2019 New Cars

The Australian automotive industry is divided over whether taxpayer dollars should be used to boost electric vehicle sales or help pay for a national charging network. Car companies have also warned against a ban on petrol and diesel cars because, they say, the profits from these mass market models are crucial to funding advancements in battery technology.

The Mazda2 city hatch and sedan range has been halved from 14 models to seven – and prices have risen by up to $5420 as another facelift arrives in local showrooms. The previous Mazda2 hatch ranged from $15,570 to $24,400 plus on-road costs but there are now only three model grades from $20,990 to $25,990 plus on-road costs, putting it in line with the prices of small cars that are the next size up, such as the Kia Cerato and Hyundai i30.