Automotive trades stay short as national skills shortages ease, says MTAA
The 2026 Occupation Shortage List shows fewer occupations in shortage, but MTAA says nine automotive trades have been short every year since 2021.
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Two-thirds of CarExpert buyers research for three months or more
Almost two-thirds of new-car buyers surveyed by CarExpert spent at least three months researching, though the publisher says its sample is not nationally representative.
Bapcor trade and network sales improve as turnaround gains traction
ASX-listed automotive aftermarket group Bapcor has reported higher trade and network sales in the first quarter of its 2027 financial year. The results were included in a trading update delivered at the company’s 2026 annual general meeting on October 22.
New association formed to represent heavy haulage operators
A new national advocacy group has been established to represent Australia’s heavy haulage industry and push for regulatory and productivity reforms.
GWM plans five-model medium SUV range
GWM will expand its Australian medium SUV portfolio to five models as it targets a top-five position in the new-vehicle market by the end of 2027. The strategy is being led by the all-new Haval H7, which has begun arriving at dealerships across Australia.
Leapmotor gains Europrivacy certification
Leapmotor International has become one of the first automotive companies to achieve Europrivacy certification for key areas of its European operations. The company is a joint venture between Stellantis and Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Leapmotor.
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September 2026
The month in numbers
FCAI VFACTS, released 6 October 2026New vehicle sales102,924 ↑ 0.9%
Year to date914,312 down 127
Battery electric share24.2% 11.3% a year ago
SUV share63.3% 60.2% a year ago
Toyota led on 17,682, BYD was second on 8,191 and Geely's EX5 was the seventh best-selling model in the market. Light commercials fell 13.2%.
Read the full reportRecent VFACTS reports
- Oct 2026Inchcape cuts margin forecast as Australian volumes halve
- Oct 2026Welcome to the October issue of AutoTalk Australia
- Oct 2026Electrified models lift GWM to sixth in September
- Oct 2026September sales up 0.9% as Chinese brands take half the top 10
- Sep 2026EVs outsell ICE vehicles for first time, Musk congratulates Tesla Australia
- Sep 2026August new vehicle market flat as petrol and diesel slip to 50.5% share
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Opinion: New reforms offer hope for small automotive businesses
The Albanese Government has shared further details on its expanded measures to address unfair trading practices and correct power imbalances impacting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Australia. Key to these reforms is the extension of Unfair Contract Terms and Unfair Trading Practices protections to all businesses regulated under the Franchising Code of Conduct.
Read columnCES 2020: Covering the spectrum of what’s next
The tenor of the event itself also continued to evolve in 2020. While Intel pulled out this year, a new generation of smaller and fresher brands stepped in to keep the show as dramatically chaotic as ever. Chaotic could definitely describe 2020’s automotive offerings.
Read columnEstablishing your digital foundations
However, what is the point of investing in advertising, if your marketing foundations aren’t in place?
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