We publish a ton of car news stories during the work week, and it can be hard to keep up with everything – which is the rationale behind this weekend’s list.
In short, here are some of the key articles from our news desk since Monday this week summarized, in case you missed them at the time.
The overseas version of the updated SsangYong Musso has been revealed
After being leaked earlier this week, the update SsangYong Musso and Musso XLV – or KG Mobility Rexton Sports Culmen and Rexton Sports Khan Culmen, as they are now known in Korea – have been revealed.
The updated ute range has not been confirmed for a local launch yet, but SsangYong Australia says it is “estimated” to arrive in the fourth quarter of 2023 alongside an updated version of the related Rexton SUV.
Up front, there’s a new octagonal grille with horizontal ribs, as well as full four-beam LED headlights with dynamic indicators and welcome/goodbye animations. LED headlights replace the outgoing model’s halogen and HID headlights.
MORE: SsangYong Musso updates revealed ahead of expected 2023 launch
Could the Mazda 6 be replaced by a Chinese electric car?
It is not a secret of current Mazda6 range is nearing the end of its life, but we might finally get a hint of its successor – and it might not be what you expect.
While rumors of a rear-wheel-drive Mazda 6 based on the Grand Architecture of the CX-60 and CX-90 SUVs with an inline-six engine have swirled for years, Mazda has dismissed the idea, and has remained silent on the nameplate’s future. at the global level.
However, the recent Shanghai motor show saw the Japanese brand’s joint venture in China tease a pair of upcoming electric vehicles in a product presentation, one of which could be the new Mazda 6.
MORE: Could the Mazda 6 be replaced by a Chinese electric car?
Used car prices continue to plummet
Skyrocketing used car prices are gradually coming back down to earth as new vehicle production improves, but they are still significantly more expensive than before the COVID-19 outbreak.
This is the latest from Moody’s Analyticswhich this week published its Q1 used vehicle price report which stated average used car prices across Australia were 13.2 per cent lower than they were at the May 2022 peak, and down 9.8 per cent year-on-year (to the end of March).
The bad news is that used car prices are still 51 percent higher than pre-pandemic levels. The temporary and seasonal backlog of new vehicles clearing quarantine in Australia as reported here has further reduced the decline in used vehicle prices in the short term.
MORE: Used car prices continue to fall, utes in particular – study
VFACTS: April 2023 auto sales led by EV growth, Toyota decline
New vehicle deliveries in Australia rose a modest 1.3 per cent in April compared to the same month last year, ending at 82,137 units.
This was driven entirely by growth in SUV sales (up 8.6 percent), with both light commercials (down 13.1 percent) and passenger cars (down 1.6 percent) going the other way.
The Ford Ranger topped the charts, ahead of its Toyota HiLux foe, with Toyota’s RAV4 topping the podium.
MORE: VFACTS: April 2023 auto sales led by EV growth, Toyota decline
Australian electric vehicle sales tripled this year
Sales from electric vehicle (EV) in Australia have more than three times during the first four months of 2023 compared to the same period last year.
Australians took delivery of 23,926 pure EVs between January 1 and April 30, which equates to 6.8 percent of the overall market share. At the same point in 2022, EV sales and share will be 7618 units and 2.2 percent, respectively.
EVs have also overtaken hybrids (21,693 registrations YTD) as the favorite form of electrification in Australia so far this year – in part due to Toyota’s ongoing supply problems.
MORE: Electric car sales in Australia to triple by 2023
Kia handles GT-Line Sportage flagship sales
Kia Australia has been forced to put a sales stop on its top spec Sportage GT-Line SUV as a result of constant component shortages.
Local product planning boss Roland Rivero told Car Expert the brand has paused the orders of the flagship variant in view of the current supply issues and the growing number of orders.
“Production of the Sportage GT-Line is limited [currently] due to the lack of components,” said Mr. Rivero.
