Top-tier Tesla executive Jerome Guillen departs, reasoning unclear

Tesla heavyweight executive Jerome Guillen – who formerly served as President of Automotive, led Model S development, and more recently headed up the brand’s trucking division – has left the electric vehicle specialist, according to an 8K SEC filing released overnight. “As of June 3, 2021, Jerome … departed Tesla. We thank him for his many contributions and wish him well in his future career,” the document notes. It is unclear if he resigned or was pushed out.

2021 Volkswagen Arteon price and specs

The facelifted 2021 Volkswagen Arteon will offer a choice of engines and a new Shooting Brake wagon body style for the first time when it reaches local showrooms early in the fourth quarter of this year (October).

2022 Volkswagen Golf R and Tiguan R due in Australia in February, T-Roc R here later in 2022

Volkswagen Australia is preparing to launch four new high-performance R models in 2022, the new 2022 Volkswagen Golf R hatch and wagon, 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan R and 2022 Volkswagen T-Roc R – here's when you can expect them to arrive. First to reach Australian Volkswagen showrooms will be the Golf R small-car duo (above) and Tiguan R mid-size SUV (below), due to launch locally in February 2022.

MG sales surge ... and not just in Australia

It’s not just Australia that’s embracing MG Motor, with the once-British, now Chinese-owned brand, enjoying a growth spurt in its spiritual homeland. MG Motor has sold 10,760 cars in the UK so far this year, representing 89.2 per cent growth year-to-date.

2022 Kia Sportage unveiled ahead of late 2021 Australian showroom arrival

The 2022 Kia Sportage has been revealed ahead of its arrival in Australian showrooms sometime in the last three months of this year (fourth quarter of 2021). Following teaser images released in recent weeks, the wraps have now officially been lifted from Kia's crucial new mid-size SUV, showing the Sportage's bold exterior styling and twin-screen dashboard layout in full.

Toyota hybrid sales pass 200,000 in Australia, delays for RAV4 still out to six months

Toyota Australia has now sold more than 200,000 hybrid cars – more than any other manufacturer locally – passing the major milestone last month. While it took 20 years to pass the 200,000 mark, half of the total tally was sold in the past three years. However, demand is so strong there are lengthy delays for key models, namely the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid which is now pushed out to six months.

2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric price and specs: $76,990 before on-road costs for new electric SUV

Volvo's first electric vehicle, the 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric, is closing in on Australian showrooms, with an arrival due between July and September 2021 – and now the brand has announced a price: $76,990 before on-road costs.