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BYD Shark 6: Better off-road ability is ‘certainly on our radar’

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Yes, BYD Australia is passing on local feedback on the Shark 6 to head office in China. BYD is looking at improving the off-road capability of its big-selling Shark 6 plug-in hybrid ute. In an interview with Drive , BYD Australia’s chief operating officer, Stephen Collins, said the brand was looking to satisfy the requirements of those who want to take their Shark 6 on more arduous off-road terrain. There’s been some criticism of the current Shark 6’s performance when taken off the beaten track, and BYD is aware of the vehicle’s shortcomings. “We are really, really proud of Shark and we’re very, very proud of the customer reaction, the market position it’s in … but having said that, I don’t think anything’s perfect,” conceded Collins. MORE: 2026 BYD Shark 6 Dynamic cab-chassis price leaked “So we are constantly feeding back where there’s opportunities to improve, where there’s opportunities to upgrade… We’ll have a bit more to say about that in the coming months wi...

The single models propping up entire car brands

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Some of Australia’s best-selling car brands are being propped up by one or two models, with some brands’ most popular cars outstripping sales of the rest of their range. Four of Australia’s five most popular car brands, including Ford and Hyundai, are being heavily bolstered by just one, two or three models, with more than 50 per cent of their overall sales going to a tiny fraction of the car they offer, recent data shows. Recent VFACTS data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries revealed that of the nine models sold by Ford, just one took the lion’s share of the brand’s sales last month. RELATED: The Ford Ranger took more than 54 per cent of the marque’s overall sales in January 2026, with its next best selling model, the Everest, accounting for about 30 per cent of sales. Ford’s third-best selling car was the Mustang, but just 355 of those were purchased (less than 6 per cent) compared with the Ranger’s whopping 3,241 purchases. Two Hyundai models – the Kon...

2023 Skoda Kamiq Monte Carlo owner review

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The Kamiq is a fantastic car for the money. Owner: Wayne I’ve had my MY23 Kamiq Monte Carlo 1.5TSI since October 2023, purchased in QLD Australia. I managed to get it for $40,000 with 10 years free servicing.  Issues I’ve had over the last 27 months: a knocking noise under load when cold – dealer replaced the mechatronic unit last year at its first service; the issue is still there but not as bad (goes away when the engine is at operating temp). Driver’s side window switch became faulty – dealer replaced and all good now. Rear hatch occasionally did not open automatically – but this was fixed by lubricating the rubber seals around the hatch. Interior rattles – seems to be disappearing over time.  It’s been a fantastic highway and city cruiser, I regularly get 700-800km out of a tank, long term combined average consumption is around 6.3L/100km and that’s with the AC on almost all of the time. On the highway, I regularly see low 5’s.  The Monte Carlo has 18″ wheel...

The shockingly common illegal driving habits frustrating Aussies

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Most drivers are aware of the road rules, but some frustrated locals have called out the illegal driving habits they see too often. In a country as vast as Australia, it’s common to share the roads with other drivers who have varying degrees of on-road experience. And even though most motorists show some sense of etiquette and decorum by following road rules, a recent Reddit thread has exposed the shocking bad driving habits that Aussies are commonly seeing. RELATED: ‘Everyone is laughing at you’: Tesla drivers targeted by this ‘parking fine’ Taking to the Driving Australia Reddit thread, one user asked, “What’s one driving habit you see every day that genuinely shouldn’t be this common anymore?” The original poster started the conversation by expressing their frustration at drivers failing to follow basic roundabout rules. “The complete lack of indicator use at roundabouts does my head in. It’s not a guessing game. If you’re going right, indicate right. If you’re exiting...

Mitsubishi Triton beats Isuzu D-Max in 4×4 sales amid discounts, expanded range

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The Triton was Australia’s third-best-selling 4×4 ute last month, as Mitsubishi continues to offer significant discounts across the range. The Mitsubishi Triton beat the Isuzu D-Max in four-wheel-drive ute deliveries last month, with a 34 per cent sales increase amid sharp discounts and an expanded range of cab-chassis grades. Australian new-car sales data shows 1407 examples of the Mitsubishi Triton 4×4 were sold in January 2026, behind the Ford Ranger 4×4 (3241) and Toyota HiLux 4×4 (2275), but ahead of the Isuzu D-Max 4×4 (1393) and BYD Shark 6 (1108). However, better sales of the D-Max 4×2 (405) compared to the Triton 4×2 (258) saw the Isuzu surpass the Mitsubishi in total sales, at 1798 and 1665, respectively. The Ford Ranger totalled 3403, and the Toyota HiLux totalled 2800, while these utes were followed by the Mazda BT-50 (1025), GWM Cannon and Cannon Alpha (959), Nissan Navara (487) and Kia Tasman (467). MORE: 2026 Mitsubishi Triton revealed with impr...

High tech and low tech ways to keep your car from getting pinched

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With car theft on the rise and crooks using new technology to pinch vehicles, what can you do to keep your ride safe? We look into both new, high tech and simple, low tech options. Car theft is on the rise. And it’s not just high end performance or luxury cars either. Everyday commuter cars are also targeted by thieves, with Toyota Corollas, Camrys and RAV4s all in the top ten most stolen. Oh, and it’s not just happening in dodgy areas either, with more than half of vehicle thefts happening at home . But all too often it’s simply a crime of opportunity. Your keys left in the vehicle while you go pay for fuel or grab a coffee. The thieves are on the lookout for easy targets, and most of us are guilty of being one from time to time. RELATED: Woman’s car keyed by vigilante ‘Street Police’ over a parking-spot spat So, how do you prevent some lowlife from helping themselves to what’s yours? There are a variety of methods, most of which – if we’re being honest – are more deterrent...

This flashy 4WD fad could cop you a $400 fine

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While 4WD enthusiasts are well equipped in battling harsh terrain, Queensland Police is warning drivers of this illegal sun accessory. Image: Queensland Police When you’re travelling in a car during summer in Australia, it’s a common sight to see 4WD enthusiasts customising their cars with DIY and budget-friendly tools that can help their car’s air conditioning in the heat and harsh terrain. And though most road authorities are understanding of the sweltering heat, Queensland Police is warning local drivers to avoid using this popular car accessory or risk facing a near $400 fine and further penalties. RELATED: Not having this on your car windows could cut years off your life According to local police, officers said they’ve noticed a “growing trend” of motorists using reflective covers on the windows of the car, which is considered illegal in the state. State officials said drivers who use reflective window covers while driving are in violation of Road Rule 297, which clea...