The Australian car market already one of the most competitive in the world with
over 50 brands on sale is about to heat up further as a swag of new Chinese
brands head down under next year. More than a dozen new Asian brands are due
with the potential to lower prices of existing EV and hybrid brands. Chinese
brands Skywell, Jetour, GAC, Leapmotor, Geely, Jaecoo, Changan, Xpeng, Aion
and Lynk and Co have all confirmed they will be here by the end of next year and
most have high aspirations for growth. Just how the market will cope with this
influx of Chinese brands will be interesting to watch. According to KIA Motors
Australia Chief Damien Meredith there will be casualties, some will survive but
others won’t. For the consumer it can only mean sharper prices across the board.
I’m David Berthon

The Australian car market already one of the most competitive in the world with over 50 brands on sale is about to heat up further as a swag of new Chinese brands head down under next year. More than a dozen new Asian brands are due with the potential to lower prices of existing EV and hybrid brands. Chinese brands Skywell, Jetour, GAC, Leapmotor, Geely, Jaecoo, Changan, Xpeng, Aion and Lynk and Co have all confirmed they will be here by the end of next year and most have high aspirations for growth. Just how the market will cope with this influx of Chinese brands will be interesting to watch. According to KIA Motors Australia Chief Damien Meredith there will be casualties, some will survive but others won’t. For the consumer it can only mean sharper prices across the board. I’m David Berthon

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon. 

For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873.

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon.&nbsp;
For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873.

Motor Torque with David Berthon

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon. 

For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873 

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon.&nbsp;
For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873&nbsp;

Influx of Chinese car brands expected in 2025 to stir the market

Driving the facelifted the 2.2-litre turbo diesel Kia Sorrento GT-line all-wheel-drive
SUV today – the best-selling variant – at $72,690 drive-away able to travel nearly
1000km on a full tank and I averaged 7.1 L/100 with mainly around town driving.
The Sorento a seven-seater but like most large SUV’s best as a five-seater with
above average luggage space. Access to the third row in seven seaters always
difficult and the Sorento is no exception. The 2.2-litre turbo diesel has average
power and torque and drives through an 8-speed dual clutch automatic with
manual shift paddles – importantly. it doesn’t sound like a trusty diesel but is
smooth, quiet and refined. The Sorrento GT-line’s high point is suspension tune –
Kia Australia always does its homework with local ride and handling tune and it’s
just so polished whether fully laden with luggage or just with a driver. The
steering now also further refined, the drive experience overall simply first class.
Towing somewhat limited however at a max 2000 kilos braked. It has all the latest
driving assist modes and safety elements apart from the curtain airbags not
extending to the third-row seats. It gets a full-size spare wheel while servicing
costs over three years $1308, over five years $2427. I’m David Berthon

Driving the facelifted the 2.2-litre turbo diesel Kia Sorrento GT-line all-wheel-drive SUV today – the best-selling variant – at $72,690 drive-away able to travel nearly 1000km on a full tank and I averaged 7.1 L/100 with mainly around town driving. The Sorento a seven-seater but like most large SUV’s best as a five-seater with above average luggage space. Access to the third row in seven seaters always difficult and the Sorento is no exception. The 2.2-litre turbo diesel has average power and torque and drives through an 8-speed dual clutch automatic with manual shift paddles – importantly. it doesn’t sound like a trusty diesel but is smooth, quiet and refined. The Sorrento GT-line’s high point is suspension tune – Kia Australia always does its homework with local ride and handling tune and it’s just so polished whether fully laden with luggage or just with a driver. The steering now also further refined, the drive experience overall simply first class. Towing somewhat limited however at a max 2000 kilos braked. It has all the latest driving assist modes and safety elements apart from the curtain airbags not extending to the third-row seats. It gets a full-size spare wheel while servicing costs over three years $1308, over five years $2427. I’m David Berthon

