China's Zeekr has Rolls-Royce, Porsche in its sights with long-range 1000kW PHEV large SUV
The Zeekr 9X has been 'engineered to embody the luxury of a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, performance of a Porsche Cayenne, and all-terrain capability of a Range Rover ', according to the Geely-owned brand.
After revealing the 9X's exterior in April, Zeekr has now released more details and shown off its interior ahead of first customer deliveries commencing in China this quarter.
Featuring Zeekr's new SEAS architecture, the 9X uses a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine delivering 205kW of peak power, mated with three tri-silicon carbide-powered electric motors, for total peak power of 1030kW.
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Zeekr claims the 9X can do the 0-100km/h dash in just 3.1 seconds, which would make it one of the world's quickest SUVs.
It uses a 70kWh battery, the largest yet in a hybrid SUV, and features a 900V electrical system.
That battery, sourced from CATL, is much larger than many other hybrid SUVs, and larger than many electric vehicle (EV) batteries too.
Claimed electric-only range, depending on the variant, is up to 380km on the CLTC cycle.
Zeekr says the battery can be charged from 20 to 80 per cent in as little as nine minutes, with a 10-80 per cent charge taking as little as 10.3 minutes; like many PHEVs, the engine can also be used to charge the battery.
The brand also claims the new combustion engine, its first and designed specifically for 'high-performance electric hybrids', has thermal efficiency of over 46 per cent.
Zeekr says the 9X is intended to offer 'EV-era' technology and 'IC-era luxury and uncompromised performance'.
It also promises 'best-in-class low-battery performance' and 'EV-like smoothness', as well as fast-charging capability and instant responsiveness.
It rides on dual-chamber air suspension, allowing for maximum ground clearance of 288mm, and features dual-valve continuously controlled damping and a 48V active stabiliser bar – the latter claimed to be a first for a Chinese brand.
The 9X has selectable comfort, eco and sport drive modes, plus seven additional terrain modes: grass, snow, deep snow, mud, sand, rocks and mountain roads.
There's a suite of active safety and driver assist technology, powered by five LiDAR units, five 4D millimetre-wave radars, 12 ultrasonic sensors, 13 high-definition cameras and two wading cameras. Zeekr says the 9X supports Level 3 autonomous driving capability.
The Chinese brand displayed the 9X with a two-tone interior, featuring prominent wood inlays.
There's a large, landscape-oriented infotainment touchscreen, under which sits a row of physical buttons, as well as a neatly integrated digital instrument cluster.
There's a rotary dial on the centre console next to some more switches and a pair of wireless phone charging pads, with the gear shifter mounted up on the column.
In a Mercedes-Benz-like touch, all of the front power seat controls are on the doors.
Second-row occupants sit in a pair of captain's chairs, and can view a TV screen that comes down from the roof.
The boot is accessed via a clamshell tailgate.
The Zeekr 9X measures a sizeable 5239mm long, 2029mm wide, 1819mm tall and rides a 3169mm wheelbase, making it larger than a Toyota LandCruiser.
While its exterior features ample brightwork, including a bold chrome grille and Maybach-like 22-inch mirror-finish forged wheels, Zeekr previewed a blacked-out Nightshade edition.
Zeekr Australia has confirmed a third SUV will join its local lineup in 2026, following the pioneering Zeekr X small electric SUV and the 7X mid-size electric SUV, though it hasn't confirmed which model.
Thus far, the only other SUV in Zeekr's global portfolio is the 9X, however, another PHEV SUV is expected to be launched soon in China.
'When introducing a new model to Australia in 2026, we need to look at the powertrain and segment,' Zeekr global product marketing director Tony Zhou told CarExpert earlier this month.
'We have a compact SUV, C/D segment [mid-size] SUV, and MPV [the Zeekr 009 electric people mover]. What will be next… is under discussion. We have BEV, big SUV, small SUV, hatchbacks, hybrids and PHEVs in our pocket.'
