A photo of a Bunnings shopper who filled his Mitsubishi to overflowing with strips of turf has left Aussies scratching their heads after it went viral.

The shot, which shows the Outlander stacked with strips of grass filling the back seat to the roof and even being stowed on the roof – but apparently not tied down to the rack – was reportedly taken at the hardware giant’s store in the southern Adelaide suburb of Marion.

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Aussies couldn’t hide their shock at the photo, with many worrying about how the Mitsubishi was going to deal with the load, or wondering why the shopper didn’t find a better way of taking his purchase home – like using one of Bunnings’ free courtesy trailers.

‘A full pallet [of turf] can weigh 750kg easily. I am fairly sure that’s an Outlander. That poor car. He is going to be cleaning dirt and mud for the next 3 years,’ one reader wrote on Reddit.

‘He literally has a tow bar. Could’ve used one of the complimentary trailers,’ another said.

‘He’s in a Bunnings… he could’ve hired a ute to get it home or bought a tarp to wrap the grass in, at least,’ another commenter wrote.

Another reader suggested the driver could’ve put the rear seats down and fit the load in on top of a drop sheet, while others said it would’ve been better and cheaper to order the turf from a landscaping supplier and get it delivered.

However, the driver also got some support, with one woman writing that he displayed “true Aussie spirit” for getting “the job done ASAP, no mucking about”.

Others took the opportunity to make jokes, labelling the Mitsubishi a “Grasslander”, telling the customer he should’ve “mowed the grass close” to reduce weight, and speculating that he said “I’m not making two trips”.

Car fans who were worried about the structural integrity of the Mitsubishi’s roof might have a point. According to Aussie supplier The Turf Farm, an average 50-square-metre pallet weighs between 700kg and a tonne.

BYD has lived up to its reputation for speedy model development by unveiling the replacement for the Seal 07 all-electric sedan just five months after the current one was launched. 

At first glance, an increase in size is the most striking change to the new version of the marque’s competitor for the Mazda 6e and Tesla Model 3. Images and details revealed in BYD’s filing to the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) show the updated 07 is 85mm longer and 50mm wider than the current model. 

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That gives it dimensions of 5080mm in length, 1960mm in width and 1495mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2960mm, making the new Seal 07 noticeably longer than the 6e and Seal 6 sedan.

That filing to MIIT lists battery-electric and plug-in hybrid versions of the new sedan, with two powertrain variants breaking cover. The lower-powered option makes 245kW from a rear-mounted motor to shift a kerb weight of 1975kg, with its uprated counterpart developing 300kW with a kerb weight of 2060kg. 

Claimed top speed for both of those versions is 240km/h, but details on battery capacities and ranges have not been revealed. 

The current Seal 07, with a kerb weight of 1940kg, runs a rear-mounted electric motor making 240kW, with energy supplied by a 69.07kWh Blade battery pack. When it was launched, official filings gave the car a 200km/h top speed with energy consumption of 10.8kWh/100km, and a CLTC-rated range of 705km.

A 115kW, 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engine combined with a 160kW electric motor powers the PHEV version of the upcoming Seal 07. That is fed by a 38.03kWh lithium iron phosphate battery.

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The new Seal 07’s looks appear to borrow cues from the Seal 08, with split headlights, partially hidden door handles, a single taillight unit stretching across the width of the rear, and the bonnet sloping sharply down away from the windscreen.

Just like the 07 released in March, there is no indication on when or if the new version will go on sale down under, where the Seal is BYD’s best-selling sedan.

And the reason for the rush to update the model? It could be down to the previous 07’s sales struggles, with CarNewsChina branding it a “flop” after only 627 were sold in China in June.

The Australian used car market has put a poor June 2026 squarely in the rear vision mirror as sales jumped by 11.8 per cent in July, Australian Automotive Dealer Association figures show. 

After sales fell by more than 6300 to 214,996 in June, last month saw a very healthy rebound to 240,311 vehicles moved. Dealer volume grew by 9.1 per cent, which is healthy but pales in comparison to private seller volume, which shot up by 26.2 per cent. That saw the dealer share of the market fall from 71.8 per cent to 70.1 per cent during the period.

