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Courier-Mail
5 days ago
- 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
Courier-Mail
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Courier-Mail
What is the best car of the 21st century?
Don't miss out on the headlines from Motoring News. Followed categories will be added to My News. Aussies are passionate about cars. Drawing up a list of the most significant models from the past 25 years isn't an easy task – though limiting it to cars made after 2000 helps streamline things, as you can forget about classics such as the original Mini, VW Beetle, or Ford Model T. My list of the top 10 cars from the last 25 years represents an odd bunch. To celebrate the launch of the new app, we're celebrating the people, places and events we'll never forget from the first quarter of the 21st century by asking for Australia's view. Our 25@25 series will finally put to bed the debates you've been having at the pub and around dinner tables for years – and some that are just too much fun not to include. There are pioneers of electrification and the growth of Chinese cars, best-sellers, Aussie icons and cars that led the way for technology. What is the best car of the 21st century? Toyota LandCruiser Ford Mustang Holden Commodore VW Golf Porsche 911 Toyota HiLux MG3 Tesla Model Y Toyota RAV4 Bugatti Veyron Cast your vote Tesla Model Y You can't talk about the most significant cars of the last quarter century without talking about Tesla. It's easy to make a case for most of its models, but I'm going with the Tesla Model Y. The Tesla Model Y set sales benchmarks for electric cars. Photo: Mark Bean. This wasn't just the world's best-selling EV for the last couple of years, it was the world's number one selling car. Period. The Model Y made electric vehicles an everyday reality for thousands of Aussies. It's an important machine. Toyota HiLux The Toyota HiLux was the first ute to top our sales charts. Photo by Thomas Wielecki. Utes are part of Australia's motoring identity. The Toyota HiLux is an important one – it was the first ute to top the national sales charts, overtaking sedans and hatchbacks to sit atop the list – until it was overtaken by another ute, the Ford Ranger. Ford Mustang Ford's Mustang GT is the nation's favourite sports car. Photo: Thomas Wielecki Aussies love fast cars, and we love a V8. It's no wonder the Ford Mustang is the country's favourite sports car. While it's sad that you can't buy a V8 powered Commodore or Falcon any more, the Mustang is here to fly the flag for red blooded performance cars. And Ford promises that it will keep doing that, at Bathurst and beyond, for years to come. Bugatti Veyron The Bugatti Veyron redefined what cars are capable of. If you love fast cars, they don't get much faster than this. The Bugatti Veyron shattered speed records by streaking past 400kmh way back in 2005. It set a new benchmark for what cars are capable of – and helped introduce tech such as dual clutch transmissions found in many cars today. VW Golf VW's Golf GTI is a favourite for many Aussie drivers. There's a little bit of Bugatti in modern VW Golfs, with turbocharged engines and DSG gearboxes that can be found in every suburb. The Volkswagen Golf GTI and R have really resonated with Aussie car enthusiasts. They're damn good vehicles. Porsche 911 Porsche's 911 is the definitive performance car. If you want the best sports car in the world, your search can start and stop with Porsche. The Porsche 911 has an amazing record on road and track. It caters to traditional car lovers with free breathing engines and manual transmissions – or fans of hybrid power, turbocharging and technical toys. X Learn More SUBSCRIBER ONLY Holden Commodore Late-model Holden Commodores were the best cars Australia produced. Back in the real world, if we look at the earliest part of the millennium, the Holden Commodore was king. From Bathurst to the Boulevard, the Commodore ruled the streets and sales charts. The last of them, such as the SSV Redline and HSV's GTSR W1, were truly special. Toyota LandCruiser Toyota's LandCruiser is an icon in the bush and beyond. The Toyota LandCruiser might be the only car that can claim to be more iconic – to Australians – than the Commodore. From the basic 70 Series Ute to fully loaded wagons, such as the modern classic 200 series, the LandCruiser is a firm favourite on Australian roads. MG3 The MG3 hatchback kept cars affordable. OK this one might be a touch controversial, but hear me out. Chinese cars are redefining Australian roads. Many are more affordable than more famous rivals. And in the case of the MG3, this is a car playing in a space abandoned by key rivals. The old MG3 cost $16k when a Toyota Yaris was double that. When Ford, Honda, Renault and Hyundai gave up on cheap cars, MG was there for buyers on a budget. That's why they sold thousands. Toyota RAV4 Toyota's RAV4 Hybrid is the world's best-selling car. Photo: Thomas Wielecki. If we're talking about popularity, you have to talk about the Toyota RAV4. It's Australia's most popular car today. It's the world's most popular car today. It has pushed the case of hybrid cars well into the future, and been a staple for Aussie business and families for years. Not just a petrol head? Take the rest of our 25@25 polls Originally published as What is the best car of the 21st century?
Daily Telegraph
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Telegraph
What is the best car of the 21st century?
