In this episode of Overdrive David Brown and Paul Murrell cut through the headlines and hype to tackle fuel security, the rising role of Chinese imports in Australia’s car market, motoring history, and practical reviews — including a living-with test of the Deepal E07. The conversation ranges from geopolitical risks to small user-focused design details and a reality check on a proposed very fast train.
Fuel security and the shift to electrification
The episode opens with concern over how tensions near the Strait of Hormuz have unsettled oil markets and sharpened the case for electrification. David and Paul argue Australia remains exposed because it imports most refined fuel, making availability and potential queues as worrying as price. They suggest energy security, not just cost, will increasingly drive policy and buyer decisions.
China’s rise in Australia’s new-car market
Using recent sales data, the hosts note China has overtaken Japan as Australia’s biggest source of imported vehicles. That surge is closely linked to growing EV and plug-in hybrid sales. The presenters discuss how this shift may mean buyers value energy security and reduced dependence on petrol when choosing new cars.
Grand Prix history and Cadillac’s EV push
Paul spotlights the Repco Brabham BT19 returning to the Australian Grand Prix as a rolling tribute to Sir Jack Brabham and Ron Tauranac, contrasting its mechanical simplicity with modern Formula One complexity. The conversation then turns to Cadillac’s local EV launch, with the presenters questioning whether brand cachet and motorsport exposure will translate into meaningful sales in Australia.
Remembering Frederick Lanchester
A history segment profiles British engineer Frederick Lanchester, credited with early work on four-wheel drive, turbocharging, fuel injection, disc brakes and rack-and-pinion steering. Paul presents Lanchester as a major but underappreciated innovator whose ideas often arrived decades before the market was ready.
The fuel-door arrow and small design wins
David notes the passing of Jim Moylan, the Ford engineer credited with popularising the small dashboard triangle that indicates which side the fuel filler is on. They treat the fuel-door arrow as a modest but brilliant piece of user-focused design that matters even more when drivers regularly swap vehicles.
Very fast train reality check
The federal government’s Sydney–Newcastle very fast train proposal receives a sceptical but measured review. David questions whether the project addresses the right problems, arguing cheaper improvements to existing rail and better local transport could deliver more practical public value than a prestige megaproject.
Deepal E07: a living-with review
Rather than chasing raw performance figures, the hosts assess the E07 on day-to-day usability, controls and communication. They appreciate the car’s refinement, features and clever touches, but criticise awkward translations, screen-heavy interfaces and some confusing functionality. Their conclusion: the Deepal E07 is impressive and promising, yet still imperfect as a daily driver.
Program links and credits
Overdrive is broadcast across Australia on the Community Radio Network. For full episodes, archives and additional content search for Cars Transport Culture on the website and podcast platforms, and follow the program on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. This episode first aired 7 March 2026.