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The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
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The Dacia Bigster — the budget brand's largest SUV to date — has been given a glow up and transformed into the Renault Boreal for sale in Latin America, the Middle East and parts of Mediterranean basin. With Dacia largely confined to Europe, Renault has rebadged many models from its Romanian marque for sale in other markets, primarily Africa and Latin America. Typically this involves swapping Dacia badges for Renault ones, and maybe tweaking the grille. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The Boreal goes a step further by having completely distinct exterior panels, except for maybe the roof. Up front, the simple lines of the Bigster have given way for a split headlight treatment integrated into an egg-crate grille. Along the sides the Boreal has smoother surfacing, and a vast section of chiselled faux brushed metal trim on the D-pillar. At the back, the Boreal ditches the Bigster's awkward arrowhead tail-lights for a set that wouldn't look out of place on a Skoda. Despite these changes, the Boreal is clearly very closely related to Bigster with the two sharing the same overall shape, as well as door apertures, and both feature hidden rear door handles. The Boreal is 4556mm long, 1841mm wide, 1650mm tall, and rides on a 2702mm wheelbase. Boot space with a rear seats up is rated at 522 litres. The differences continue on the inside, with the Bigster having its own unique dashboard design where the 10.0-inch instrumentation screen flows into the 10.0-inch infotainment touchscreen. While the Bigster's interior makes a virtue of its assortment of hard, but durable plastic, the Boreal's dash has soft-touch material. The Renault also features more realistic-looking faux metal elements, leather-look seats with contrast stitching, and more generously padded armrests, at least up front. 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MORE: Everything Renault Content originally sourced from: The Dacia Bigster — the budget brand's largest SUV to date — has been given a glow up and transformed into the Renault Boreal for sale in Latin America, the Middle East and parts of Mediterranean basin. With Dacia largely confined to Europe, Renault has rebadged many models from its Romanian marque for sale in other markets, primarily Africa and Latin America. Typically this involves swapping Dacia badges for Renault ones, and maybe tweaking the grille. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The Boreal goes a step further by having completely distinct exterior panels, except for maybe the roof. Up front, the simple lines of the Bigster have given way for a split headlight treatment integrated into an egg-crate grille. Along the sides the Boreal has smoother surfacing, and a vast section of chiselled faux brushed metal trim on the D-pillar. At the back, the Boreal ditches the Bigster's awkward arrowhead tail-lights for a set that wouldn't look out of place on a Skoda. Despite these changes, the Boreal is clearly very closely related to Bigster with the two sharing the same overall shape, as well as door apertures, and both feature hidden rear door handles. The Boreal is 4556mm long, 1841mm wide, 1650mm tall, and rides on a 2702mm wheelbase. Boot space with a rear seats up is rated at 522 litres. The differences continue on the inside, with the Bigster having its own unique dashboard design where the 10.0-inch instrumentation screen flows into the 10.0-inch infotainment touchscreen. While the Bigster's interior makes a virtue of its assortment of hard, but durable plastic, the Boreal's dash has soft-touch material. The Renault also features more realistic-looking faux metal elements, leather-look seats with contrast stitching, and more generously padded armrests, at least up front. The Boreal will be made in Brazil for Latin American markets from late 2025, and in Turkey for the Middle East and Mediterranean basin some time in 2026. While the Bigster is available with a choice of mild-hybrid and hybrid drivetrains, as well as the option of all-wheel drive and a manual transmission, the Boreal will be available exclusively with a 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine matched with six-speed dual-clutch automated transmission. For Boreals made in Turkey the engine develops 103kW and 240Nm, while Brazil-made models are available in petrol or FlexFuel derivatives, the latter of which can use almost any mixture of petrol and alcohol. Brazilian petrol models make 116kW, and FlexFuel variants develop 122kW and 270Nm. Available features include dual-zone climate control, a refrigerated centre bin, and a Harmon Kardon sound system. The infotainment system runs on the Android Automotive operating system with built-in Google Maps for navigation and Google Assistant voice recognition, and has access to the Google Play app store. Safety items include blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assistance, traffic sign recognition, autonomous emergency braking, safe exit monitoring, and drowsiness alerts. The Dacia Bigster (above) was launched at the end of 2024. Closely related to the third-generation Dacia Duster, both cars use the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance's CMF-B LS platform. While the Duster has been sold as a Renault in many global markets since the first generation, it has only just landed in Australia No word yet on whether the Boreal will be sold in Australia, but so far it doesn't look like the car will be produced in right-hand drive. MORE: Everything Renault Content originally sourced from: The Dacia Bigster — the budget brand's largest SUV to date — has been given a glow up and transformed into the Renault Boreal for sale in Latin America, the Middle East and parts of Mediterranean basin. With Dacia largely confined to Europe, Renault has rebadged many models from its Romanian marque for sale in other markets, primarily Africa and Latin America. Typically this involves swapping Dacia badges for Renault ones, and maybe tweaking the grille. