This week on Overdrive David Brown and Paul Murrell dive into the first results from Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard and what they mean for makers and buyers, plus motorsport news, local testing of a Chinese plug‑in ute, an EV over‑the‑air update, listener feedback and a surprising road test of the MG U9 ute.
Episode breakdown: NVES first results analysed (00:00:39); Subaru’s new Supercars role (00:16:23); JAC Hunter PHEV tested locally (00:26:05); Leapmotor OTA update explained (00:30:56); Traffic data & governance debate (00:39:51); Road test: MG U9 ute (00:50:37).
NVES first results analysed
The New Vehicle Efficiency Standard’s first six‑month snapshot shows roughly two‑thirds of suppliers beating their CO₂ targets. Passenger cars averaged about 21% below target, while light commercials — especially utes — lag behind. The scheme uses fleet averages rather than individual bans, which raises questions about offsets, real‑world use and whether the standard drives genuine technological change or simply reflects shifts already happening in the market.
On winners and losers, BYD leads on credits and brands such as Toyota and Tesla benefit largely from strong hybrid and EV lineups. Mazda sits deep in deficit, with Nissan and Subaru also trailing. Low‑volume performance brands like Ferrari and Rolls‑Royce top per‑vehicle emissions but have a limited overall effect. The ability to trade credits creates economic pressure and fuels debate over whether trading amounts to “buying the right to pollute.”
Subaru’s new Supercars role
From 2026 Subaru will be the exclusive on‑track support vehicle supplier for the Repco Supercars Championship. WRX tS Spec B models will serve as safety and course cars while Outback models handle medical duties. The move strengthens Subaru’s credibility in performance and safety, even if the marketing value of motorsport partnerships can be hard to quantify.
JAC Hunter PHEV tested locally
JAC’s Hunter plug‑in hybrid ute is undergoing 50,000 km of Australian validation at Lang Lang and on public roads. The Hunter pairs dual electric motors with a turbo petrol engine and offers V2L capability; local tuning focuses on towing performance, durability and adapting to Australian conditions. The program signals increasing investment by Chinese brands in market‑specific engineering.
Leapmotor OTA update explained
Leapmotor has delivered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via an over‑the‑air update along with refinements to driver assistance and one‑pedal driving. OTA updates offer convenience and feature additions, but they also raise concerns about feature creep, intrusive notifications and subscription‑style activations. Clear communication and minimizing driver distraction remain key challenges.
Traffic data & governance debate
A response from Transport for NSW on traffic counting prompted a wider discussion about the quality, calibration and governance of traffic data. Measuring traffic flow is complex and requires rigorous methods; accuracy and transparency are critical because policy built on poor data can lead to ineffective or misguided decisions.
Road test: MG U9 ute
After 35 years of testing, the MG U9 was an unexpected review subject. The U9 is wide, comfortable and thoughtfully packaged with a practical tray and a clever folding tailgate. Its 2.5‑litre turbo diesel feels old‑school and the gearbox can hesitate at times, but ride comfort on both sealed and dirt roads is impressive. Priced around $60,000, the U9 is less a testosterone‑fuelled hero and more a practical, family‑friendly dual‑cab ute.