Every important car news story breaking today, one convenient read
Thanks for joining us this Wednesday, May 15th 2024. Notably in car news today: BYD’s highly anticipated hybrid ute, the Shark, has been officially unveiled, and the US Government has announced a 100 percent tariff on Chinese electric car imports.
BYD Shark plug-in hybrid electric ute officially unveiled
The BYD Shark, unveiled at last!
Chinese automaker BYD has officially unveiled its plug-in hybrid electric Sharkute, simultaneously revealing additional detail about the anticipated new vehicle.
The Shark mates a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with front and rear electric motors, making for more than 320kW of power and a 0-100km/h sprint in 5.7 seconds, according to BYD.
A 2500kg braked towing capacity is down a tonne on the class benchmark, with data from BYD’s Mexico website also claiming fuel usage of 7.5L/100kms, a pure electric range of 100kms and a combined range of 840kms – both quoted figures are NEDC figures which are typically more lenient.
Inside, the Shark includes features such as a 12.8-inch rotating media display as well as a separate 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless smartphone charging, head-up display, and Karaoke function.
The Shark is expected in Australia by the end of 2024, meaning it should beat the highly anticipated Ford Ranger PHEV to the punch locally, with that model expected in early 2025. Australian prices and specifications are expected closer to launch.
US Government announces 100 percent tariff on Chinese EV imports
Chinese automakers like BYD will face strict tariffs in the USA
The Biden administration has announced that it will impose a 100 percent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles in a move designed to protect US manufacturers from cheap imports and “China’s unfair trade practices”.
Originally imposed by former President Donald Trump at a lower 25 percent rate, the significant increase is set to hold back Chinese automakers like BYD from crushing long-standing American automakers, including Ford, General Motors and Jeep.
The previous tariffs had already meant that affordable Chinese EVs have mostly been kept out of the US, with the latest move to solidify this, with tariff increases also confirmed for steel and aluminium, semiconductors, batteries, battery components and critical minerals too.
Of the increase, President Biden told media: “I’m determined that the future of electric vehicles be made in America by union workers. Period.”
Suzuki Jimny five-door Heritage edition announced for Australia
The larger Jimny XL will get a special Heritage edition, but only 500 units are coming
Suzuki Australia has announced it will bring a Heritage edition version of its new Jimny XL (five-door) to our local market.
Only 500 Heritage editions will come down under, priced at $1500 above a GLX manual, priced at $36,490 before on-road costs.
The Heritage will feature red front and rear mud flaps, Heritage cargo tray, unique decals, limited build badge and a Heritage pack.
Five colours will be available for the Heritage variants, including Jungle Green and Bluish Black.
First cars are expected to arrive between June and August 2024.
Mercedes stops development of new luxury EV platform: report
Mercedes-Benz will instead focus on its existing platforms, like EVA2
Mercedes-Benz has reportedly stopped the development of its MB-EA Large platform that would have underpinned the next generation of S-Class, along with the GLE and GLS-Class vehicles.
The decision, reported by Autocar, will see Mercedes-Benz continue to use and develop its existing EVA2 platform, sitting underneath the current EQE and EQS model.
The EVA2 platform will be overhauled, with 800-volt tech to replace the existing 400-volt setup, along with new battery cell technology and more efficient electric motors.
Mercedes-Benz will continue its plans to produce its MB-EA Medium platform, along with the bespoke MB.AMG platform for the GT four-door successor.
LDV Mifa 7 spotted in Australia, under consideration
We’ve spotted an LDV Mifa 7 people mover charging in Seven Hills, Sydney
Chasing Cars spotted an LDV Mifa 7 development vehicle undergoing local testing and evaluation in Sydney Australia.
The fully electric people mover was spotted at a charging station in Seven Hills, with the charging capable strewn across another park and plugged into the side-mounted port.
Sitting below the Mifa 9 in terms of size and price, the Mifa 7 is available in both six and seven-seat configurations in China.
Battery packs of 77kWh and 90kWh are available, providing a range of 527km and 605km respectively according to the more lenient CLTC Chinese testing standard.
The Mifa 7 is expected to go on sale in Australia later this year.
Reviewed: Haval H6 2024 review – facelift first drive
Chasing Cars contributor Iain Curry’s review of the facelifted 2025 Haval H6 was also published, outlining his first impressions of the updated medium SUV.
Curry was given a brief taste of the refreshed ToyotaRAV4-rival sporting fresh styling, more power and a smarter interior.
Positives noted by Curry included a cleanly designed, well-appointed cabin, excellent large central touchscreen, spacious rear seats and boot, more mature front-end styling and positively received power and torque bump.
In terms of negatives, Curry drew attention to cheap feeling rear seat plastics, climate control functionality through the central touchscreen, the non-hybrid engine’s thirst, as well as the unknown arrival date or price for the facelift, and an as yet unproven ride and handling balance which will require further testing on local roads.
