VFACTS: Australia's new vehicle sales at their lowest since 2003Mike Costello Sales recoveries in the final quarter weren't enough to stop 2020 being the worst year for new vehicle sales in Australia since 2003. Toyota was dominant, the Chinese brands are booming, and utes topped the charts once again. 3 weeks agoComments
VFACTS: November 2020 sales results are in, and it's good news across the boardMike Costello After a shocking, COVID-stricken 2020, sales are on the uptick. It's been more than two and a half years since we've seen a month of positive results like November. No brand did better than Toyota, with four of the top-five sellers.1 month agoComments
Volkswagen pans SA and Victoria's 'crazy' EV road tax plansMike Costello "We have always said we don’t expect incentives, we don’t expect anyone to pay for vehicles to come to market, incentives invariably create distortions. But certainly we’re absolutely against disincentives." 1 month agoComments
Q&A: Why Mercedes-Benz is changing its dealer modelMike Costello 'Regardless who I am, regardless of my skills, regardless where I am, and regardless who is my chosen retailer, I don't need to fear that I am worse off than someone else buying this car'1 month agoComments
Australia needs national EV policies, not piecemeal state onesMike Costello Why should someone in Victoria pay significantly more for the pleasure of owning an EV than someone in the ACT? 2 months agoComments
EV Council, FCAI, Hyundai slam South Australia's proposed EV taxMike Costello EV lobby says the South Australian government now has the 'dubious honour' of becoming the only jurisdiction in the world to disincentivise the purchase of electric vehicles, as FCAI and Hyundai also take aim2 months agoComments
South Australia plans EV levy, but also pledges more electric cars for its fleetMike Costello South Australia wants to charge EV owners in lieu of fuel excise, but also pledges to buy more electric vehicles for its fleet and to fund public charging sites2 months agoComments
Australia's fleet managers explain their low EV take-upMike Costello Big fleets are a key driver of electric vehicle sales worldwide, and in so doing they also create a market for second-hand battery vehicles that have lower cost barriers fo the public2 months agoComments
Federal Government backs smart electric car charger trialScott Collie Electric vehicle adoption is low in Australia, but there are a number of trials underway looking at how to change that. The latest comes from Origin Energy, backed by ARENA.5 months agoComments
Australian startup making "world-first" active wheel-alignment systemMike Costello Doftek has created a system that plugs into existing suspension architectures, to subtly change wheel camber, caster and toe while the vehicle is on the move 6 months agoComments
Emissions targets explained: Q&A with FCAI chief executive Tony WeberMike Costello Australia’s car manufacturers have created their own CO2 reduction roadmap in lieu of the government. It's nowhere near as stringent as the targets enforced by the European Union, but they say it's a start. We talk to the FCAI chief executive. 6 months agoComments
Carmakers bypass government to develop Australian emissions standardsScott Collie The carmakers selling vehicles in Australia have agreed to a new set of emissions standards for 2030, in the hope of some certainty when pushing for hybrid and electric vehicles from head office. 6 months agoComments
