2025 marked a turning point for the automotive world—both in Australia and globally.

With over 1.2 million new cars sold nationwide, utes dominated the charts, claiming three of the top four spots, while compact SUVs continued their surge in popularity. At the same time, electric vehicles gained serious momentum, driven in part by the rapid rise of Chinese manufacturers. But beyond the numbers, it was the sheer volume of new brands entering the Australian market that really got people talking.

In this episode, veteran motoring commentator Mike Sinclair breaks down the year that was, shares his outlook on what’s ahead, and explores the big questions shaping the industry. How will government policies like the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) impact buyers? And is the push to end new petrol and diesel car sales by 2035 actually achievable?