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All up, sales leapt up by 25,315 compared to June, with the AADA explaining that the leap in private sales was stronger than dealers’ numbers in every vehicle age category, although dealers’ domination of the near-new segment continues. 

In addition to that leap, the number of vehicles listed for sale increased by 13 per cent month on month, and the average number of days to sell rose to 52.1 in July, which is the highest point for the year so far. Dealers are taking approximately 22 days more than private sellers when it comes to offloading one- to five-year-old vehicles.

Supply grew a little faster than demand in July, with 437,855 vehicles advertised for sale, which was a 13 per cent increase on June’s numbers. Private sellers have had the edge on dealers in terms of total sales for the past three months, and they extended their lead in the latest reporting period.

According to AADA, the poor June result was driven not by a weak market, but demonstrator models being cleared for the end of the financial year. 

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“The July rebound shows the June decline was largely a seasonal effect driven by end-of-financial-year demonstrator clearances rather than any softening in underlying demand,” said AADA CEO James Voortman.

“The data also shows dealers are continuing to achieve similar retained values to private sellers while discounting less often. That suggests slower stock turnover is being influenced by broader market dynamics rather than pricing alone.”

The Geely EX2 has landed in Australia with a big reputation. Launched as the Geely Xingyuan (star wish) in its native China in October 2024, the compact electric hatchback sold over 450,000 in its first full year on sale, making it China’s most popular car, electric or otherwise, in 2025.

Now it arrives in local showrooms looking to cash in on Australia’s EV sales boom, with an affordable rear-wheel drive package ideally suited to urban dwellers.

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The race for affordable electric vehicles is tightening as more and more entrants – almost exclusively from China – find their way to local showrooms amid a surge in EV sales.

Blending sharp pricing with urban street appeal and the latest in technology, these pocket EVs are proving that electric cars need not break the bank. Rivals at this budget-end of the segment include BYD’s Atto 1 city hatchback, the MG4 Urban compact hatch, GWM Ora 5 small SUV and the relatively unknown GAC Aion UT.

A quick Geely explainer. While relatively unknown as a standalone brand in Australia, the Chinese auto conglomerate has a large and diverse portfolio of brands including Volvo, Zeekr, Polestar, Farizon, Lotus and Smart. 

In 2025, Geely entered the Australian market with its EX5 mid-sized electric SUV. And it’s been a hit, buyers snapping up over 10,000 of the Tesla Model Y-rivalling SUVs since launch.

It was joined earlier this year by the Starray EM-i plug-in hybrid SUV which, despite the relative anonymity of the Geely brand in Australia, has already found 5391 new homes.

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The Geely EX2 arrives now as just the third model – and the most affordable – from the Chinese brand, which is taking serious aim at our market, promising six new models over the next 18 months and expanding its existing 80-strong dealer network to over 100.

How much is the Geely EX2?

Pricing is sharp. Just two models make their way here, the $26,490 EX2 Complete and the flagship EX2 Inspire, priced from $30,990, both prices before on-road costs.

Both are generously equipped for the money with just a couple of differences in standard kit between the two.

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The big difference comes under the skin. The more affordable Complete model is powered by a single 60kW/150Nm electric motor driving the rear wheels. A 35.3kWh battery pack feeds the motor for a claimed WLTP-tested driving range of 252km.

Spending five grand more for the range-topping Inspire brings some extra creature comforts but the big-ticket items are a more powerful 85kW/150Nm motor and a larger 47.1kWh battery array. Unsurprisingly, the bigger battery brings increased range, rated at 345km (WLTP).

The EX2’s standard equipment list looks anything but cut-price. Both models feature synthetic leather upholstery, climate control, a 14.6-inch touchscreen with smartphone integration, power front seat adjustment, dusk-sensing LED head- and tail-lights, an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster and the full gamut of Geely’s advanced driver assist and safety technologies, which the brand is hoping will help the EX2 earn a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

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The range-topping Inspire adds 16-in alloy wheels (against the 16-inch steelies of the Complete), a powered tailgate, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, wireless smartphone charging, heated front seats and steering wheel, and a 360-degree camera (the Complete’s is rear-view only).

