Your questions answered: Will Australia become a dumping ground for internal-combustion cars?

Market forces and legislation overseas will compel car companies to spend more and more money developing electric vehicles.

But production of internal-combustion cars – that is, cars powered by engines burning fossil fuel – will continue while it’s profitable to do so.

That profitability will undoubtedly help offset the cost of developing environmentally-friendly cars for those markets demanding them.

But where will car companies sell diesel-engined SUVs, to use one example, if those same vehicles are banned in the companies’ home markets?

One avenue to them is to export to nations like Australia – where government doesn’t rigorously impose or uphold environmental (climate change) legislation and regulation.

Will Australia therefore become a dumping ground for carbon-emitting technology while the rest of the world moves to electric or even fuel-cell powertrains? It’s an interesting question to ponder...

Question: I have been reading about future depreciation of petrol cars due to EV uptake. I have two years to run on my Volkswagen Tiguan. Many articles I read say manufacturers are focusing on EVs in other countries, citing Australia’s climate position as a reason they won’t be bringing models here. My question is, given Australia is such a small market in global terms, will we become irrelevant and just a dumping ground for excess stock that isn’t selling overseas? – Kevin D

Answer: A large part of the globe will still rely on combustion-engine vehicles well into the second half of this century – especially in the case of light commercial and other heavy-duty vehicles so loved by Aussie buyers. Theoretically, there is a risk that Australians will be more limited in their choice of cars, but that’s probably an overly-simplistic view of the auto world in the medium term. As manufacturers devote more research and development to EVs, away from petrol, combustion-engined cars may stall in terms of improving efficiency etc but that’s probably most likely to affect small cars and premium badges – particularly from European-based manufacturers.

How North American, Japanese and Asian brands split their development direction will largely be driven by markets outside of Europe and these markets will likely be more dependent on combustion-engined vehicles and hybrids for longer.

Arguably of more concern in the next couple of decades is Australia’s poor petrol quality. Allowing high sulphur-level fuels to be sold here already limits access to the most efficient petrol engines from the Volkswagen Group and others. This is only likely to be more of an issue as emission rules around the globe mandate higher-technology combustion engines.

If Australians are not able to access these vehicles because of fuel mismatching, this could curtail choice quite rapidly.

Question: We’re looking for a new family car to $70,000 and really like the 2016 Mazda CX-5 GT diesel we bought when our son was born. It’s easy to drive with a punchy engine and high-quality interior. But, with the birth of our second child, it is getting too small in the interior for two rear-facing car seats and the boot is too small to take bicycles and other stuff for growing boys. We have tested the CX-9, but it’s too big to comfortably drive around Sydney, so we are thinking about a CX-8 diesel as a smaller option. We don’t need seven seats and wondered if there is something with more interior and boot space in a five-seater we should consider? Resale is important and the CX-8 seems to be a niche product relative to CX-5 or CX-9. – Simon L

Answer: If you can wait until the end of the month, we’ll have published our latest mega-test for this year’s best family SUV. Don’t dismiss the Mazda CX-8, if you are a CX-5 fan and have a positive relationship with your Mazda dealer, as it’s a polished drive and you could find the changeover price quite attractive. The Tiguan Allspace is a solid choice too, and a little larger than your CX-5. From the wider VW Group stable there is also the Skoda Kodiaq. Also look at the Volvo XC60, as it’s a prestige model and a great drive without asking the full price of the Germans.

Question:

Answer: There is nothing wrong with the Lexus IS and no real reason to cancel your order. Sales of cars across all sizes and prices are falling due to the rise of SUVs, which is why Toyota/Lexus has decided not to spend the huge money needed to comply the IS (which is, after all, a quite old model) with future regulations on the side impact protection against poles. There may well be an IS equivalent back in the Lexus range within a few years.

