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BYD’s emerging luxury spin-off sees its new electric super wagon – which, in Europe, starts from the equivalent of $160,000 – as a way of showing what it can do, not setting the sales charts alight. The Denza Z9 GT large electric wagon is likely to be one of the most expensive Chinese-made cars when it goes on sale in Australia later this year with an anticipated price tag above $100,000. Demand for extra-large luxury cars – especially wagons – is slim in Australia, with just 348 vehicles in the category occupied by the Porsche Panamera , Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series reported as sold last year. The BYD luxury division is well aware the 850kW Z9 GT will not be a top seller, and says it is pitched as a ‘halo’ vehicle to show the performance and technology its brand can offer. “Yes, you’re right [the category is small]. I would like to be competitive with the other vehicles in that grand touring segment, which is not tens of th...

Nissan anticipates a profit next year after closing more than half a dozen factories and sacking tens of thousands of workers. Nissan has reported a 533 billion Japanese yen loss (AUD$4.6 billion) for the last financial year, but the iconic Japanese brand predicts its books will return to the black by this time next year. The anticipated net income of ¥20 billion (AUD$175 million) in 2026 comes at great cost, as the brand shuttered seven manufacturing sites across the world last year, and anticipates layoffs totalling 20,000 workers by 2027, according to Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa. “Turning to cost reduction, we set to deliver 500 billion in savings from fixed and variable costs. On fixed costs, we are ahead of plan with 200 billion in savings,” Espinosa said. “This progress has built steadily supported by disciplined execution including the actions taken across our manufacturing footprint.” MORE: Nissan’s crucial new cars arriving in ...

New-generations of both the CX-5 and RAV4 will be available in Australian showrooms this year, but which will be more popular? Mazda could regain the best-selling SUV crown this year as its runout CX-5 continues to sell strongly despite a new-generation model soon to launch. However, to do so, it will need to fend off its long-running arch-rival Toyota RAV4 , which has also just been updated with a new-generation model. To the end of April this year, Mazda has reported 7477 CX-5 s as sold, a modest 4.6 per cent increase over last year’s run rate. However, the second-generation CX-5 is soon to be replaced by an all-new model in the coming months, which opens at under $40,000 to keep it price competitive against many Chinese rivals. MORE: Toyota Tundra prices cut by about $20,000 in Australia to clear year-old stock Crucially for Mazda however, is the reduction in powertrain choice, from three to just one, which could limit the new CX-5’s appeal....

A new-generation version of Renault’s best-selling model in Australia, the Master van, arrives next month with diesel or electric power. 2026 Renault Master pricing and specifications New-generation large commercial van offered with diesel or electric power Australian showroom arrivals due next month Priced from $55,990 before on-road costs Pricing and specification details for the next-generation version of Renault’s best-selling model in Australia, the Master van, have been confirmed ahead of local showroom arrivals next month. Priced from $55,990 before on-road costs, the 2026 Renault Master – which debuted in Europe two-and-a-half years ago – features electric power for the first time in Australia, along with an upgraded diesel. The new-generation Master, replacing the outgoing model that dates back to 2010, will be offered in medium- and long-wheelbase front-wheel-drive configurations in Australia, with a standard-height roof. ...

A modest start in Australia will not perturb MG’s IM premium brand as it gears up for new products and a fresh marketing push. MG’s IM premium sub-brand believes it can succeed where the likes of Denza and Zeekr are playing, but it will need more products and more marketing to get there. Having launched in Australia in August 2025 with the IM5 sedan and IM6 SUV – both all-electric models – MG has sold 754 combined IM models so far in Australia. Speaking to Drive , IM Motors regional general manager for Asia Pacific Steven Xu said momentum is building for the brand, but work is still needed to be where it wants in the local market. “We think we should definitely do better, and in the past March, we achieved a three-times sales volume increase,” Xu said. MORE: MG IM5 and IM6 owners set for upgrade before updated cars arrive “That’s good news for us, and it seems like a lot of people working to get a lot of inquiries from a lot of customer...

Despite forecasting increased car sales, Toyota is expecting global profits to continue declining as tariffs and the Middle East conflict take a toll. Toyota is expecting its continually declining global profits will receive a further AUD $5.8 billion hit due to conflict in the Middle East — despite selling more cars. While still expected to generate profits of 3.0 trillion yen (AUD$26.2 billion), this marks the third consecutive year of forecast declining profits for what is the world’s largest automaker, and Australia’s best selling brand. Takanori Azuma, the Accounting Group Chief Officer at Toyota Motor Corporation, said conflict in the Middle East was a key contributor to the forecast profit decline. “Taking into account the Middle East impacts, etc., we are forecasting operating income for the fiscal year ending March 2027 of 3.0 trillion yen (AUD$26.2 billion), representing a year-on-year decrease of 800 billion yen (AUD$7 billion),” Azuma sai...