Is there anything interesting about the Geely EX2’s design?

There’s a simple cuteness to the Geely EX2. And that’s by design, with the manufacturer stating the EX2 not only follows the brand’s ‘smile’ design philosophy but that its proportions adhere to Euclid’s Golden Ratio.

That magical mathematical number of 1.618 – found throughout nature – creates visual harmony that is pleasing to the eye of the viewer, even if they don’t know why.

In the case of the EX2, 1.618 equates to not only its balanced proportions, but also greater aero efficiency thanks to the liberal use of soft curves and flowing lines. 

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Geely’s colour palette reflects its city-focussed aesthetic too, a range of six hues named – intentionally – after celestial bodies. The only no-cost colour is Moon White, while $600 will net buyers either Star Silver, Comet Grey, Nebula Beige, Aurora Green, or Nova Pink.

It’s $600 worth spending, especially for either of the two standout colours, green or pink, although early adopters can snaffle their colour of choice at no extra cost under Geely’s special launch offer – until 31 August – that also throws in a free 7kW home wall charger.

Is the Geely EX2 roomy inside?

Slide inside the EX2 and the first thing you’ll notice is how spacious it is for what is classified as a ‘light’ or city car – even, or especially, in the second row, where its dimensions dwarf those of those its immediate rivals. Six-footers in row two? No problem.

The front seats are nicely padded and supportive and the perforated synthetic leather seats look sharp, especially at this price point.

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The over-reliance on the 14.6-inch touchscreen for many of the EX2’s vital functions, including some buried deep inside Geely’s operating system, continues to rankle but its clear graphics and sharp responses go a little way to mitigating early frustrations.

We used both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto at launch, and while Google’s version proved flawless, CarPlay did throw up some challenges when it came to the initial connection.

Geely makes much of its 30 storage options inside the EX2. Challenge accepted, so count them I did, coming up with 24, highlights including a glove box that slides out like a drawer, and the underseat storage in the second row.

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Boot space measures in at 375L, growing to 1320L with the second row stowed away. Being a rear-wheel drive EV, there’s a further 70 litres available under the bonnet, a perfectly sized space for a couple of overnight bags, or bulky charging cables.

What’s the Geely EX2 like to drive?

So far, so – mostly – good, but what is the EX2 like to drive? Easy is one word that leaps to mind. Another is light.

There’s a lightness to the EX2 that feels right at home on the types of roads it’s likely to spend the bulk of its time on – inner city urban streets and suburban highways.

It’s not especially quick off the mark, but neither is it a slouch, moving away with just enough verve to blend seamlessly into traffic, and certainly more rapidly than similarly-sized and priced petrol cars in the segment.

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Geely’s launch route didn’t take in any motorway running so any higher-speed assessment will have to wait until we get the EX2 through the Wheels garage, but at speeds up to 80km/h, the EX2 remained unstressed and unflustered by the acceleration demands placed on it.

It sits nicely on the road too, with a well sorted suspension tune, engineered in Europe, to better suit Australian and European preferences. 

Sitting on 16-inch wheels (covered steelies in Complete, and fancier alloys on Inspire models) adds to road comfort, the thick Yokohama rubber a beefy barrier between tarmac nasties and the cabin. Lumps, bumps and patchy surfaces are dispatched with alacrity.

Body control is good too, the EX2 settling easily and quickly – without little in the way of wobbling or porpoising – after tackling speed humps and the like. 

The steering feels very light, almost too light, a twirly wheel offers little in the way of feeling connected to the road. But its responses to inputs are quick and accurate and its easy manner makes easy work of navigating roundabouts, bends and corners. Body roll is also kept in check nicely.

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Brake pedal feel is adequate, the transition between regeneration and friction seamless. There are three distinct levels of regen – low, medium and high – although single-pedal driving is off the table with the highest setting still needing driver input to come to a complete stop.

