1. New GWM Haval H7 lands in Australia from $46,990 drive-away
The new-generation GWM Haval H7 is on sale in Australia now. Unlike the old front-drive hybrid-only model, every version gets all-wheel drive with hybrid or plug-in hybrid power. Prices start at $46,990 drive-away for the Lux hybrid and $50,990 for the Lux plug-in hybrid, with $1,000 off the Lux until 30 November. The hybrid pairs a 1.5-litre turbo petrol with front and rear motors for 182kW and 670Nm, while the plug-in hybrid adds a 33.7kWh battery for 137km of WLTP electric-only range, 320kW and a 4.9-second 0–100km/h sprint. And it brings back two things the medium-SUV segment had lost: a tailgate-mounted spare wheel and a standard locking rear differential.
Source: Drive
2. Cheap tyres could be banned as inquiry pushes for tougher design rules
Poor-quality budget tyres could soon be banned from Australia after a parliamentary inquiry into the tyre industry made 12 recommendations, including expanding the Australian Design Rules to cover tyre quality. Right now the relevant rules (ADRs 23, 95 and 96) deal with weight, size and fitment — not how good the rubber is. Tyre Stewardship Australia boss Lina Goodman told Drive the change would stop the dumping of low-cost tyres here, warning that not acting now "would be a disaster". The government has a year to respond. For context, Europe's Euro 7 rules, arriving next month, set emission and durability limits for tyres for the first time — and experts warn the cheap rubber flooding in here wears out faster and releases carcinogenic PAHs.
Source: Drive
3. Chery's Stockman ute enters its final development push before February launch
Chery's diesel plug-in hybrid Stockman ute is in its final local development phase, with Melbourne firm Premcar tuning the suspension and steering for Australian roads ahead of first customer deliveries in February 2027. It's a serious powertrain: a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel making 140kW and 450Nm plus a 34kWh battery for claimed combined outputs of 350kW and 800Nm, up to 96km of WLTP electric range, all-wheel drive and front, centre and rear diff locks. The catch is payload — preliminary figures put it at 765kg, 235kg short of the one-tonne target — though final Australian specs are still to be confirmed. Braked towing is listed at 3,495kg, Ironman 4x4 is already building accessories, and a federally approved GVM upgrade is planned after launch. Pricing is still unannounced.
Source: 4x4 Australia
4. Waymo adds nearly 250 square miles of robotaxi coverage across five US cities
Waymo is adding nearly 250 square miles to its robotaxi service areas across five US cities over the next week: Los Angeles, Nashville, Orlando, San Diego and the San Francisco Bay Area. In Los Angeles the service pushes south into the South Bay including Torrance; Nashville stretches south to the zoo. Orlando's eastern coverage nearly doubles, with better downtown service, while San Diego reaches north to La Jolla and the Bay Area adds more southern coverage plus a new BART connection at Berryessa station. Waymo is also lining up its next markets abroad, with Toronto planned for 2028, Madrid targeting first riders in 2027, and Munich and Singapore in the works.
Source: EVwire
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