specs printed

• Kia Australia has detailed and priced its MY26 updates for the Sportage. The replace brings modern AWD hybrid variants, petrol drivetrain updates, and revised exterior and interior styling.

• Headlining the model replace are two modern AWD hybrid variants – a $49,450 (RRP) hybrid all-wheel force SX, and vary-topping $60,370 (RRP) hybrid all-wheel-force GT-Line. Each versions utilise a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine and six-tempo automatic.

• Additionally for powertrains, all turbo petrol and diesel powertrains will now grunt an eight-tempo veteran automatic, which replaces the outgoing dual-take hold of seven-tempo beforehand fitted to the 1.6T versions.

• The modern Sportage facets a refreshed entrance stay, modern headlights and grille, and a revised ear bumper. Inner, the Sportage gains a 12.3-trudge infotainment conceal, two-spoke guidance wheel, plus varied feature upgrades.

READ: 2026 Kia Sportage expands hybrid approach to ache Toyota RAV4 more challenging

Alpine returns to Oz! Renault subdivision re-launches with crossover EV

• Renault’s top price sub-division Alpine is giving the Australian market one more shot. Alpine’s closing strive, which started in 2018, lasted four years sooner than in reality fizzling out in 2022.

• Spearheading Alpine’s return to Australia is a modern flagship – the Alpine A390 crossover SUV. It facets three electrical motors, and delivers a total output of 345kW/808Nm in the vary topping GTS vivid, or 295kW/650Nm in the scandalous GT guise.

• The all-electrical A390 uses an 89kWh lithium-ion battery, producing a combined vary between 520-555km (WLTP, area to wheel size). Peak DC charging is 190kW, which is anticipated to reveal a rapid 15-80 p.c alternate in 25 minutes.

• Key opponents to the Alpine A390 consist of the $128,400 (list) Porsche Macan EV, $91,000 (list) BMW iX3, and $ninety nine,900 (list) Audi Q6 E-tron. Alpine has no longer yet printed decent pricing for both model variant.

Contemporary Hyundai Australia chief to reshape local technique

• Contemporary Hyundai Australia chief executive Don Romano has issued stark warnings about the viability of upstart brands flooding the market, calling them “a huge risk” to patrons and likening the 2d to the early-1900s US auto increase, when many nameplates vanished. Hyundai, Romano says, gives certainty: “we’re going to be there.”

• Romano ruled out chasing low costs, as an alternative backing Hyundai’s fame for reliability, sturdy dealer beef up and parts availability—insisting these attributes elaborate Australians paying more for Hyundai’s automobiles than Chinese opponents.

• Hyundai is at the 2d successfully-positioned under Australia’s Contemporary Vehicle Effectivity Customary (NVES) prison guidelines, thanks to its sturdy hybrid and EV vary, while Toyota and Mazda are “in anxiety” under the modern emissions caps, Romano talked about, providing a risk for Hyundai to grab market share.

• With no ute dragging up its CO2 emissions moderate, Hyundai can also steer definite of NVES fines this twelve months. However Romano confirmed a dual-cab is coming — but he wants it to be a hybrid or PHEV to withhold the tag’s low-CO2 location.

• Hyundai’s sales beget fallen 25 p.c accurate by technique of the final decade. Romano has a temporary from global Hyundai president Jose Munoz to reverse the hunch, no longer by returning to heavy discounting or lickety-split presents, but by investing in tag energy and clean increase in a market now overwhelmed by better than 70 competing brands.

READ: Hyundai boss calls modern brands “a huge risk”, Toyota and Mazda “in huge anxiety”

GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV 2025 reviewed

• Chasing Cars four-wheel force boulevard tester Evan Spence’s evaluate of the 2025 GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV became once published, at the side of assessments of its precise-world EV most appealing using vary, and a total off-roading evaluation.

• Spence praised the Cannon Alpha for its five-link coil-sprung rear stay, and ambitious off-boulevard capability, in particular in the vary topper, which adds entrance and rear diff locks.

• On-boulevard, Spence felt the hurry-in Cannon Alpha became once out of its comfort zone. Its unpredictable throttle response and gentle-weight guidance gave the PHEV ute an unfinished feeling.

