Author: Damion Smy

A ‘dark factory’, where latest cars are produced entirely by robots without human involvement, is ready to open as soon as 2030 and revolutionise vehicle manufacturing, in response to analysts.In what often is the biggest shake-up since Ford’s adoption of the moving assembly line to fabricate the Model T in 1913 – cutting production times and costs while lowering showroom prices – the ‘dark factory’ may have serious implications beyond the factory floor.Based on Automotive News, the move could reshape vehicle design principles, workforce training and the economics of automotive manufacturing through faster model changeovers.It cites a study by McKinsey…

The Volkswagen T-Roc R has been spied testing ahead of its official unveiling later this 12 months – and its potential Australian showroom arrival in 2028 – as the brand new performance hero of the second-generation T-Roc small SUV lineup.Regular versions of the brand new T-Roc – which is able to proceed to rival the Nissan Qashqai, Toyota Corolla Cross and C-HR, and Hyundai Kona – were shown in August 2025, employing mild-hybrid and hybrid powertrains, and the identical MQB Evo platform that underpinns the present Volkswagen Golf.While the worldwide reveal included a hotter, sport-focused R-Line variant, the fully fledged…

The LDV Terron 9 dual-cab ute has had its price cut by $3000 to $47,990 drive-away for Australian Business Number (ABN) holders until March 2026, or until current 2025 stocks run out.LDV said the offer replaces a previous promotion available on the Terron 9’s launch in Australia in July 2025, which saw the usual $50,990 drive-away price reduced by $1000 for ABN holders.The brand new $3000 discount for ABN holders applies to each model grades, with the usual Terron 9 Origin at $47,990 drive-away including a 3500kg braked towing rating, dual 12.3-inch widescreen digital displays and a five-star ANCAP safety…

BYD is China’s best-selling automaker for the fourth 12 months in a row, ahead of Geely, Chery and Great Wall Motors, despite falling wanting its sales goal by almost a million vehicles.In a worldwide shift, China is about to develop into the world’s primary automotive maker in 2025, overtaking Japan for the primary time, and preliminary sales show BYD is at the highest of the list of Chinese brands.Despite this, BYD’s 4,602,436 sales in 2025 – as compiled by CarNewsChina – fell 897,564 vehicles, or 16.32 per cent, wanting the publicised goal of 5.5 million.While the figure is over seven…

The primary MG4 Anxin Edition electric hatchbacks have been delivered to customers in China ahead of a planned Australian launch within the second quarter (April–June) of 2026.The MG4 Anxin Edition is the world’s first mass-produced electric vehicle (EV) to make use of liquid semi-solid-state batteries – a halfway house between current battery technology and solid-state batteries.The smaller front-wheel-drive MG4, similar in size to the BYD Dolphin, will probably be sold in Australia alongside an update to the present rear-wheel- and all-wheel-drive MG4 range.The MG4 Anxin Edition – with ‘anxin’ translating to ‘relief’ or ‘peace of mind’ – has a claimed…

Latest laws introduced in China aim to enhance the protection of electrical vehicle (EV) battery packs, including a “no fire, no explosion” requirement specializing in eliminating battery fires and subsequent hazards.The regulations will bring global advantages given the dominance of China within the EV battery supply chains and their proliferation across auto brands, including Tesla, BYD and Toyota.In line with CarNewsChina, the brand new rules come into effect on January 1, 2026, and so they “would require automakers to optimise battery structures and thermal management systems to enhance the general safety of recent energy vehicles”.‘Latest energy vehicles’ is a term…

The 2026 KGM Musso ute has been caught without camouflage for the primary time, revealing various model grades ahead of its official unveiling and arrival in Australian showrooms.Images posted by shorts_car on social media reveal the look of the new-generation Musso Q300, while YouTube commentator BPD has added further detail to the photographs.Three model grades are shown, while BPD claims the Q300 will probably be offered in a normal short-wheelbase version in addition to a long-wheelbase variant.KGM has not announced details including powertrains, equipment levels or pricing for the Musso Q300.CarExpert can prevent hundreds on a brand new automobile. Click here to…

A seatbelt failure has prompted Australia’s leading authority on vehicle crash testing to warn motorists against travelling within the rear seats of the Suzuki Fronx small SUV, which launched locally earlier this 12 months, with the automaker quick to reply. The 2026 Suzuki Fronx has received a one-star crash rating from the Australasian Latest Automotive Assessment Program (ANCAP), certainly one of the bottom scores recorded for a small vehicle – and among the many lowest of any model currently on sale in Australia.ANCAP said recent testing of the Fronx revealed the failure of certainly one of the rear passenger seatbelts,…

The primary of 5 men accused of being a part of a criminal offense ring behind the theft of greater than 60 Toyota LandCruisers – valued at greater than $8 million – has been denied bail in Brisbane Arrest Court and now faces as much as 14 years in jail.Sher Hussain Mahasely, a 29-year-old Uber driver and business owner, was arrested by Queensland Police Service officers on the afternoon of December 9, 2025.He appeared before a magistrate this morning with an application for bail which, after a roughly 30-minute proceeding, was denied.The QPS alleged Mr Mahasely is a component of…

Mitsubishi Australia may have a brand new chief in 2026 because it looks to capitalise on a raft of latest models in local showrooms, led by the brand new ASX small SUV and a more capable Outlander PHEV. Shunichi Kihara has been confirmed as the brand new Chief Executive Officer of Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL), effective January 5, 2026. Mr Kihara will come into the role after serving because the Assistant Division General Manager of the Japanese automaker’s North Asia Division, and replaces interim MMAL CEO Yoshinori Yamazaki.The incoming CEO has also held global sales roles at Mitsubishi.CarExpert can prevent 1000’s…