Automotive giants Ford and Geely have announced a new deal that’s set to save Ford’s manufacturing plant at Valencia in Spain (main) and see several new models produced there, including a new Ford SUV that will use Geely technology. Finally confirmed after months of speculation, the deal will see a new joint venture between the two companies created, with Ford holding a 66 per cent share and Geely 34 per cent.

Currently, only the Ford Kuga – which was last sold in Australia as the Escape – is produced at the plant for European markets. Around 100,000 were built in 2025, which is approximately 20 per cent of its 500,000 unit annual capacity. However, the new joint venture will see the plant produce not only new Ford multi-energy vehicles, but also two new electric Geely SUVs.

That makes this new joint venture significant in itself because Geely will become one of the first Chinese manufacturers to produce vehicles in Europe, dodging local tariffs for Chinese-built models that can reach up to 33.5 per cent. The first European-built Geely models will start production in 2028.

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In addition to the sharing of the Valencia plant, Ford will launch a new SUV for European markets that will use a Geely platform. Not much is yet known about it, other than it will offer both electric and hybrid power, and be “engineered with Ford’s signature capabilities and driving dynamics”, “tailored for European drivers”.

The new Ford SUV will be one of five “rally-inspired” models that the company will launch in Europe by 2029, including a new variant of the Bronco family just for European customers, which will also be produced at the Valencia plant.

Ford will also launch two new small electric models twinned with current Renault products, though these will likely be produced by Renault in France. There will also be yet another multi-energy SUV, but nothing is known about it just yet, but we’re predicting that it will be a next-generation Kuga.

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An AI rendering of what the new European Ford Bronco SUV could look like

Geely is yet to announce which of its models will be produced at the plant, though is aiming for a massive European expansion and plans for 40 per cent of its European range to be made in Spain.

Ford originally opened the Valencia plant in 1976, and since then, it’s produced some of its most popular European models such as the Fiesta, Mondeo, Focus and Transit Connect. European production of the first Geely models will commence in 2028, the same year as Ford’s new Geely-based SUV.

New cars sold from 2029 will require additional electronic safety assist features to be eligible for sale in Australia.

The regulatory change will see emergency lane-keeping systems required on all passenger cars and light goods vehicles in Australia from March 1, 2029.

The expansion of mandatory driver assist features will also see requirements for autonomous emergency braking (AEB) systems expanded to include cyclist detection, adding to the vehicle and pedestrian detection already required.

A staged rollout would see newly introduced models to the Australian market required to have the technology from March 1, 2028, with all vehicles – including those previously introduced – required to comply by March 1, 2029.

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During the consultation phase for the proposal, the Federal Government cited data from the Monash University Accident Research Centre, which indicated 42 per cent of fatal crashes on Australian roads were the result of unintended lane departures.

The new Australian Design Rule requirement (ADR 107/00) has been aligned with similar international requirements and was developed in conjunction with United Nations Regulations, matching European Union and UN requirements for the operation and implementation of emergency lane keeping systems.

The requirement applies only to passenger cars, utes and vans with a Gross Vehicle Mass of under 3.5 tonnes, leaving ‘heavy commercial-class’ utes like the Toyota LandCruiser, Ineos Grenadier, and American pick-ups like the recently reclassified Chevrolet Silverado exempt.

Regulations for those vehicles, along with light trucks, still require AEB with vehicle detection and, from 2028, will need a lane-departure alert, but not the emergency-steering capability required on lighter vehicles.

Along with the requirement to have the new safety systems fitted, regulations also provide a framework for the operational parameters of the systems to achieve full compliance. The alignment of Australian regulations with those overseas should mean, in theory, fewer hurdles for automakers to achieve compliance.

AEB was first made mandatory on all new light cars in Australia from March 2025, and the requirement for pedestrian recognition was added from August 2026. Proposals to mandate lane assist technology started in 2021, initially planned for a 2024 introduction, but were held back to better align with international regulations.

Mercedes-Benz Australia has announced a new special edition version of the AMG CLE 53 4Matic+ coupe, which is called the Edition R. Building onto the standard CLE 53 4Matic+, the Edition R adds a number of special features, including the AMG Styling Package in Australia for the first time. Pricing starts at $159,900 plus on-road costs, or just $1000 more than the standard model, and it’s now available to order.