• The Cannon Alpha PHEV seriously contends with the broadly acclaimed Shark 6, surpassing its capability when drivers fade out of tarmac. At $62,990 driveaway, the Cannon Alpha will most in all probability be the crown king of PHEV 4×4 utes in Oz. We can beget to take a seat down up straight for the Ford Ranger PHEV to free as much as know for definite.

READ: GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV 2025 evaluation: Australian first force

The next order of Car Recordsdata As of late will most in all probability be published on Friday thirtieth Could possibly maybe honest at 4.30pm Sydney time.

Hyundai Motor Firm Australia (HMCA) chief govt officer Don Romano can also most effective have been in living of business for seven weeks – however the Canadian-born with 40 years within the automobile alternate is establishing a recognition for straight talk in phrases of rival brands.

Romano is the major non-Korean to be appointed CEO at HMCA. Previously chief govt of Hyundai Canada, Romano used to be hand-picked by worldwide Hyundai president Jose Munoz to attend for 3 years in Australia.

Top of Romano’s list is reversing HMCA’s leisurely sales decline from over 100,000 annual sales to spherical 75,000 – and his priorities are inserting launch plans in motion for a twin-cab ute, constructing vendor self belief, and spending more to market why Australians can also light aquire a Hyundai.

Australian contemporary automobile patrons are if truth be told smartly-conversant in an onslaught of up to the moment objects from contemporary and irregular brands – heaps of them from China, and most of which undercut legacy manufacturers like Hyundai on worth.

In a huge-ranging interview with Chasing Autos, Romano dispensed with the premise that Hyundai will likely be ready to reduce prices to undercut Chinese autos in Australia and published that he shall be backing within the South Korean producer’s recognition for quality and certainty.

New brands “a huge risk” as many gained’t remaining, Romano claims

In the context of the launch of the Hyundai Inster limited electrical SUV, which retails for $39,000 plus on-boulevard expenses in Australia when the bigger and more extremely effective MG4 hatch is generally equipped for $35,000 driveaway, we requested Romano – why tell more on a Hyundai?

“Why? Because it’s the peace of mind that we’re going to be there,” Romano acknowledged, sooner than pointing to terminate parallels to the early 20^th century.

“All these brands aren’t going so that you just can succeed. There used to be a proliferation of vehicle brands within the US when the alternate first started. Names like Plymouth and Pontiac no longer exist. I’m in a position to guarantee that every one these brands you gape, they don’t appear to be all going to remaining.

“That represents a huge risk (to the patron),” Romano acknowledged. “Who goes to be there when the auto breaks down? What is it going to be worth? With Hyundai, you know. We’re the fourth-largest producer on this planet and…we’re going to be there within the long hunch.”

Toyota and Mazda are “in effort” below NVES emissions licensed pointers

Sooner than joining Hyundai Canada in January 2014, Romano worked at Mazda – where he used to be instrumental in that Japanese tag’s smartly-identified ‘Zoom-Zoom’ advertising campaign as US chief advertising officer. The Canadian has furthermore been an govt at Nissan.

The 40-300 and sixty five days light of legacy manufacturers has a solid deem about about how Australia’s two most effective-selling carmakers will fare below Australia’s New Automobile Emissions In style (NVES) licensed pointers – and the prognosis is rarely any longer correct.

Romano thinks Hyundai has an correct shot at weathering life below the spectre of NVES and his eyes are verbalize on Toyota.

“My design is to peep forward thru the windshield, no longer the rearview replicate. I peep at Toyota. I spent an correct segment of my life with Mazda. They’re furthermore forward of us. Nonetheless each and every of them are in effort with the NVES.

“Unless (the NVES) adjustments, there are going to be some adjustments within the market. I don’t must be one of the well-known adjustments that’s on the imperfect side. I deem we can pause on the right kind side.”

NVES licensed pointers have been offered by the Albanese Labor govt which used to be re-elected this month, firming expectations amongst senior carmaker executives (alongside side Romano) that the policy will dwell in living and can also light no longer be watered down extra.

NVES penalises carmakers that promote too many excessive-CO2 autos in a given 300 and sixty five days – but penalties might well perchance perchance furthermore be fully offset if a producer sells satisfactory low-emission autos goal like EVs, PHEVs, and complete hybrids.

