Latest news with #PaulMaric
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
British expats 'shocked' at price of essential item in Australia: 'Mental'
It's one of the main cost of living wallet-pinchers that most Aussies dread. For many households, filling up the car each week can be a budget strain, but several British expats had a shock at the bowser recently for an entirely different reason – they couldn't believe how cheap Aussie fuel is compared to the UK. British expat Steff Littleford, currently living in Perth, took to TikTok to share her disbelief after seeing local fuel prices and converting the currency. 'Things that absolutely shock me in Australia. Petrol — 76p. Tell me why in the UK it's like £1.40, £1.50,' she said. '76 f***ing pence a litre in Australia. Mental.' Another UK expat Josie agreed, saying it was one of the 'biggest shocks' about moving to Australia. 'Fuel here is cheap compared to the UK. The average fuel price in Australia is around $1.60 [a litre]. 'In the UK, when you convert it to Australian dollars, it comes out at $2.90. That's basically what you pay here in super remote regional areas.' Aussie floored by petrol prices in the UK Across the other side of the world, founder of Paul Maric, found himself stunned by the prices at a petrol station in the UK. He was touring the country in a twin-turbo V8 BMW M5 Touring car, which can be expensive to run, and took a photograph of the bowser showing £181.9 per litre — around A$3.76. 'I was shocked at how much Britons pay for fuel compared to Australia. People in Australia jump up and down about the cost of fuel, but in reality, we pay barely anything compared to the UK,' he told Yahoo News. 'Even if you have a look at California, we are getting a much better deal when it comes to fuel costs.' Thankfully, his car was a plug-in hybrid, so he was able to use electric power as well to ease the cost of fuel. But even when it came to charging, Paul noticed it was about twice the price of a public EV charger in Australia. 'Charging an EV in the UK is outrageously expensive compared to Australia. We paid £0.49/kWh for a slower charger and £0.79/kWh for a fast charger. We pay about half that in Australia to charge an EV on public charging infrastructure,' he said. So why the huge price difference? According to NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury, the answer depends on where in the fuel cycle you're looking — and how much tax each country is paying. 'They're probably looking at prices at the bottom of the cycle and going, 'Oh my God', then doing the conversion to pounds, but what they're not taking into consideration is that they pay more tax than we do,' he told Yahoo. 'Australians pay less tax on fuel than Europeans and Kiwis — but more than Americans. That's a big factor.' At the time of writing, the wholesale fuel price sits at 159.6 cents per litre, with Sydney currently near the bottom of the petrol price cycle. Khoury said comparing prices in London with the bottom of the cycle here in Australia will, of course, seem cheap. 'We have price cycles, and when we're at the top of the cycle, that gap's going to be a lot smaller. But if it's comparing it to the bottom of the cycle, it's a lot bigger.' Still, despite how it looks from across the pond, Khoury said many Australians are genuinely struggling to keep up with the weekly cost of fuel. 'We know that there are [people struggling] — especially when they're filling up at the top of the cycle,' he said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Major warning over 2035 Chinese car tsunami for Australia: 'Tread carefully'
A new report has revealed nearly half the cars imported into Australia will be coming from China within a decade. Japan currently leads our automotive imports at 32 per cent, whereas China only has 17 per cent. But by 2035, the Asian superpower is set to dominate the market with 43 per cent of all imports, and push other automotive powerhouses like Japan, South Korea, and Thailand down massively, according to the Centre for International Economics. founder Paul Maric told Yahoo Finance this trend is set to change how our roads will look. "You're going to have some vehicles that have become so expensive that it's going to force consumers who may have been wedded to these brands to go, 'Well, I can save $15,000 by getting a Chinese vehicle that'll do the same thing as my Japanese car,'" he said. RELATED Electric vehicle warning as BYD records biggest month of sales in Australia Centrelink's 'balancing' move could provide cash boost or expose debt Common neighbour problem plaguing Aussie houses He added that some manufacturers could be forced to lower their prices to compete with this huge influx of Chinese-made cars, which would be a huge win for consumers. At the moment, a car buyer in Australia can select from 23 different brands made in China, with BYD becoming the most recently attended the Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition and said there were up to 100 brands that exist in China that haven't yet made their way to Australia. "The motor show had eight of these enormous halls, and each hall had a litany of Chinese brands, most of which we've never heard of here, and they were jam-packed with people," he said. "You then went over to where the European cars were, and it was like a ghost town." At least a dozen manufacturers have announced plans or are rumoured to be bringing their vehicles to Aussie roads by the end of the year. Warning for Aussie drivers buying cars made in China The cars coming from China into Australia will still have to pass all local