Car News

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has reported further pre-tax losses during the previous quarter, totalling £395 million ($707.7m), compared to the £264m ($473m) during the same period last year. According to a report by Automotive News Europe, in collaboration with Reuters and Bloomberg, the falling profits are the result (in part) of an "ongoing slump in car demand at home, as well as plant shutdowns and delays due to Britain's planned exit from the European Union".

Kia Australia is confident its Korean parent, Kia Motors Corp (KMC), has commenced development of a ute range to rival the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger, and expects a market launch in 2022/23. The long-awaited Kia pickup — which will probably be based on a platform shared with Hyundai — would be the final piece in the puzzle for the brand as it seeks to fill gaps in its product range.

Lexus Australia has issued a recall for 10 vehicles across the 2019 ES300h and UX250h model lines produced in May 2019, to fix the electric brake booster fault that has caused a temporary sales stop of various Toyota and Lexus hybrids. "In the subject vehicles, there is a possibility components of the electronic brake booster pump assembly may have been manufactured improperly," the company says.

It's clearly facelift season at Audi, with the reworked Q5 SUV snapped out and about during testing. The new BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC rival will get a new nose inspired by the updated Audi Q7, with a more prominent grille and pumped-up 'skid plate' in the lower bumper. The headlights look like they've been given new internals, with a metal strake running through their core, although we'll have to wait for an undisguised car for a closer look.

The new-generation Hyundai Veloster has had its launch timing changed once again, with its arrival brought forward to late in the third quarter of 2019. UPDATE, 24/7/19: Hyundai Australia has confirmed all local versions of the Veloster will get the more dynamic suspension specification as standard (McPherson front, multi-link rear), unlike the previous generation and other models in the company's Australian stable.