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The Boreal goes a step further by having completely distinct exterior panels, except for maybe the roof. Up front, the simple lines of the Bigster have given way for a split headlight treatment integrated into an egg-crate grille. Along the sides the Boreal has smoother surfacing, and a vast section of chiselled faux brushed metal trim on the D-pillar. At the back, the Boreal ditches the Bigster's awkward arrowhead tail-lights for a set that wouldn't look out of place on a Skoda. Despite these changes, the Boreal is clearly very closely related to Bigster with the two sharing the same overall shape, as well as door apertures, and both feature hidden rear door handles. The Boreal is 4556mm long, 1841mm wide, 1650mm tall, and rides on a 2702mm wheelbase. Boot space with a rear seats up is rated at 522 litres. The differences continue on the inside, with the Bigster having its own unique dashboard design where the 10.0-inch instrumentation screen flows into the 10.0-inch infotainment touchscreen. While the Bigster's interior makes a virtue of its assortment of hard, but durable plastic, the Boreal's dash has soft-touch material. The Renault also features more realistic-looking faux metal elements, leather-look seats with contrast stitching, and more generously padded armrests, at least up front. The Boreal will be made in Brazil for Latin American markets from late 2025, and in Turkey for the Middle East and Mediterranean basin some time in 2026. While the Bigster is available with a choice of mild-hybrid and hybrid drivetrains, as well as the option of all-wheel drive and a manual transmission, the Boreal will be available exclusively with a 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine matched with six-speed dual-clutch automated transmission. For Boreals made in Turkey the engine develops 103kW and 240Nm, while Brazil-made models are available in petrol or FlexFuel derivatives, the latter of which can use almost any mixture of petrol and alcohol. Brazilian petrol models make 116kW, and FlexFuel variants develop 122kW and 270Nm. Available features include dual-zone climate control, a refrigerated centre bin, and a Harmon Kardon sound system. The infotainment system runs on the Android Automotive operating system with built-in Google Maps for navigation and Google Assistant voice recognition, and has access to the Google Play app store. Safety items include blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assistance, traffic sign recognition, autonomous emergency braking, safe exit monitoring, and drowsiness alerts. The Dacia Bigster (above) was launched at the end of 2024. Closely related to the third-generation Dacia Duster, both cars use the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance's CMF-B LS platform. While the Duster has been sold as a Renault in many global markets since the first generation, it has only just landed in Australia No word yet on whether the Boreal will be sold in Australia, but so far it doesn't look like the car will be produced in right-hand drive. MORE: Everything Renault Content originally sourced from: The Dacia Bigster — the budget brand's largest SUV to date — has been given a glow up and transformed into the Renault Boreal for sale in Latin America, the Middle East and parts of Mediterranean basin. With Dacia largely confined to Europe, Renault has rebadged many models from its Romanian marque for sale in other markets, primarily Africa and Latin America. Typically this involves swapping Dacia badges for Renault ones, and maybe tweaking the grille. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The Boreal goes a step further by having completely distinct exterior panels, except for maybe the roof. Up front, the simple lines of the Bigster have given way for a split headlight treatment integrated into an egg-crate grille. Along the sides the Boreal has smoother surfacing, and a vast section of chiselled faux brushed metal trim on the D-pillar. At the back, the Boreal ditches the Bigster's awkward arrowhead tail-lights for a set that wouldn't look out of place on a Skoda. Despite these changes, the Boreal is clearly very closely related to Bigster with the two sharing the same overall shape, as well as door apertures, and both feature hidden rear door handles. The Boreal is 4556mm long, 1841mm wide, 1650mm tall, and rides on a 2702mm wheelbase. Boot space with a rear seats up is rated at 522 litres. The differences continue on the inside, with the Bigster having its own unique dashboard design where the 10.0-inch instrumentation screen flows into the 10.0-inch infotainment