Today in Cars: Aussie Ute Shake‑ups, Tesla’s Margin Squeeze, BYD’s Tiny Tease, and a Mustang with a Score to Settle
I scribbled these notes between airport coffee and a dash to the press garage, the way good car days usually start. It’s a wonderfully odd mix: Australia’s truck world is shifting again, Tesla’s profit math gets tighter even as the money rolls in, BYD is thinking small (properly small), and Ford’s Mustang GTD is back in the gym with the Corvette on its vision board. Oh, and I fell down a Citroën XM rabbit hole—because of course I did.
Australia Watch: F‑150 Facelift Finally Locked In, and Kia’s Tasman Takes the Long View
Ford F‑150 facelift confirmed for Australia (2026)
CarExpert says the updated Ford F‑150 is officially Australia‑bound for 2026. About time. Given how quickly Aussies took to the current RHD‑converted F‑150—towing boats, horse floats, and half of regional NSW—this refresh will matter. Expect the usual mid‑cycle polish (think lighting signatures and cabin touchpoints), rather than a ground‑up rethink. The current truck already feels overbuilt for Aussie life; when I tried one on corrugated B‑roads it shrugged off the chatter like a Labrador in the surf.
- Why it matters: Keeps Ford’s full‑sized option fresh against Ram and the new wave of big utes.
- Timing: 2026 for Australia.
- My take: If they tidy the driver assist calibration and add a few Aussie‑spec towing smarts, it’ll land well.
Kia Tasman: Slow start, no panic
Kia told CarExpert it isn’t sweating the Tasman’s early sales pace. Fair. New nameplates—especially utes—need time to earn tradies’ trust. The Bunnings car park can be a harsh trial by fire. The ute’s brief (work all week, camp all weekend) feels right, and a few owners I spoke to at a servo outside Geelong liked the cab storage and ride comfort. Accessories and fleet deals typically unlock volume here; let the pipeline build.
- Why it matters: Australia is ute country; winning here sets a brand’s tone.
- Watch for: Accessory rollout, fleet uptake, and towing/GCVM chatter among owners.
Electrified Reality Check: Mazda’s Mild‑Hybrids Fade, Tesla’s Revenue Rises but Profits Don’t
Mazda 3 and CX‑30 mild‑hybrids unlikely to return
Per CarExpert, Mazda’s 24‑volt mild‑hybrid variants of the 3 and CX‑30 are unlikely to make a comeback even with tighter emissions rules. In the real world, buyers often struggled to feel enough benefit at the bowser to justify the price premium. If Mazda keeps leaning into efficient naturally aspirated powertrains and improved automatics, they might hit similar targets with fewer moving parts.
- What it means: Expect Mazda to focus on simple, well‑tuned engines and light electrification where it truly pays off.
- Owner note: My long‑weekend in a 3 G25 consistently returned low‑7s L/100km with steady highway work—close enough to the mild‑hybrid’s promise for most.
Tesla Q3: Income falls, revenue rises
CarExpert reports Tesla’s Q3 revenue climbed while income slipped. Translation: the company’s selling plenty of cars, but margin pressure is real—thanks to price cuts, shifting product mix, and the cost of keeping the tech curve bent. It fits the Tesla pattern: trade a little short‑term profit for scale and software bets down the line.
- Why it matters: EV price wars aren’t over, and legacy brands feel it hardest.
- Shopper tip: If you’re cross‑shopping, watch for rapid price adjustments and end‑of‑quarter deals.
Small Is the New Big: BYD Teases a Kei‑Class City Car
BYD is teasing a tiny kei car for Japan that’s smaller—and cheaper—than the Atto 1, per CarExpert. If you’ve ever tried parallel parking in Tokyo or squeezing into a supermarket slot in Osaka, you get it. Kei regs are strict on size and power, but clever packaging makes them feel like TARDISes. Think school runs, convenience‑store dashes, and blissfully low running costs. Will it export? Maybe not in true kei form, but expect the design to inform BYD’s small‑EV strategy elsewhere.
- Use case: Short urban hops, easy charging, cheap insurance.
- Quirk to watch: Where the charging cable goes—some tiny EVs still forget real boot space.
