CAR ADVICE

Ford has called work by the likes of GWM and Kia to tune their cars for Australian roads a “marketing ploy”, arguing they pale in comparison to what its engineers do to create the Ranger and Everest locally. A senior Ford Australia executive has dismissed work by rival car makers such as Kia and GWM to tune the suspension and steering of their vehicles in Australia – to suit Australian roads – as “insignificant”, and a “marketing ploy”. It follows threats by Ford CEO Jim Farley to shut the brand’s own Australian engineering operations – which were behind the development of the Ranger ute and Everest SUV for global markets – if the Federal Government does not make it cheaper to design cars locally. Ford Australia marketing director Ambrose Henderson used a media briefing to take aim at competitors with Australian tuning programs, arguing changes to a car’s suspension and steering are not in the same league as Ford...

Ever tried to bay-hop to avoid a parking fine? It might not be the simple solution you think it is. If you’ve parked in a timed parking space before, you’ve likely experienced the temptation to simply roll forward and roll back into the spot, thereby magically restarting the clock and reducing your chances of a parking ticket. But while it might seem like an easy solution, it’s more likely you’ll put a target on your back with parking inspectors. RELATED:  Don’t pay for a parking fine until you read this RELATED: ‘Subtle locations’: Ex-parking inspector shares tyre-chalking tricks For starters, it’s worth knowing that inspectors don’t identify offences on a space-by-space basis, but rather look at the parking area as a whole. “If it’s kerbside parking, a parking area is regarded as any point between two signs, so even if you roll forward into the spot in front of you, you’re still within the same sig...

The BMW i4 encapsulates the luxury and performance that are attainable for anyone looking for something nicer and sportier than your average sedan, without spending megabucks. Skip ahead: Summary Design Value Interior Fuel efficiency Infotainment Ownership Costs Drive Comfort Safety Verdict 2026 BMW i4 eDrive35 Some cars are good for your soul. They are just fun and make you happy. Imagine if they could also be good for the environment, practical, and not cost all that much money. Meet the BMW i4 .  It took a while for Australians to get on board with this electric Bimmer, but once the car maker introduced an entry-level version at a hot price, more and more people started to take notice. Before you get too excited, though, BMW is giving it the axe early next year and replacing it with the new i3. Should you grab one while the going is good? Or is it worth waiting for the Neue Klasse electric 3 Series, which may also come in wag...