Latest news with #Maynard
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CTA Construction Managers Begins Building New Green Meadow Elementary School in Maynard, MA
CTA Construction Managers recently broke ground on the new school, which was designed by Mount Vernon Group Architects. The project is being overseen by the town's OPM firm, Colliers Project Leaders. MAYNARD, Mass., July 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CTA Construction Managers is proud to announce it was recently awarded the contract to construct the new Green Meadow Elementary School in Maynard, Massachusetts. The project, designed by Mount Vernon Group Architects and overseen by Colliers Project Leaders, officially broke ground last month and marks another milestone in CTA's long-standing commitment to educational facility construction across the Commonwealth. The new 90,525-square-foot, two-story facility will serve approximately 395 students in grades K–3, and will include a dedicated Pre-K program for about 100 students. Approximately 110 faculty and staff will work in the building. "The school has been designed with a central core for shared public spaces—such as the gymnasium, cafetorium, administrative offices, health suite, and media center—flanked by two distinct classroom 'neighborhoods' that accommodate Pre-K through grade 3. These wings feature general and special education classrooms, support spaces, common areas, and student and staff restrooms," said Chris LeBlanc, Senior Associate at Mount Vernon Group Architects. "Situated on a 33-acre site adjacent to residential neighborhoods, wooded land, and a town park, the new building is being constructed just 30 feet from the existing school—an active and logistically complex site. Once the new school is complete, the existing structure will be abated and demolished to make way for additional site development," said Phil Palumbo, Director, Colliers Project Leaders. "CTA is honored to return to Maynard, where we previously built the award-winning Maynard High School," said Lyle Coghlin, Principal, CTA Construction Mangers. "We're also proud to continue our longstanding partnerships with Mount Vernon Group Architects and Colliers Project Leaders. This project reflects our shared commitment to creating innovative and sustainable learning environments for Massachusetts communities," he continued. This marks CTA's fourth collaboration with Mount Vernon Group and the fourth project with Colliers Project Leaders, reflecting more than 12 years of successful partnerships in educational construction with the two firms. The CTA Construction Managers team recently completed the foundation, and Green Meadow Elementary School is on track for the scheduled completion in the summer of 2027. About CTA Construction Managers LLC CTA Construction Managers is an award-winning construction management and general contracting firm specializing in municipal, academic, multi-family residential, commercial, and senior care facilities. Based in Waltham, Massachusetts, CTA Construction's portfolio of projects total over $2.0 billion. Founded in 2000, CTA has awarded over $150,000,000 in contracts to certified small, veteran, disadvantaged, minority, and women owned partners. CTA is a leader in green building, helping numerous clients build sustainably and meet LEED and MA-CHPS standards. For more information, please visit: Press Contact: CTA Construction Managers781-786-6600https:// View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE CTA Construction Managers LLC Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data
The Advertiser
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
Polestar boss says new Australian emissions regulations 'didn't kill the weekend'
Polestar Australia managing director Scott Maynard says the 'scaremongering' that took place ahead of the implementation of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) has failed. The NVES was introduced on January 1, 2025, and limits the overall carbon-dioxide emissions across a brand's lineup – with automakers facing financial penalties if they exceed the targets. Penalties came into effect on July 1, 2025, and fleet emissions targets will get more stringent every year until 2029. When asked if perhaps NVES could have been pitched better by the politicians who were publicly in favour of it, Mr Maynard was positive. "It turns out it didn't kill the weekend," the Polestar boss said. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. ABOVE: Polestar Australia managing director Scott Maynard "We got it through, so I don't think I'm a good enough politician to say that they went about the wrong way. "I do think that there was perhaps some scaremongering whipped up from some of its opponents that did land a few blows, and some of the benefits of a market that responds to NVES legislation – like cleaner air and a move towards vehicles that that are cheaper to run – were perhaps lost in some of that messaging." Former opposition leader Peter Dutton had pledged to scrap the NVES – which he called a 'ute tax' – if the Coalition won last November's federal election (which it didn't). "We will abolish Labor's tax on family cars and utes. Saving you thousands when buying a new car," Mr Dutton posted on social media. "Labor's new car and ute tax will hit families and small businesses with thousands in extra costs." The Australian Government proposed three iterations of NVES – A, B and C options – in February 2024 for feedback from industry bodies and automakers. Of the three, the "fast but flexible" B proposal was the government's preferred option. Though it wasn't the most stringent of the three, the B proposal was criticised by some Australian car companies, with Toyota – the best-selling brand here since 2008 – saying it would force new vehicle prices up and hurt 'middle Australia'. Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia vice president of sales and marketing, said the company didn't have the model range available globally on hand to replace popular vehicles like the LandCruiser. Mr Hanley also said sales of smaller, lower-emission Toyota models would not be enough to offset fines from sales of larger vehicles. Similar objections were voiced by other car companies, such as Mitsubishi Australia CEO Shaun Westcott who also appealed to 'middle Australia'. "We do want a standard, we're not against a standard," Mr Westcott told CarExpert. "What we want is a standard that is practical and achievable against the pace of technology, aligned with what consumers want and what consumers can afford." The Australian Government subsequently made key concessions to automakers ahead of introducing the legislation to parliament in March 2024, including changing how large off-roaders were categorised – something which Toyota had called for. Both Toyota and Mitsubishi are members of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), which issued statements critical of NVES – something that saw Polestar and rival electric car brand Tesla quit the industry body. Mr Maynard recently said the brand is no closer to rejoining the FCAI, saying the industry body is less progressive than when Polestar left it in protest in March 2024. When asked by CarExpert if Polestar Australia could better effect change by being a member of the FCAI, Mr Maynard was blunt. "If I thought that the volume of vehicles that we sell – [Polestar] being a premium and relatively exclusive player – would give us a fair voice inside the FCAI, then perhaps that logic would run. "But I think it's still the case that the FCAI services those members that fund it, and I can understand why they would do that. They're a representative body of the manufacturers that sit inside it, and so no, I think I'd probably get sent out of the room." MORE: Everything Polestar MORE: What the first federal emission standard means for Aussie car buyers MORE: Mitsubishi boss slams federal emissions regulations, "naivety" around EVs MORE: Polestar won't rejoin Australia's top auto industry body Content originally sourced from: Polestar Australia managing director Scott Maynard says the 'scaremongering' that took place ahead of the implementation of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) has failed. The NVES was introduced on January 1, 2025, and limits the overall carbon-dioxide emissions across a brand's lineup – with automakers facing financial penalties if they exceed the targets. Penalties came into effect on July 1, 2025, and fleet emissions targets will get more stringent every year until 2029. When asked if perhaps NVES could have been pitched better by the politicians who were publicly in favour of it, Mr Maynard was positive. "It turns out it didn't kill the weekend," the Polestar boss said. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. ABOVE: Polestar Australia managing director Scott Maynard "We got it through, so I don't think I'm a good enough politician to say that they went about the wrong way. "I do think that there was perhaps some scaremongering whipped up from some of its opponents that did land a few blows, and some of the benefits of a market that responds to NVES legislation – like cleaner air and a move towards vehicles that that are cheaper to run – were perhaps lost in some of that messaging." Former opposition leader Peter Dutton had pledged to scrap the NVES – which he called a 'ute tax' – if the Coalition won last November's federal election (which it didn't). "We will abolish Labor's tax on family cars and utes. Saving you thousands when buying a new car," Mr Dutton posted on social media. "Labor's new car and ute tax will hit families and small businesses with thousands in extra costs." The Australian Government proposed three iterations of NVES – A, B and C options – in February 2024 for feedback from industry bodies and automakers. Of the three, the "fast but flexible" B proposal was the government's preferred option. Though it wasn't the most stringent of the three, the B proposal was criticised by some Australian car companies, with Toyota – the best-selling brand here since 2008 – saying it would force new vehicle prices up and hurt 'middle Australia'. Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia vice president of sales and marketing, said the company didn't have the model range available globally on hand to replace popular vehicles like the LandCruiser. Mr Hanley also said sales of smaller, lower-emission Toyota models would not be enough to offset fines from sales of larger vehicles. Similar objections were voiced by other car companies, such as Mitsubishi Australia CEO Shaun Westcott who also appealed to 'middle Australia'. "We do want a standard, we're not against a standard," Mr Westcott told CarExpert. "What we want is a standard that is practical and achievable against the pace of technology, aligned with what consumers want and what consumers can afford." The Australian Government subsequently made key concessions to automakers ahead of introducing the legislation to parliament in March 2024, including changing how large off-roaders were categorised – something which Toyota had called for. Both Toyota and Mitsubishi are members of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), which issued statements critical of NVES – something that saw Polestar and rival electric car brand Tesla quit the industry body. Mr Maynard recently said the brand is no closer to rejoining the FCAI, saying the industry body is less progressive than when Polestar left it in protest in March 2024. When asked by CarExpert if Polestar Australia could better effect change by being a member of the FCAI, Mr Maynard was blunt. "If I thought that the volume of vehicles that we sell – [Polestar] being a premium and relatively exclusive player – would give us a fair voice inside the FCAI, then perhaps that logic would run. "But I think it's still the case that the FCAI services those members that fund it, and I can understand why they would do that. They're a representative body of the manufacturers that sit inside it, and so no, I think I'd probably get sent out of the room." MORE: Everything Polestar MORE: What the first federal emission standard means for Aussie car buyers MORE: Mitsubishi boss slams federal emissions regulations, "naivety" around EVs MORE: Polestar won't rejoin Australia's top auto industry body Content originally sourced from: Polestar Australia managing director Scott Maynard says the 'scaremongering' that took place ahead of the implementation of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) has failed. The NVES was introduced on January 1, 2025, and limits the overall carbon-dioxide emissions across a brand's lineup – with automakers facing financial penalties if they exceed the targets. Penalties came into effect on July 1, 2025, and fleet emissions targets will get more stringent every year until 2029. When asked if perhaps NVES could have been pitched better by the politicians who were publicly in favour of it, Mr Maynard was positive. "It turns out it didn't kill the weekend," the Polestar boss said. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. ABOVE: Polestar Australia managing director Scott Maynard "We got it through, so I don't think I'm a good enough politician to say that they went about the wrong way. "I do think that there was perhaps some scaremongering whipped up from some of its opponents that did land a few blows, and some of the benefits of a market that responds to NVES legislation – like cleaner air and a move towards vehicles that that are cheaper to run – were perhaps lost in some of that messaging." Former opposition leader Peter Dutton had pledged to scrap the NVES – which he called a 'ute tax' – if the Coalition won last November's federal election (which it didn't). "We will abolish Labor's tax on family cars and utes. Saving you thousands when buying a new car," Mr Dutton posted on social media. "Labor's new car and ute tax will hit families and small businesses with thousands in extra costs." The Australian Government proposed three iterations of NVES – A, B and C options – in February 2024 for feedback from industry bodies and automakers. Of the three, the "fast but flexible" B proposal was the government's preferred option. Though it wasn't the most stringent of the three, the B proposal was criticised by some Australian car companies, with Toyota – the best-selling brand here since 2008 – saying it would force new vehicle prices up and hurt 'middle Australia'. Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia vice president of sales and marketing, said the company didn't have the model range available globally on hand to replace popular vehicles like the LandCruiser. Mr Hanley also said sales of smaller, lower-emission Toyota models would not be enough to offset fines from sales of larger vehicles. Similar objections were voiced by other car companies, such as Mitsubishi Australia CEO Shaun Westcott who also appealed to 'middle Australia'. "We do want a standard, we're not against a standard," Mr Westcott told CarExpert. "What we want is a standard that is practical and achievable against the pace of technology, aligned with what consumers want and what consumers can afford." The Australian Government subsequently made key concessions to automakers ahead of introducing the legislation to parliament in March 2024, including changing how large off-roaders were categorised – something which Toyota had called for. Both Toyota and Mitsubishi are members of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), which issued statements critical of NVES – something that saw Polestar and rival electric car brand Tesla quit the industry body. Mr Maynard recently said the brand is no closer to rejoining the FCAI, saying the industry body is less progressive than when Polestar left it in protest in March 2024. When asked by CarExpert if Polestar Australia could better effect change by being a member of the FCAI, Mr Maynard was blunt. "If I thought that the volume of vehicles that we sell – [Polestar] being a premium and relatively exclusive player – would give us a fair voice inside the FCAI, then perhaps that logic would run. "But I think it's still the case that the FCAI services those members that fund it, and I can understand why they would do that. They're a representative body of the manufacturers that sit inside it, and so no, I think I'd probably get sent out of the room." MORE: Everything Polestar MORE: What the first federal emission standard means for Aussie car buyers MORE: Mitsubishi boss slams federal emissions regulations, "naivety" around EVs MORE: Polestar won't rejoin Australia's top auto industry body Content originally sourced from: Polestar Australia managing director Scott Maynard says the 'scaremongering' that took place ahead of the implementation of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) has failed. The NVES was introduced on January 1, 2025, and limits the overall carbon-dioxide emissions across a brand's lineup – with automakers facing financial penalties if they exceed the targets. Penalties came into effect on July 1, 2025, and fleet emissions targets will get more stringent every year until 2029. When asked if perhaps NVES could have been pitched better by the politicians who were publicly in favour of it, Mr Maynard was positive. "It turns out it didn't kill the weekend," the Polestar boss said. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. ABOVE: Polestar Australia managing director Scott Maynard "We got it through, so I don't think I'm a good enough politician to say that they went about the wrong way. "I do think that there was perhaps some scaremongering whipped up from some of its opponents that did land a few blows, and some of the benefits of a market that responds to NVES legislation – like cleaner air and a move towards vehicles that that are cheaper to run – were perhaps lost in some of that messaging." Former opposition leader Peter Dutton had pledged to scrap the NVES – which he called a 'ute tax' – if the Coalition won last November's federal election (which it didn't). "We will abolish Labor's tax on family cars and utes. Saving you thousands when buying a new car," Mr Dutton posted on social media. "Labor's new car and ute tax will hit families and small businesses with thousands in extra costs." The Australian Government proposed three iterations of NVES – A, B and C options – in February 2024 for feedback from industry bodies and automakers. Of the three, the "fast but flexible" B proposal was the government's preferred option. Though it wasn't the most stringent of the three, the B proposal was criticised by some Australian car companies, with Toyota – the best-selling brand here since 2008 – saying it would force new vehicle prices up and hurt 'middle Australia'. Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia vice president of sales and marketing, said the company didn't have the model range available globally on hand to replace popular vehicles like the LandCruiser. Mr Hanley also said sales of smaller, lower-emission Toyota models would not be enough to offset fines from sales of larger vehicles. Similar objections were voiced by other car companies, such as Mitsubishi Australia CEO Shaun Westcott who also appealed to 'middle Australia'. "We do want a standard, we're not against a standard," Mr Westcott told CarExpert. "What we want is a standard that is practical and achievable against the pace of technology, aligned with what consumers want and what consumers can afford." The Australian Government subsequently made key concessions to automakers ahead of introducing the legislation to parliament in March 2024, including changing how large off-roaders were categorised – something which Toyota had called for. Both Toyota and Mitsubishi are members of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), which issued statements critical of NVES – something that saw Polestar and rival electric car brand Tesla quit the industry body. Mr Maynard recently said the brand is no closer to rejoining the FCAI, saying the industry body is less progressive than when Polestar left it in protest in March 2024. When asked by CarExpert if Polestar Australia could better effect change by being a member of the FCAI, Mr Maynard was blunt. "If I thought that the volume of vehicles that we sell – [Polestar] being a premium and relatively exclusive player – would give us a fair voice inside the FCAI, then perhaps that logic would run. "But I think it's still the case that the FCAI services those members that fund it, and I can understand why they would do that. They're a representative body of the manufacturers that sit inside it, and so no, I think I'd probably get sent out of the room." MORE: Everything Polestar MORE: What the first federal emission standard means for Aussie car buyers MORE: Mitsubishi boss slams federal emissions regulations, "naivety" around EVs MORE: Polestar won't rejoin Australia's top auto industry body Content originally sourced from:
Courier-Mail
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- Courier-Mail
Polestar exec calls for change to ute tax
Don't miss out on the headlines from Motoring News. Followed categories will be added to My News. The boss of one of Australia's greenest car companies has called for an end to tax breaks for utes that have become the nation's best-selling cars. Scott Maynard, managing director of Polestar in Australia, says lucrative tax concessions for high-riding utes have gone too far, resulting in taxpayers subsidising cars that are harmful to the environment. MORE: Luxury van delivers – at a cost Toyota HiLux, Mitsubishi Triton and Ford Ranger utes. Photo: Mark Bean Large four-wheel-drive utes can be exempt from luxury car tax and fringe benefits tax that apply to other vehicles. Maynard says the fringe benefits tax concession 'continues to disproportionately serve the sale of dual cab utes and not what I would consider to be a far more progressive style of transportation, which is electric vehicles'. 'Consider that three of the top five selling cars in Australia for the entire first half [of the year] were dual cab utes and their variants,' he said. 'We've now got more than one and a half times the dual cab ute to tradie ratio, which doesn't make sense. Scott Maynard, Managing director of Polestar Australia. 'If you consider some of the positioning of some of those particular vehicles, which are clearly no longer tools of trade, I don't think it's a difficult jump to make to put that on the fact that they've enjoyed tax let off since 2000. 'Wouldn't it great to see benefits like that afforded to vehicles that are now cheaper to own um easier to live with and better for the environment?' Rod Campbell, research director at The Australia Institute, made headlines in 2024 when pointing out the 'considerable costs on society' of subsidising large utes such as the RAM 1500 and Ford F-150. MORE: Jet pilot tech to change Aussie cars 2025 Ram 1500. Picture: Supplied The Australian public is subsidising big, dumb utes by hundreds of millions of dollars each year,' he said. 'These vehicles are damaging roads, reducing safety and increasing emissions, yet they are given a massive tax break. 'Removing the luxury car tax exemption will not affect most ute drivers, particularly tradies. 'Instead it targets those buying large luxury vehicles, worth sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars, for personal use. X Learn More SUBSCRIBER ONLY 'Economics 101 says that governments should tax things they want less of, and subsidise things they want more of, and it is stunning that the Australian Government seems to want more big, dumb utes.' Maynard's views differ from peers at the top of the car industry. Polestar has effectively split from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, a collective that lobbies on behalf of member companies such as Toyota, Ford and Mitsubishi – brands that rely heavily on the sales of utes such as the HiLux, Ranger and Triton. But Polestar doesn't have a ute. MORE: Polestar 4 a window into the future 2025 Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor electric car. Picture: Supplied It doesn't have any cars that require petrol or diesel fuel – every Polestar sold in Australia is a pure electric vehicle. Maynard said the brand's all-in stance on electric vehicles 'does open a window for us' as rival brands water down their commitment to EVs. The brand has recorded an uptick in interest from customers who were considering plug-in electric vehicles before a tax break expired on April 1, pushing them toward EVs. 'Anecdotally, I feel like I'm talking to more and more customers that say now that's done,' he said. 'At a function last night, I spoke to three people at a table that said, 'you know, we were squaring up for a PHEV [but] we will probably just go full electric now'. 'And I know that there was a lot of people that were trying to get their PHEV deals secured before that FBT incentive [expired].' Originally published as Polestar exec calls for change to ute tax