On the outside, the CLE 53 4Matic+ Edition R adds the AMG Styling Package, which includes a more aggressive-looking front apron with additional side flics, a high-gloss black rear apron and an AMG lip spoiler. Matte black forged 20-inch alloy wheels with a high-sheen finish also feature.

Inside the CLE 53 4Matic+ Edition R adds the AMG Performance Seat Package with AMG Performance front seats with the brand’s ‘Artico’ synthetic leather and ‘Microcut’ suede upholstery, red seat belts and a new metal structure trim and metal effect centre console.

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The new equipment for the Edition R joins the lengthy features already available on the standard AMG CLE 53 4Matic, including the AMG Night Package with gloss black exterior highlights, the AMG Performance steering wheel finished in Nappa leather and Mircocut suede, AMG illuminated door sills and AMG floor mats.

Other features include AMG Dynamic Select drive programmes, a Burmester 3D surround sound system, panoramic sliding sunroof, Digital Light with adaptive high beam, the ‘MBUX’ infotainment system with navigation, a head-up display, adaptive cruise control and autonomous emergency braking.

Under the bonnet of the CLE 53 4Matic+ Edition R is identical to the standard model, using a twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder petrol engine paired with a 48-volt mild hybrid system making 330kW of power and 560Nm of torque.

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That’s mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission and Mercedes-AMG’s 4Matic+ all-wheel drive system, giving it a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of just 4.2 seconds. Fuel consumption on the combined cycle is rated at 9.6L/100km.

2026 Mercedes-Benz CLE pricing (excluding on-road costs):

The Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 4Matic+ Edition R is now available to order.

As cost-of-living pressures continue to strain household budgets, vehicle owners are seeking new alternatives to find DIY solutions.

New data published by the RACQ has found an alarming number of car owners are turning to error-prone answers from generative AI providers to diagnose and repair vehicle issues.

A survey of RACQ members revealed that vehicle owners were frequently delaying regular maintenance and servicing, with 40 per cent of respondents indicating they were three to six months overdue for scheduled servicing and 21 per cent admitting they were more than six months overdue.

Along with routine servicing, issues like windscreen wiper replacement and tyre changes were also commonly being pushed back by owners.

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An alarming new trend has surfaced in the report, with 14.2 per cent of those surveyed revealing that they had consulted an AI service for information on diagnosing and repairing vehicle issues.

Another 23 per cent said they had sought assistance from a friend or family member for vehicle repairs, rather than using a qualified mechanic.

RACQ Principal Technical Researcher Andrew Kirk cautioned against the use of AI-generated diagnostics and repair solutions, highlighting the risks involved.

“While AI tools, internet searches and advice from well-meaning friends can provide general information, they cannot physically inspect a vehicle, accurately diagnose every fault, or verify that a repair has been performed correctly,” Kirk said in a statement.

“Attempting to diagnose and repair vehicle faults without appropriate training and equipment can result in critical safety issues being missed or incorrectly repaired. Car maintenance must be taken seriously – a fault in a safety-related system could lead to issues on the road and cause a fatal or life-altering crash.”

Underneath an Instagram post by ABC Brisbane about its interview with Kirk, one commenter thought the real problem was “that cars are not repairable by those who own them – deliberately by design”.

“The correct solution is to apply pressure to car manufacturers to do the right thing and make them repairable, instead of locking them up in consumables and soon to be obsolete gizmos.”

Despite the trends toward delaying maintenance and seeking alternative repair solutions, RACQ reported a lower number of roadside assistance callouts, with 736,924 calls for help received in the 2025 financial year (July to June), compared to 715,700 calls over the last 12 months.

Tesla has revealed its second-quarter financial figures, revealing strong vehicle sales, but weaker-than-expected financial results as the company invests heavily in automation and AI technologies.

Sales from Tesla’s automotive division remained strong, reporting its second-best quarterly result with 480,126 vehicles delivered globally, up from 384,122 for the same period in 2025.

