Daily Drive: PHEV pickups move in, Mazda shuffles the deck, and Cadillac steals Super Bowl airtime

I had one of those split-screen automotive days: a Super Bowl ad that made me spill my salsa (Cadillac, we’ll get to you), a bright orange pickup that outshouted my coffee, and a quiet but telling drumbeat for plug-in hybrids. Sprinkle in a small-SUV shake-up and a policy curveball, and you’ve got Monday in a nutshell.

PHEVs find their stride—and they’re coming for utes

Autocar’s pulse check says plug-in hybrids are gaining sales even as their real-world efficacy keeps getting prodded. That squares with what I’ve seen on school runs and suburban chargers: folks want electric miles without range anxiety, especially if the workplace charger is an easy win. The key, as always, is plugging in. Treat a PHEV like a regular petrol and the magic evaporates.

GWM Cannon PHEV lines up against BYD’s Shark

Right on cue, GWM has uncovered a plug-in Cannon ute, with Australia on the whiteboard under “under consideration.” Framed as a rival to BYD’s Shark, it suggests our pickup world is about to get much more electrified. I’ve driven plenty of dual-cabs on tradie duty and family weekends; the torque hit of electrification suits them. Silky low-speed grunt, silent early mornings, and—if you’re diligent with charging—lower running costs.

• What stands out: a mainstream dual-cab moving to plug-in power without going full EV.
• Real-world appeal: school drop-offs on electrons, long-haul towing on petrol when you need it.
• Watch for: payload/towing figures with a battery on board, and how the rear packaging treats suspension travel.

Bottom line: PHEV utes might be the bridge tech that actually sticks in markets with long distances and towing habits. If the pricing makes sense, expect a rush of fence-sitters to climb down on the plug-in side.

Mazda CX-3 axed in Japan: small-SUV musical chairs

The evergreen Mazda CX-3 is being cut in Japan, putting a question mark over its longer-term future elsewhere. I’ve always liked how the CX-3 shrinks Mazda’s taut steering feel into a tight parking footprint, but it’s also felt its age: narrow cabin, a boot shaped like a stubborn suitcase, and road noise that sneaks in on coarse-chip bitumen.

For shoppers, this could gently push attention to the roomier CX-30 or rivals like Honda’s HR-V. I spent a week commuting in the current HR-V and clocked why younger drivers vibe with it: the back-seat flexibility is a real-world win, the cabin is calming without feeling cheap, and the ergonomics don’t pick a fight with your thumbs. If the CX-3 bows out more broadly, that’s where a lot of buyers will land.

• What I noticed living with CX-3: light on its feet, tight on space.
• HR-V play: clever packaging and a mellow ride suit first apartments and inner-city carparks.
• Market read: expect trims and incentives to shuffle as brands reposition “small but liveable.”

Hyundai Santa Fe quietly drops a talking point

Hyundai is deleting the Santa Fe’s most controversial feature. You know the one—the bit that set comment sections alight. I’ve run the latest Santa Fe over rough regional roads and, spicy styling aside, the fundamentals are right: square-edged practicality, a family-first cabin, and a ride that feels tougher than its minimalist vibe suggests. Nipping away a polarizing element is a classic mid-cycle move to broaden its appeal. Keep an eye out for running changes and spec-sheet tweaks as shipments roll.

Factory shuffle: GWM Ora sourcing changes for Australia

Production of the GWM Ora electric hatch for Australia is ending at the former Holden-affiliated plant overseas. Translation: expect a sourcing change, which can ripple into delivery timing and, sometimes, pricing or spec. I’ve had two owners tell me their Ora’s city range has made them EV evangelists—provided they keep a wallbox at home. If supply tightens temporarily, used examples might look surprisingly strong for a quarter or two.

Orange crush: AEV’s Silverado HD ZR2 Bison in Tangier Orange

Car and Driver flagged a sight you will not miss in the Bunnings carpark: AEV’s take on the Chevy Silverado HD ZR2 Bison, now in unmissable Tangier Orange. I’ve hustled a ZR2 on shale and whoops; the truck shrugs off abuse better than you’d expect for something with cupholders big enough for a thermos. The Bison kit leans into the rough stuff with AEV armor and off-road hardware, and the paint hue shouts “spot me from orbit.” Not subtle. Very effective.

• Trail cred: underbody protection and purposeful stance you won’t confuse with a decal pack.
• Daily-livable bits: big-cab comfort, easygoing gearing, and surprisingly tidy throttle calibration off-road.
• Weekend flex: perfect for ski-lodge carparks where the plows haven’t made a second pass.

Motorsport moment: Cadillac’s asymmetric F1 debut livery

Cadillac used the Super Bowl spotlight to reveal a two-sided, asymmetric livery for its maiden F1 season—a smart brand flex. I caught it live and rewound. Twice. Asymmetric schemes can look gimmicky in stills, but they sing at speed, and that’s the whole point. Between the IMSA pedigree and now F1 visibility, Cadillac’s performance halo just got brighter, which always trickles down to showroom swagger.

Odds and ends: big money for a big coupe, and a speed-camera curveball

$300k for a 21-year-old Mercedes CL

Someone just paid north of $300,000 for a two-decade-old Mercedes CL. No, not the gullwing, the big pillarless coupe from the V8/V12 glory years. The right spec, the right miles, the right provenance—and suddenly those soft-close doors are appreciating assets. Caveat emptor: I’ve driven a few of these and they’re wonderful when sorted, less so when the hydraulic wizardry starts demanding tribute.

Colorado considers tickets without the stop

A proposed Colorado bill could let cities fine drivers via cameras without ever pulling you over. I’ve covered enough policy swings to know how this plays out: safety advocates cheer, civil liberties groups grimace, and everyone asks about calibration and due process. If you commute through a patchwork of jurisdictions, watch for signage and test periods. It’s the kind of rule that can turn a normal week into an expensive one.

Quick takeaways

• PHEV momentum is real; plug-in utes like the Cannon PHEV could make electrification click for tradies and families.
• Mazda CX-3’s Japanese exit nudges shoppers toward roomier small SUVs like HR-V and CX-30.
• Santa Fe trims a polarizing feature to broaden appeal—expect subtle spec shifts soon.
• GWM Ora’s sourcing change may ripple through Aussie delivery timelines.
• Cadillac’s asymmetric F1 livery nails the brief: memorable at speed, watercooler-friendly at home.

FAQ

Is the Mazda CX-3 being discontinued everywhere?

It’s been axed in Japan. Other markets haven’t all confirmed changes yet, but the move hints at a gradual phase-out as buyers migrate to roomier alternatives.

Is the GWM Cannon PHEV coming to Australia?

It’s been uncovered, and an Australian launch is under consideration. Timing and final specs are still to be announced.

What exactly is Hyundai removing from the Santa Fe?

Hyundai is dropping the model’s most controversial feature. Details vary by market and timing, but expect a running change aimed at broadening appeal.

Why are PHEVs selling well despite criticism?

They deliver electric commuting if you charge at home, with petrol backup for long trips. The upside fades if you don’t plug in, which drives the ongoing scrutiny.

What’s special about Cadillac’s first F1 livery?

It’s asymmetric—two-sided by design—debuted during the Super Bowl to maximize eyeballs. It’s meant to stand out in motion, not just in photos.

If you’re cross-shopping anything mentioned here and want the nitty-gritty (towing numbers, real-world economy, or packaging quirks), drop me your shortlist—I’ve probably got notebook scribbles from a backroad or two with your name on them.