touchscreen. While the Bigster's interior makes a virtue of its assortment of hard, but durable plastic, the Boreal's dash has soft-touch material. The Renault also features more realistic-looking faux metal elements, leather-look seats with contrast stitching, and more generously padded armrests, at least up front. The Boreal will be made in Brazil for Latin American markets from late 2025, and in Turkey for the Middle East and Mediterranean basin some time in 2026. While the Bigster is available with a choice of mild-hybrid and hybrid drivetrains, as well as the option of all-wheel drive and a manual transmission, the Boreal will be available exclusively with a 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine matched with six-speed dual-clutch automated transmission. For Boreals made in Turkey the engine develops 103kW and 240Nm, while Brazil-made models are available in petrol or FlexFuel derivatives, the latter of which can use almost any mixture of petrol and alcohol. Brazilian petrol models make 116kW, and FlexFuel variants develop 122kW and 270Nm. Available features include dual-zone climate control, a refrigerated centre bin, and a Harmon Kardon sound system. The infotainment system runs on the Android Automotive operating system with built-in Google Maps for navigation and Google Assistant voice recognition, and has access to the Google Play app store. Safety items include blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assistance, traffic sign recognition, autonomous emergency braking, safe exit monitoring, and drowsiness alerts. The Dacia Bigster (above) was launched at the end of 2024. Closely related to the third-generation Dacia Duster, both cars use the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance's CMF-B LS platform. While the Duster has been sold as a Renault in many global markets since the first generation, it has only just landed in Australia No word yet on whether the Boreal will be sold in Australia, but so far it doesn't look like the car will be produced in right-hand drive. MORE: Everything Renault Content originally sourced from:
The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Polestar won't rejoin Australia's top auto industry body
Electric vehicle (EV) brand Polestar says it's not ready to rejoin Australia's peak automotive industry organisation, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), because it still believes it doesn't truly represent the local auto industry. Along with US EV brand Tesla, Polestar Australia quit the FCAI in March 2024 in protest of the body's criticism of the federal government's now-implemented New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES). A statement from Polestar announcing its exit claimed the FCAI was attempting to "deliberately slow the car industry's contribution to Australia's emissions reduction potential". The Chinese-owned Swedish EV-maker told media this week its view of the FCAI hasn't changed – and it is not considering rejoining its ranks, which includes most auto brands present in Australia. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "I haven't seen the FCAI say or do anything that would indicate that they're being more progressive when it comes to the electrification of the Australian vehicle fleet," Polestar Australia managing director Scott Maynard said on a media call. "In fact, most of the comments I've seen earlier out of the FCAI would indicate the opposite is true." Officially commencing on January 1, 2025, the NVES is designed to reduce the carbon-dioxide (CO2) tailpipe emissions of all new cars sold in Australia, with CO2 targets lowering annually until 2029. Automakers began accruing financial penalties for exceeding emissions targets from July 1, 2025. The initially proposed targets were raised – meaning new vehicles could emit more CO2 – with the final figures implemented after pressure from the FCAI on the federal government. A public statement on March 5, 2024, said the FCAI was "concerned at the rate of total battery electric vehicle sales which recorded just 5.9 per cent of total sales [in February 2025] compared with 9.6 per cent in February 2024". Further, the FCAI was critical of the way NVES was implemented, saying: "Our grave concern has always been the rate of EV adoption and what assumptions the Government had made in its modelling around consumer demand for EVs in the NVES. This modelling remains secret." Another FCAI statement made three months earlier said: "It is significant that the Government has recognised the need to do more to support sales of EVs in order to get anywhere near the challenge of achieving its extremely ambitious emissions reduction targets under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES)." These were the comments that prompted Polestar to quit the group, along with Tesla, which only joined the FCAI less than 12 months earlier. Tesla was even more critical in public comments upon its exit, accusing the FCAI of misleading Australian consumers and engaging in anti-competitive behaviour. "Tesla is also concerned that it is inappropriate for the FCAI to foreshadow or coordinate whether and how competitor brands implement price changes in response to environmental regulations such as the NVES," it said at the time. The FCAI describes itself as the 'peak representative organisation for companies who distribute new passenger vehicles, light