Tesla’s Model 3 sedan and Model Y SUV contributed the lion’s share of sales, with 467,762 units, while ‘other vehicles’ including the Cybertruck, Semi truck, and final deliveries of the now-discontinued Model S and Model Y, accounted for 12,364 units combined.

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Tesla’s revenue, at US$28.2 billion (A$40.5b) exceeded estimates from analysts ahead of official figures, however, Tesla’s gross margin underperformed compared to expectations. Tesla reported a 16.3 per cent margin, down from analyst callouts of just over 18 per cent.

Tesla’s reliance on its automotive division, once the powerhouse for the company, is under pressure as competition increases and rivals introduce newer and more affordable models. Tesla’s energy storage operations, meanwhile, saw a surge in demand as the company rushes to serve the needs of data centres and the growing demand for renewable energy.

Despite energy storage product sales hitting 13.5 Gigawatt-hours of capacity, up from 9.6GWh in the year prior, Tesla’s spending on its robotics program and self-driving vehicle technology is set to triple in 2026. The increased investment has kept profits in check.

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The publication of Tesla’s quarterly financials saw stock prices close 14.5 per cent lower, at US$319.69 (A458.82)

Tesla’s automotive sales in Australia over the first six months of the year saw the US automaker boost sales by a massive 66.7 per cent year to date, with 23,588 sales of the Model 3 and Model Y. Over the same period in 2025, Tesla delivered 14,146 vehicles.

Tesla’s bulk import schedule, rather than keeping a consistent flow of vehicles month-to-month, saw the brand deliver over one-third of its year-to-date sales in the month of June, with 8670 sales recorded for the month.

Chinese electric car maker and mobility specialist XPeng this week confirmed Australia is a priority market for its emerging flying-car technology, with the company planning to explore a local introduction once government approval has been secured.

Speaking at a local media event in Melbourne, XPeng Vice Chairman and President Brian Gu said Australia was a perfect fit for flying cars and that our vast distances, beautiful landscapes and appetite for new technology made it a natural fit for what the company calls “flying mobility”.

“Australia is a market where I think flying mobility has particularly strong potential,” said Gu.

“It’s a beautiful landscape, vast land, long-distance travel and a spirit of exploration. This fits very well with the flying imagination.”

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XPeng is developing two flying vehicles through its AeroHT subsidiary, starting with the ‘Land Aircraft Carrier’ shown at the event, which is a a large six-wheeled electric vehicle that carries the two-seat electric aircraft in its rear compartment.

The aircraft itself is intended primarily for private buyers and recreational use, and once deployed from the Land Aircraft Carrier, can be flown for approximately 20 minutes per charge.

At the event, Gu claimed that it was designed to be easy to operate and is controlled using a joystick controller, rather than the usual complex array of switches and controls you’d find in a helicopter. As for usage, XPeng expects it to be found at recreational areas like national parks.

According to XPeng, there are already more than 7000 pre-orders for the Land Aircraft Carrier, largely from customers and businesses in both China and the Middle East. To build it, XPeng is planning production for the flying cars at a new 120,000 square metre facility in its HQ of Guangzhou in China, which it says will be the world’s first large-scale flying car factory and will have capacity to produce up to 10,000 per year.

However, while the idea of flying cars sounds rosy, they’re not legally allowed to be sold yet. XPeng is currently still awaiting final certification in China, before pursuing the same in overseas markets such as the Middle East and, eventually, Australia.

“Once Chinese approval is obtained, we can start exploring international partnerships and bringing our products to other international markets,” Gu said. “Hopefully Australia can be one of the first as well.”

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XPeng is also developing a larger six-seat electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, known as the A868, for longer distance travel.

Unlike the recreational Land Aircraft Carrier, the A868 uses a tilt-rotor system that allows it to take off vertically like a traditional helicopter, before transitioning to more efficient fixed-wing flight. XPeng claims a potential range of up to 500 kilometres, which is much further than the Land Aircraft Carrier.

The flying-car push forms part of XPeng’s broader “physical AI” strategy, which also includes humanoid robots, autonomous driving technology and autonomous taxis also previewed at the event. XPeng is aiming for Australia to become one of the first international markets outside China to receive elements of that broader ecosystem, though with the caveat of being subject to local regulations.