tests and standards, and they will be sold across the price spectrum of very cheap to very expensive. While Aussies will soon be spoilt for choice, Maric warned you shouldn't just look at price. "There's going to be a lot of cars to pick from but be careful which car you're buying, because with so many brands coming to Australia, you might buy something that's great value today, but that brand may not exist in five or 10 years time," he said. "All of a sudden, you've got a car that you can't sell, a car that you can't get parts for, and a manufacturer that has just closed up shop and disappeared. "So while there is a lot of value to be had, I would just tread carefully with what you're actually buying." He said some of these Chinese brands have only been around for a few years and might not have the staying power to remain in Australia. Others might be overwhelmed by the competition here and be forced to pull out due to lack of sales. This issue was echoed by Australian Automotive Dealer Association chief executive James Voortman. 'If we see brand departures from Australia, like we saw with Holden some time ago, that can only be bad,' he said. 'You won't have a place to service your car. You won't have a brand to honour your recall obligations. "Given that the motor vehicle is generally either the largest or second-largest purchase that a consumer makes, that is a bit concerning.' Why will Chinese-made cars become so popular in Australia? Maric explained to Yahoo Finance that in years gone by, Chinese-made cars weren't viewed very favourably in Australia. They had to compete against big names like Toyota, Ford, Mazda, and Kia, and the car expert said they also weren't made very well by comparison. But the tide has turned massively in the last few years. "We used to have this issue where people would slate Chinese cars and talk about how bad they were," Maric said. "Legally, they were unsafe and they weren't very good in terms of the way that they drove. "Today, though, it's a completely different story. They are far better value than anything from Europe. "They have way more features, and they're now just as good to drive as a lot of the cars that we're seeing from Europe and Japan." China can also produce vehicles much faster than Europe or the US. Data from the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers found US and European manufacturers typically operate on a 200 to 216-week product development cycle. However, some Chinese manufacturers can complete their cycles in just 120 weeks. Maric said brands like Subaru, Mitsubishi, and Toyota will likely be "feeling the pinch" of this upcoming competition. He added that some Chinese brands view Australia as the perfect starting point to export their vehicles. If they do well here, then they could perform in other markets. This was backed up by BYD boss Wang Chuanfu, who recently told News Corp that "the learnings we gain from Australia help shape our products and approach globally".Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data
The Advertiser
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
GWM Tank 500, Cannon Alpha owners getting safety system, drivability upgrades
The GWM Cannon Alpha and Tank 500 received key fixes to throttle response and advanced driver assistance systems at the factory earlier this year, and now existing owners are able to have these upgrades applied to their cars. The changes were applied at production level early in 2025, with CarExpert getting the opportunity to test them late last year. GWM says they're now available to existing owners though there's no over-the-air update available, so owners will need to head to one of the Chinese brand's dealerships to receive the update. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. GWM has also confirmed there are no changes for the Cannon ute and Tank 300 off-roader – as they use different programming, the updates made to their larger platform-mates aren't transferable. "We continue to work hard to ensure the voice of our local market is heard and considered," said GWM Australia and New Zealand marketing and communications boss Steve Maciver. "These upgrades reflect recent feedback from our customers across Australia and New Zealand and demonstrate GWM's global commitment to supporting our region and continually refining the product to better suit local drivers. "It's not just about building for the future – we're also focused on delivering meaningful updates and improvements to our existing owners, ensuring their experience continues to strengthen with our brand." GWM says it has improved throttle response and sensitivity in hybrid versions of the Cannon Alpha and Tank 500, while the following changes have been applied to not only these models but also the Cannon Alpha diesel: GWM also says it has "optimised" false triggering alerts on certain road surfaces with the emergency lane-keep assist, and added a Trailer Hitch Track guideline on the touchscreen. In Paul Maric's testing of the old calibration and new calibration back-to-back on the Cannon Alpha Hybrid late last year, he found the throttle was more responsive, the transition between electric and hybrid mode smoother, and the 'sticky throttle' issue had been eliminated. The distraction monitoring changes were also improved, though he noted more work could be done on the accuracy of the lane centring system. GWM recently discontinued the Cannon Alpha Hybrid in Australia, leaving only the diesel and the recently launched plug-in hybrid (PHEV) on sale. The Tank 500 remains hybrid-only in Australia, though a PHEV powertrain is due later this year. GWM