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GAC Aion UT electric hatch price increases as first 600 discounted cars sell out in weeks

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The GAC Aion UT went on sale in March for $30,990 drive-away, but the conflict in the Middle East has helped to shift cars quickly, raising the entry price higher. All 600 examples of GAC’s new electric hatchback have sold out in just a few weeks, with the brand attributing the boom in EV interest to both demand and a sharp starting price. The GAC Aion UT was launched in March with an introductory price of $30,990 for the base Premium grade and $35,990 for the Luxury, drive-away. The first batch of 600 was available at the discounted price until 9 April, with the marque confirming to Drive that it had sold out before the deadline. At launch, GAC executives said that following this period, the start price would flip to $31,990 plus on-road costs, but at the Melbourne motor show , it revealed new launch pricing of $32,990 and $37,990 drive-away for the two variants. “We are confident the Aion UT will be number one in this segment,” said Kevin Shu, CEO of GAC Internatio...
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2026 Lexus ES months away from Australia with electric, hybrid options

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Australia is due to receive the first electric Lexus sedan by the end of September, alongside a hybrid. Lexus is due to launch the new-generation ES luxury sedan in Australia in the third quarter of this year (July to September) with a choice of hybrid and electric power. The Lexus ES is already on sale in the US in a choice of ES350e front-wheel-drive and ES500e all-wheel-drive electric variants, alongside an ES350h hybrid, with a less powerful petrol-electric ES300h available elsewhere. Prices are yet to be announced by Lexus for Australia, but it is likely to cost more than the $65,540 before on-road costs entry RRP of the current ES300h. MORE: 2026 Lexus ES revealed with electric and hybrid power, confirmed for Australia Power and range for Australian-delivered models remain unconfirmed, but overseas models use a 165kW front electric motor in the ES350e, with claimed ranges of up to 494km in US EPA testing, or 530km under European WLTP protocols, with a 76.96kWh ...
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Federal Government’s $107 million Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program allocation: Mapped

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A total of $107 million has been handed out for road infrastructure projects around the country, in the latest wave of federal funding. New South Wales is the biggest recipient in the latest round of funding from the Federal Government’s Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program, receiving $43.97 million out of $107 million allocated to 42 road projects around the country. The Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program is an application-based program where state, territory, or local governments can apply to receive up to $5 million towards a road or infrastructure project. The projects must address at least one of the following six focus areas: road safety, productivity, bridge renewal, road resilience, road sustainability, or heavy vehicle rest areas. Requirements differ depending on whether the funding request was submitted by a local government or a state/territory government. Allocation by state and territory Local governments can apply for up to 80 per cent of t...
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Toyota HiLux BEV attracting orders from more than your local council

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It costs $17,000 more than a diesel version, and is rated for just 240km of WLTP driving range, but regular Australians are showing interest in the first electric HiLux. Family and tradie customers have placed orders for the Toyota HiLux battery-electric (BEV) ute – beyond mining companies and governments, its intended audience – ahead of deliveries commencing in May. Toyota has developed the first-ever mass-produced electric HiLux with large fleets in mind, which can charge their vehicles overnight – and do not need to tow or haul heavy loads – so do not need more than the ute’s 240km WLTP driving range rating . Only 500 HiLux BEVs are expected to be sold in 2026 – priced from $74,990 to $82,990 plus on-road costs – compared to more than 50,000 diesel examples, priced $17,000 lower in equivalent grades. Still, Toyota Australia sales and marketing boss John Pappas said there has been interest in the electric HiLux from ‘private’ buyers. MORE: 2026 Toyota HiLux BEV price ...
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Toyota Kluger hybrid living on in Australia for now as electric successor looms in US

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The popular Toyota Kluger hybrid is about to exit US showrooms in favour of an electric car, but Australia will soldier on – for now – with today’s version that doesn’t need charging. Toyota Kluger hybrid. The electric replacement for the Toyota Kluger’s US counterpart will not spell the end for the popular hybrid version in Australian showrooms today. The Kluger hybrid sold in Australia is marketed as the Highlander in the US, where it is about to be replaced by an electric Highlander EV without the option of petrol or hybrid power. The Japanese car giant has previously said there are “no current plans” to sell the electric model in Australia, and there has been no indication given that it will be produced in right-hand drive. MORE: 2027 Toyota Highlander EV seven-seat SUV revealed, not for Australia as Kluger EV Toyota Highlander EV. Toyota Australia sales and marketing boss John Pappas told Drive the electric ‘Kluger’ is still not locked in. In the meantime, ...
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Jaecoo ‘flattered’ by Range Rover design comparisons

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The Jaecoo J5 has gained recognition for its visual similarities to Range Rover design, with an Indonesian company even developing an aftermarket body kit to further lean into it. Chinese car brand Jaecoo has called comparisons between the styling of its J5 and J7 SUVs, and luxury off-roaders from Range Rover “flattering”. The Range Rover Sport -esque design cues on the Jaecoo J5 have been seen so widely that an Indonesian company has developed a body kit to further lean into the British inspiration. “The other brand you mentioned [Range Rover] is known for prestige and great design, so to be compared to that is very flattering,” Omoda Jaecoo Australia chief commercial officer Roy Munoz told Drive . “Obviously, design is subjective; it is flattering to be compared to a premium brand.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Supplier Bodykit ABS_Plastic (@bro_bodykit) The J5’s body kit from Wild Design has gone on sale ...
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Safety body hits back at car brands claiming driving aids increase costs

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Euro NCAP believes car brands should not be raising prices with the inclusion of more advanced safety features to ace crash testing. Euro NCAP has hit back at critics, often car brands, using advanced safety as an excuse to increase vehicle prices, stating it has always had cost in mind when laying out star-rating criteria. When asked by Drive if it agreed with manufacturers using Euro NCAP as an excuse to raise pricing, secretary-general Michiel van Ratingen said: “I don’t really know whether that’s the case.” “Of course, costs are a very important aspect of the whole discussion and we should be really aware of that,” van Ratingen said. “If you look at our roadmap for 2026, and also 2029, you will see that we have taken a slightly different approach compared to the previous 10 years, where it was really about putting equipment on the car. MORE: 2026 Toyota RAV4 to skip ANCAP safety rating until critical upgrades later this year “We now think there are a lot of sens...
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