The Advertiser
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
Tesla arch-rival Polestar achieves sales record
Polestar has recorded a 51 per cent year-on-year increase in global sales for the first six months of 2025, giving the electric vehicle (EV) brand its highest ever sales figure for the first half of a year. The sales surge included a 23 per cent increase in Australia, powered by the introduction of the brand's first SUVs. The automaker's 30,319 vehicles sold globally to the end of June 2025 (H1) compares to 20,371 over the same period last year – heavily impacted by rental car giant Hertz's cancelled order – and betters 27,868 Polestars sold in the first half of 2023. It becomes the brand's best half-year sales by 28 cars after 30,291 Polestars were sold in the second half of 2022. The figure means Polestar is on track for a record year after 2024's 15 per cent decline to 44,851 full-year sales. Australia sales are up, too, with not only the aforementioned 23 per cent rise for H1, but also a more impressive 38 per cent rise in the second quarter of this year (April-June). Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Year-to-date, Polestar has sold 1173 cars in Australia, with the new Polestar 4 mid-size SUV – introduced in November last year – making up more than half, with 676 sales. Polestar is sitting at 35th in overall brand sales, above Genesis (#38, 765 sales) and fellow Geely-owned brand Zeekr (#41, 450 sales). While the Polestar 4 led the sales race, end-of-financial-year deals on the Polestar 3 and run-out deals – which remain ongoing – for the Polestar 2 also boosted sales. "It's exactly the target [of] where we want to be," Polestar Australia managing director Scott Maynard told CarExpert and select media on a conference call. Mr Maynard said its Australian sales numbers could have been higher, too"Our number in June [339] was slightly held back on the potential that we had, more by our ability to physically pre-deliver and deliver all of the cars that we had in our order bank," he said. "We carried an active order bank into July that's substantially more than the number that we put through the system in June – there's clearly some pent up demand, and our ability to service that is going to be key." Mr Maynard took over from Samantha Johnson as the head of the local arm of the EV maker just over 12 months ago. "I'm really comfortable with that result because it's driven predominantly by private [sales]; it's not being topped up by the bulk fleet deliveries that sustained our 2024 result," he said. "There was a particularly large bulk delivery through the system in June of last year, and despite that, we're still showing significant improvement. "That was the last of that style of bulk deliveries that we did. And whilst we still see a place for fleet, not in the same way, not with the same appetite that we were going for that large fleet in previous years to sustain the number. "To be able to show growth through predominantly private sales, that's going really well." Tesla still leads EV sales in Australia – despite sales declines both here and globally in the first half of the year – while the Tesla Model Y is the top-selling EV, with nearly triple the sales of the second-place BYD Sealion 7, and the Polestar 4 sitting 14th. Despite its growth, Polestar Australia sits behind the EV sales of Volvo, Mercedes-Benz and BMW – the latter of which has sold almost triple the number of EVs in Australia this year. "It doesn't greatly concern me that we're not outselling Volvo, given we don't have the same number of sales points, nor intend to, and we don't have the same breadth of range, and nor do we intend to, so I'm okay with that position," said Mr Maynard. "Some of those other brands are brands that have been operating in this country for many, many years, and for us to have been selling cars in Australia for three and two of those with one model puts us in a really strong position, provided we continue to grow like that, but I'm comfortable we can." The EV brand will open order books one another new model this year – the Porsche Taycan-rivalling Polestar 5 – but first customer deliveries won't be until 2026, so it won't add to its 2025 sales tally. It won't have another new vehicle in its lineup until the Polestar 7 SUV arrives in Australia – currently scheduled for 2028 – which will be followed by the delayed Polestar 6 sports car. "We're quite excited now about the second half, and we expect to see the same overall, better than the Australian market," Mr Maynard said. "If I look at the brands that are growing in Australia right now, and I'm talking across all drive platforms, not just EV, Polestar's growth is second only to Rolls-Royce and Mini," he added. "Now that's the premium competitor set that we analyse, but that set takes in all the brands I think we would generally consider in the premium set. So, it's the growth aspect that we're really thrilled about." MORE: Everything Polestar Content originally sourced from: Polestar has recorded a 51 per cent year-on-year increase in global sales for the first six months of 2025, giving the electric vehicle (EV) brand its highest ever sales figure for the first half of a year. The sales surge included a 23 per cent increase in Australia, powered by the introduction of the brand's first SUVs. The automaker's 30,319 vehicles sold globally to the end of June 2025 (H1) compares to 20,371 over the same period last year – heavily impacted by rental car giant Hertz's cancelled order – and betters 27,868 Polestars sold in the first half of 2023. It becomes the brand's best half-year sales by 28 cars after 30,291 Polestars were sold in the second half of 2022. The figure means Polestar is on track for a record year after 2024's 15 per cent decline to 44,851 full-year sales. Australia sales are up, too, with not only the aforementioned 23 per cent rise for H1, but also a more impressive 38 per cent rise in the second quarter of this year (April-June). Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Year-to-date, Polestar has sold 1173 cars in Australia, with the new Polestar 4 mid-size SUV – introduced in November last year – making up more than half, with 676 sales. Polestar is sitting at 35th in overall brand sales, above Genesis (#38, 765 sales) and fellow Geely-owned brand Zeekr (#41, 450 sales). While the Polestar 4 led the sales race, end-of-financial-year deals on the Polestar 3 and run-out deals – which remain ongoing – for the Polestar 2 also boosted sales. "It's exactly the target [of] where we want to be," Polestar Australia managing director Scott Maynard told CarExpert and select media on a conference call. Mr Maynard said its Australian sales numbers could have been higher, too"Our number in June [339] was slightly held back on the potential that we had, more by our ability to physically pre-deliver and deliver all of the cars that we had in our order bank," he said. "We carried an active order bank into July that's substantially more than the number that we put through the system in June – there's clearly some pent up demand, and our ability to service that is going to be key." Mr Maynard took over from Samantha Johnson as the head of the local arm of the EV maker just over 12 months ago. "I'm really comfortable with that result because it's driven predominantly by private [sales]; it's not being topped up by the bulk fleet deliveries that sustained our 2024 result," he said. "There was a particularly large bulk delivery through the system in June of last year, and despite that, we're still showing significant improvement. "That was the last of that style of bulk deliveries that