quietly moved the Tank 500 Hybrid from a Chinese to a Thai market suspension tune late last year to improve its dynamics. However, it doesn't have a locally developed suspension tune like in more recent models such as the Cannon Alpha PHEV. GWM is working to not only improve the performance of its advanced driver assistance systems in Australia but also how the vehicles drive. To that end, in April it appointed vehicle ride and handling expert Rob Trubiani who was Holden's lead vehicle dynamics engineer for nearly 15 years. These days, an automaker having a dedicated, permanent local engineering and tuning program based in Australia is far from common, and puts GWM in the same company as Kia. The fast-growing Chinese brand has been securing further talent from more established brands of late, with John Kett joining GWM as its chief operating officer earlier this year after holding the same role at Hyundai Australia for more than five years. To the end of June, GWM is also Australia's seventh best-selling brand. It delivered 25,189 vehicles in the first half of this year, up 17 per cent and a new record for the brand, placing it behind only Toyota (120,978), Mazda (48,942), Ford (47,300), Kia (40,750), Hyundai (38,948) and Mitsubishi (33,379) in year-to-date standings. MORE: Explore the GWM Cannon Alpha showroom MORE: Explore the GWM Tank 500 showroom Content originally sourced from: The GWM Cannon Alpha and Tank 500 received key fixes to throttle response and advanced driver assistance systems at the factory earlier this year, and now existing owners are able to have these upgrades applied to their cars. The changes were applied at production level early in 2025, with CarExpert getting the opportunity to test them late last year. GWM says they're now available to existing owners though there's no over-the-air update available, so owners will need to head to one of the Chinese brand's dealerships to receive the update. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. GWM has also confirmed there are no changes for the Cannon ute and Tank 300 off-roader – as they use different programming, the updates made to their larger platform-mates aren't transferable. "We continue to work hard to ensure the voice of our local market is heard and considered," said GWM Australia and New Zealand marketing and communications boss Steve Maciver. "These upgrades reflect recent feedback from our customers across Australia and New Zealand and demonstrate GWM's global commitment to supporting our region and continually refining the product to better suit local drivers. "It's not just about building for the future – we're also focused on delivering meaningful updates and improvements to our existing owners, ensuring their experience continues to strengthen with our brand." GWM says it has improved throttle response and sensitivity in hybrid versions of the Cannon Alpha and Tank 500, while the following changes have been applied to not only these models but also the Cannon Alpha diesel: GWM also says it has "optimised" false triggering alerts on certain road surfaces with the emergency lane-keep assist, and added a Trailer Hitch Track guideline on the touchscreen. In Paul Maric's testing of the old calibration and new calibration back-to-back on the Cannon Alpha Hybrid late last year, he found the throttle was more responsive, the transition between electric and hybrid mode smoother, and the 'sticky throttle' issue had been eliminated. The distraction monitoring changes were also improved, though he noted more work could be done on the accuracy of the lane centring system. GWM recently discontinued the Cannon Alpha Hybrid in Australia, leaving only the diesel and the recently launched plug-in hybrid (PHEV) on sale. The Tank 500 remains hybrid-only in Australia, though a PHEV powertrain is due later this year. GWM quietly moved the Tank 500 Hybrid from a Chinese to a Thai market suspension tune late last year to improve its dynamics. However, it doesn't have a locally developed suspension tune like in more recent models such as the Cannon Alpha PHEV. GWM is working to not only improve the performance of its advanced driver assistance systems in Australia but also how the vehicles drive. To that end, in April it appointed vehicle ride and handling expert Rob Trubiani who was Holden's lead vehicle dynamics engineer for nearly 15 years. These days, an automaker having a dedicated, permanent local engineering and tuning program based in Australia is far from common, and puts GWM in the same company as Kia. The fast-growing Chinese brand has been securing further talent from more established brands of late, with John Kett joining GWM as its chief operating officer earlier this year after holding the same role at Hyundai Australia for more than five years. To the end of June, GWM is also Australia's seventh best-selling brand. It delivered 25,189 vehicles in the first half of this year, up 17 per cent and a new record for the brand, placing it behind only Toyota (120,978), Mazda (48,942), Ford (47,300), Kia (40,750), Hyundai (38,948) and Mitsubishi (33,379) in year-to-date standings. MORE: Explore the GWM Cannon Alpha showroom MORE: Explore the GWM Tank 500 showroom Content originally sourced from: The GWM Cannon Alpha and Tank 500 received key fixes to throttle response and advanced driver assistance systems at the factory earlier this year, and now existing owners are able to have these upgrades applied to their cars. The changes were applied at production level early in 2025, with CarExpert getting the opportunity to test them late last year. GWM says they're now available to existing owners though there's no over-the-air update available, so owners will need to head to one of the Chinese brand's dealerships to receive the update. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. GWM has also confirmed there are no changes for the Cannon ute and Tank 300 off-roader – as they use different programming, the updates made to their larger platform-mates aren't transferable. "We continue to work hard to ensure the voice of our local market is heard and considered," said GWM Australia and New Zealand marketing and communications boss Steve Maciver. "These upgrades reflect recent feedback from our customers across Australia and New Zealand and demonstrate GWM's global commitment to supporting our region and continually refining the product to better suit local drivers. "It's not just about building for the future – we're also focused on delivering meaningful updates and improvements to our existing owners, ensuring their experience continues to strengthen with our brand." GWM says it has improved throttle response and sensitivity in hybrid versions of the Cannon Alpha and Tank 500, while the following changes have been applied to not only these models but also the Cannon Alpha diesel: GWM also says it has "optimised" false triggering alerts on certain road surfaces with the emergency lane-keep assist, and added a Trailer Hitch Track guideline on the touchscreen. In Paul Maric's testing of the old calibration and new calibration back-to-back on the Cannon Alpha Hybrid late last year, he found the throttle was more responsive, the transition between electric and hybrid mode smoother, and the 'sticky throttle' issue had been eliminated. The distraction monitoring changes were also improved, though he noted more work could be done on the accuracy of the lane centring system. GWM recently discontinued the Cannon Alpha Hybrid in Australia, leaving only the diesel and the recently launched plug-in hybrid (PHEV) on sale. The Tank 500 remains hybrid-only in Australia, though a PHEV powertrain is due later this year. GWM quietly moved the Tank 500 Hybrid from a Chinese to a Thai market suspension tune late last year to improve its dynamics. However, it doesn't have a locally developed suspension tune like in more recent models such as the Cannon Alpha PHEV. GWM is working to not only improve the performance of its advanced driver assistance systems in Australia but also how the vehicles drive. To that end, in April it appointed vehicle ride and handling expert Rob Trubiani who was Holden's lead vehicle dynamics engineer for nearly 15 years. These days, an automaker having a dedicated, permanent local engineering and tuning program based in Australia is far from common, and puts GWM in the same company as Kia. The fast-growing Chinese brand has been securing further talent from more established brands of late, with John Kett joining GWM as its chief operating officer earlier this year after holding the same role at Hyundai Australia for more than five years. To the end of June, GWM is also Australia's seventh best-selling brand. It delivered 25,189 vehicles in the first half of this year, up 17 per cent and a new record for the brand, placing it behind only Toyota (120,978), Mazda (48,942), Ford (47,300), Kia (40,750), Hyundai (38,948) and Mitsubishi (33,379) in year-to-date standings. MORE: Explore the GWM Cannon Alpha showroom MORE: Explore the GWM Tank 500 showroom Content originally sourced from: The GWM Cannon Alpha and Tank 500 received key fixes to throttle response and advanced driver assistance systems at the factory earlier this year, and now existing owners are able to have these upgrades applied to their cars. The changes were applied at production level early in 2025, with CarExpert getting the opportunity to test them late last year. GWM says they're now available to existing owners though there's no over-the-air update available, so owners will need to head to one of the Chinese brand's dealerships to receive the update. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. GWM has also confirmed there are no changes for the Cannon ute and Tank 300 off-roader – as they use different programming, the updates made to their larger platform-mates aren't transferable. "We continue to work hard to ensure the voice of our local market is heard and considered," said GWM Australia and New Zealand marketing and communications boss Steve Maciver. "These upgrades reflect recent feedback from our customers across Australia and New Zealand and demonstrate GWM's global commitment to supporting our region and continually refining the product to better suit local drivers. "It's not just about building for the future – we're also focused on delivering meaningful updates and improvements to our existing owners, ensuring their experience continues to strengthen with our brand." GWM says it has improved throttle response and sensitivity in hybrid versions of the Cannon Alpha and Tank 500, while the following changes have been applied to not only these models but also the Cannon Alpha diesel: GWM also says it has "optimised" false triggering alerts on certain road surfaces with the emergency lane-keep assist, and added a Trailer Hitch Track guideline on the touchscreen. In Paul Maric's testing of the old calibration and new calibration back-to-back on the Cannon Alpha Hybrid late last year, he found the throttle was more responsive, the transition between electric and hybrid mode smoother, and the 'sticky throttle' issue had been eliminated. The distraction monitoring changes were also improved, though he noted more work could be done on