The EX2’s safety systems are nicely calibrated with gentle reminders and steering inputs rather than the overly loud and aggressive warnings of some systems elsewhere in the segment. We did have one issue with the seatbelt reminder, which would chime intermittently even with every seatbelt attached in its rightful slot. A helpful Geely technician rebooted the EX2’s software, resolving the issue, which was restricted to this particular car. None of the other dozen or EX2s at launch experienced the same issue.

What’s the driving range and energy use of the Geely EX2?

With only a short time behind the wheel, it’s difficult to get a proper gauge on the EX2’s energy use and driving range. The Inspire model on test claims 345km of WLTP-tested range.

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After 83.8km of urban and suburban driving, we saw an indicated energy consumption of 13.2kWh, significantly better than Geely’s 15.5kWh claim and translating – potentially – to around 356km of range.

What’s the verdict on the Geely EX2?

Is that sweetener enough to get the Geely EX2 over the line in what is becoming an interesting light car category?

Certainly the early signs are good, the EX2 aiming high with a nicely-equipped package, big on space and with refined road manners. It could be a little faster, but for buyers looking for a capable, fun and cute urban-focussed EV, the Geely EX2 hits a lot of the right notes.

Geely EX2 Specs

Geely has confirmed it will bolster its Australian line-up with a number of new models set to land in local dealerships over the next 18 months.

The brand’s head of Product Planning and Marketing in Australia, Andrew Tuitahi, confirmed the model onslaught at the local launch of the brand’s small electric hatchback, the EX2, in Sydney last week.

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Tuitahi outlined the brand’s plan to target popular segments in Australia with a range of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles that would significantly boost the marque’s portfolio. Geely currently sells only three models in Australia: the just-launched EX2 electric hatchback, the mid-sized EX5 electric SUV, and the plug-in hybrid Starray medium SUV.

While not revealing timing, or specific details on models, it’s likely that the plug-in hybrid Geely Emgrand (below), a Toyota Corolla-sized small sedan, will join the local line-up.

Tuitahi also promised a battery-electric medium sedan, likely the Galaxy E8 which, with a drag coefficient of 0.199Cd, holds the distinction as the ‘world’s slipperiest car’.

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Other models likely to make their way to Australia include the boxy Monjaro plug-in hybrid large SUV, available as either a five- or seven-seater, and the off-road-focussed Galaxy Cruiser 4×4 plug-in hybrid SUV (pictured, below).

Tuitahi added that the brand was also considering bringing a range of regular hybrid vehicles to the local market.

“We need to do a little bit more homework on that,” Geely’s local Product Manager, Ash Varde, told WhichCar by Wheels when asked about hybrids. “For us, it would be about addressing customer needs, so looking at segments where consumers are not quite ready to transition to a plug-in style vehicle or a full battery-electric vehicle. Definitely, SUVs would be of primary interest because of the size of the market. But again, we need to look at what opportunities there are by way of customer interest and customer demand.”

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Geely Australia is also expanding its dealer and spare parts network, promising to boost it from the current 80 showrooms to “somewhere north of 100” by the end of the year, according to Tuitahi.

He also confirmed Geely would add more dedicated spare parts warehousing. The brand currently has a single dedicated facility in Victoria, but is looking to “spread right across the east coast, so making sure that customers have access to parts, service parts and crashed parts all stored locally in Australia”, he said.

London police have seized an extraordinary collection of high-end vehicles worth more than £8 million ($A15.8 million) during a weekend crackdown on illegal and anti-social driving.

The Metropolitan Police impounded 90 vehicles between August 7 and 9 around Hyde Park, Kensington and Chelsea, making it the biggest operation of its kind since the campaign began five years ago.

Among the haul was an ultra-rare Ferrari Monza SP2 valued at £3.7 million ($A7.3 million), one of just 499 examples produced.

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The Dubai-registered Ferrari had reportedly been in Britain for only a day when officers stopped its driver, who was allegedly behind the wheel on a provisional licence and without appropriate insurance.

In an unusual twist, rather than loading the roofless Ferrari onto the waiting flatbed truck, a police officer drove it to the impound facility under escort. Footage of the officer piloting the multimillion-dollar supercar through Mayfair and around Marble Arch subsequently attracted widespread attention online.

