We’re familiar with Toyota, Mazda, Hyundai and BMW, so do we really need Zeekr, Lynk & Co, Leapmotor and more? Across EVs, utes and multiple brands, our readers are asking some big questions this week…
Well, carsales readers are definitely keeping up with the news, as our mailbox shows this week.
The imminent arrival of a dozen new Chinese brands, as detailed in our recent article, has kickstarted questions about who, what, when, how and why. It’ll no doubt be one of the hot topics as the EV revolution builds.
We’ve also got readers interested in the just-arrived Volvo EX30, one of the more interesting new premium EV arrivals recently.
Plus, one reader wants to know about the viability of replacing EV batteries while another is chasing a small EV for zipping around town.
Do we really need more car brands?
Question: I see that we’re due to get a whole bunch more brands, most of them from China. Surely there are already enough new brands on sale in Australia? – Angela
Answer: It’s called competition. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) must be loving it! Chinese car brands – of which there are upwards of 100 – are fast looking beyond their domestic market in an effort to gain a foothold globally.
The reality is the Australian market is appealing due to its lack of trade barriers, something that is starting to bite Chinese brands in parts of the world where those countries are keen to protect their own local manufacturing industries.
So, no, you could argue we don’t need more brands.
But, equally, you don’t want brands thinking they’re safe. You’d rather have competition, which will hopefully lead to better vehicles from the legacy brands.
It will also mean more choice – and, inevitably, some tempting alternatives – from the newcomers.
Throw in the EV transition and it makes it an exciting time for the new-car industry.
Should I buy a new Toyota HiLux ute?
Question:
I’m in the market for a new ute and want to take delivery before the end of the financial year to make it work from a tax perspective for my business. We’ve long run Toyota HiLuxes but I’m hearing there may be a new HiLux coming. Is it worth buying the current car or should I be looking at something else? – Dominic
Answer: The current Toyota HiLux has just received a minor update and is still a solid choice, but its strengths are its reliability and durability.
As it approaches its 10th birthday (the current-generation HiLux hit the market in 2015), it’s still feeling undernourished against fresher rivals, especially on tech and driving manners.
The winner on that front is the Ford Ranger and the related Volkswagen Amarok (which these days emerges from a Ford factory and uses Ranger underpinnings). Each has class-leading safety systems and infotainment technology. The Ford slides marginally ahead because it has remote connectivity via an app, something the Amarok doesn’t yet get.
But, really, for deciding between the two the biggest differentiator will be the price and features. The entry-level Amarok Core now comes with a trailer brake controller and wireless phone charging, for example, two things that aren’t fitted to the equivalent Ranger XL.
And, obviously, there are styling differences between the two.
Either way, pick the models you like and crunch the best deals you can to sway you one way or the other.