No timing or pricing has been announced for an Australian flying car launch, however, Gu is optimistic that it will happen before the end of 2027. Regardless of whether it does or not, XPeng’s media event provided the clearest indication yet that its local ambitions extend beyond just selling electric cars.

Alongside its flying car plans, XPeng announced plans to introduce five new vehicles to Australia within six months, as well as launching range-extender hybrid models in 2027, investigating local trials of its more advanced autonomous driving like the Tesla Full-Self Driving and even vehicle-to-grid energy technologies.

Alarming data reveals a massive discrepancy in driving behaviour across Australia.

The state with the highest likelihood of being involved in a car accident left drivers with a one-in-five chance of involvement in a motor vehicle accident.

Conducted by insurance comparison site Compare the Market, the survey analysed responses from 1019 participants aged over 18, and discovered that 20 per cent of respondents from within Victoria (below, Melbourne) said they had been involved in a car accident within the last 12 months.

At the opposite end of the scale, Western Australia reported the lowest car accident risk, with just 7 per cent of participants reporting that they had been involved in a car accident within the last year.

New South Wales ranked second-worst at 16 per cent, Queensland reported a 13 per cent rate, and 12 per cent of South Australian residents said they had been affected.

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The data did not provide state-by-state analysis for the ACT, NT or Tasmania. Responses for those regions were included in the national average, with 14.9 per cent of Australians reporting being involved in a car accident in the last year.

The data also revealed a close split between those who filed an insurance claim and those who elected to pay for repairs themselves.

Of the 14.9 per cent of respondents who had been involved in an accident, 6.4 per cent filed a claim with their insurer, but 5.9 per cent either paid for their own repairs or lacked coverage. The remaining 2.6 per cent chose not to repair damage sustained.

The data also reinforces traditional and more comprehensive crash data, suggesting that younger and less experienced drivers face a higher crash risk. Rather than breaking this information down by age group, Compare the Data segmented by a less informative split by generation.

Based on this information, 24 per cent of Gen Z drivers, or those aged 18 to 29, reported being involved in an accident; Millennial drivers, typically aged 30 to 45, reported an accident rate of 20 per cent. 11 per cent of Gen X, which typically covers 46 to 61-year-olds, reported an accident in the last year, while Baby Boomers, aged 62 to 80, reported only a 6 per cent rate.

The updated 2026 Nissan Z Coupe range is set to arrive in Australia from September this year, with a range of improvements and upgrades first seen in international markets.

The biggest change to the line-up is the addition of a manual transmission option for the flagship Z Nismo. While the Z’s 370Z Nismo predecessor offered a manual option, the six-speed manual makes its first appearance in the turbocharged Z Nismo.

Other changes to the Z Nismo see it equipped with new two-piece cross-drilled brake rotors derived from the Nissan GT-R, claimed to reduce unsprung mass by 9kg. The new braking package also includes Akebono-supplied calipers.

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The revised Nissan Z line-up now grows to four variants with the addition of the Z manual, with a choice of nine-speed automatic or six-speed manual offered on the regular Z Coupe and Z Nismo.

Pricing has risen slightly with the Z Coupe priced from $76,800 (up $640) with either a manual or automatic transmission, while the Z Nismo starts from $95,000 (up $395), with manual and automatic variants priced the same.

Power outputs for the Z Coupe remain unchanged at 298kW and 475Nm, or 309kW/520Nm for the Z Nismo, both based on the 3.0-litre VR30DDTT twin-turbo V6, first seen in Australia in cars like the Infiniti Q50 and Q60 range.

As with the Z Nismo automatic, the Nismo manual will offer a Sport+ driving mode in addition to the Standard and Sport modes of the Z Coupe. Manual models also offer automated rev matching.

Visual upgrades for the 2026 Z Coupe include a redesigned front bumper featuring a wider lower intake and body-coloured centre bar, in place of the controversial rectangular design on the pre-update Z. The Z Nismo continues with its existing specific bumpers and lower body styling kit.