we did. And whilst we still see a place for fleet, not in the same way, not with the same appetite that we were going for that large fleet in previous years to sustain the number. "To be able to show growth through predominantly private sales, that's going really well." Tesla still leads EV sales in Australia – despite sales declines both here and globally in the first half of the year – while the Tesla Model Y is the top-selling EV, with nearly triple the sales of the second-place BYD Sealion 7, and the Polestar 4 sitting 14th. Despite its growth, Polestar Australia sits behind the EV sales of Volvo, Mercedes-Benz and BMW – the latter of which has sold almost triple the number of EVs in Australia this year. "It doesn't greatly concern me that we're not outselling Volvo, given we don't have the same number of sales points, nor intend to, and we don't have the same breadth of range, and nor do we intend to, so I'm okay with that position," said Mr Maynard. "Some of those other brands are brands that have been operating in this country for many, many years, and for us to have been selling cars in Australia for three and two of those with one model puts us in a really strong position, provided we continue to grow like that, but I'm comfortable we can." The EV brand will open order books one another new model this year – the Porsche Taycan-rivalling Polestar 5 – but first customer deliveries won't be until 2026, so it won't add to its 2025 sales tally. It won't have another new vehicle in its lineup until the Polestar 7 SUV arrives in Australia – currently scheduled for 2028 – which will be followed by the delayed Polestar 6 sports car. "We're quite excited now about the second half, and we expect to see the same overall, better than the Australian market," Mr Maynard said. "If I look at the brands that are growing in Australia right now, and I'm talking across all drive platforms, not just EV, Polestar's growth is second only to Rolls-Royce and Mini," he added. "Now that's the premium competitor set that we analyse, but that set takes in all the brands I think we would generally consider in the premium set. So, it's the growth aspect that we're really thrilled about." MORE: Everything Polestar Content originally sourced from: Polestar has recorded a 51 per cent year-on-year increase in global sales for the first six months of 2025, giving the electric vehicle (EV) brand its highest ever sales figure for the first half of a year. The sales surge included a 23 per cent increase in Australia, powered by the introduction of the brand's first SUVs. The automaker's 30,319 vehicles sold globally to the end of June 2025 (H1) compares to 20,371 over the same period last year – heavily impacted by rental car giant Hertz's cancelled order – and betters 27,868 Polestars sold in the first half of 2023. It becomes the brand's best half-year sales by 28 cars after 30,291 Polestars were sold in the second half of 2022. The figure means Polestar is on track for a record year after 2024's 15 per cent decline to 44,851 full-year sales. Australia sales are up, too, with not only the aforementioned 23 per cent rise for H1, but also a more impressive 38 per cent rise in the second quarter of this year (April-June). Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Year-to-date, Polestar has sold 1173 cars in Australia, with the new Polestar 4 mid-size SUV – introduced in November last year – making up more than half, with 676 sales. Polestar is sitting at 35th in overall brand sales, above Genesis (#38, 765 sales) and fellow Geely-owned brand Zeekr (#41, 450 sales). While the Polestar 4 led the sales race, end-of-financial-year deals on the Polestar 3 and run-out deals – which remain ongoing – for the Polestar 2 also boosted sales. "It's exactly the target [of] where we want to be," Polestar Australia managing director Scott Maynard told CarExpert and select media on a conference call. Mr Maynard said its Australian sales numbers could have been higher, too"Our number in June [339] was slightly held back on the potential that we had, more by our ability to physically pre-deliver and deliver all of the cars that we had in our order bank," he said. "We carried an active order bank into July that's substantially more than the number that we put through the system in June – there's clearly some pent up demand, and our ability to service that is going to be key." Mr Maynard took over from Samantha Johnson as the head of the local arm of the EV maker just over 12 months ago. "I'm really comfortable with that result because it's driven predominantly by private [sales]; it's not being topped up by the bulk fleet deliveries that sustained our 2024 result," he said. "There was a particularly large bulk delivery through the system in June of last year, and despite that, we're still showing significant improvement. "That was the last of that style of bulk deliveries that we did. And whilst we still see a place for fleet, not in the same way, not with the same appetite that we were going for that large fleet in previous years to sustain the number. "To be able to show growth through predominantly private sales, that's going really well." Tesla still leads EV sales in Australia – despite sales declines both here and globally in the first half of the year – while the Tesla Model Y is the top-selling EV, with nearly triple the sales of the second-place BYD Sealion 7, and the Polestar 4 sitting 14th. Despite its growth, Polestar Australia sits behind the EV sales of Volvo, Mercedes-Benz and BMW – the latter of which has sold almost triple the number of EVs in Australia this year. "It doesn't greatly concern me that we're not outselling Volvo, given we don't have the same number of sales points, nor intend to, and we don't have the same breadth of range, and nor do we intend to, so I'm okay with that position," said Mr Maynard. "Some of those other brands are brands that have been operating in this country for many, many years, and for us to have been selling cars in Australia for three and two of those with one model puts us in a really strong position, provided we continue to grow like that, but I'm comfortable we can." The EV brand will open order books one another new model this year – the Porsche Taycan-rivalling Polestar 5 – but first customer deliveries won't be until 2026, so it won't add to its 2025 sales tally. It won't have another new vehicle in its lineup until the Polestar 7 SUV arrives in Australia – currently scheduled for 2028 – which will be followed by the delayed Polestar 6 sports car. "We're quite excited now about the second half, and we expect to see the same overall, better than the Australian market," Mr Maynard said. "If I look at the brands that are growing in Australia right now, and I'm talking across all drive platforms, not just EV, Polestar's growth is second only to Rolls-Royce and Mini," he added. "Now that's the premium competitor set that we analyse, but that set takes in all the brands I think we would generally consider in the premium set. So, it's the growth aspect that we're really thrilled about." MORE: Everything Polestar Content originally sourced from: Polestar has recorded a 51 per cent year-on-year increase in global sales for the first six months of 2025, giving the electric vehicle (EV) brand its highest ever sales figure for the first half of a year. The sales surge included a 23 per cent increase in Australia, powered by the introduction of the brand's first SUVs. The automaker's 30,319 vehicles sold globally to the end of June 2025 (H1) compares to 20,371 over the same period last year – heavily impacted by rental car giant Hertz's cancelled order – and betters 27,868 Polestars sold in the first half of 2023. It becomes the brand's best half-year sales by 28 cars after 30,291 Polestars were sold in the second half of 2022. The figure means Polestar is on track for a record year after 2024's 15 per cent decline to 44,851 full-year sales. Australia sales are up, too, with not only the aforementioned 23 per cent rise for H1, but also a more impressive 38 per cent rise in the second quarter of this year (April-June). Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Year-to-date, Polestar has sold 1173 cars in Australia, with the new Polestar 4 mid-size SUV – introduced in November last year – making up more than half, with 676 sales. Polestar is sitting at 35th in overall brand sales, above Genesis (#38, 765 sales) and fellow Geely-owned brand Zeekr (#41, 450 sales). While the Polestar 4 led the sales race, end-of-financial-year deals on the Polestar 3 and run-out deals – which remain ongoing – for the Polestar 2 also boosted sales. "It's exactly the target [of] where we want to be," Polestar Australia managing director Scott Maynard told CarExpert and select media on a conference call. Mr Maynard said its Australian sales numbers could have been higher, too"Our number in June [339] was slightly held back on the potential that we had, more by our ability to physically pre-deliver and deliver all of the cars that we had in our order bank," he said. "We carried an active order bank into July that's substantially more than the number that we put through the system in June – there's clearly some pent up demand, and our ability to service that is going to be key." Mr Maynard took over from Samantha Johnson as the head of the local arm of the EV maker just over 12 months ago. "I'm really comfortable with that result because it's driven predominantly by private [sales]; it's not being topped up by the bulk fleet deliveries that sustained our 2024 result," he said. "There was a particularly large bulk delivery through the system in June of last year, and despite that, we're still showing significant improvement. "That was the last of that style of bulk deliveries that we did. And whilst we still see a place for fleet, not in the same way, not with the same appetite that we were going for that large fleet in previous years to sustain the number. "To be able to show growth through predominantly private sales, that's going really well." Tesla still leads EV sales in Australia – despite sales declines both here and globally in the first half of the year – while the Tesla Model Y is the top-selling EV, with nearly triple the sales of the second-place BYD Sealion 7, and the Polestar 4 sitting 14th. Despite its growth, Polestar Australia sits behind the EV sales of Volvo, Mercedes-Benz and BMW – the latter of which has sold almost triple the number of EVs in Australia this year. "It doesn't greatly concern me that we're not outselling Volvo, given we don't have the same number of sales points, nor intend to, and we don't have the same breadth of range, and nor do we intend to, so I'm okay with that position," said Mr Maynard. "Some of those other brands are brands that have been operating in this country for many, many years, and for us to have been selling cars in Australia for three and two of those with one model puts us in a really strong position, provided we continue to grow like that, but I'm comfortable we can." The EV brand will open order books one another new model this year – the Porsche Taycan-rivalling Polestar 5 – but first customer deliveries won't be until 2026, so it won't add to its 2025 sales tally. It won't have another new vehicle in its lineup until the Polestar 7 SUV arrives in Australia – currently scheduled for 2028 – which will be followed by the delayed Polestar 6 sports car. "We're quite excited now about the second half, and we expect to see the same overall, better than the Australian market," Mr Maynard said. "If I look at the brands that are growing in Australia right now, and I'm talking across all drive platforms, not just EV, Polestar's growth is second only to Rolls-Royce and Mini," he added. "Now that's the premium competitor set that we analyse, but that set takes in all the brands I think we would generally consider in the premium set. So, it's the growth aspect that we're really thrilled about." MORE: Everything Polestar Content originally sourced from:
The Advertiser
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
Polestar boss rejects Mitsubishi CEO's claims on new Australian emissions regulations
The boss of electric vehicle (EV) brand Polestar Australia disagrees with recent comments from Mitsubishi Australia criticising Australia's vehicle emission reductions scheme. Speaking to CarExpert and other outlets during a media round table, Polestar Australia managing director Scott Maynard said he disagreed with the Mitsubishi Australia CEO Shaun Westcott's suggestion new emissions penalties are 'naive'. "I don't agree with that at all," Mr Maynard said. "We are now one of the last remaining developed countries that don't have legislation or do much to encourage the lowering of vehicle emissions. 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 fact that we've taken this long is something we really shouldn't be proud of; the fact that we're now doing it is something we should [be proud of]; and the fact that doesn't suit the Mitsubishi doesn't really surprise me." The New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) was introduced on January 1, 2025 and put in place carbon-dioxide emissions reduction targets for the next five years. Fines for manufacturers whose overall fleet of new vehicles sold exceeds the set limits became enforceable on July 1, 2025. Mr Maynard, an Australian automotive industry veteran who has worked at JLR, Audi and BYD, took over as managing director of Polestar Australia in June 2024 and has been a vocal NVES supporter. Under previous boss Samantha Johnson, Polestar Australia – along with US electric car brand Tesla – quit the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) in March 2024 over what it said were attempts "to deliberately slow the car industry's contribution to Australia's emissions reduction potential". Mitsubishi is a member of the FCAI, with Mr Westcott on its board of directors alongside industry colleagues from Mazda, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar Land Rover. While Polestar's entire range is made up of EVs – a position its global boss recently reiterated the company would maintain despite other brands moving towards hybrids instead – Mitsubishi Australia doesn't currently sell any EV models here. It was an early pioneer, offering the Mitsubishi i-MiEV city-sized electric hatch – with 155km of range and a 47kW electric motor at $48,800 before on-road costs – in Australia, selling 235 between 2010-2012. In Japan, Mitsubishi currently sells the battery-electric eK X (EK 'cross') and Minicab EV models, both 'kei' category ultra-compact city vehicles. It has confirmed, however, it'll launch a new EV here in 2026, developed with Taiwanese firm Foxtron. "If most of these brands are able to service these [emissions] requirements in all of the other markets that they can be in, there's no real reason why they can't do it here, and I don't think they need the sort of scaremongering comments that they've made," said Mr Maynard. Speaking at the recent launch of the Mitsubishi Outlander SUV, which includes one of Australia's best-selling plug-in hybrid models in its lineup, Mr Westcott suggested NVES and its fines for automakers wouldn't increase EV take-up. "I think there's a degree of naivety that thinks that if you just penalise us as [manufacturers], all of us, that somehow that's miraculously going to change the market," the Mitsubishi boss said. The Mitsubishi boss said the company was concerned about the environment – and said emissions should be reduced – yet said despite a wider choice of EVs, "battery-electric vehicles are still in [low demand]". Sales figures of EVs in Australia reveal a marginal fall in 2025, with 47,245 delivered to the end of June compared to 50,905 over the same period last year, with market share down from 8.0 per cent to 7.6 per cent. Mr Westcott said the federal government hadn't spent enough on infrastructure to make the switch to EVs realistic for Australian new-car shoppers, saying NVES was "not going to change the equation because there are other pieces of the puzzle that are missing". Polestar, in contrast to Mitsubishi, will earn credits given its all-electric lineup emits no carbon dioxide emissions. "It would make sense to sell those credits out for no other reason to make good on the intention of that legislation, to