Don't miss out on the headlines from Motoring News. Followed categories will be added to My News. Aussies are passionate about cars. Drawing up a list of the most significant models from the past 25 years isn't an easy task – though limiting it to cars made after 2000 helps streamline things, as you can forget about classics such as the original Mini, VW Beetle, or Ford Model T. My list of the top 10 cars from the last 25 years represents an odd bunch. To celebrate the launch of the new app, we're celebrating the people, places and events we'll never forget from the first quarter of the 21st century by asking for Australia's view. Our 25@25 series will finally put to bed the debates you've been having at the pub and around dinner tables for years – and some that are just too much fun not to include. There are pioneers of electrification and the growth of Chinese cars, best-sellers, Aussie icons and cars that led the way for technology. Tesla Model Y You can't talk about the most significant cars of the last quarter century without talking about Tesla. It's easy to make a case for most of its models, but I'm going with the Tesla Model Y. The Tesla Model Y set sales benchmarks for electric cars. Photo: Mark Bean. This wasn't just the world's best-selling EV for the last couple of years, it was the world's number one selling car. Period. The Model Y made electric vehicles an everyday reality for thousands of Aussies. It's an important machine. Toyota HiLux The Toyota HiLux was the first ute to top our sales charts. Photo by Thomas Wielecki. Utes are part of Australia's motoring identity. The Toyota HiLux is an important one – it was the first ute to top the national sales charts, overtaking sedans and hatchbacks to sit atop the list – until it was overtaken by another ute, the Ford Ranger. Ford Mustang Ford's Mustang GT is the nation's favourite sports car. Photo: Thomas Wielecki Aussies love fast cars, and we love a V8. It's no wonder the Ford Mustang is the country's favourite sports car. While it's sad that you can't buy a V8 powered Commodore or Falcon any more, the Mustang is here to fly the flag for red blooded performance cars. And Ford promises that it will keep doing that, at Bathurst and beyond, for years to come. Bugatti Veyron The Bugatti Veyron redefined what cars are capable of. If you love fast cars, they don't get much faster than this. The Bugatti Veyron shattered speed records by streaking past 400kmh way back in 2005. It set a new benchmark for what cars are capable of – and helped introduce tech such as dual clutch transmissions found in many cars today. VW Golf VW's Golf GTI is a favourite for many Aussie drivers. There's a little bit of Bugatti in modern VW Golfs, with turbocharged engines and DSG gearboxes that can be found in every suburb. The Volkswagen Golf GTI and R have really resonated with Aussie car enthusiasts. They're damn good vehicles. Porsche 911 Porsche's 911 is the definitive performance car. If you want the best sports car in the world, your search can start and stop with Porsche. The Porsche 911 has an amazing record on road and track. It caters to traditional car lovers with free breathing engines and manual transmissions – or fans of hybrid power, turbocharging and technical toys. Holden Commodore Late-model Holden Commodores were the best cars Australia produced. Back in the real world, if we look at the earliest part of the millennium, the Holden Commodore was king. From Bathurst to the Boulevard, the Commodore ruled the streets and sales charts. The last of them, such as the SSV Redline and HSV's GTSR W1, were truly special. Toyota LandCruiser Toyota's LandCruiser is an icon in the bush and beyond. The Toyota LandCruiser might be the only car that can claim to be more iconic – to Australians – than the Commodore. From the basic 70 Series Ute to fully loaded wagons, such as the modern classic 200 series, the LandCruiser is a firm favourite on Australian roads. MG3 The MG3 hatchback kept cars affordable. OK this one might be a touch controversial, but hear me out. Chinese cars are redefining Australian roads. Many are more affordable than more famous rivals. And in the case of the MG3, this is a car playing in a space abandoned by key rivals. The old MG3 cost $16k when a Toyota Yaris was double that. When Ford, Honda, Renault and Hyundai gave up on cheap cars, MG was there for buyers on a budget. That's why they sold thousands. Toyota RAV4 Toyota's RAV4 Hybrid is the world's best-selling car. Photo: Thomas Wielecki. If we're talking about popularity, you have to talk about the Toyota RAV4. It's Australia's most popular car today. It's the world's most popular car today. It has pushed the case of hybrid cars well into the future, and been a staple for Aussie business and families for years. Not just a petrol head? Take the rest of our 25@25 polls Originally published as What is the best car of the 21st century?