Kia Sorento diesel GT-Line all wheel drive SUV - Best seller of 10 model range

In January Kia upgraded its seven-passenger Sorento SUV with enhanced styling
inside and out, and with more comfort and convenience equipment and safety, In
addition to petrol and diesel models a petrol/electric hybrid has now been added,
each power source available in front or all-wheel drive. I drove the 2.2-litre turbo
diesel eight-speed automatic Sorento GT-line all-wheel drive at $72,690 driveaway
– the most popular model and with nearly a 1000km range this is a big SUV for a
big country. The petrol versions simply too thirsty. The new chiseled styling is in
the mould of Kia’s all electric EV9 and new EV5 and along with new 20-inch alloy
wheels the Sorento GT-line has real visual appeal. The interior has always
appealed especially with the new curved dual 12.3-inch display screens featuring
large menu icons and with Kia’s latest infotainment system now able to offer
wireless Apple Car Play and Android Auto. Disappointingly, the interior of the GT-
line is only available in a dark grey/charcoal interior which limits its appeal. Seat
comfort on the other hand with a power drivers and passenger seat first class,
the trim plush Nappa leather. Kia quality overall impressive while the support of a
7-year/unlimited kilometre warranty very re-assuring. I’m David Berthon

In January Kia upgraded its seven-passenger Sorento SUV with enhanced styling inside and out, and with more comfort and convenience equipment and safety, In addition to petrol and diesel models a petrol/electric hybrid has now been added, each power source available in front or all-wheel drive. I drove the 2.2-litre turbo diesel eight-speed automatic Sorento GT-line all-wheel drive at $72,690 driveaway – the most popular model and with nearly a 1000km range this is a big SUV for a big country. The petrol versions simply too thirsty. The new chiseled styling is in the mould of Kia’s all electric EV9 and new EV5 and along with new 20-inch alloy wheels the Sorento GT-line has real visual appeal. The interior has always appealed especially with the new curved dual 12.3-inch display screens featuring large menu icons and with Kia’s latest infotainment system now able to offer wireless Apple Car Play and Android Auto. Disappointingly, the interior of the GT- line is only available in a dark grey/charcoal interior which limits its appeal. Seat comfort on the other hand with a power drivers and passenger seat first class, the trim plush Nappa leather. Kia quality overall impressive while the support of a 7-year/unlimited kilometre warranty very re-assuring. I’m David Berthon

Kia Sorento 7 passenger SUV range upgraded for 2024

Sydney City Council proudly tells us that bike share schemes have a key role to
play in our future transportation, healthier lifestyle choice and the
decarbonization of Sydney – around 4700 trips are taken daily on share bikes in
the City of Sydney area, saving around 1326 tonnes of carbon emissions each
year. Really – in short, they’ve turned the inner city into an untidy environment –
spread across pathways in large groups, making pedestrian movement
dangerous. Pitt Street is a case in point, bikes scattered usually on their side I
suspect from unhappy pedestrians, many without helmets. Council tell us they
don’t manage bike sharing and you should report bikes damaged and parked in a
dangerous place directly with operators. It’s a cop out, it seems nobody is
monitoring bike parking and the Council needs to do more to police their use. I’m
David Berthon

Sydney City Council proudly tells us that bike share schemes have a key role to play in our future transportation, healthier lifestyle choice and the decarbonization of Sydney – around 4700 trips are taken daily on share bikes in the City of Sydney area, saving around 1326 tonnes of carbon emissions each year. Really – in short, they’ve turned the inner city into an untidy environment – spread across pathways in large groups, making pedestrian movement dangerous. Pitt Street is a case in point, bikes scattered usually on their side I suspect from unhappy pedestrians, many without helmets. Council tell us they don’t manage bike sharing and you should report bikes damaged and parked in a dangerous place directly with operators. It’s a cop out, it seems nobody is monitoring bike parking and the Council needs to do more to police their use. I’m David Berthon

Influx of Chinese car brands expected in 2025 to stir the market

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