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BYD Atto 1 not cutting Dolphin’s lunch as sales ramp up

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Australia’s cheapest electric car is off to a strong start on the sales charts, but it’s not the most affordable version garnering the most deposits. Two in three buyers of the BYD Atto 1, Australia’s cheapest electric car, don’t actually opt for the version bearing the title of Australia’s cheapest electric car. BYD reported 488 sales of the Atto 1 in March 2026, making it the brand’s best seller that isn’t an SUV or ute, despite being a city hatchback – a category declining in popularity – with a compact cabin for four. The Atto 1 Premium, priced from $27,990 plus on-road costs and rated with 310km of WLTP driving range , has accounted for 70 per cent of sales, over the $23,990 Essential with just 220km of range. BYD Australia chief operating officer Stephen Collins told Drive the Essential is still drawing customers into the door on its low price. MORE: BYD Atto 1 could shake up Australia’s light car market “We also priced it and specced to match the market s...
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Honda’s CR-V premium play: Reliability and customer experience more important than flashy tech

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Honda has been around for 77 years, but can it compete in the modern age? Honda argues that the new CR-V offers a premium car and experience. Honda says it’s making a premium play with its new updated CR-V mid-sized SUV, but not in the way you might think. While premium usually means high-end, Honda says the CR-V represents a different definition of the term, focusing on factors like customer experience and reliability. Honda’s best-seller has just been treated to a mid-life update that includes more hybrid variants at lower prices, more tech, and all-wheel drive for its flagship RS. MORE: 2026 Honda CR-V price and specs – RAV4 rival expands hybrid range in Australia The brand’s General Manager of Automotive, Nick Parkington, told Drive that the word premium for Honda means more than fancy features. “[It’s the] overall package: the fit, the finish, the quality, the ownership experience, the way that we provide that positive customer experience through our w...
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GAC says it’s different to other Chinese brands because of Toyota and Honda partnerships

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GAC executives say Australian buyers can have more confidence in it than other Chinese car companies because it has decades of knowledge gained from trusted legacy brands. GAC will set itself apart from other Chinese brands bringing cars into the Australian market by leaning on what it has learnt through long-term partnerships with Toyota and Honda , its executives claim. GAC has almost 20 years of experience globally, having established joint ventures with Honda as far back as 1997 and with Toyota since 2004, manufacturing the auto giants’ vehicles for the Chinese market. In China, GAC (Guangzhou Automobile Group) is one of the top 10 best-selling brands and sells more than 28 million cars worldwide.  MORE: GAC pledges to learn from BYD mistakes, with early customer focus According to Katsumata Masato, Chief Technology Officer at GAC International, the company’s ethos is more aligned with legacy brands than new challengers. “The fundamental mindset at GAC is, I...
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2026 Mazda 3 G20 Touring long-term review: Introduction

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The Mazda 3 remains one of Australia’s most popular small hatchbacks, even after all seven years of the current model. We’re driving one long-term to see what it’s like to live with over an extended period. 2026 Mazda 3 G20 Touring There is no shortage of new Chinese cars hitting our roads with unfamiliar badges and similar blob-like styling, but the Mazda 3 is not one of them. Most Australians will have a Mazda 3 story, whether you’ve owned one, almost bought one, a friend or partner has one, or you’ve simply been in the back of one. The current-shape Mazda 3 is also a familiar sight on local roads, introduced in 2019 with a choice of a sporty and curvaceous hatch clearly geared towards style, or a more conventional-looking sedan with chrome finishes. So why then, after seven years and few major updates in that time, have we borrowed a Mazda 3 for a three-month long-term loan? The arrival of electric cars from BYD , MG and more has added a new dimension to the small-...
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