commercial vehicles and motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles in Australia'. Essentially, it represents the interests of automakers, with membership fees based on sales volume. Non-member brands – including Polestar and Tesla, as well as Mahindra, Smart, Cadillac, Ineos and Xpeng, among others – do not supply sales figures for the FCAI's monthly VFACTS reports. The FCAI's board includes – among others – Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi, Mitsubishi Australia CEO Shaun Westcott, Nissan Oceania managing director Andrew Humberstone, Renault Australia general manager Glen Sealy and Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific's Jaime Cohen. Many of the automakers represented by FCAI board members offer EVs in their local lineups, including Penny Ferguson from JLR, which is currently reinventing Jaguar as an electric-only brand. Mr Maynard reiterated that his company's stance this week hasn't changed – even if Polestar's parent company, Geely, is a paid-up member. "The fact that they're [the FCAI] so hard against the NVES and tried to water that down didn't sit with our brand or what we would consider is in the best interests of the Australian buying public or the environment or the economy. "So at this stage, there wouldn't be any reason for us to go back. "The FCAI does an important job of representing its brands. Those brands, too, have spoken out against things like the NVES. "They have spoken out against things like fringe benefits tax (FBT), which continues to disproportionately serve the sale of dual cab utes – not what I would consider to be a far more progressive style of transportation, which is electric vehicles. "So it doesn't sit with our brand to rejoin. I've always said and will continue to say if that position changes, then of course it makes sense for us to join a vehicle-based chamber that represents the industry. But at the moment, I think it represents the industry [only] in part." MORE: Everything Polestar MORE: What the first emissions standard means for Aussie car buyers Content originally sourced from: Electric vehicle (EV) brand Polestar says it's not ready to rejoin Australia's peak automotive industry organisation, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), because it still believes it doesn't truly represent the local auto industry. Along with US EV brand Tesla, Polestar Australia quit the FCAI in March 2024 in protest of the body's criticism of the federal government's now-implemented New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES). A statement from Polestar announcing its exit claimed the FCAI was attempting to "deliberately slow the car industry's contribution to Australia's emissions reduction potential". The Chinese-owned Swedish EV-maker told media this week its view of the FCAI hasn't changed – and it is not considering rejoining its ranks, which includes most auto brands present in Australia. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "I haven't seen the FCAI say or do anything that would indicate that they're being more progressive when it comes to the electrification of the Australian vehicle fleet," Polestar Australia managing director Scott Maynard said on a media call. "In fact, most of the comments I've seen earlier out of the FCAI would indicate the opposite is true." Officially commencing on January 1, 2025, the NVES is designed to reduce the carbon-dioxide (CO2) tailpipe emissions of all new cars sold in Australia, with CO2 targets lowering annually until 2029. Automakers began accruing financial penalties for exceeding emissions targets from July 1, 2025. The initially proposed targets were raised – meaning new vehicles could emit more CO2 – with the final figures implemented after pressure from the FCAI on the federal government. A public statement on March 5, 2024, said the FCAI was "concerned at the rate of total battery electric vehicle sales which recorded just 5.9 per cent of total sales [in February 2025] compared with 9.6 per cent in February 2024". Further, the FCAI was critical of the way NVES was implemented, saying: "Our grave concern has always been the rate of EV adoption and what assumptions the Government had made in its modelling around consumer demand for EVs in the NVES. This modelling remains secret." Another FCAI statement made three months earlier said: "It is significant that the Government has recognised the need to do more to support sales of EVs in order to get anywhere near the challenge of achieving its extremely ambitious emissions reduction targets under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES)." These were the comments that prompted Polestar to quit the group, along with Tesla, which only joined the FCAI less than 12 months earlier. Tesla was even more critical in public comments upon its exit, accusing the FCAI of misleading Australian consumers and engaging in anti-competitive behaviour. "Tesla is also concerned that it is inappropriate for the FCAI to foreshadow or coordinate whether and how competitor brands implement price changes in response to environmental regulations such as the NVES," it said at the time. The FCAI describes itself as the 'peak representative organisation for companies who distribute new passenger vehicles, light commercial vehicles and motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles in Australia'. Essentially, it represents