the accuracy of the lane centring system. GWM recently discontinued the Cannon Alpha Hybrid in Australia, leaving only the diesel and the recently launched plug-in hybrid (PHEV) on sale. The Tank 500 remains hybrid-only in Australia, though a PHEV powertrain is due later this year. GWM quietly moved the Tank 500 Hybrid from a Chinese to a Thai market suspension tune late last year to improve its dynamics. However, it doesn't have a locally developed suspension tune like in more recent models such as the Cannon Alpha PHEV. GWM is working to not only improve the performance of its advanced driver assistance systems in Australia but also how the vehicles drive. To that end, in April it appointed vehicle ride and handling expert Rob Trubiani who was Holden's lead vehicle dynamics engineer for nearly 15 years. These days, an automaker having a dedicated, permanent local engineering and tuning program based in Australia is far from common, and puts GWM in the same company as Kia. The fast-growing Chinese brand has been securing further talent from more established brands of late, with John Kett joining GWM as its chief operating officer earlier this year after holding the same role at Hyundai Australia for more than five years. To the end of June, GWM is also Australia's seventh best-selling brand. It delivered 25,189 vehicles in the first half of this year, up 17 per cent and a new record for the brand, placing it behind only Toyota (120,978), Mazda (48,942), Ford (47,300), Kia (40,750), Hyundai (38,948) and Mitsubishi (33,379) in year-to-date standings. MORE: Explore the GWM Cannon Alpha showroom MORE: Explore the GWM Tank 500 showroom Content originally sourced from:
7NEWS
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
GWM Tank 500, Cannon Alpha owners getting safety system, drivability upgrades
The GWM Cannon Alpha and Tank 500 received key fixes to throttle response and advanced driver assistance systems at the factory earlier this year, and now existing owners are able to have these upgrades applied to their cars. The changes were applied at production level early in 2025, with CarExpert getting the opportunity to test them late last year. GWM says they're now available to existing owners though there's no over-the-air update available, so owners will need to head to one of the Chinese brand's dealerships to receive the update. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. GWM has also confirmed there are no changes for the Cannon ute and Tank 300 off-roader – as they use different programming, the updates made to their larger platform-mates aren't transferable. 'We continue to work hard to ensure the voice of our local market is heard and considered,' said GWM Australia and New Zealand marketing and communications boss Steve Maciver. 'These upgrades reflect recent feedback from our customers across Australia and New Zealand and demonstrate GWM's global commitment to supporting our region and continually refining the product to better suit local drivers. 'It's not just about building for the future – we're also focused on delivering meaningful updates and improvements to our existing owners, ensuring their experience continues to strengthen with our brand.' GWM says it has improved throttle response and sensitivity in hybrid versions of the Cannon Alpha and Tank 500, while the following changes have been applied to not only these models but also the Cannon Alpha diesel: Adaptive cruise control Driver monitoring system Emergency lane-keep assist GWM also says it has 'optimised' false triggering alerts on certain road surfaces with the emergency lane-keep assist, and added a Trailer Hitch Track guideline on the touchscreen. In Paul Maric's testing of the old calibration and new calibration back-to-back on the Cannon Alpha Hybrid late last year, he found the throttle was more responsive, the transition between electric and hybrid mode smoother, and the 'sticky throttle' issue had been eliminated. The distraction monitoring changes were also improved, though he noted more work could be done on the accuracy of the lane centring system. GWM recently discontinued the Cannon Alpha Hybrid in Australia, leaving only the diesel and the recently launched plug-in hybrid (PHEV) on sale. The Tank 500 remains hybrid-only in Australia, though a PHEV powertrain is due later this year. GWM quietly moved the Tank 500 Hybrid from a Chinese to a Thai market suspension tune late last year to improve its dynamics. However, it doesn't have a locally developed suspension tune like in more recent models such as the Cannon Alpha PHEV. GWM is working to not only improve the performance of its advanced driver assistance systems in Australia but also how the vehicles drive. To that end, in April it appointed vehicle ride and handling expert Rob Trubiani who was Holden's lead vehicle dynamics engineer for nearly 15 years. These days, an automaker having a dedicated, permanent local engineering and tuning program based in Australia is far from common, and puts GWM in the same company as Kia. The fast-growing Chinese brand has been securing further talent from more established brands of late, with John Kett joining GWM as its chief operating officer earlier this year after holding the same role at Hyundai Australia for more than five years. To the end of June, GWM is also Australia's seventh best-selling brand. It delivered 25,189 vehicles in the first half of this year, up 17 per cent and a new record for the brand, placing it behind only Toyota (120,978), Mazda (48,942), Ford (47,300), Kia (40,750), Hyundai (38,948) and Mitsubishi (33,379) in year-to-date standings.