Other exotic machinery caught in the operation reportedly included a Lamborghini Revuelto valued at about £650,000 ($A1.3 million), along with models from Ferrari, McLaren, Aston Martin and other prestige marques.

Police targeted offences including uninsured driving, excessive vehicle noise, street racing and other dangerous or anti-social behaviour. Officers also made arrests relating to alleged drug offences, stolen goods, immigration matters and public-order offences.

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Around 120 officers were involved in the operation, which was conducted with support from the Motor Insurers’ Bureau.

New powers also enabled police to immediately confiscate 15 vehicles allegedly connected with anti-social behaviour, rather than first issuing drivers with warnings.

Police said the unprecedented number and value of vehicles seized demonstrated the scale of the operation and warned that further enforcement action would follow.

GAC has announced it’s bringing a cheaper version of its ultra-affordable AION UT electric hatch to Australia, with the new entry-level model coming with a smaller battery – and a smaller price tag.

The upcoming AION UT will feature a 44kWh battery pack with a claimed 320km of WLTP range. Due to arrive in Aussie showrooms by the end of the year, it’s positioned to undercut the current model’s impressive $31,990 driveaway cost. 

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The UTs currently on sale down under run a 60kWh lithium iron phosphate battery good for up to 430km of WLTP range as it sends juice to a 150kW, 210Nm electric motor. GAC quotes energy consumption for those models at 16.4kWh/100km. However, further details about the short-range AION UT’s specs and pricing are staying under wraps for the minute.

GAC undercut the Toyota Corolla when it first announced pricing and specs for the current AION UT in March this year, with the higher-specification Luxury model starting from $35,990 before on-roads. To make the deal even sweeter, customers who pre-ordered at the time received a free 10A portable charger and 22kW wall charger to install at home.

The front-wheel drive AION UT entered the market with the aim of taking sales away from the GWM Ora, MG 4, Geely X2 and BYD Dolphin. This new development has ramped up those efforts and reinforced the brand’s commitment to designing models with affordability front of mind.

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“GAC is committed to delivering products that are tailored to the needs of Australian consumers, and in this instance, the call for more accessible entry-level EVs was particularly strong,” the manufacturer’s Australian CEO Kevin Shu said.

“With its innovative powertrain technologies, distinctive European-influenced design, and a generously spacious interior that defies its compact exterior footprint, I am confident the short-range AION UT will be a leading option not just for those considering their first EV, but also those looking for their first car.”

Ford has taken a huge step towards building a four-door version of the Mustang, with Blue Oval executives showing dealers a prototype of the sedan during a private conference in Las Vegas, according to a report.

The images shown to the dealers last week have not been publicly revealed, with rigorous security surrounding the event, but those in attendance said the four-door’s dimensions and styling are similar to that of the Porsche Panamera, according to Automotive News. If those impressions are correct, Ford would need to make serious changes, as the Panamera is 241mm longer than the Mustang coupe.

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Executives told the dealers that the four-door would start selling from less than $56,600 (US$40,000), pack more back-seat room than the Porsche, and nail the 0-97km/h dash in less than four seconds. No timeframe was given for the launch, and no name was attached to the hotly anticipated project, but the company has trademarked ‘Mach-4’. And First On Race Day fans hoping for details around the platform and powertrains have been given nothing to go on.

The first Mustang sedan in history has been the subject of speculation and anticipation for years, with Ford releasing official design sketches as early as 2022. Two years later, in an interview with Autocar, CEO Jim Farley said, “Could we do other Mustang body forms, a four-door or whatever? I believe we could.”

In July, Ford’s head of the internal combustion and hybrid vehicle business units, Andrew Frick, singled out the Mustang when he was asked about the potential for a new sedan for the brand. When it came to Farley’s comments, he said, “We have a really great Mustang that people consider a car. We look to expand on the Mustang family as we move forward.”

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However, Frick also warned that the company would need to carefully balance development and production costs for a four-door ’Stang due to the drop in the size of the sedan market and the huge popularity of SUVs.