the interests of automakers, with membership fees based on sales volume. Non-member brands – including Polestar and Tesla, as well as Mahindra, Smart, Cadillac, Ineos and Xpeng, among others – do not supply sales figures for the FCAI's monthly VFACTS reports. The FCAI's board includes – among others – Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi, Mitsubishi Australia CEO Shaun Westcott, Nissan Oceania managing director Andrew Humberstone, Renault Australia general manager Glen Sealy and Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific's Jaime Cohen. Many of the automakers represented by FCAI board members offer EVs in their local lineups, including Penny Ferguson from JLR, which is currently reinventing Jaguar as an electric-only brand. Mr Maynard reiterated that his company's stance this week hasn't changed – even if Polestar's parent company, Geely, is a paid-up member. "The fact that they're [the FCAI] so hard against the NVES and tried to water that down didn't sit with our brand or what we would consider is in the best interests of the Australian buying public or the environment or the economy. "So at this stage, there wouldn't be any reason for us to go back. "The FCAI does an important job of representing its brands. Those brands, too, have spoken out against things like the NVES. "They have spoken out against things like fringe benefits tax (FBT), which continues to disproportionately serve the sale of dual cab utes – not what I would consider to be a far more progressive style of transportation, which is electric vehicles. "So it doesn't sit with our brand to rejoin. I've always said and will continue to say if that position changes, then of course it makes sense for us to join a vehicle-based chamber that represents the industry. But at the moment, I think it represents the industry [only] in part." MORE: Everything Polestar MORE: What the first emissions standard means for Aussie car buyers Content originally sourced from: Electric vehicle (EV) brand Polestar says it's not ready to rejoin Australia's peak automotive industry organisation, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), because it still believes it doesn't truly represent the local auto industry. Along with US EV brand Tesla, Polestar Australia quit the FCAI in March 2024 in protest of the body's criticism of the federal government's now-implemented New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES). A statement from Polestar announcing its exit claimed the FCAI was attempting to "deliberately slow the car industry's contribution to Australia's emissions reduction potential". The Chinese-owned Swedish EV-maker told media this week its view of the FCAI hasn't changed – and it is not considering rejoining its ranks, which includes most auto brands present in Australia. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "I haven't seen the FCAI say or do anything that would indicate that they're being more progressive when it comes to the electrification of the Australian vehicle fleet," Polestar Australia managing director Scott Maynard said on a media call. "In fact, most of the comments I've seen earlier out of the FCAI would indicate the opposite is true." Officially commencing on January 1, 2025, the NVES is designed to reduce the carbon-dioxide (CO2) tailpipe emissions of all new cars sold in Australia, with CO2 targets lowering annually until 2029. Automakers began accruing financial penalties for exceeding emissions targets from July 1, 2025. The initially proposed targets were raised – meaning new vehicles could emit more CO2 – with the final figures implemented after pressure from the FCAI on the federal government. A public statement on March 5, 2024, said the FCAI was "concerned at the rate of total battery electric vehicle sales which recorded just 5.9 per cent of total sales [in February 2025] compared with 9.6 per cent in February 2024". Further, the FCAI was critical of the way NVES was implemented, saying: "Our grave concern has always been the rate of EV adoption and what assumptions the Government had made in its modelling around consumer demand for EVs in the NVES. This modelling remains secret." Another FCAI statement made three months earlier said: "It is significant that the Government has recognised the need to do more to support sales of EVs in order to get anywhere near the challenge of achieving its extremely ambitious emissions reduction targets under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES)." These were the comments that prompted Polestar to quit the group, along with Tesla, which only joined the FCAI less than 12 months earlier. Tesla was even more critical in public comments upon its exit, accusing the FCAI of misleading Australian consumers and engaging in anti-competitive behaviour. "Tesla is also concerned that it is inappropriate for the FCAI to foreshadow or coordinate whether and how competitor brands implement price changes in response to environmental regulations such as the NVES," it said at the time. The FCAI describes itself as the 'peak representative organisation for companies who distribute new passenger vehicles, light commercial vehicles and motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles in Australia'. Essentially, it represents the interests of automakers, with membership fees based on sales volume. Non-member brands – including Polestar and