Browsing: Automobiles

The Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck may end up as a flash in the pan rather than the company’s next Model T, as it was once billed.Sources have told The Wall Street Journal Ford executives are reportedly considering axing F-150 Lightning due to slow sales and heavy losses.Production of the F-150 Lightning has been paused indefinitely since mid-October after a fire at an aluminium factory in upstate New York. Unlike other full-size utes, the F-150’s body is made from aluminium, and with one of Ford’s key suppliers now offline until well into 2026, it has prioritised production of the…

Nostalgia is intoxicating, in a way. Certainly, cars are not immune; you can hardly venture into any enthusiast-centric corner of the web without hearing tales of how “they don’t make them like they used to.” True enough. Case in point: the E90 M3. A roaring, naturally-aspirated V8 that pulls to 8,400 rpm. Manual transmission, if desired. Rear-wheel drive only. It’s a formula we won’t ever see again, for reasons more nuanced than we care to get into at this particular point in time.But opinions are free — ever wondered what happens when you actually line up the old-timers and the…

About a year ago, Toyota subtly hinted at the return of the Celica and MR2 in an episode of its GRIP anime series. The sports cars appeared on a whiteboard labeled Celica Mk8 and MR2 Mk4, clearly referring to next-generation models. Also on the list was the GR GT3, a car we’ll finally see unveiled in production form on December 4. The anime series has now returned with a new episode, and sure enough, there’s another tease suggesting Toyota will expand its Gazoo Racing lineup. At the very end of the nearly 10-minute video, another list appears: GR Supra, GR86,…

Chery Australia says the company’s growing family of brands, including Chery, Omoda Jaecoo and, soon, Lepas — are designed to reach different types of buyers rather than sit on a traditional premium ladder. And he isn’t ruling out more badges joining the local mix in future.The company’s chief operating officer, Lucas Harris, told CarExpert that, unlike for example European and Japanese automakers that organise brands vertically by price or prestige, Chery’s approach is horizontal, each marque targeting a distinct lifestyle or personality type rather than a higher or lower tier.“In Western markets, brand hierarchy is very vertical — this one’s entry-level, this one’s volume, this…

BMW sells a lot of cars in the U.S. these days. In fact, at last count, the marque moved 371,346 cars and SUVs last year. It didn’t happen overnight; fifty years ago, BMW of North America’s inaugural year, the brand only sold 19,419 cars. One of the biggest speed bumps on the brand’s journey to selling that many cars came in the late 1980s. Problems began as the U.S. dollar to Deutschmark exchange rate fell, which unfortunately made BMWs extremely pricey in the U.S. (and elsewhere). Adding to the brand’s U.S.-based woes were increasingly stringent emissions standards. Arguably, some of…

The late Ferdinand Piëch may have ruled with an iron fist, but he ensured things got done. During his tenure as CEO of the Volkswagen Group from 1993 to 2002, some of the company’s most ambitious engineering projects were approved, culminating in the development of the Bugatti Veyron. He left behind a complicated legacy that included costly vanity efforts, such as the VW Phaeton, and visionary projects like the XL1. Even before taking the helm of the automotive giant, Piëch played a pivotal role in developing several iconic cars. As Head of Development at Porsche and later at Audi, he…

New legislation designed to encourage the introduction of new cars with efficient engines and lower emissions is already having an impact on the market.Prior to the new laws, a former spokesperson for Volkswagen Group Australia was quoted as saying Australia was leaving itself open to being a dumping ground for old, dirty engines – with automakers not incentivised to bring their latest engine tech here.But Volkswagen Commercial brand director Nathan Johnson told CarExpert the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) has helped reshape the new-car landscape in Australia.“The introduction of NVES has definitely played its part in helping us evolve our…

The 2026 MINI Countryman is more or less all-new, having just received a significant update last year to bring the SUV into its third generation. But year-over-year, little changes. The biggest and most interesting update is a new $1,400 John Cooper Works Style Package, which includes some aesthetic tweaks, new wheels, and Dynamic Damper Control. Additional 18-inch wheels are also new for the model year. Finally, the brand’s digital key service receives slight tweaks that make it a “better” service, but more importantly, mean you’ll only receive one key when you buy a new MINI. Regardless, the MINI Countryman is…

Bentley was once bullish on electrification, unveiling the EXP 100 concept in 2019 and pledging to go fully electric by the end of the decade. Recently, however, as global enthusiasm for EVs wanes, the brand has slowed its plans—now targeting 2035 and beyond. In fact, Bentley is even preparing to launch new combustion-powered models in the near future. During a recent virtual press conference, CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser confirmed that the company is developing a new combustion vehicle. He emphasized that while electric models—such as the upcoming Urban SUV—are still in the pipeline, traditional gas engines will continue to play a…

The Hyundai i30 Hatch is on borrowed time, and this funky electric hatchback could end up replacing it.Expected to be called the Hyundai Ioniq 3, the new electric hatchback was previewed by this year’s Three concept and is set to enter production in Türkiye in 2026.In the transition from concept to production car, the Ioniq 3 has gained conventional wing mirrors and flush door handles.However, it has the same rounded wedge profile, including a Genesis GV60-like rear-end shape, plus slim lighting up front and a distinctively sculpted fascia.CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get…