news

The week’s top news stories: June 23, 2019

A bad week for small wagons, and a big week in the world of automotive tax politics.


The automotive news wheel is always turning. If you’re not constantly checking CarAdvice – which you should be doing, by the way – it can be easy for some headlines to slip through the cracks.

To make sure you haven’t missed anything important, we’ve gathered what we reckon are the hottest news stories from this week, right here. Check them out, and let us know what caught your eye.



Increased stamp duty on luxury cars to be challenged in the high court

Australia’s peak car dealer body is planning a High Court challenge against increased stamp duties on motor vehicles priced over $100,000 – as exclusive figures published by CarAdvice show Toyota customers pay more in Luxury Car Tax than do buyers of most prestige brands.



BMW 320i, 330e, M340i here in September

BMW Australia has confirmed three new variants for the new-generation 3 Series line-up, with the 320i, 330e iPerformance and M340i xDrive all headed to local showrooms later this year.



Holden Astra sedan, Sportwagon axed

Holden has removed the best-selling Astra variant, the sedan, from its line-up, with no clear successor in sight.



2019 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe revealed

After leaking in detail last week, the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe has been officially revealed in full ahead of its arrival late in 2019.



2020 Peugeot 2008 revealed

Although the little SUV shares its underpinnings with the 208, it's offered with a more powerful petrol engine. It also comes as an EV.



Renault Megane: Non-Renault Sport models axed in Australia

Renault has removed the non-Renault Sport Megane from its Australian range, as it looks to move the model upmarket and put the RS brand in the spotlight.



Ford Focus Ambiente launched and dropped within a month

The entry-level price leader was quietly introduced and quickly axed from the local line-up, with limited stock available.



2020 Kia Seltos revealed, here later this year

Korean brand’s first competitor to the likes of the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-3 has gone official, and should go on sale locally around October.



Car industry to use 1979 tobacco precedent to block stamp duty increases

The car industry plans to use a precedent set by tobacco distributors in 1979 in an attempt to stop state governments across Australia from imposing an additional stamp duty on luxury vehicles.


MORE: Car News

Chat with us!







Chat with Agent