Kia Australia says the entry-level EV2 all-electric crossover is “probably leaning towards no” for a local introduction, citing production and freight costs as key challenges. Speaking with CarExpert at the launch of the new EV4 Sedan, general manager for product planning at Kia Australia, Roland Rivero, said the local arm will struggle to get the price of the Slovakian-built EV2 under the entry point of the Korean-sourced EV3. “[The EV2] is probably coming up not at the price point we would like it to be,” Mr Rivero told CarExpert. “It has to sit comfortably below EV3, and if we can’t…

The increasing cost of living in Australia is forcing a majority of car owners to push back or decrease vehicle maintenance – with some abandoning vital repairs entirely. A new study from Canstar reveals 57 per cent of Australian households delayed, reduced, or cancelled their car-related expenses in 2025. Almost half of the 2700 owners surveyed admitted to having either postponed or skipped a schedule car service, while 28 per cent put off buying a brand-new model – and 17 per cent scrapped plans to buy a new car entirely. Worryingly, a quarter said they were neglecting necessary repairs on…

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Golf GTI, Volkswagen has launched a limited-build model called the Edition 50 with more power than any of its predecessors.  While not yet 100 per cent confirmed for the Australian market, fans of the badge should start saving, as it won’t come cheap. Not only that, but the standard Edition 50 is really just a GTI Clubsport with a little more performance, so buyers will need to fork out for the Performance Package upgrade to unleash the full Nurburgring record-breaking potential of the car.  That probably won’t matter to those that can afford…

You might be surprised to hear that the 2026 Kia EV4 is the Korean brand’s first all-electric passenger vehicle that isn’t an SUV… Following the EV3, EV5, EV6 and EV9 electric SUVs is the EV4 ‘Sedan’ or ‘Fastback’ depending on where you live – a hatchback is available in Europe, but might not come here due to its exclusively Slovakian production. While the name seems pretty conventional, the design surely isn’t. Kia’s first rival for the popular Tesla Model 3 and BYD Seal looks anything but conventional, with its angular, futuristic lines making it look like something between spaceship and…

Kia Australia is launching its first electric vehicle (EV) that’s not an SUV, but it’s not expecting big numbers for its rival to the BYD Seal and Tesla Model 3. The 2026 Kia EV4 is landing now, priced from $49,990 plus on-road costs. Despite being sized and priced in line with popular rivals from Tesla and BYD, which each sell 300-600 units regularly per month, the Korean brand’s local division doesn’t even expect triple figures monthly. Speaking at the Australian media launch, general manager for product planning Roland Rivero said projected monthly sales rate for the EV4 is just 70…

GWM Australia has announced Andrew Gao, a 15-year veteran of the automaker, as its new managing director from February 1, 2026. Mr Gao joined GWM in 2011, relocating to Australia in 2014 and serving in senior leadership roles across sales, network development and product functions. He’ll replace Charles Zhao who, after more than five years in the role, will move to a position with GWM’s European operations, having overseen significant sales growth in Australia that saw GWM become both a top-ten brand and the best-selling Chinese automaker locally. In a record sales year, GWM – which in Australia includes Haval…

Regulators in China are clamping down on manufacturers launching new cars before they’re ready, citing long-term safety and quality concerns. According to business news outlet Caixin, the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has updated standards for the certification of brand-new models, with fears consumers were unknowingly being used as guinea pigs. It’s alleged automakers rushed cars to market before they were ready, dramatically reducing the research and development (R&D) period in order to gain an upper hand over competitors. Coming into effect in January 2027, the new regulations will require all petrol- and diesel-powered vehicles to pass…