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New 19-inch wheels have also been fitted, and Unryu Green joins the range of available exterior shades as a new hero colour, along with the return of Boulder Gray two-tone with a black roof.

Interior revisions include a new wireless charger with faster Qi 2 compatibility, device cooling, and fastening via magnetic alignment, a frameless interior rear view mirror, a new start-up animation that shows previous generations of Z car on the digital instrument cluster, and a no-cost tan interior option for the Z Coupe.

The Z Nismo carries over red and black Recaro front seats with Alcantara and leather trim and manual adjustment instead of the Z Coupe’s electric adjustment.

Order books are now open for the 2026 Nissan Z range with customer deliveries expected to commence in September.

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2026 Nissan Z pricing (excluding on-road costs)

Aston Martin has unveiled the limited edition Vanquish 25 to commemorate the grand touring model’s 25th anniversary.

First introduced in 2001 as the V12 Vanquish, the second- and third-generation models dropped the V12 reference from their name, but retained 12-cylinder firepower under the bonnet.

To celebrate the quarter-century milestone, Aston Martin’s in-house Q division will equip 25 examples of the Vanquish coupe and 25 Vanquish Volante convertibles with a range of silver anniversary appearance and equipment options.

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Interior treatments for the Vanquish 25 include laser-etched Aston Martin trim inlays on the door cards, ‘25’ logo embroidery for the headrests, a red engine starter button, specially-designed trim perforations on the seat bolsters, and a choice of interior trims including Onyx Black, Oxford Tan, or Phantom Grey.

From the outside, the Vanquish 25 editions can be identified by Q Skye silver paint, metal foil detailing on the grille and side vent vanes, ‘Vanquish 25’ badging, foil-stamped Aston Martin badging and a unique finisher panel for the rear finisher, and Q Commission design exhaust tip finishers.

Aston Martin’s 21-inch Y-spoke alloy wheels have also been reconfigured with a two-tone finish that highlights the V design within the spokes.

Vittorio Gabba, Head of Q at Aston Martin, said in a statement, “25 years on from the unveiling of the very first Vanquish it is only right that we mark this nameplate’s contribution to our heritage. 

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“Vanquish 25 builds on the extraordinary achievements of the modern, third-generation Vanquish with a carefully curated package of exterior and interior features that subtly celebrate this important milestone in our history.”

Mechanical details remain the same as the regular Vanquish, with a 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 engine producing 614kW and 1000Nm, driving the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Vanquish coupe models can hit 100km/h in 3.3 seconds, followed by the Vanquish Volante at 3.4 seconds.

Transport NSW has proposed the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to streamline the operation of seatbelt and mobile phone cameras within the state.

Under the state’s current system, images captured by the automated system are already processed by AI, with those that meet the criteria for mobile phone use, or incorrect use or lack of a seatbelt, then passed on for human verification before a fine is issued.

In instances where AI does not identify an issue, photos are deleted, and no further action takes place.

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Changes to the processing would see the human visual verification stage scrapped, resulting in a fully automated process, from the capturing of images, to the AI processing of the collected images, and any resulting penalty notices.

Seven News reports that seat belt and mobile phone cameras alone have generated more than $400 million in revenue over the last five years, with phone cameras in use since December 2019 and seatbelt detection cameras introduced in July 2024.

Critics of the proposal have called out the risk of misidentification of infringements, suggesting that without some level of human processing, the AI-identified fines could result in a repeat of the Federal Government’s ‘Robodebt’ scheme, which was later deemed unlawful by the Federal Court of Australia.

Data published last year revealed that over 15 per cent of seatbelt infringements flagged by AI detection were rejected in the human review stage.

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Earlier this year, the WA Government, which uses a similar AI-identified detection system, withdrew over 2000 incorrectly issued fines from over 53,000 infringements issued since the system was introduced.

The latest proposal forms part of the NSW Government’s 2026 Road Safety Action Plan, which includes agenda items including evaluation of new and enhanced camera programs, and trials of new technologies to support automated enforcement for what the state identifies as ‘high-risk’ behaviours.

The proposal is yet to be put before the NSW Government for discussion.