Tesla, as well as Mahindra, Smart, Cadillac, Ineos and Xpeng, among others – do not supply sales figures for the FCAI's monthly VFACTS reports. The FCAI's board includes – among others – Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi, Mitsubishi Australia CEO Shaun Westcott, Nissan Oceania managing director Andrew Humberstone, Renault Australia general manager Glen Sealy and Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific's Jaime Cohen. Many of the automakers represented by FCAI board members offer EVs in their local lineups, including Penny Ferguson from JLR, which is currently reinventing Jaguar as an electric-only brand. Mr Maynard reiterated that his company's stance this week hasn't changed – even if Polestar's parent company, Geely, is a paid-up member. "The fact that they're [the FCAI] so hard against the NVES and tried to water that down didn't sit with our brand or what we would consider is in the best interests of the Australian buying public or the environment or the economy. "So at this stage, there wouldn't be any reason for us to go back. "The FCAI does an important job of representing its brands. Those brands, too, have spoken out against things like the NVES. "They have spoken out against things like fringe benefits tax (FBT), which continues to disproportionately serve the sale of dual cab utes – not what I would consider to be a far more progressive style of transportation, which is electric vehicles. "So it doesn't sit with our brand to rejoin. I've always said and will continue to say if that position changes, then of course it makes sense for us to join a vehicle-based chamber that represents the industry. But at the moment, I think it represents the industry [only] in part." MORE: Everything Polestar MORE: What the first emissions standard means for Aussie car buyers Content originally sourced from: Electric vehicle (EV) brand Polestar says it's not ready to rejoin Australia's peak automotive industry organisation, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), because it still believes it doesn't truly represent the local auto industry. Along with US EV brand Tesla, Polestar Australia quit the FCAI in March 2024 in protest of the body's criticism of the federal government's now-implemented New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES). A statement from Polestar announcing its exit claimed the FCAI was attempting to "deliberately slow the car industry's contribution to Australia's emissions reduction potential". The Chinese-owned Swedish EV-maker told media this week its view of the FCAI hasn't changed – and it is not considering rejoining its ranks, which includes most auto brands present in Australia. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "I haven't seen the FCAI say or do anything that would indicate that they're being more progressive when it comes to the electrification of the Australian vehicle fleet," Polestar Australia managing director Scott Maynard said on a media call. "In fact, most of the comments I've seen earlier out of the FCAI would indicate the opposite is true." Officially commencing on January 1, 2025, the NVES is designed to reduce the carbon-dioxide (CO2) tailpipe emissions of all new cars sold in Australia, with CO2 targets lowering annually until 2029. Automakers began accruing financial penalties for exceeding emissions targets from July 1, 2025. The initially proposed targets were raised – meaning new vehicles could emit more CO2 – with the final figures implemented after pressure from the FCAI on the federal government. A public statement on March 5, 2024, said the FCAI was "concerned at the rate of total battery electric vehicle sales which recorded just 5.9 per cent of total sales [in February 2025] compared with 9.6 per cent in February 2024". Further, the FCAI was critical of the way NVES was implemented, saying: "Our grave concern has always been the rate of EV adoption and what assumptions the Government had made in its modelling around consumer demand for EVs in the NVES. This modelling remains secret." Another FCAI statement made three months earlier said: "It is significant that the Government has recognised the need to do more to support sales of EVs in order to get anywhere near the challenge of achieving its extremely ambitious emissions reduction targets under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES)." These were the comments that prompted Polestar to quit the group, along with Tesla, which only joined the FCAI less than 12 months earlier. Tesla was even more critical in public comments upon its exit, accusing the FCAI of misleading Australian consumers and engaging in anti-competitive behaviour. "Tesla is also concerned that it is inappropriate for the FCAI to foreshadow or coordinate whether and how competitor brands implement price changes in response to environmental regulations such as the NVES," it said at the time. The FCAI describes itself as the 'peak representative organisation for companies who distribute new passenger vehicles, light commercial vehicles and motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles in Australia'. Essentially, it represents the interests of automakers, with membership fees based on sales volume. Non-member brands – including Polestar and Tesla, as well as Mahindra, Smart, Cadillac, Ineos and Xpeng, among others – do not supply sales figures for the FCAI's monthly