Romano used to be animated to remind Chasing Autos that Hyundai is number-two for sales of hybrid autos in Australia – within the abet of Toyota – and that it furthermore sells a if truth be told intensive series of fat EVs within the neighborhood, where Toyota is struggling globally.

“(Hyundai Australia) is on the total one of the well-known higher-shaped companies in phrases of NVES compliance. That’s no longer to disclose we’re in big form—no company is until you most effective develop EVs—but we’re in a living that now we have some of essentially the most effective form,” Romano told media.

Key lieutenant Andrew Tuitahi, HMCA director of promoting and product, confirmed that “this 300 and sixty five days, (Hyundai is) attempting correct” for warding off a penalty below NVES. 2025 limits are 141g/km for autos and SUVs and 210g/km for light business autos (alongside side most utes).

Hyundai does no longer for the time being have a ute dragging up its ‘fast common’ CO2 emissions within the formulation most other mainstream manufacturers produce—one thing that hinders Hyundai’s total sales volume but affords it big help in assembly the NVES CO2 limits.

Romano plans to solidify plans to launch a Hyundai twin-cab ute in Australia for the duration of his tenure, seeing it as pivotal to sales success within the neighborhood, but he’s pushing for that ute to be a hybrid or PHEV so that it does no longer negatively make contributions to the Korean tag’s NVES accounting.

Quality and certainty fee more, consistent with Hyundai

As Hyundai prepares to dispute that this might well perchance undertake a long seven 300 and sixty five days, limitless kilometre guarantee in Australia, the South Korean producer maintains its most costly range ever in easy greenback phrases—and Australian sales have dropped from 102,004 in 2025 to 77,432 in 2024.

Below old leaders, HMCA concentrated less on outright sales volume, and more on a lengthy-term venture emigrate possibilities to dearer (and winning) excessive-sexy variants and N objects, while decreasing reliance on lower-margin fast and rental sales.

That migration did happen, with prime-tier Hyundai variants and efficiency trims now accounting for a wholesome share of sales, however the if truth be told intensive 25 percent tumble in annual deliveries in lower than a decade caught the eye of senior leaders in Korea.

Romano, an ally of worldwide president Munoz, has been despatched with the teach instruction to, in his words, “quit the decline—no longer to switch honest up to 100,000, but to originate rising but again.”

“We’re Australia, globally, as a produce of incubator for what happens when 70 different brands converge on one country and the way (Hyundai) handles itself. That might well perchance perchance be a dispute.

“The contemporary entries—some of them will succeed, some of them will fail. I deem one of the well-known mature OEMs will succeed and some will fail. My design is to maintain (Hyundai) on the success side of the equation. To me meaning development, but no longer fast development.”

Romano told Chasing Autos that affirming fast, excessive-quality ingredients distribution, customer care and guarantee toughen expenses money: “there is a top class that contains that,” he acknowledged.

Hyundai Australia is on the cusp of asserting that it will supply its contemporary vehicles with a seven-year guarantee with limitless kilometres within the Australian market, shifting from the contemporary 5-year/limitless kilometre guarantee introduced in 1999.

Chasing Autos understands that the seven-year guarantee will most definitely be backdated to quilt all Hyundai vehicles purchased in Australia since 1 January 2025.

Don Romano, who commenced as chief govt officer and president of Hyundai Motor Company Australia (HMCA) seven weeks within the past, is supportive of a push to elongate the guarantee that been within the authorities approval segment for some months.

HMCA has beforehand used a seven-year guarantee in Australia on a spread of times as a restricted-time rep incentive.

While the seven-year guarantee has now no longer but received final signal-off, final preparations are being made for a formal announcement – no matter ragged HMCA chief working officer John Kett telling media in 2023 a seven-year guarantee would “by no attain” happen.

Seven-year faulty guarantee, in preference to Nissan/Mitsubishi kind extended guarantee

The dazzling print of contemporary automobile warranties differs between automobile manufacturers, and it’s turning into a more frequent notify to present a faulty 5-year guarantee extendable if the buyer services the auto with its maker or meets other stipulations.

Hyundai has opted against that design and could presumably per chance as an different notify a seven-year faulty guarantee, though it calm has to notify authorities approval for a protracted guarantee because it’s known to be planning to backdate protection to encompass existing vehicles bought in 2025.

