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…

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…

The Kia K4 Sportswagon could have reignited the compact wagon segment in Australia, but Kia's local executives have all but ruled it out. Speaking with CarExpert, Kia Australia general manager for marketing Dean Norbiato quashed hopes of the wagon-bodied K4 coming to Australia – even as a hybrid – arguing that under the Federal Government's…

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…

Kia's local boss is standing by the Tasman ute, saying "we will continue to work exceptionally hard to make sure that it is a success in the Australian market". Speaking with media at the launch of the new EV4 electric sedan, CEO for Kia Australia – Damien Meredith – got on the topic of Tasman…

Nissan Oceania will have a new boss from April 2026, after Andrew Humberstone was confirmed to be returning to Nissan in Europe after two years in the top job locally. Mr Humberstone, who has been managing director of Nissan Oceania since April 2024, will be replaced by Steve Milette, effective April 1, 2026. Mr Milette…

The heavily upgraded Mercedes-Benz S-Class has made its world debut, five years after the German automaker’s current W223-series flagship sedan debuted in 2020. Mercedes-Benz says the 2026 S-Class represents the most comprehensive mid-cycle update in the model’s history, with more than 50 per cent of the extra-large luxury limousine (around 2700 components) being newly developed,…

The Volvo XC90 and EX90 are the brand’s flagship models, but the Swedish marque is keen on stepping up a size to take on the Mercedes-Benz GLS and BMW X7. During a briefing last week in Stockholm, Volvo CEO Håkan Samuelsson told the media demand for three-row SUVs continues to grow in the US and…

Porsche Cars Australia is recalling the hottest member of the Porsche Taycan lineup, the Turbo GT, due to an issue that could affect some of its airbags from deploying. “Due to a manufacturing issue, the wiring harness under the front seats may not have been positioned according to specifications,” the company says in its recall…