Today in Cars: Discounts, Utes on the March, Touchscreens Takeover, and a Daytona Stunner

I spent the morning bouncing between dealer chatter, tech teasers, and one very rude camera truck humiliating a pair of supercars. If you like your news with a side of real-world buying advice—and a whiff of burnt rubber—you’re in the right lane.

Budget Buzz: MG turns the screws, Ford plots another affordable ute, and a new bargain brand scales up

MG 3 and ZS loyalty discounts: small cars, smaller bills

MG’s already sharp-value duo—the MG 3 and ZS—just got even more approachable courtesy of new loyalty discounts aimed at existing MG owners. It’s the kind of move that makes showroom math pleasantly simple. I’ve run a couple of ZS press cars around Sydney’s western suburbs over the years, and the appeal’s obvious: easy-going ride, parking made simple, and costs that don’t make your accountant sigh.

• Who benefits: current MG owners eyeing an upgrade or second car
• Why it matters: sharper drive-away deals in a segment where every dollar counts
• My take: a tidy retention play that’ll keep Kia Picanto and base Hyundai Venue shoppers honest

Ford’s affordable ute: a new rung below Ranger

Ford’s working on another budget-friendly ute to sit alongside Ranger, Maverick, and an upcoming EV pickup. Reading the tea leaves, it sounds like Dearborn wants a clearer staircase: from entry-level workhorse to global bestseller to plug-in future. I’ve spent enough time on work sites to know the formula that lands: low buy-in, honest payload, and a cabin you can hose out without crying.

• Positioning: a price-led, do-it-all ute beneath Ranger
• What to expect: simple spec, big practicality, and a bed that begs for toolboxes
• Wildcard: how it’s powered—petrol, hybrid, or diesel—will dictate fleet uptake

A new Chinese budget ute brand grows its dealer footprint

Meanwhile, a cut-price Chinese ute marque is expanding its Australian dealer network. That’s code for “we’re getting serious about parts, aftersales, and being where buyers actually live”—the stuff that turns curiosity into sales. When I visited a regional dealer last month, they told me straight: if you stock filters, pads, and windscreens locally, tradies start listening.

Quick view: what today’s affordability moves mean

Price Relief on the Horizon: EU–Australia progress could make luxe cars cheaper

Talks around an EU–Australia agreement are reportedly warming up again, and that could chip away at tariffs on European imports. If you’ve been stalking a German wagon or an Italian coupe on the configurator at 1 a.m., this is the kind of bureaucratic progress that might eventually shave real money from the drive-away number. Timing and structure are everything here, and local taxes still loom large—but pressure tends to flow downhill to sticker prices, even if in stages.

Hybrids and EVs: long-range PHEVs, a clearer BMW i3 picture, and one savage camera truck

Chery chases true road-trip PHEVs

Chery’s talking up new plug-in hybrid powertrains geared for long-distance driving. As someone who’s done Brisbane-to-Byron in a PHEV more times than I can count, here’s the trick: give me enough electric range for the Monday–Friday grind, then let petrol handle holiday traffic without charging angst. If Chery nails seamless transitions and consistent regen braking, it’ll win commuters and caravan crowds alike.

• Focus: extended EV-only range with petrol backup
• Use case: weekday EV commuting, weekend road trips
• Watch for: battery size, charging speed, and tow ratings

BMW’s next i3 is coming into focus

BMW’s future compact EV—widely associated with the “i3” nameplate—is losing camouflage in fresh peeks, making its Neue Klasse design language easier to read. Expect cleaner surfacing and a cabin that leans hard into software. The original i3 was a quirky carbon-bodied pioneer I adored around town; this one looks more conventional, which should broaden appeal without sacrificing that instant, tidy BMW steering feel that makes roundabouts fun.

About that 9,000-lb camera truck dusting supercars

If you saw the viral clip of a hulking camera rig dropping a Ferrari and a Ford GT like they missed the start—yep, I spat my coffee too. Physics still matters, but so does electric torque off the line. I’ve ridden in one of these pursuit rigs on track days; when the operator floors it, the surge is rude in the best possible way. Moral of the story: don’t drag race the film crew.

