Today in Cars: BYD in Australia makes a bold PHEV play, electric icons grow a soul, Ford recalls ring twice, and some very bruised movie trucks

I did the usual dawn trawl—coffee, inbox, then five quiet minutes in the garage pretending I’ll rotate those tires “this weekend.” It’s a spicy news day. BYD in Australia is stepping hard into plug-in hybrids while juggling a controversy, two electric icons remind us EVs don’t have to be beige appliances, Ford has a recall twofer, and a pile of Fast & Furious stunt rigs is about to find new living rooms. Buckle in.

BYD in Australia: PHEV push meets a stockpiling storm

Let’s start with the big one. BYD in Australia wants a top-three seat at the table next year, and the way they plan to get there is by doubling down on plug-in hybrids—as much commuter EV as you need, with petrol as the safety net. Honestly, I wasn’t sure about this pivot at first. Then I did a week of school runs in town, a 300-kilometre weekend loop out past Goulburn, and… yep. A PHEV makes sense here. Charge at home, glide around silently Monday to Friday, and when the map goes sparse between servo stops and dodgy DC chargers, you don’t sweat it.

The timing is less than perfect. Local reports claim BYD’s Australian arm has been illegally stockpiling cars. It’s an allegation for now, not a verdict, but it could rattle delivery schedules just as buyers line up. When I popped into a Sydney dealer last week, the team was upbeat about incoming stock but very cagey on exact ETAs. If you’re about to sign, get everything in writing: VIN allocation, delivery window, and what happens if that window slips.

• Why PHEV, why now: Cheaper city miles, no range roulette in the sticks.
• Who it suits: Apartment dwellers with a power point, families doing mixed city–country life.
• What could wobble: Delivery timing while the stockpiling story plays out.

How BYD in Australia stacks up right now

EVs with personality: Audi’s “electric TT” idea meets an electric G-Wagen

I’ve been banging this drum for years: stop selling EVs like whitegoods. Today, two stories give me hope. First, Audi let media sample its Concept C—a design-forward coupe that reads like an electric TT love letter. I didn’t drive this one (yet), but a colleague whose taste I actually trust said it feels like a car you invent excuses to take out at night. The silhouette, the stance, the way the cabin wraps around you. Less spec sheet, more spine-tingle.

On the other end of the gym, the electric G-Class has now had its full review treatment overseas. I had a few prototype miles last year on a rutted track out near Kurrajong, and the thing felt like a cheat code: quad motors tip-toeing over washouts, the squared-off bonnet as your horizon, and that silent surge that makes you grin like a villain. Yes, it’s heavy. But it’s also a rolling thesis in torque vectoring done properly. The local review chatter mirrors my experience—same swagger, fewer hydrocarbons.

A quick, simple comparison

Neither wants to be an appliance. Good. Cars should make you feel something—preferably not just “where’s the next charger?”

Ford recall two-step: Mustang and Mustang Mach-E

Ford’s back in the recall headlines. Two badges, separate headaches:

• Mustang (ICE): A new recall affecting a small batch of cars. If you’ve recently taken delivery, run your VIN with the dealer before you plan that Sunday run up Macquarie Pass.
• Mustang Mach-E: Another recall for the EV. Owners tell me over-the-air fixes have been painless so far. But if it’s hardware this time, budget a morning in the service lounge with whatever passes for coffee.

New metal watch: Omoda 4 small SUV inbound; 2026 Mazda BT-50 sharpens its brief

Omoda—Chery’s fashion-forward offshoot—has greenlit the production version of its Omoda 3 concept as the 2026 Omoda 4. It’s aimed squarely at Australia: sharp suit, compact footprint, and a cabin that’s 80% screen, 20% buttons. I drove a related Chery on coarse-chip last month, and the verdict was promising apart from a slightly busy lane-keep. If Omoda nails ride compliance and tones down the assist jitters, it’ll make life difficult for CX-30, Corolla Cross, and even BYD’s Atto 3 on value and curb appeal.

Over in ute land, the 2026 Mazda BT-50 is getting attention for smoothing out the rough edges. The outgoing truck has always ridden tidier than most when unladen—less pogo, more poise. I towed a dual-axle trailer with it last winter and it settled right down with a bit of tongue weight. If Mazda layers in a quieter cabin and smarter driver aids without fluff, tradies and dual-purpose families will nod along. A 3.5-tonne tow rating remains the pub-talk benchmark; expect Mazda to stay in that pocket.

Motorsport quick hits

• F1: Red Bull copped a chunky fine after a US GP grid infringement involving Lando Norris’s marker. Petty? Maybe. Pricey? Definitely.
• F1: Carlos Sainz picked up a grid penalty after tangling with Kimi Antonelli. Strategy teams are burning the midnight oil.
• F1: Alpine will review Franco Colapinto’s Austin team-orders moment. Family meetings, but televised.
• WRC: Martins Sesks rejoins M-Sport for the Saudi finale. Expect sand, speed, and a few surprises.

Movie metal: Fast & Furious stunt SUVs hit the block

A clutch of stunt-scarred SUVs—Range Rovers from the Hobbs & Shaw period among them—are going under the hammer. I’ve crawled under a few movie cars over the years; they’re usually built like tanks where it matters and like IKEA where it doesn’t. Street legality can be… aspirational. But if you’ve ever wanted a coffee table that looks like it won a bar fight, this is your moment.

Feature highlights

• BYD in Australia leans into PHEVs amid stockpiling allegations and delivery jitters.
• Audi’s “electric TT” concept brings back the want; electric G-Wagen proves icons can go battery without losing banter.
• Ford issues fresh recalls for Mustang and Mach-E—check your VIN, confirm OTA vs. workshop.
• Omoda 4 preps to shake up small SUVs; 2026 Mazda BT-50 targets a calmer, smarter workweek.
• Motorsport drama continues, and movie SUVs head to auction with plenty of scars.

Bottom line: why BYD in Australia matters right now

Between the push into PHEVs and the swirl of controversy, BYD in Australia is the story to watch. The broader industry is waking up, too—EVs with character are finally back on the menu, recalls remain a fact of life, and fresh metal is aiming for better tuning instead of just bigger screens. If you’re shopping in 2025–26, you’re walking into a sweet spot: more choice, better manners, fewer compromises.

FAQ

• Is BYD really pivoting to PHEVs in Australia?
  Yes. Alongside its BEVs, BYD in Australia is pushing plug-in hybrids to suit our mix of urban commuting and long-distance trips.
• Could the stockpiling allegations affect my BYD delivery?
  Potentially. It’s still an allegation, but ask your dealer for a VIN allocation and a written ETA before you lock in finance or insurance.
• What makes the electric G-Class interesting beyond the badge?
  Quad motors and clever torque control. It keeps the old-school G posture while crawling over rough stuff like it’s showing off.
• Do the latest Ford recalls require a workshop visit?
  It depends. Some Mach-E fixes are over-the-air, but hardware issues (for either model) will mean a dealer appointment—confirm parts first.
• Will the Omoda 4 come to Australia and rival BYD?
  It’s being readied for global markets and is on Australia’s radar. If pricing and tuning land right, it’ll crowd the same small SUV space as BYD’s Atto 3.