make those manufacturers that don't embrace NVES pay for it," said Mr Maynard. "I don't think there's harm in being one of the brands to make sure it happens." He also said the low targets of NVES mean the credits have little financial value. "I don't think it's [the value of the credits] going to be that high, only because the standards –particularly in the industry here – are low enough that most brands can comfortably slide underneath them." The Polestar boss suggested most brands in Australia could easily achieve the targets with tweaks to their product lineups and pricing. "Again, there's been a huge word cloud of concerns about NVES, but now it's here, and the job is to knuckle down and get it done, I like to think that it's well within the reach of most of the brands operating this country," he said. MORE: Everything Polestar MORE: Mitsubishi boss slams federal emissions regulations, "naivety" around EVs Content originally sourced from: The boss of electric vehicle (EV) brand Polestar Australia disagrees with recent comments from Mitsubishi Australia criticising Australia's vehicle emission reductions scheme. Speaking to CarExpert and other outlets during a media round table, Polestar Australia managing director Scott Maynard said he disagreed with the Mitsubishi Australia CEO Shaun Westcott's suggestion new emissions penalties are 'naive'. "I don't agree with that at all," Mr Maynard said. "We are now one of the last remaining developed countries that don't have legislation or do much to encourage the lowering of vehicle emissions. 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 fact that we've taken this long is something we really shouldn't be proud of; the fact that we're now doing it is something we should [be proud of]; and the fact that doesn't suit the Mitsubishi doesn't really surprise me." The New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) was introduced on January 1, 2025 and put in place carbon-dioxide emissions reduction targets for the next five years. Fines for manufacturers whose overall fleet of new vehicles sold exceeds the set limits became enforceable on July 1, 2025. Mr Maynard, an Australian automotive industry veteran who has worked at JLR, Audi and BYD, took over as managing director of Polestar Australia in June 2024 and has been a vocal NVES supporter. Under previous boss Samantha Johnson, Polestar Australia – along with US electric car brand Tesla – quit the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) in March 2024 over what it said were attempts "to deliberately slow the car industry's contribution to Australia's emissions reduction potential". Mitsubishi is a member of the FCAI, with Mr Westcott on its board of directors alongside industry colleagues from Mazda, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar Land Rover. While Polestar's entire range is made up of EVs – a position its global boss recently reiterated the company would maintain despite other brands moving towards hybrids instead – Mitsubishi Australia doesn't currently sell any EV models here. It was an early pioneer, offering the Mitsubishi i-MiEV city-sized electric hatch – with 155km of range and a 47kW electric motor at $48,800 before on-road costs – in Australia, selling 235 between 2010-2012. In Japan, Mitsubishi currently sells the battery-electric eK X (EK 'cross') and Minicab EV models, both 'kei' category ultra-compact city vehicles. It has confirmed, however, it'll launch a new EV here in 2026, developed with Taiwanese firm Foxtron. "If most of these brands are able to service these [emissions] requirements in all of the other markets that they can be in, there's no real reason why they can't do it here, and I don't think they need the sort of scaremongering comments that they've made," said Mr Maynard. Speaking at the recent launch of the Mitsubishi Outlander SUV, which includes one of Australia's best-selling plug-in hybrid models in its lineup, Mr Westcott suggested NVES and its fines for automakers wouldn't increase EV take-up. "I think there's a degree of naivety that thinks that if you just penalise us as [manufacturers], all of us, that somehow that's miraculously going to change the market," the Mitsubishi boss said. The Mitsubishi boss said the company was concerned about the environment – and said emissions should be reduced – yet said despite a wider choice of EVs, "battery-electric vehicles are still in [low demand]". Sales figures of EVs in Australia reveal a marginal fall in 2025, with 47,245 delivered to the end of June compared to 50,905 over the same period last year, with market share down from 8.0 per cent to 7.6 per cent. Mr Westcott said the federal government hadn't spent enough on infrastructure to make the switch to EVs realistic for Australian new-car shoppers, saying NVES was "not going to change the equation because there are other pieces of the puzzle that are missing". Polestar, in contrast to Mitsubishi, will earn credits given its all-electric lineup emits no carbon dioxide emissions. "It would make sense to sell those credits out for no other reason to make good on the intention of that legislation, to make those manufacturers that don't embrace NVES pay for it," said Mr Maynard. "I don't think there's harm in being one of the brands to make sure it happens." He also said the low targets of NVES mean the credits have little financial value. "I don't think it's [the value of the credits] going to be that high, only because the standards –particularly in the industry here – are low enough that most brands can comfortably slide underneath them." The Polestar boss suggested most brands in Australia could easily achieve the targets with tweaks to their product lineups and pricing. "Again, there's been a huge word cloud of concerns about NVES, but now it's here, and the job is to knuckle down and get it done, I like to think that it's well within the reach of most of the brands operating this country," he said. MORE: Everything Polestar MORE: Mitsubishi boss slams federal emissions regulations, "naivety" around EVs Content originally sourced from: The boss of electric vehicle (EV) brand Polestar Australia disagrees with recent comments from Mitsubishi Australia criticising Australia's vehicle emission reductions scheme. Speaking to CarExpert and other outlets during a media round table, Polestar Australia managing director Scott Maynard said he disagreed with the Mitsubishi Australia CEO Shaun Westcott's suggestion new emissions penalties are 'naive'. "I don't agree with that at all," Mr Maynard said. "We are now one of the last remaining developed countries that don't have legislation or do much to encourage the lowering of vehicle emissions. 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 fact that we've taken this long is something we really shouldn't be proud of; the fact that we're now doing it is something we should [be proud of]; and the fact that doesn't suit the Mitsubishi doesn't really surprise me." The New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) was introduced on January 1, 2025 and put in place carbon-dioxide emissions reduction targets for the next five years. Fines for manufacturers whose overall fleet of new vehicles sold exceeds the set limits became enforceable on July 1, 2025. Mr Maynard, an Australian automotive industry veteran who has worked at JLR, Audi and BYD, took over as managing director of Polestar Australia in June 2024 and has been a vocal NVES supporter. Under previous boss Samantha Johnson, Polestar Australia – along with US electric car brand Tesla – quit the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) in March 2024 over what it said were attempts "to deliberately slow the car industry's contribution to Australia's emissions reduction potential". Mitsubishi is a member of the FCAI, with Mr Westcott on its board of directors alongside industry colleagues from Mazda, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar Land Rover. While Polestar's entire range is made up of EVs – a position its global boss recently reiterated the company would maintain despite other brands moving towards hybrids instead – Mitsubishi Australia doesn't currently sell