VFACTS reports. The FCAI's board includes – among others – Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi, Mitsubishi Australia CEO Shaun Westcott, Nissan Oceania managing director Andrew Humberstone, Renault Australia general manager Glen Sealy and Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific's Jaime Cohen. Many of the automakers represented by FCAI board members offer EVs in their local lineups, including Penny Ferguson from JLR, which is currently reinventing Jaguar as an electric-only brand. Mr Maynard reiterated that his company's stance this week hasn't changed – even if Polestar's parent company, Geely, is a paid-up member. "The fact that they're [the FCAI] so hard against the NVES and tried to water that down didn't sit with our brand or what we would consider is in the best interests of the Australian buying public or the environment or the economy. "So at this stage, there wouldn't be any reason for us to go back. "The FCAI does an important job of representing its brands. Those brands, too, have spoken out against things like the NVES. "They have spoken out against things like fringe benefits tax (FBT), which continues to disproportionately serve the sale of dual cab utes – not what I would consider to be a far more progressive style of transportation, which is electric vehicles. "So it doesn't sit with our brand to rejoin. I've always said and will continue to say if that position changes, then of course it makes sense for us to join a vehicle-based chamber that represents the industry. But at the moment, I think it represents the industry [only] in part." MORE: Everything Polestar MORE: What the first emissions standard means for Aussie car buyers Content originally sourced from:
7NEWS
6 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Renault Boreal: Global version of Dacia Bigster revealed
The Dacia Bigster — the budget brand's largest SUV to date — has been given a glow up and transformed into the Renault Boreal for sale in Latin America, the Middle East and parts of Mediterranean basin. With Dacia largely confined to Europe, Renault has rebadged many models from its Romanian marque for sale in other markets, primarily Africa and Latin America. Typically this involves swapping Dacia badges for Renault ones, and maybe tweaking the grille. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The Boreal goes a step further by having completely distinct exterior panels, except for maybe the roof. Up front, the simple lines of the Bigster have given way for a split headlight treatment integrated into an egg-crate grille. Along the sides the Boreal has smoother surfacing, and a vast section of chiselled faux brushed metal trim on the D-pillar. At the back, the Boreal ditches the Bigster's awkward arrowhead tail-lights for a set that wouldn't look out of place on a Skoda. Despite these changes, the Boreal is clearly very closely related to Bigster with the two sharing the same overall shape, as well as door apertures, and both feature hidden rear door handles. The Boreal is 4556mm long, 1841mm wide, 1650mm tall, and rides on a 2702mm wheelbase. Boot space with a rear seats up is rated at 522 litres. The differences continue on the inside, with the Bigster having its own unique dashboard design where the 10.0-inch instrumentation screen flows into the 10.0-inch infotainment touchscreen. While the Bigster's interior makes a virtue of its assortment of hard, but durable plastic, the Boreal's dash has soft-touch material. The Renault also features more realistic-looking faux metal elements, leather-look seats with contrast stitching, and more generously padded armrests, at least up front. The Boreal will be made in Brazil for Latin American markets from late 2025, and in Turkey for the Middle East and Mediterranean basin some time in 2026. While the Bigster is available with a choice of mild-hybrid and hybrid drivetrains, as well as the option of all-wheel drive and a manual transmission, the Boreal will be available exclusively with a 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine matched with six-speed dual-clutch automated transmission. For Boreals made in Turkey the engine develops 103kW and 240Nm, while Brazil-made models are available in petrol or FlexFuel derivatives, the latter of which can use almost any mixture of petrol and alcohol. Brazilian petrol models make 116kW, and FlexFuel variants develop 122kW and 270Nm. Available features include dual-zone climate control, a refrigerated centre bin, and a Harmon Kardon sound system. The infotainment system runs on the Android Automotive operating system with built-in Google Maps for navigation and Google Assistant voice recognition, and has access to the Google Play app store. Safety items include blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assistance, traffic sign recognition, autonomous emergency braking, safe exit monitoring, and drowsiness alerts. The Dacia Bigster (above) was launched at the end of 2024. Closely related to the third-generation Dacia Duster, both cars use the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance's CMF-B LS platform. While the Duster has been sold as a Renault in many global markets since the first generation, it has only just landed in Australia No word yet on whether the Boreal will be sold in Australia, but so far it doesn't look like the car will be produced in right-hand drive.
