Car news, 31 May ’24: Ford discounts EVs by up to $15,000, Jeep’s all-electric Wagoneer S unveiled and more

---

Thanks for joining us this Friday, May 31st 2024. Notably in car news today: Ford has slashed the price of its EVs in Australia and Jeep has unveiled its fully-electric Australian-bound SUV

Browse this issue:

• Ford Australia cuts EV prices by up to $15,000
• All-electric Jeep Wagoneer S unveiled
• Mazda BT-50 scores infotainment upgrade
• GWM Cannon Alpha Hybrid 2024 reviewed

Ford Australia cuts EV prices by up to $15,000

• Ford has again cut the price of its EVs in an effort to make them more competitive against the likes of Tesla and keenly priced Chinese rivals such as MG, LDV and BYD
  
• The full-size E-Transit van has been discounted by $15,000 and now starts at $89,990 before on-road costs
  
• In terms of passenger vehicles, the Mustang Mach-E has seen discounts of between $7000 and $8000, with prices now starting at $64,990 for the Select, $79,990 for the Premium and $97,990 for the top-spec GT.
  
• It’s the second major discount Ford has given the Mach-E after it was discounted by up to $7000 before any stock even went on sale after its initial $80K entry point proved controversial among prospective buyers
  

All-electric Jeep Wagoneer S unveiled

• Following the success of the Europe-focused Avenger, Jeep has unveiled its next fully electric vehicle known as the Wagoneer S, though this one is destined for a global market including Australia
  
• Sitting on the EV-dedicated STLA Large platform with a 400-volt system, the Wagoneer S is said to be capable of more than 482km of range
  
• The all-wheel-drive SUV boasts outputs of 447kW/837Nm with a 0-97km/h time of 3.4 seconds. Plus, Jeep claims it’s still impressively capable off road.
  
• The 100kWh battery can be recharged from 20 to 80 percent in 23 minutes using a DC fast charger
  

Mazda BT-50 scores infotainment upgrade

• Mazda Australia has announced an optional infotainment upgrade for its BT-50 ute across the GT, SP, XTR and XTR LE ute grades along with the XTR cab chassis.
  
• The 11.0-inch Alpine Electronics-developed unit features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with USB C, HDMI and Aux ports, in what is said to be an upgrade from the often-criticised 9.0-inch unit
  
• The BT-50 is a twin of the D-Max and built by the Isuzu brand, but it only scored some of the upgrades given to the latter vehicle in the latest upgrade and the new-generation infotainment system was not one of them
  
• Mazda has priced the unit at $3447 fitted, with the additional upgrade to the accompanying premium sound system a further $1495
  

GWM Cannon Alpha Hybrid 2024 reviewed

• Chasing Cars journalist Zak Adkins’ review of the 2024 GWM Cannon Alpha Hybrid was published, with the new ute pitched as a more premium alternative to the regular Ute Cannon.
  
• Adkins was impressed by the feature-rich interior of the Cannon Alpha the comfortable seats and the general fit and finish
  
• However he found other aspects less convincing, like the agricultural ride quality, the poor fuel efficiency and performance of the hybrid drivetrain
  
• As Australia’s first hybrid ute, the Cannon Alpha will appeal to those chasing engine refinement and Cannon buyers looking to tow 3.5-tonne

Read: Our review of the GWM Cannon Alpha

The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Monday 31st May at 4.30pm Sydney time.