Perth Now
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
GWM Tank 500, Cannon Alpha owners getting safety system, drivability upgrades
The GWM Cannon Alpha and Tank 500 received key fixes to throttle response and advanced driver assistance systems at the factory earlier this year, and now existing owners are able to have these upgrades applied to their cars. The changes were applied at production level early in 2025, with CarExpert getting the opportunity to test them late last year. GWM says they're now available to existing owners though there's no over-the-air update available, so owners will need to head to one of the Chinese brand's dealerships to receive the update. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. GWM has also confirmed there are no changes for the Cannon ute and Tank 300 off-roader – as they use different programming, the updates made to their larger platform-mates aren't transferable. 'We continue to work hard to ensure the voice of our local market is heard and considered,' said GWM Australia and New Zealand marketing and communications boss Steve Maciver. 'These upgrades reflect recent feedback from our customers across Australia and New Zealand and demonstrate GWM's global commitment to supporting our region and continually refining the product to better suit local drivers. 'It's not just about building for the future – we're also focused on delivering meaningful updates and improvements to our existing owners, ensuring their experience continues to strengthen with our brand.' Supplied Credit: CarExpert GWM says it has improved throttle response and sensitivity in hybrid versions of the Cannon Alpha and Tank 500, while the following changes have been applied to not only these models but also the Cannon Alpha diesel: Adaptive cruise control Driver monitoring system Emergency lane-keep assist GWM also says it has 'optimised' false triggering alerts on certain road surfaces with the emergency lane-keep assist, and added a Trailer Hitch Track guideline on the touchscreen. Supplied Credit: CarExpert In Paul Maric's testing of the old calibration and new calibration back-to-back on the Cannon Alpha Hybrid late last year, he found the throttle was more responsive, the transition between electric and hybrid mode smoother, and the 'sticky throttle' issue had been eliminated. The distraction monitoring changes were also improved, though he noted more work could be done on the accuracy of the lane centring system. GWM recently discontinued the Cannon Alpha Hybrid in Australia, leaving only the diesel and the recently launched plug-in hybrid (PHEV) on sale. The Tank 500 remains hybrid-only in Australia, though a PHEV powertrain is due later this year. Supplied Credit: CarExpert GWM quietly moved the Tank 500 Hybrid from a Chinese to a Thai market suspension tune late last year to improve its dynamics. However, it doesn't have a locally developed suspension tune like in more recent models such as the Cannon Alpha PHEV. GWM is working to not only improve the performance of its advanced driver assistance systems in Australia but also how the vehicles drive. To that end, in April it appointed vehicle ride and handling expert Rob Trubiani who was Holden's lead vehicle dynamics engineer for nearly 15 years. These days, an automaker having a dedicated, permanent local engineering and tuning program based in Australia is far from common, and puts GWM in the same company as Kia. Supplied Credit: CarExpert The fast-growing Chinese brand has been securing further talent from more established brands of late, with John Kett joining GWM as its chief operating officer earlier this year after holding the same role at Hyundai Australia for more than five years. To the end of June, GWM is also Australia's seventh best-selling brand. It delivered 25,189 vehicles in the first half of this year, up 17 per cent and a new record for the brand, placing it behind only Toyota (120,978), Mazda (48,942), Ford (47,300), Kia (40,750), Hyundai (38,948) and Mitsubishi (33,379) in year-to-date standings. MORE: Explore the GWM Cannon Alpha showroom MORE: Explore the GWM Tank 500 showroom
