This week in information: 10-14 April

We publish a ton of automobile information tales throughout the working week, and it may be robust to maintain up with all the pieces – which is the rationale behind this weekend checklist.

Briefly, listed below are some key articles from our information desk since Monday of this week summarised, simply in case you missed them on the time.

Truck driver shares secret behind inexperienced stickers on NSW, QLD and VIC roads

Ever puzzled what these inexperienced stickers imply on highway-side reflector posts in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria?

The ‘3-2-1 inexperienced reflectors’ have been initially created for truck drivers to help with quick cease factors the place drivers can verify their cargo or pull over for a small relaxation if they’re drained. 

The initiative was began by street security advocate and truck driver Rod Hannifey.

FULL STORY: What do these inexperienced stickers on roadside posts imply?

Toyota predicts sturdy 2023, regardless of Q1 share drop

Toyota stays the best-selling model in Australia, however its market share has taken an enormous hit in 2023 as provide struggles proceed to chew. 

Thus far in 2023 it’s offered 40,918 automobiles in Australia, representing a 15.2 per cent share of the market. That’s down on the 22.1 per cent share it held on the similar level in 2022. 

The Supra sports activities coupe, LandCruiser wagon, and Kluger household SUV are the one Toyota fashions to develop their gross sales year-to-date, with the Camry (-60.9 per cent), RAV4 (-44.2 per cent), Prado (-57.5 per cent) and C-HR (-46.5 per cent) the largest losers

FULL STORY: Toyota predicts sturdy 2023, regardless of Q1 share drop

Toyota shifts focus away from hydrogen fuel-cell automobiles

Toyota has lengthy talked up the position of hydrogen fuel-cell automobiles (FCEVs) in its future lineup, hinting they might at some point grow to be ubiquitous as hybrids are proper now. 

These aspirations appear to be lifeless, with the corporate shifting its focus in the direction of electrical automobiles (EVs) for passenger automobiles, with work on gasoline cells focussing on medium- and heavy-duty vans.

Final week in his first speech as Toyota’s CEO, Koji Sato mentioned, “For FCEVs, we are going to pursue mass manufacturing centered on industrial automobiles”.

FULL STORY: Are hydrogen fuel-cell automobiles on the best way out at Toyota?

New Mini Cooper EV revealed

Blink and also you would possibly miss the modifications, however that is the latest Mini. 

The newest photos of the brand new Mini Cooper EV reveal it is going to function an evolutionary exterior design atop its all-new underpinnings, as has been the norm for the model underneath BMW possession. 

Outsized, spherical headlights function up entrance, and the closed-over grille has a form not too dissimilar to that of the present petrol-powered mannequin. 

FULL STORY: 2024 Mini Cooper EV: Electrical metropolis automobile revealed

Hyundai plans to be prime three EV producer by 2030

The Hyundai Motor Group, which incorporates the Hyundai, Kia and Genesis manufacturers, needs to grow to be one of many prime three electrical car (EV) producers on the earth by 2030.

The corporate plans to realize this by investing KRW 24 trillion (AU$27.3 billion) within the South Korean EV trade by means of its subsidiaries.

This funding will broaden the annual EV manufacturing in South Korea to 1.51 million items and world quantity to three.64 million items by 2030.

FULL STORY: Hyundai needs to be a world electrical automobile chief by 2030

Queensland licence holders might must take refresher course to resume licence

Queensland drivers might quickly be compelled to take a street guidelines refresher course earlier than they’ll renew their licence. 

The Transport and Primary Roads Minister for Queensland, Mark Bailey MP, says the Queensland Authorities is in search of suggestions on the proposal as a part of a broader plan to introduce new measures primarily based on its a street security summit from earlier this yr. 

The Palaszczuk Authorities is contemplating 10 new measures to cut back the Queensland street toll this yr, after the state recorded its highest fatality fee on the roads in 13 years – with 300 folks shedding their lives in 2022.

FULL STORY: Queenslanders going through street rule check earlier than licence renewals

MG to supply a sports activities automobile as soon as once more with electrical Cyberster convertible

The production-spec MG Cyberster has been revealed due to a Chinese language authorities submitting, which has additionally offered some key specs. 

The Chinese language Ministry of Business and Info Expertise submitting lists a single-motor rear-wheel drive powertrain with 231kW of peak energy, in addition to a dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain boasting a front-axle motor with peak energy of 150kW and a rear-axle motor with peak energy of 250kW.

High pace is 193km/h within the single-motor variant and 200km/h within the dual-motor variant.

FULL STORY: MG Cyberster: China’s electrical Boxster revealed

BMW XM Label Crimson pricing introduced

BMW has priced the most popular variations of its new XM plug-in hybrid efficiency SUV forward of an area launch within the fourth quarter of 2023.

The BMW XM Label Crimson is priced from $344,200 earlier than on-road prices, with the XM Label Crimson Version beginning at $349,900 earlier than on-roads.

For context, the usual XM – due right here within the first half of 2023 – is priced at $297,900 earlier than on-roads. You possibly can take a look at our full value and specs article for that mannequin right here.

FULL STORY: 2024 BMW XM Label Crimson value and specs

Lexus eyeing LM folks mover for Australia

The Mercedes-Benz V-Class might lastly be getting a rival from one other luxurious model.

CarExpert understands the next-generation Lexus LM, set to be revealed at this month’s Shanghai motor present, shall be one among three new Lexus fashions coming to Australia by mid-2024.

Lexus mentioned earlier this yr every of the three fashions would sit in “new segments” for the model. 

The corporate calls the LM an “L-Collection flagship”, very like its LS sedan, LC coupe and convertible and LX SUV.

FULL STORY: Lexus mulling hybrid folks mover for Australia

EV Council: “Zero excuse” for Australia to not observe stricter guidelines like US

The Electrical Automobile Council has criticised the Albanese Authorities for being sluggish in rolling out an electrical car coverage and gasoline effectivity laws.

The remarks come following the reveal of harder emissions laws by the US Environmental Safety Company (EPA), which the company expects will see electrical automobiles (EVs) account for 67 per cent of recent light-duty car gross sales and 46 per cent of recent medium-duty car gross sales by 2032.

The Electrical Automobile Council has once more criticised Australia for being one of many solely developed nations on earth with none gasoline effectivity requirements, and warned our standing as being a “dumping floor for dated, high-emission automobiles” shall be “cemented” if the Albanese Authorities doesn’t transfer swiftly.

FULL STORY: EV Council: “Zero excuse” for Australia to not observe harder guidelines like US

BYD delays launch till inventory provide is best

BYD’s native distributor EVDirect says it doesn’t need to endlessly tease its upcoming automobiles, and as an alternative needs sturdy provide of automobiles nearly instantly after they’re launched.

Pricing and specs for the brand new BYD Dolphin, the model’s entry-level electrical hatchback, shall be introduced round June, with deliveries to start inside a month or two after.

The BYD Seal, a rival for the Tesla Mannequin 3, shall be formally launched within the fourth quarter of this yr. Once more, deliveries will start inside 1-2 months of this announcement.

FULL STORY: BYD received’t launch new electrical automobiles till provide is correct