Thanks for joining us this Wednesday 5th of February 2025. Notably in car news today: Toyota leads global vehicle sales for 2024, Audi ditches split model names for EV and ICE vehicles, and more
Browse this issue:
- Toyota leads global vehicle sales in 2024
- Audi ditches split model names for EV and ICE vehicles
- Suzuki Jimny five-door pulled from sale in Japan
- Kia Stonic receives facelift for 2025
- 2025 Kia K4 GT-Line review
Toyota leads global vehicle sales in 2024
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With over ten-million sales recorded worldwide for 2024, Toyota is once again the leading global vehicle manufacturer on sales.
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While it managed to shift 10,159,336 vehicles around the world in 2024, this figure is actually slightly down compared to 2023’s result.
Toyota is once again leading the global sales race.
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In 2023, Toyota nearly 10.5 million units, meaning that while they are still the top-dog numbers wise, it shows a decline in the automotive sector.
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These sales figures don’t include other brands under the Toyota umbrella, such as Daihatsu, however it does include Lexus.
Audi ditches split model names for EV and ICE vehicles
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Following feedback from owners and dealers, Audi has decided to change its vehicle naming strategy once again.
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This strategy was originally designed to provide naming clarity between ICE (internal combustion engines) and EV (electric vehicles). However it seems to have confused Audi fans and more.
Audi has confused punters with a new naming strategy.
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The original idea was to number ICE and plug-in hybrids 1, 3, 5 and 7, electric vehicles were given even numbers 2, 4, 6 and 8. However, this isn’t manageable without renaming some new and existing models to fit neatly.
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Audi will continue to label traditional body styles with ‘A’ designation and SUVs by ‘Q’ designation.
Suzuki Jimny five-door pulled from Japanese market
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After just four days on sale, Suzuki has pulled the five-door Jimny from the Japanese market. Thankfully it’s for positive reasons.
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The Jimny XL (as it is known in Australia) has proven to be a popular vehicle in Australia, India and South Africa since launching in late 2023. Well, it seems the popularity caused supply stresses for the Japanese market.
Seems everyone wants a slice of the Jimny pie.
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Close to 50,000 orders were placed in those four days, causing Suzuki to immediately close the order book for the five-door Jimny in Japan until supply can increase.
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Manufactured in India, the current five-door production plant is capable of building 1200 Jimnys per month. For context, 50,000 units would take closer to four years to produce.
Kia Stonic receives facelift for 2025 for 2025
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For 2025, the Kia Stonic is receiving a facelift to breathe life into the platform that has been on sale globally since 2017.
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This makeover is reported to see updates to the bumper bar, headlights and new wheels will be offered as well as revised tech and safety systems to bring it into 2025.
Kia Stonic to receive a facelift for 2025.
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In 2024 Kia sold 6189 examples, showing it is still a solid performer locally sales wise.
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Priced from $25,460 to $31,780, the Kia Stonic is currently the fourth most affordable SUV on sale.
2025 Kia K4 GT-Line review
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Chasing Cars Editor, Jez Spinks, has penned his thoughts on the new Kia K4 GT-Line.
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After 21 years on sale in Australia, Kia has retired the Cerato nameplate, instead offering the new K4 as an alternative.
Is the K4 a worthy replacement for the Cerato?
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Grip levels and the firmer ride quality offered by the GT-Line, as well as a more responsive 1.6L turbo-charged engine, put a smile on Jez’s dial.
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While Jez feels the new K4 has seen a big change in design and aesthetics, his main gripe is that it just doesn’t feel as new as he had hoped.
READ: Link to written review
The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Thursday 6th of February at 4.30pm Sydney time.
