Toyota will reportedly break with more than 70 years of tradition by producing two new LandCruiser-badged models – a dual-cab ute and an SUV – based on a monocoque platform rather than a ladder frame like every Toyota off-roader since the original ‘Toyota Jeep BJ’ of 1953. According to Japanese publication Best Car, the first LandCruiser…

Toyota says it has no plan to stop developing diesel engines despite tightening emissions regulations globally, and hasn’t ruled out introducing diesel hybrids. Speaking at a conference held in conjunction with the Japan Mobility Show (JMS) in Tokyo last week, the company’s powertrain chief Takashi Uehara said there’s no timeline for the end of diesel-powered…

The once-popular Honda Odyssey people mover won’t be making a return Down Under anytime soon, despite the availability of right-hand drive and a hybrid drivetrain. Honda Australia CEO Jay Joseph told CarExpert in Tokyo that despite the availability of right-hand drive for Honda’s rival for the top-selling Kia Carnival, there are no current plans to…

Honda says it’s here to stay in Australia, with a panel of global executives standing firm on the Japanese brand’s commitment Down Under. “Currently we’re building our business there, so we’re in a building phase,” Honda Australia CEO Jay Joseph said in an executive roundtable conference. “Of course, we all know five years ago…

BYD sales continue to boom in Australia, but the Chinese auto brand is importing significantly more vehicles than it’s selling, allowing it to take advantage of a loophole in the federal government’s new emissions regulations. The Australian Financial Review reports BYD’s inventories are significantly larger than those of not only Toyota and Ford, but also…

Honda Australia’s new CEO says the Japanese brand is going to have to make “hard decisions” about its lineup moving forward, with slower-selling nameplates like the Accord and Civic not guaranteed a future on legacy alone. Speaking with CarExpert in Tokyo, Jay Joseph – chief executive officer for Honda’s local division – said “we’re not…

The ageing Audi Q7 lineup has been bolstered by a pair of sporty new S line editions, which are claimed to offer $9000 worth of extra value for just $3600 over the price of the variants on which they’re based. The S line treatment has been applied to the Q7 TFSI quattro 185kW (formerly known…

With living costs still rising and interest rates remaining high, Australians are keeping a closer eye on the affordability of new cars. While average prices have increased steadily in recent years, several brands continue to offer relatively low entry points into new-car ownership across different vehicle segments. Chinese and Korean manufacturers now dominate the budget…

Ontario, the most populous province in Canada, will ban automated speed cameras on November 14, and hopes to replace them with speed bumps and other speed reduction measures. The Ontario government passed legislation as part of an omnibus “red tape” bill that will ban the use of automated speed cameras by municipalities throughout the province.…