Courier-Mail
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- Courier-Mail
Lexus steer by wire technology confirmed for Australia
Don't miss out on the headlines from Motoring News. Followed categories will be added to My News. Cars with no mechanical connection between the tyres and steering wheel will go on sale in Australia next year. The first is a special version of the Lexus RZ electric car - the RZ 550e F Sport. But Lexus says it already has plans to expand a new 'steer-by-wire' system to other vehicles. Yasuyuki Terada, lead engineer on the RZ, said 'steer-by-wire is one of the core technologies for Lexus'. MORE: Car giant puts the brakes on EVs 2025 Lexus RZ. Picture: Supplied 'So definitely it will not end at RZ. We plan on expansion into other models,' he said. Steer-by-wire changes how cars have been driven since their invention. Typically, cars have mechanical connections between the steering wheel and tyres; steer-by-wire, on the other hand, is fully computerised. MORE: The new baby buy replacing the pram 2025 Lexus RZ electric SUV. (Picture: Supplied) It uses an actuator to interpret the driver's right and left turns, then electrically delivers those signals to the steering rack. In the same way that video games apply software to transfer driving inputs into simulated car behaviour, the Lexus uses clever coding to translate driver input into real-world results where the rubber meets the road. Terada said it will eventually reduce manufacturing costs, and ready cars for autonomous driving, but only if consumers respond well. MORE: Fuel-guzzling hybrid exposed 2025 Lexus RZ. Picture: Supplied '[It's] conditional on us getting the number and the volume out into the marketplace. including the software and development [which] costs the majority.' With no steering column, cars manufactured exclusively with steer-by-wire systems will also be much easier to convert from right to left-hand drive, and vice versa. This could eventually mean that Australia misses out on fewer cars that have been prioritised for left-hand-drive markets. With autonomous cars well on their way (and working as taxis in parts of America), the potential to have stowable steering wheels will open up new possibilities for how a car cabin functions and is designed. As for drivers today, they'll feel the biggest difference at low speeds, like when parking and navigating narrow roads. 2025 Lexus RZ. Picture: Supplied With no fixed connection to the steering rack, fewer rotations of the wheel are needed to manoeuvre the car. Lexus's RZ 550e F Sport, for example, has a maximum 200-degree rotation between straight and full-lock - a little more than half a turn either side of centre. Such a system could fail to provide tactile feedback on the condition of the road, which drivers usually feel through the steering wheel. Lexus says they've overcome that. Of course, for steer-by-wire to be a success, customers will have to get on board. This isn't the first time similar technology has been used in Australia. In 2014 the Infiniti Q50 used steer-by-wire, but with additional mechanical backups should the systems fail. This was, by no means, an untroubled vehicle. The Q50 received bad reviews for its inconsistent handling, and faced recalls for a bug in their steering technology, which 'tugged' the car in the wrong direction. It was eventually removed from future models. 2025 Lexus RZ electric SUV. (Picture: Supplied) But Lexus is hopeful that customers will give their technology – which has been in development for about a decade – a chance. 'We believe that the end users and the customers in the Australian market will accept it as a brand new technology … we need to make sure that we send that message out.' As Lexus is owned by the Toyota group, it's likely we'll see other brands in their suite pick up the steer-by-wire technology in the future. 'The potential is obviously there,' Terada said Originally published as Lexus steer by wire technology confirmed for Australia
Mercury
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Mercury
Car giant's space fight with Musk
Don't miss out on the headlines from Motoring News. Followed categories will be added to My News. One of the world's biggest car makers has joined Elon Musk in the race to the stars. Honda has officially entered the space race alongside Musk's Space X, after Japan's second largest carmaker announced it had successfully launched a 'resusable rocket prototype'. In the same week, a Space X rocket dramatically blew up while preparing to take flight, Honda showed it was serious about its space exploration ambitions, first mentioned four years ago. Honda R&D, which is a subsidiary of Honda Motor Co. said it 'conducted a launch and landing test of an experimental reusable rocket developed independently by Honda'. Musk's SpaceX rocket goes kablam. Picture X The rocket, which was 6.3m long, 85cm in diameter and weighed 1312kg, reached an altitude of 271.4m and landed within 37cm of the target touchdown point after a flight of 57s. According to Honda R&D, the purpose of the test, conducted at a Honda facility in Taiki Town on Hokkaido, the northern most of Japan's main islands, was the 'establishment of key technologies necessary for a reusable rocket'. 'This test marked the first launch and landing test conducted by Honda with an aim to demonstrate key technologies essential for rocket reusability, such as flight stability during ascent and descent, as well as landing capability,' Honda said in a statement. Honda engineers prepare the rocket. Picture: Honda Honda conducts a successful launch and landing test of its Experimental Reusable Rocket. Picture: Honda R&D 'Through this successful test, Honda achieved its intended rocket behaviours for the launch and landing, while obtaining data during the ascent and descent.' Honda announced in 2021 that it was 'pursuing research and development in the field of space technologies' with the thought that its discoveries could also be used in Honda vehicles. That includes in regard to automated driving systems and sustainable transportation. Honda is aiming at a suborbital launch by 2029. 'We are pleased that Honda has made another step forward in our research on reusable rockets with this successful completion of a launch and landing test,' Global CEO of Honda Toshihiro Mibe said. 'We believe that rocket research is a meaningful endeavour that leverages Honda's technological strengths. Honda said space tech is likely to be used in its future cars. Source: Supplied 'Honda will continue to take on new challenges—not only to offer our customers various services and value through our products, while addressing environmental and safety issues, but also to continue creating new value which will make people's time and place more enjoyable.' Originally published as Car giant's space fight with Musk