any EV models here. It was an early pioneer, offering the Mitsubishi i-MiEV city-sized electric hatch – with 155km of range and a 47kW electric motor at $48,800 before on-road costs – in Australia, selling 235 between 2010-2012. In Japan, Mitsubishi currently sells the battery-electric eK X (EK 'cross') and Minicab EV models, both 'kei' category ultra-compact city vehicles. It has confirmed, however, it'll launch a new EV here in 2026, developed with Taiwanese firm Foxtron. "If most of these brands are able to service these [emissions] requirements in all of the other markets that they can be in, there's no real reason why they can't do it here, and I don't think they need the sort of scaremongering comments that they've made," said Mr Maynard. Speaking at the recent launch of the Mitsubishi Outlander SUV, which includes one of Australia's best-selling plug-in hybrid models in its lineup, Mr Westcott suggested NVES and its fines for automakers wouldn't increase EV take-up. "I think there's a degree of naivety that thinks that if you just penalise us as [manufacturers], all of us, that somehow that's miraculously going to change the market," the Mitsubishi boss said. The Mitsubishi boss said the company was concerned about the environment – and said emissions should be reduced – yet said despite a wider choice of EVs, "battery-electric vehicles are still in [low demand]". Sales figures of EVs in Australia reveal a marginal fall in 2025, with 47,245 delivered to the end of June compared to 50,905 over the same period last year, with market share down from 8.0 per cent to 7.6 per cent. Mr Westcott said the federal government hadn't spent enough on infrastructure to make the switch to EVs realistic for Australian new-car shoppers, saying NVES was "not going to change the equation because there are other pieces of the puzzle that are missing". Polestar, in contrast to Mitsubishi, will earn credits given its all-electric lineup emits no carbon dioxide emissions. "It would make sense to sell those credits out for no other reason to make good on the intention of that legislation, to make those manufacturers that don't embrace NVES pay for it," said Mr Maynard. "I don't think there's harm in being one of the brands to make sure it happens." He also said the low targets of NVES mean the credits have little financial value. "I don't think it's [the value of the credits] going to be that high, only because the standards –particularly in the industry here – are low enough that most brands can comfortably slide underneath them." The Polestar boss suggested most brands in Australia could easily achieve the targets with tweaks to their product lineups and pricing. "Again, there's been a huge word cloud of concerns about NVES, but now it's here, and the job is to knuckle down and get it done, I like to think that it's well within the reach of most of the brands operating this country," he said. MORE: Everything Polestar MORE: Mitsubishi boss slams federal emissions regulations, "naivety" around EVs Content originally sourced from: The boss of electric vehicle (EV) brand Polestar Australia disagrees with recent comments from Mitsubishi Australia criticising Australia's vehicle emission reductions scheme. Speaking to CarExpert and other outlets during a media round table, Polestar Australia managing director Scott Maynard said he disagreed with the Mitsubishi Australia CEO Shaun Westcott's suggestion new emissions penalties are 'naive'. "I don't agree with that at all," Mr Maynard said. "We are now one of the last remaining developed countries that don't have legislation or do much to encourage the lowering of vehicle emissions. 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 fact that we've taken this long is something we really shouldn't be proud of; the fact that we're now doing it is something we should [be proud of]; and the fact that doesn't suit the Mitsubishi doesn't really surprise me." The New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) was introduced on January 1, 2025 and put in place carbon-dioxide emissions reduction targets for the next five years. Fines for manufacturers whose overall fleet of new vehicles sold exceeds the set limits became enforceable on July 1, 2025. Mr Maynard, an Australian automotive industry veteran who has worked at JLR, Audi and BYD, took over as managing director of Polestar Australia in June 2024 and has been a vocal NVES supporter. Under previous boss Samantha Johnson, Polestar Australia – along with US electric car brand Tesla – quit the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) in March 2024 over what it said were attempts "to deliberately slow the car industry's contribution to Australia's emissions reduction potential". Mitsubishi is a member of the FCAI, with Mr Westcott on its board of directors alongside industry colleagues from Mazda, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar Land Rover. While Polestar's entire range is made up of EVs – a position its global boss recently reiterated the company would maintain despite other brands moving towards hybrids instead – Mitsubishi Australia doesn't currently sell any EV models here. It was an early pioneer, offering the Mitsubishi i-MiEV city-sized electric hatch – with 155km of range and a 47kW electric motor at $48,800 before on-road costs – in Australia, selling 235 between 2010-2012. In Japan, Mitsubishi currently sells the battery-electric eK X (EK 'cross') and Minicab EV models, both 'kei' category ultra-compact city vehicles. It has confirmed, however, it'll launch a new EV here in 2026, developed with Taiwanese firm Foxtron. "If most of these brands are able to service these [emissions] requirements in all of the other markets that they can be in, there's no real reason why they can't do it here, and I don't think they need the sort of scaremongering comments that they've made," said Mr Maynard. Speaking at the recent launch of the Mitsubishi Outlander SUV, which includes one of Australia's best-selling plug-in hybrid models in its lineup, Mr Westcott suggested NVES and its fines for automakers wouldn't increase EV take-up. "I think there's a degree of naivety that thinks that if you just penalise us as [manufacturers], all of us, that somehow that's miraculously going to change the market," the Mitsubishi boss said. The Mitsubishi boss said the company was concerned about the environment – and said emissions should be reduced – yet said despite a wider choice of EVs, "battery-electric vehicles are still in [low demand]". Sales figures of EVs in Australia reveal a marginal fall in 2025, with 47,245 delivered to the end of June compared to 50,905 over the same period last year, with market share down from 8.0 per cent to 7.6 per cent. Mr Westcott said the federal government hadn't spent enough on infrastructure to make the switch to EVs realistic for Australian new-car shoppers, saying NVES was "not going to change the equation because there are other pieces of the puzzle that are missing". Polestar, in contrast to Mitsubishi, will earn credits given its all-electric lineup emits no carbon dioxide emissions. "It would make sense to sell those credits out for no other reason to make good on the intention of that legislation, to make those manufacturers that don't embrace NVES pay for it," said Mr Maynard. "I don't think there's harm in being one of the brands to make sure it happens." He also said the low targets of NVES mean the credits have little financial value. "I don't think it's [the value of the credits] going to be that high, only because the standards –particularly in the industry here – are low enough that most brands can comfortably slide underneath them." The Polestar boss suggested most brands in Australia could easily achieve the targets with tweaks to their product lineups and pricing. "Again, there's been a huge word cloud of concerns about NVES, but now it's here, and the job is to knuckle down and get it done, I like to think that it's well within the reach of most of the brands operating this country," he said. MORE: Everything Polestar MORE: Mitsubishi boss slams federal emissions regulations, "naivety" around EVs Content originally sourced from:
