Happy New Year!
We publish a lot of car news during the work week (the rule is 70 odd) and it can be hard to keep up with everything – that’s the reason behind this weekend’s list.
In short, here are some of the key articles from our news desk as of this Monday summarized, just in case you missed them at the time.
Results are available!
New vehicle sales grew 3.0% in 2022 despite well-publicized supply issues, reaching around 1.08 million units in the calendar year.
Annual Sales Data (VFACTS) shows that 1,081,429 new cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles were delivered in 2022, which is the best result since 2018 with 1,153,111 units sold.
Industry-wide sales in December 2022 increased 12.1%, creating impetus for the market to enter a new calendar year.
THAN: Australia’s new car sales results in 2022
Japanese symbols of cooperation on trams
Two of Japan’s industrial giants are working on a new EV venture, with the prototype seen here due to launch in 2025.
The joint venture between Sony and Honda to produce electric cars will carry the Afeela brand, the companies announced at the CES technology show in Las Vegas.
The first Afeela EV from Sony Honda Mobility Inc. will be a sleek sedan, somewhat reminiscent of a Hyundai Ioniq6 or Tesla Model 3with the goal of starting production in 2025.
THAN: Sony Honda Mobility’s electric vehicle brand is called Afeela
Toyota to tackle the Ranger Raptor… something like
Toyota has revealed the flagship that looks sturdier and more powerful HiLuxdue to be here this year.
The Toyota HiLux GR Sport features what the brand calls a Dakar-inspired design, and will be the most powerful diesel HiLux it has ever offered locally.
The company says it expects the two-cabin GR Sport to launch in the second half of 2023. Pricing has yet to be revealed, but will almost certainly be higher than the $70,200 pre-road sticker mark of the flagship model. Current Rogue.
THAN: Toyota HiLux GR Sport 2023 launched in Australia
New style Santafe
An all-new seven-seat Hyundai Santa Fe full-size SUV is coming this year, but probably won’t arrive in Australia until 2024.
Hyundai confirmed this in sales for 2022, saying its three major launches for 2023 will be New generation Konathe ionq 5 N electric hatch hot, and new Santa Claus.
The current Santa Fe has only (somewhat) recently received significant upgrades, with Hyundai claiming it midlife update 2021 saw it move to a new platform shared with Kia sorento.
THAN: All-new Hyundai Santa Fe will debut in 2023
Many concept cars
Concept car. We all love them, both for what they offer and for what they promise.
Last year there were some crackers, previews of the next generation of connected vehicles, and electrification largely before they hit the road.
From near-production-ready glimpses to moonshot geek projects, here we examine 20 projects that have caught our attention – with no more than one per brand. .
THAN: 20 coolest concept cars from 2022
What’s in a name? Great number of
SsangYong Company has been saved, but the name SsangYong will be put in the scrapbook.
In a speech reported by Korean media, Kwak Jae-sun – chairman of KG Group, the new parent company of SsangYong as well as the automaker itself – said the company would be renamed KG Mobility and New models will be launched under the KG brand.
“We decided to choose a new name to take full advantage of the power of SsangYong Motor,” Kwak said at an event organized by the Korea Automobile Journalists Association.
THAN: SsangYong name removed under new ownership
Ram forward charging with EV . pickup
Ram unveiled the 1500 Revolution BEV concept at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada.
This concept previews the production Ram 1500 BEV that will enter production in 2024 which will be introduced “in the coming months”.
It will confront vehicles including Ford F-150 Lightning, Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Hummer EV, GMC Sierra Electric Scooter, Rivian R1Tand Tesla e-car.
THAN: Ram 1500 Revolution EV concept unveiled at CES
Which electric car was most popular last year?
The five most popular electric vehicles (EVs) in Australia last year were all made in China.
Electric car sales across Australia nearly double by 2022 to 33,410 vehicles, representing about 3.0% of the total new car market.
Factors like sky-high fuel costs, the dramatic shift to BEVs from luxury brands, and the prevalence of state and federal discounts and tax benefits all help. Is there an ongoing shortage…
THAN: Best selling electric car in Australia in 2022
Previewing the next 3 Series?
BMW unveiled the futuristic electric i Vision Dee concept at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada.
This BMW i Vision Dee – Dee stands for Digital Emotional Experience – the concept offers a glimpse into the design and technology that will feature in the German automaker’s upcoming range of electric vehicles based on on the module. new class communication.
Like previous reportNeue Klasse platform will launch in 2025 on 3 Linesvehicle of large size, will be pitted against Tesla Model 3. One X3Large electric SUV is understood as the second vehicle.
THAN: i Vision Dee EV concept unveiled at CES
Strange name, brutal design
BYD Promising premium sub-brands launched its first vehicle, the Yangwang U8, an SUV with a solid look modeled on Land Rover Defender – but with four electric motors.
Reports from the launch in China show a vertical design with a sparkling grille, headlights like a Nissan Patrolsquare wheel arches with blistered metal panels, aerodynamically flat door handles and a sturdy D-pillar in front of the trunk-mounted spare wheel.
But instead of mechanically resembling a Defender, it resembles the upcoming all-electric vehicle. Mercedes-Benz EQGalthough at the reported 5300mm it’s even longer than a GLS.
THAN: BYD unveils luxury electric SUV
It’s not all bleak for Tesla
Tesla says it delivered more than 400,000 electric cars to customers in the fourth quarter of 2022, up 31% from the fourth quarter of 2021.
The company also reported delivering more than 1.31 million cars in the calendar year 2022, 40% higher than the level achieved in 2021.
To put things in perspective in Australia, Tesla claims to have delivered 17,328 cars by the end of November, which means about 20,000 cars for the whole of 2022.
THAN: Tesla posts all-time record deliveries amid headwinds
Bigger wall
Great Wall Motor (GWM) unveiled the new, more premium Shanhai Cannon pickup at the Guangzhou Auto Show, following the car’s original revealed last August.
Advertised as a “new large-scale high-performance luxury pickup truck” for sale with The familiar GWM UteThe new Shanhai Cannon will offer a V6 petrol engine or a boosted 2.4-liter diesel option.
Based on GWM’s “terrain tank” – understood to be close to New Tank 300 SUV – GMW Shanhai Cannon looks more capable GWM Ute is now available and cheaper.
