We published around 70 car news stories this working week, and it can be tough to keep up with everything. Which is the rationale behind this weekend list.
In short, here are some key articles from our news desk since Monday this week summarised, just in case you missed it.
By the way, this is the first time I’ve done one of these news wraps. Any feedback – positive or negative – can be left in the comments, and is always appreciated.
Tesla finally shares Australian sales data
The Tesla Model 3 electric car was the most popular passenger vehicle in Australia during March, and the fifth top-selling vehicle overall.
It’s far and away the best recorded performance by an electric car.
MORE: Tesla Model 3 Australia’s number-one passenger car, outsells Corolla, i30
Fuel excise cut working, says ACCC
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) says the fuel excise cut announced in last week’s Federal Budget is largely being passed through to customers, thereby lowering petrol and diesel prices as designed.
The government-backed watchdog says its monitoring of petrol prices has found “significant falls” in retail prices in the major capital cities a week after the cut in fuel excise came into effect, and added it would continue to monitor service station pricing.
MORE: Fuel excise cut is lowering petrol prices already, says ACCC
How much will the new Ranger cost?
Ford Ranger pricing has been announced ahead of the start of sales in June 2022, across the complete range comprising six specification levels and three cab styles.
The company has also published a full list of options and accessories and their respective prices, which you can view below.
MORE: 2022 Ford Ranger full pricing revealed
Toyota Australia slammed by Federal Court in DPF saga
Australia’s Federal Court has negatively assessed Toyota Motor Australia (TMC) on the matter of faulty diesel particulate filters (DPFs) in the big-selling HiLux and Prado, as well as the Fortuner.
Justice Lee found 264,170 vehicles were supplied with a “defective diesel particulate filter”, causing issues such as “the emission of foul-smelling white smoke, the display of excessive DPF notifications, and the need to have the vehicle inspected, serviced and repaired”.
MORE: Toyota Australia faces payouts as Federal Court finds DPFs faulty
Senator slams Mercedes-Benz
ALP Senator for New South Wales, Deborah O’Neill, has essentially accused Mercedes-Benz of lying to the Senate when explaining its new ‘agency’ business model, and the expected impacts on dealers.
Speaking in the Upper House in late March this year, Senator O’Neill accused Mercedes-Benz’s local management of misleading a Senate Committee hearing looking at the relationship between car manufacturers and car dealers, in Australia, during November of 2020.
MORE: NSW Senator says Mercedes-Benz misled Senate over agency switch
March 2022 car sales figures released
Australia’s new vehicle sales grew 1.2 per cent in March 2022 to 101,233 units – though once again brands say they could have sold a lot more if they had stock to deliver.
Toyota led the charts comfortably ahead of Mazda, Mitsubishi, Hyundai, and Kia. Its HiLux and RAV4 occupied the top two spots on the model sales charts, ahead of the Mitsubishi Triton, Mazda CX-5, and Tesla Model 3 in fifth place.
MORE: VFACTS, March 2022 car sales figures released
Subaru WRX pricing announced
The 2022 WRX range will open at $44,990 before on-road costs for the base manual sedan, topping out at $57,990 before on-roads for the tS Sportswagon with a continuously-variable transmission (CVT).
All models feature a new 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder Boxer engine with 202kW of power at 5600rpm and 350Nm of torque from 2000 to 5200rpm.
MORE: 2022 Subaru WRX priced from $44,990 before on-roads
China’s BYD prepping Tesla Model 3 rival
The Australian distributor for burgeoning Chinese EV company BYD plans to launch a sleek new electric sedan late in 2022, aimed squarely at the market-dominating Tesla Model 3.
Called BYD Seal in its domestic setting, there’s a good chance it could be called the BYD Atto 4 in Australia, since the company’s first mainstream product here, a small SUV, is called Atto 3.
MORE: BYD Australia’s Tesla Model 3 EV sedan competitor detailed
Jeep’s electrifying 4×4 future
Jeep says it isn’t concerned electric vehicles will take the challenge out of off-roading.
“I’m not worried about it,” said Jeep Exterior Design head Mark Allen.“We’re making it too easy for people. They’ll just find a harder trail.”
Mr Allen also highlighted the possibilities of EVs for off-roading, in particular the ability to control the four wheels individually plus the glut of low-end torque.
MORE: Jeep says electric vehicles won’t make off-roading less fun
Cupra range priced at last
Cupra has detailed pricing for its entire range of sporty hatchbacks and SUVs, ahead of orders opening in early June and vehicles arriving in July.
All models feature fixed pricing, and come with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and three years of free servicing. Cupra has also published drive-away pricing for much of the range.