MORE: Kia halts sales of flagship Sportage GT-Line
Former Audi CEO pleads guilty in Dieselgate case
Rupert Stadlerchief executive officer Audi between 2010 and 2018, will soon admit his role in the Volkswagen Group’s Dieselgate emissions cheating scheme.
Stadler’s legal team informed Automotive News he will make a full plea to a German court, and will pay a fine of €1.1 million ($1.8 million) in exchange for a suspended sentence.
Stadler, along with Wolfgang Hatz, the former head of Volkswagen Group engine development, and Giovanni Pamio, Audi’s head of thermodynamics in the engine engineering department, were charged with fraud for selling cars that deliberately did not comply with emissions standards.
MORE: Former Audi CEO pleads guilty in Dieselgate case
The updated 2008 Peugeot SUV is coming to Australia
The Peugeot 2008 has received a mid-life update with fresher styling, a more powerful electric variant and a new mild hybrid model around the corner.
“The 2008 Peugeot, including the e-2008, is an important part of our ongoing range in Australia,” a Peugeot Australia spokesperson said.
“Expected launch details for the 2008 facelift including timing, pricing and specifications will be confirmed later for the Australian market.”
MORE: Peugeot 2008: Updated SUV revealed, coming to Australia
2023 SsangYong Rexton facelift: Pajero Sport rival gets new technology
The New Arena KG Mobility Rexton has been revealed as refreshed SsangYong Rextoncomplete with a restored interior.
Rexton’s New Arena sees a similar set of updates to the related Musso.
SsangYong Australia says it has not finalized a local launch yet for either model, but estimates one for the fourth quarter of 2023.
MORE: 2023 SsangYong Rexton facelift: Pajero Sport rival gets new technology
Mini Countryman 2024 electric car leaked
All electricity to come Mini Countryman was caught without any disguise during a video recording that was visible in the US.
These latest photos of the next-generation Countryman follow photos of the new Mini Cooper EV during a similar promotional shoot.
This particular Countryman appears to be the top-spec all-electric SE variant due to the yellow All4 and S badges, denoting all-wheel drive and electrification respectively.
MORE: 2024 Mini Countryman electric car leaked
Ford Mustang Mach-E: When Australian bookings will open
Ford Australia will open online reservations for Mustang Mach-E electric crossover on May 10, ahead of its arrival in Australia later this year.
Customers will be able to obtain the Mustang Mach-E through a portal on the Ford Australia website from the evening of May 10. The final price for the range will also be confirmed at this time.
To reserve a Ford Mustang Mach-E, you need to select the variant you want, create a Ford Account and pay a set reservation fee of $1000 to an authorized Ford EV dealer of their choice.
MORE: Ford Mustang Mach-E: When Australian bookings will open
2023 Honda ZR-V: Price confirmed for Toyota RAV4 rival
Honda Australia has confirmed the price of the competing Toyota RAV4 ZR-V The mid-size SUV can now be picked up with a deposit ahead of its May 19 on-sale date.
Due to launch in the coming months, the Honda ZR-V range starts at $40,200 drive away for VTi Xand extends to $54,900 drive away for e: HEV LX hybrid prime. The full price list is at the bottom of this story.
For context, the Toyota RAV4 range currently starts at $38,050 before on-road costs for the GX Auto 2WD, and rises to $56,650 before on-road costs for the Edge AWD Hybrid.
MORE: 2023 Honda ZR-V: Price confirmed for Toyota RAV4 rival
Volkswagen service prices… and more
The new Amarok has finally hit dealerships, and Volkswagen Australia expects a strong supply once early customers receive their cars.
The company has also confirmed the price of the service for the ute. It will cost $1800 to be serviced over five years or 75,000 kilometers with one of its prepaid Care Plans, reducing the equivalent package price for the 2022 four-cylinder diesel by $200 and the 2022 turbo-diesel V6 by $400.
A full range of accessories has also been detailed.
MORE: What will Walkinshaw and Volkswagen’s special Amarok look like?
MORE: Volkswagen locks Amarok service prices
MORE: Is the Volkswagen Amarok in stock?