MG presents a 10 year/250,000km faulty guarantee in Australia, while Kia and GWM each and every provide seven years/limitless kilometres of protection, albeit with mileage limits of 150,000km kicking in for commercial vehicles.

Nissan is currently promoting a 10 year/300,000km guarantee in Australia, nonetheless the faulty guarantee is 5 years/limitless kilometres. At any time when an proprietor services the auto with Nissan yearly from the 5 year tag, an additional year of guarantee is utilized to the auto.

A identical association is in establish at Mitsubishi, where the particular faulty guarantee is 5 years and correct 100,000km – nonetheless annual servicing with Mitsubishi dealers from the 5 year tag extends the guarantee by 365 days/20,000km to a most of 10 years/200,000km.

Whether Hyundai’s seven-year guarantee will establish limits on mileage for commercial customers remains to be seen.

Thought to backdate seven-year guarantee for all of 2025

“My preference would be to bask in a faulty guarantee that used to be longer (than 5 years) and more competitive than some of those manufacturers which bask in executed extensions,” Romano told Chasing Autos.

“If you lengthen a guarantee for 2 years, it requires authorities approval on account of it’s now no longer segment of the conventional faulty guarantee. That (approval task) can take dangle of up to a year.

“My preference would be to bask in a faulty guarantee that used to be longer and more competitive with some of those manufacturers which bask in executed extensions.”

The cause late backdating the guarantee is legendary by Chasing Autos to be in elaborate to prevent Australian potentialities delaying their rep of a Hyundai in elaborate to serve for the seven year guarantee to kick in – as an different, it will notify to vehicles bought now.

When Hyundai introduced a 5 year guarantee in 1999, two or three year guarantees remained the norm in Australia. Now, 5 years of protection is the industry same old.

For contemporary HMCA boss Romano, offering a protracted guarantee is segment and parcel with “future-proofing” Hyundai against glitzy presents from contemporary manufacturers.

“I will function whatever I even bask in to withhold out to receive us transferring in that direction, as the largest thing I will function in my three years is to switch the tag ahead and to future-proof the tag as mighty as seemingly against all these contemporary entries coming in,” Romano told Chasing Autos.

BYD Australia has assumed its beefy legit build of abode-up in Australia, with normal importer EV Say confirming expectations that it could truly likely well well hand over nationwide distribution of popular items akin to the Shark 6 go-in ute and Atto 3 compact electric SUV.

EV Say announced on the present time that the distributorship transfer used to be build of abode for July, claiming the transfer used to be “a year sooner than agenda”.

The local importer introduced the Invent Your Targets (BYD) assign to Australia in 2022, and has overseen greater than 50,000 BYD unusual-car registrations since.

BYD registrations fill had a solid delivery to 2025 – up 103 percent year on year and boosted by greater than 6000 gross sales of Australia’s first go-in hybrid ute, the Shark 6.

EV Say says this is in a position to likely well now focal level on changing into BYD’s main distributor in Australia in a partnership with Eagers Automobile known as EV Dealer Neighborhood.

“As the inaugural importer, EVDirect is amazingly delighted with the method it has accomplished within the delivery of BYD into the Australian market, overseeing what has been one of doubtlessly the most a hit unusual car assign launches in Australian historical previous,” mentioned Luke Todd, founding father of EV Say and approaching near govt chairman of the EV Dealer Neighborhood (EVDG).

“As a crew we are extraordinarily delighted with what’s been executed and plenty extra livid by the lengthy flee as our crew repositions into a brand unusual method that will abet catapult the BYD assign additional, honest across Australia.”

EVDG mentioned it intends to rework BYD’s greatest gross sales and provider channel, expanding with “unusual and innovative retail formats”, shortening wait cases for assign unusual autos, and bettering after-gross sales make stronger.

Todd has previously made bold statements about BYD’s gross sales ambitions in Australia, asserting it believed it could truly likely well well displace Toyota as the country’s preferred assign as early as 2027.

BYD had been anticipated to substantiate its legit abet watch over of the assign in Australia after no longer too lengthy within the past confirming it could truly likely well well rob beefy duty for bringing the company’s Denza luxurious sub-assign here.

Chasing Vehicles is currently in China on a BYD media tour, and must amassed rapidly be bringing extra news and experiences relating to to the assign’s future in Australia.