In 2022, WhichCar reacted to Ford showing off those official design sketches by running a render by artist Theottle of what one might look like, speculating that it could become a replacement for the Falcon XR8 that “tragically bit the dust in 2016”.

Now the Mustang sedan would be a rival to the four-door Dodge Charger, not to mention the upcoming Camaro, with fresh reports claiming the Chevrolet will come in sedan form for the first time in its history.

The petrol-hybrid coupe version of the MG 07 has been unveiled on parent company SAIC Motor’s official website, after pre-sales for the purely electric version of the fastback sedan began last month.

MG has paired a 1.5-litre combustion engine making 82kW and 135Nm with an electric motor that produces 152kW and 302Nm, and the setup delivers a claimed pure-electric range of 245km with a combined range of 1745km as measured by the CLTC. It runs on the DMH (dual motor hybrid) system developed by MG, and the lithium iron phosphate battery comes courtesy of CATL.

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A rival for the BYD Seal and new Tesla Model 3, the MG 07 PHEV comes in two versions: the 245 Comfort Edition, and the 245 LiDAR Edition. The interior gets heated and ventilated front seats, 50-watt wireless phone charging, and a panoramic sunroof featuring double-layer silver-plated sun protection. 

Buyers will also get a 15.6-inch central control screen, an 8.88-inch LCD instrument cluster, intelligent electric tailgate, and rhythmic ambient lighting to the tune of 256 colours. Speaking of which, the paint is available in a wide array of shades including Nottingham Grey, Salt Lake White and Oxford Blue. Dimensions remain the same as the all-electric 07, with a length of 4886mm, width of 1900mm, height of 1478mm and a wheelbase of 2858mm.

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First revealed back in May, the MG 07 has styling cues somewhat reminiscent of a Porsche Taycan. The door handles are flush, with LED headlights in a C-shape and bumpers that yell ‘sport’. There’s a LiDAR sensor on the roof to gather information for the Momenta R7 semi-autonomous driving system, as well.

When it was first unveiled, MG had reportedly confirmed the 07 will come on a new-generation platform. While no pricing details have been revealed for Australia, there was speculation the 07 will come in at less than 200,000 Chinese yuan, which could see it undercut the $54,900 Aussie price of the Tesla Model 3 RWD.

Toyota is recalling 16,238 Camry Ascent and Ascent Sport models made between 2024 and 2026 due to a software glitch that could disable turn signals, hazard lights and some audible warnings. According to the brand, the fault could lead to “an increased risk of accident resulting in injury or death”.

The error affects the vehicles’ dashboard, and the culprit is defective software for the 7-inch combination meter – the technical term for the instrument cluster behind the steering wheel, which shows information like speed and warning lights. That cluster could go blank when the cars are started, and chimes like the seat belt warning could be disabled. Drivers get no warning before such failures, and there are no preceding symptoms.

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“Due to a software error, the 7.0-inch combination meter may fail to display at vehicle startup, thereby failing to display important warning messages and core driving information (eg. dashboard indicators and speedometer),” Toyota’s recall notice reads.

“This can also deactivate the turn signal and hazard lamps and certain audible warnings (such as the key left in the ignition and the driver/passenger seat belt reminder.

“If important warning messages and core driving information are not displayed on the combination meter, there can be an increased risk of accident resulting in injury or death to vehicle occupants and/or other road users.”

Owners of all affected vehicles will be contacted by Toyota Australia to organise a free fix, which should take around an hour and must be carried out by a dealer. A full breakdown of the models affected can be found here. The software issue has resulted in Toyota recalling around 508,000 Camrys in the USA.

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The news comes after a similar issue in September 2025 resulted in the recall of almost 70,000 Toyotas in Australia, with the Camry, Corolla, Kluger and RAV4 among the models affected. The manufacturer also recalled more than 13,000 HiLux models in April this year due to an alarming fault with the Toyota Genuine Accessory bullbar or nudge bar, with the problem capable of causing a sudden loss of power steering assistance.

More than 34,000 Toyota Klugers were caught up in a recall this March due to a fault that could cause the second-row seats to fail to latch into position correctly once adjusted, leaving them open to potentially moving in the event of a crash.