Question: I have a 2013 Holden Cruze 1.8-litre auto CDX Sportwagon purchased new in July 2014, now with 44,000km on the clock. I am wondering whether I should upgrade now while it may have some trade-in value rather than keep it until parts are scarce and I could be left with a piece of junk. I am 69 and am more likely to have some money now rather than in five years’ time. If I were to upgrade I would like something similar in size, a lift-up back with no lip, room for two sets of golf clubs, a bit higher so my elderly husband can get in and out more easily, better vision – or at least a reversing camera. It needs to be reliable and long lasting and around the $30,000 mark. – Sue R

Answer: You should definitely update, if only for the improved safety in modern cars. Go and look at the Hyundai Kona, which recently won our Best Small SUV 2021 mega-test, and the Kia Stonic, which is slightly smaller, for your needs. They are both first-class choices, good value and come with a long warranty.

Question: With the current inflated prices for used cars, I am thinking of buying brand-new. I have my eyes on either the Kia Seltos or the Hyundai Kona – as I very much want a small SUV. I think my budget is $30,000, but for the Seltos I think I would go for the Sport model, around $31,000, as that comes with digital radio, leather steering wheel etc. For the Kona, I have been quoted $28,570 for the Active (one up from the base model) and $31,885 for the Elite. For the Seltos there is a four or five month wait and it’s six months for the Kona. I would say the Kia Seltos is my preference, as I love its look and is slightly bigger than the Kona. – Whitney P

Answer: Your finalists are twins under the skin, and from the same Hyundai-Kia conglomerate, so you cannot go wrong either way. If you like the Kia Seltos, the styling and longer warranty may tip the scales its way.

Question: I have heard about an alternative GPS unit called Waze. I own a 2013 Calais and, unfortunately, Holden only produced two data upgrades for this unit. I made enquiries some two years ago about an alternative GPS unit for the Calais and, at that time, I received advice on an Alpine unit but the cost was prohibitive at around $3500. Is Waze an alternative GPS unit for the likes of my Calais, as I am reluctant to have any GPS units just sitting on the dashboard for safety reasons? – Keith R

Answer: Waze is a very effective smartphone app-based, real-time navigation system that provides feedback from other users and an excellent navigation interface. It works through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on modern cars, so will likely be a non-starter for your ageing Calais. But you should be able to get a more affordable infotainment unit these days that will slot into the Holden’s dashboard with all the latest tricks – including CarPlay and Android Auto. Try searching via an online marketplace like Amazon.

Question: We are a retired couple that ordered the car that will probably see us out, a Mercedes-Benz GLC coupe, back in March. The salesperson said that it could be about two weeks before it went on a ship to go to Australia and they would let us know when they heard of further movements. We have not been told anything since and I’m reluctant to make the call. With the amount of money involved, I don’t understand why there isn’t more communication to inform us of what is going on. Is this the way we do business now? – Craig and Marie C

Answer: There are giant delays from all brands at the moment, caused by everything from a worldwide shortage of computer chips to short working weeks at factories, shipping times and even the number of back orders in Australia. All I can suggest is that you stay patient but also call Mercedes-Benz Australia and ask for a direct update as the dealer might be cribbing on times to keep you happy.

Question: My 24-year-old daughter is looking to purchase her first car, a cash purchase, with a budget of between $25,000 to $30,000. They are the Hyundai i30, Mazda3 and Toyota Corolla. – Robyn O

Answer: The Toyota Corolla was the class benchmark for generations, but not now. Best value and a great car is the Hyundai i30. But perhaps also consider the Kia Cerato, which is its South Korean twin but with a longer warranty and slightly better value.

Question: My daughter is interested in purchasing a pre-2015 Volvo XC60. What is your opinion of this car as we want her to buy a new Kia Cerato? – Clare-Maree L

Answer: This is a head-versus-heart contest as the Kia Cerato is new with a long warranty and the Volvo was an excellent vehicle but is now getting a bit old. You’re also trying to compare a family-sized SUV with a compact hatchback. If she is paying, she should choose.

Question: I need a car to transport around my beloved golden retriever, and my partner, back-and-forth from Melbourne CBD to the coast. I currently have an Audi A3 which I bought new in 2000 and it’s clearly time to update. I would love the XC40 Volvo but worry as I’m ageing it will become hard to lift the dog. So I’m back to my original thought of a station wagon, although I looked at the VW Passat a few years ago but didn’t have much joy with the Melbourne VW dealers I visited – Heather R

Answer: Skoda Octavia wagon. Great car, practical, fun to drive, good value. Job done.

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