Performance Playground: Mustang GTD vs The Usual Suspects
Mustang GTD wants payback
Carscoops says the wilder Mustang GTD is out for redemption after getting humbled by a Corvette. If you’ve met the GTD you know its intentions: a road‑legal Mustang wearing race‑team logic—rear transaxle, exotic aero, and a supercharged 5.2‑litre V8 targeting north of 800 hp (as stated at its reveal). It’s the most serious Mustang I’ve put a helmet next to. The Corvette Z06 remains the benchmark dollar‑for‑dollar track bully, and Porsche’s GT3 RS is still the yardstick for lap‑time purity. That’s the league Ford wants to join, not just crash.
| Car | Engine | Power (approx.) | Layout/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Mustang GTD | Supercharged 5.2L V8 | 800+ hp (target at launch) | Rear transaxle, track aero focus |
| Chevrolet Corvette Z06 | 5.5L flat‑plane V8 | 670 hp | Mid‑engine balance, screaming redline |
| Porsche 911 GT3 RS | 4.0L NA flat‑six | 518 hp | Active aero mastery, motorsport feel |
On a bumpy circuit I love how the Corvette keeps its cool—neutral, fast hands, big grip. If Ford has ironed out the GTD’s high‑speed stability over curbing and sharpened brake feel, the rematch could be spicy. Either way, we win.
4x4 Theater: The Long, Loud, and Pricey G‑Class
Carscoops flagged a stretched, old‑school Mercedes‑Benz G‑Class restomod that’s longer, louder, and dearer than logic allows—and that’s sort of the point. I’ve valet‑parked a few wild Gs at hotel launches; nothing draws a crowd like a box on body lift with a barky exhaust. Stretching it emphasizes the G’s cartoon‑brick charm. It’s not about lap times. It’s about presence, seat height, and being able to see your house from the driver’s seat.
- Pros: Theater, torque, that door‑thunk.
- Cons: Turning circle of a ferry and parking anxiety in tight old towns.
Used‑Car Crush: The £5000 Citroën XM
Autocar’s right: few £5k buys are as gloriously odd as the Citroën XM. Hydropneumatic ride, origami profile, and a dashboard that looks like it was designed during a synth solo. I once borrowed one for a weekend wedding; it floated down the M4 as if the tarmac were silk. If you’re tempted, bring a specialist and budget for suspension spheres and electrics. You do it for the feel—the way it breathes with the road. There’s nothing else like it.
- Buy it for: Ride comfort, design cred, conversation value.
- Watch for: Hydraulic leaks, electrical gremlins, unobtainium trim.
Motorsport Corner: Quartararo, Yamaha, and the V4 Pivot
Autosport quotes Fabio Quartararo on Yamaha’s V4 project: after years of struggle, he wants a bike that can win now. A V4 could give Yamaha the top‑end punch and chassis freedom the grid’s front‑runners use to devastating effect. I remember trackside at Mugello—the way the V4s go past on the straight makes your ribs buzz. If Yamaha nails rideability without losing the edge, 2026 could be a very different title fight.
Quick Hits
- F‑150 facelift in Australia: confirmed for 2026; steady as she goes.
- Kia Tasman: slow start, long game—watch fleets and accessories.
- Mazda mild‑hybrids: unlikely to return on 3/CX‑30; simplicity wins.
- Tesla Q3: revenue up, income down; margins feel the pressure.
- BYD kei tease: tiny EV energy for packed Japanese cities.
- Mustang GTD vs Corvette: the rematch we’re all rooting for.
- Citroën XM: £5k of charming French weirdness.
Conclusion
From outback‑friendly trucks to city‑scale EVs, today’s spread shows how wide the car world stretches—and how much fun it is to live at both ends. Keep your torque wrenches handy and your charging cards closer; the next few months look busy.
FAQ
When is the updated Ford F‑150 arriving in Australia?
CarExpert reports the facelifted F‑150 is confirmed for 2026. Expect a tidy refresh rather than a full overhaul.
Are Kia Tasman sales really slow—and should buyers worry?
Kia acknowledges a slow start but says it’s not concerned. New utes often build gradually as accessories and fleet deals ramp up.
Will Mazda bring back the 3 and CX‑30 mild‑hybrids?
Unlikely, according to CarExpert. Mazda appears to be focusing on efficient conventional powertrains where the value is clearer.
What’s the deal with BYD’s new kei car?
BYD is teasing a kei‑class EV for Japan that’s smaller and cheaper than the Atto 1. It’s aimed at dense cities and short, frequent trips.
How does the Mustang GTD compare to the Corvette Z06?
The GTD targets extreme track capability with a supercharged V8 and rear transaxle, aiming for 800+ hp. The Z06 counters with a 670‑hp flat‑plane V8 and superb mid‑engine balance. The rivalry is exactly the kind of arms race enthusiasts love.