Inside Baseball: Japan’s industry pulls together

Autocar reports Japan’s carmakers are tightening ranks in the face of ferocious pressure—costs rising, tech cycles shortening, and global competition at full chat. More platform sharing, deeper supplier partnerships, and sharper software roadmaps are the order of the day. Having sat through more than a few supplier summits, I can tell you: consolidation can be dull on PowerPoint but transformational on the balance sheet.

UI Wars: The 2026 Mazda CX-5 says goodbye to knobs

Mazda is set to ditch more physical controls in the next CX-5. I’ve long praised Mazda’s old-school ergonomics—volume knob, clear climate buttons, eyes-up driving. Swapping to touch-first controls can look clean in a brochure, but try changing fan speed on a corrugated back road north of Cooma and you’ll miss a simple dial. If Mazda threads the needle with haptic feedback and logical layouts, fine; if not, expect a lot of “why is my seat heating?” moments from first-time owners.

• Upside: sleek design, richer software features
• Risk: distraction if touch targets and menus aren’t nailed
• Pro tip: test the UI on a bumpy test drive, not just in the lot

Motorsport High: 23XI Racing’s Daytona 500 heroics

Road & Track flagged a monumental Daytona 500 for 23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan. No matter your NASCAR allegiance, that’s a watershed moment. I’ve been in enough garages to know how wins like this galvanize a team—mechanics walk taller, sponsors stop hedging, and suddenly every pit stop feels half a second sharper. Momentum isn’t on the timing sheet, but you feel it.

Buyer’s Corner: What I’d do this week

• Small car shopper? If you’re an MG owner, ring your dealer about those MG 3/ZS loyalty deals. Bring your current paperwork and ask for a changeover figure—you want the total, not just the discount headline.
• Tradie on a budget? Keep an eye on that expanding Chinese ute network near you—real support beats a theoretical bargain every time.
• Premium buyer? If an EU–Australia deal is edging closer, you’ve got a choice: lock a good offer now or wait to see if tariffs ease. If you can live with your current ride for a few months, patience might pay.
• Tech-curious? When the new CX-5 lands, spend extra time with the infotainment and climate screens. If it frustrates you in the first 10 minutes, it won’t improve in year two.

Quick Hits and Observations

• Chery’s long-range PHEV pitch is exactly what most families want: EV weekdays, petrol weekends—no planning gymnastics.
• BMW’s next i3 trading quirkiness for mainstream polish is the right call; the segment’s moved on.
• The camera truck video isn’t an EV vs. supercar morality tale—just a reminder that launch torque is a party trick EVs do better than almost anything.

Conclusion

From discounts you can act on today to tech and trucks that hint at tomorrow, the market’s tilting toward value and software—sometimes brilliantly (PHEVs that actually road-trip), sometimes questionably (RIP, physical knobs). As ever, the best deal is the one that fits your life next Tuesday at 7 a.m., not a spec sheet fantasy. Try the UI, check the dealer map, and don’t drag race the production crew.

FAQ

• Are the new MG 3 and ZS discounts only for current MG owners?
  They’re described as loyalty offers, which typically target existing owners. Confirm eligibility with your dealer—details can vary by location and timing.
• Will the EU–Australia agreement immediately make European luxury cars cheaper?
  Not instantly. Any tariff changes usually phase in and depend on the final terms. Keep an eye on official announcements and dealer pricing updates.
• When will Ford’s new affordable ute arrive and what will it cost?
  Ford hasn’t published timing or pricing. Expect it to slot below Ranger on price and spec; specifics will come closer to reveal.
• Is every 2026 Mazda CX-5 losing physical controls?
  The direction is toward fewer physical controls overall, but exact execution can differ by trim or market. Always test the specific model you plan to buy.
• Will Chery’s new PHEVs have enough EV range for daily commuting?
  That’s the stated goal. Real-world range will depend on battery size, driving style, and conditions—wait for official specs and independent tests.